Richard Bleier
Richard Sidney Bleier (born April 16, 1987) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, Miami Marlins, and Boston Red Sox.
Richard Bleier | |
---|---|
Free agent | |
Pitcher | |
Born: Davie, Florida, U.S. | April 16, 1987|
Bats: Left Throws: Left | |
MLB debut | |
May 30, 2016, for the New York Yankees | |
MLB statistics (through 2023 season) | |
Win–loss record | 15–6 |
Earned run average | 3.27 |
Strikeouts | 187 |
Teams | |
In high school, he was a State of Florida All Star in 2005. In his junior year of college at Florida Gulf Coast University, Bleier was selected unanimously as the Atlantic Sun Conference Pitcher of the Year and First Team All Sun Conference. The Texas Rangers selected Bleier in the sixth round of the 2008 MLB draft. In 2009, his 125 strikeouts were the second-most in the Rangers' minor league system, and he gave up the fewest walks-per-9 innings in the California League. Bleier signed with the Washington Nationals organization before the 2015 season, pitched for the Harrisburg Senators that year, and had the most wins (14) and the lowest earned run average (ERA; 2.57) of all minor league pitchers in the Nationals minor league system. He was a 2015 post-season Double-A Eastern League all-star, and was voted a Washington organization all-star by MiLB.com.
Bleier debuted in the majors in 2016 for the New York Yankees, following nine minor league seasons in which he pitched 956 innings, and he was one of 12 Yankees pitchers since 1919 to make his debut after turning 29 years old. In 23 relief appearances in 2016 he had a 1.96 ERA. In February 2017 the Yankees traded Bleier to the Baltimore Orioles. In 57 relief appearances in 2017, he had a 1.99 ERA. In 31 relief appearances in 2018, he had a 1.93 ERA. His 1.97 ERA for the seasons 2016–2018 was the second-lowest in major league baseball, of all pitchers with 100 or more innings pitched. During 2020–2022, he pitched for the Miami Marlins.
Used as a relief pitcher, the left-hander throws a fastball that hits the low 90s, a changeup, a curveball, and a slider.[1] His approach is to "pitch to contact," and use excellent control.[2] Bleier pitched for Team Israel in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
Early and personal life
Bleier was born in Davie, Florida.[3] Bleier's father, Lawrence, is from Brooklyn, in New York City, and grew up playing stickball in Brownsville, Brooklyn; his mother is Kathleen Bleier.[4][5][6] Bleier has a brother and a sister, and is Jewish.[6][7] His father was born Jewish and his mother converted to Judaism.[8] His wife is Brett Bleier.[1]
Bleier grew up in Plantation, Florida, and played baseball at South Plantation High School, from which he graduated in 2005.[9] As a freshman, he was 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 m) tall, and weighed 117 pounds (53 kg).[10] He was chosen for the county and state All Star games in 2005.[11] He lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.[12]
College
Bleier played college baseball at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) for the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles in Fort Myers, Florida on a partial scholarship.[6][13] He majored in criminal justice. By 2008, Bleier had grown to 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) and 210 pounds (95 kg), and was throwing 90 miles per hour (140 km/h).[10] In his junior year of college he was selected unanimously as the Atlantic Sun Conference Pitcher of the Year and First Team All Sun Conference after he had a 7–1 win–loss record and a 2.09 earned run average (ERA), leading the conference in wins, ERA, complete games, and innings pitched (90.1).[14][6][11][15][16]
In his three years at the university, he had a 2.70 ERA (2nd-best all-time in school history), 17 wins (7th) against 4 losses, and 181 strikeouts (7th) in 209.2 innings.[17] In 2021, Bleier was inducted into the ASUN Hall of Fame.[18] In November 2022, he was named to the FGCU Athletics Hall of Fame.[18]
Professional career
Texas Rangers (2008–2013)
The Texas Rangers selected Bleier in the sixth round of the 2008 Major League Baseball draft, after his junior year in college.[14] His signing made him the highest draft pick in the history of Florida Gulf Coast University.[14]
Bleier played in the Rangers system. Playing for the Bakersfield Blaze in 2009, he was 7–11 and gave up the fewest walks-per-9-innings in the California League (1.25), and had the best strikeout/walk ratio in the league (5.40).[19] In 2009 between Bakersfield and Hickory, he was 9–12 and his 125 strikeouts were the second-most in the Rangers' minor league system.[20][21]
In 2010, he was 7–11 for Frisco, led the Texas League with 28 starts and two shutouts, and gave up the third-fewest walks per 9 innings in the league, at 1.54.[22][23] Bleier was voted Pitcher of the Week in the Class AA Texas League with the Rangers' Frisco RoughRiders on both May 10, 2010, and June 6, 2011.[14] He spent 2010 through 2012 in Frisco, pitching to 5.04 ERA in 2010, a 7–8 record and 5.60 ERA and 1.4 walks per 9 innings in 2011, and a 0–2 record and one save and a 3.94 ERA in 2012. He split the 2013 season between the Triple-A Round Rock Express and Frisco, registering an overall 6–6 record with four saves and a 3.32 ERA with 49 strikeouts.[24]
Toronto Blue Jays (2014)
After the 2013 season, the Toronto Blue Jays selected Bleier from the Rangers in the Triple-A phase of the Rule 5 draft.[25][26] He split the 2014 season between the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats and the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, registering a cumulative 6–5 record with a save and a 3.95 ERA with 11 walks (1.1 walks per 9 innings; he had the lowest walk ratio in the Eastern League) and 45 strikeouts in 86.2 innings pitched.[24][27]
Washington Nationals (2015)
On December 13, 2014, Bleier signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals organization, and he pitched first for the Harrisburg Senators in 2015, for whom in 16 games (15 starts) he was 8–3 with a 2.45 ERA, as in 103 innings he walked only 9 batters (one intentionally), and led the Eastern League with a rate of 0.8 walks per 9 innings.[28][29] He was voted Eastern League Pitcher of the Week with the Senators on May 25, 2015.[14] He was a post-season Class AA Eastern League All Star with Harrisburg.[14] He was promoted to the Syracuse Chiefs of the Class AAA International League, for whom he was 6–2 with a 2.75 ERA, led the league by not allowing a home run in 68.2 innings, and was second in the league with 0.9 walks per 9 innings.[30][31][32] In 2015, Bleier had the most wins (14) and the lowest ERA (2.57) of all minor league pitchers in the Washington Nationals minor league system.[14] He was voted a Washington organization All Star by MiLB.com.[14] On November 6, 2015, Bleier elected free agency.[33]
New York Yankees (2016)
On December 18, 2015, Bleier signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees organization.[14] He began the 2016 season with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders of the International League.[6]
Bleier was called up to the majors for the first time on May 26, 2016, by the Yankees.[5] He debuted in the majors on May 30, becoming the 27th Yankee to wear uniform number 50.[34][5] His debut followed nine minor league seasons in which he pitched 956 innings. Bleier was one of 12 Yankees pitchers since 1919 to make his debut after turning 29 years old, and the first since Amauri Sanit in 2011.[35][6] He became the third former FGCU player to play in the majors, joining pitchers Chris Sale and Casey Coleman.[5]
Yankee manager Joe Girardi said: "I can use him either way – for distance or I could use him if I wanted (to pitch to) a couple lefties. He's a ground ball guy. He gets a ton of ground balls.... He was a starter down there, so he's built up."[5] In 23 relief appearances in 2016, Bleier had two holds and a 1.96 ERA in 23 innings, a 1.043 WHIP, and left-handed batters hit .150 against him.[36][37]
2017
On February 21, 2017, the Yankees traded Bleier to the Baltimore Orioles for a player to be named later or cash considerations.[38][39] Bleier began the 2017 season pitching for the Norfolk Tides of the AAA International League.[40]
The Orioles promoted Bleier to the major leagues after he posted an ERA of 0.61 in 14.2 innings over eight games, in which he did not give up a walk.[41] One appearance after being handed his first career loss, Bleier tossed 12⁄3 scoreless innings in extra innings for his first career victory, against the Detroit Tigers. Bleier had a solid first half for the Orioles, with a 1.45 ERA in 301⁄3 innings, over 25 relief appearances.[42] Through August 4, Bleier had the lowest ERA (1.56) in the American League of all pitchers with 40 innings pitched.[43] At the same time—pitching to contact—he had averaged 4.02 strikeouts-per-9-innings, the lowest average of all such AL pitchers.[43]
In 57 relief appearances in 2017, he was 2–1 with three holds and had a 1.99 ERA.[44] Bleier averaged 3.69 strikeouts-per-9-innings, the lowest average of all AL pitchers who had pitched 60 innings or more, and batters he faced averaged 3.45 pitches-per-plate-appearance, the second-lowest average among all such AL pitchers.[44] He induced ground balls 68.8% of the time, the second-highest rate among all relievers in baseball.[45] Batters only hit barrels against him 2.7% of the time (in the lowest 3% of major league pitchers), and he walked only 4.9% of batters (in the lowest 5% of major league pitchers).[46]
2018
In April 2018, Sam Miller wrote in ESPN: "Bleier has ... the best [career] ERA+ in major league history, minimum 95 innings".[47] A few days later Jon Meoli wrote in The Baltimore Sun: "By one measurement, Richard Bleier is the best statistical pitcher to ever toe the major league rubber. He knows that by the relatively arbitrary measurement of pitchers with 101 big league innings or more, his 242 ERA+ was the best... His raw ERA [1.78] is the best in baseball history for that qualifier as well."[48]
On June 13, Bleier left a game with an injury later diagnosed as a grade 3 lat tear on his left side.[49] The injury required surgical repair that ended Bleier's season; there was a chance he could be ready to pitch in spring training in 2019.[50][51][52]
In 31 relief appearances in 2018, Bleier was 3–0 with 9 holds and a 1.93 ERA, and averaged 1.1 walks per 9 innings as he allowed four walks (one intentionally). Bleier averaged 4.13 strikeouts-per-9-innings, the fourth-lowest average of all AL pitchers who had pitched 30 innings or more.[53] Batters he faced averaged 3.40 pitches-per-plate-appearance, the second-lowest average among all such AL pitchers, and averaged 21.2% hard-hit balls, the third-lowest percentage among all such AL pitchers..[53][54][55]
For his career through 2018, Bleier was 5–1 with a 1.97 ERA in 111 games.[56] His 1.97 ERA for the seasons 2016–18 was the second-lowest in major league baseball (behind Zach Britton; 1.86), of all pitchers with 100 or more innings pitched, as his strikeout percentage (11.0%) was the lowest of such pitchers in major league baseball.[57][58] He had a salary of $556,000, and was to be eligible for arbitration in 2020, and to be a free agent in 2023.[59]
2019–20
Bleier returned from his lat muscle surgery in 2019, and was on the injured list from April 10 to May 16 with left shoulder tendinitis. He struggled at first, but improved as the season progressed.[60][34]
He finished the 2019 season 3–0 with four saves (the first of his major league career), five holds, and a 5.37 ERA in 53 appearances (one start; the first in his career after 159 major league relief appearances), though Bleier had a much better 3.68 ERA after the All Star break, and in 12 September appearances he had a 2.92 ERA and an 0.717 WHIP as batters hit just .180 against him.[33][61][60][62][63][34] He walked only 3.4% of batters (in the lowest 2% of major league pitchers), and batters only hit barrels against him 3.1% of the time (in the lowest 3% of major league pitchers).[46] He also had some of the worst batted-ball luck on ground balls in the American League, and after a dugout shouting match about defensive positioning with infield coach José Flores, he played in front of an infield that was not shifted for the final month of the season, and saw his results further improve.[60][64][65]
The Orioles agreed to a one-year contract with Bleier for $915,000 for the 2020 season.[60][66] In two relief appearances for the Orioles in 2020, he was 0–0 with an 0.00 ERA.[33]
2020
Bleier was traded from Baltimore to the Miami Marlins on July 31, 2020, in a transaction that was completed seven weeks later when the Orioles received minor-league shortstop Isaac De León on September 18.[67][68] In the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, with Baltimore and Miami combined Bleier was 1–1 with 6 holds, a 2.16 ERA, and a 1.08 WHIP in 16.2 innings over 21 games.[69][33]
2021
In 2021, Bleier was 3–2 with 20 holds (10th in the NL), a 2.95 ERA, and an 0.98 WHIP.[70] In a career-high 68 games he pitched 58 innings, and averaged 0.93 walks per 9 innings (the lowest rate in the NL); of the six walks that he gave up, three were intentional walks.[70][71] He also had a ground ball percentage of 65.5% (tops in the NL), a fly ball percentage of 14.9% (lowest in the NL), a first-ball-strike percentage of 71.1% (highest in the NL), a strikeout/walk ratio of 7.33 (second-best in the league behind Jacob DeGrom), and induced a swing percentage at pitches outside the strike zone of 42.1% (second-highest in the NL, again behind DeGrom).[72] Batters only hit barrels against him 4.1% of the time (in the lowest 5% of major league pitchers), and swung with a 36.7% chase rate (in the top 2% of major league pitchers).[46]
On July 20, 2021, he was ejected for the first time in his career, as a result of flipping off the umpires.[73] Bleier had disagreed with a HBP call on Alcides Escobar, believing that Escobar had swung at the pitch.[74]
Of major league pitchers who had pitched 240 or more innings from 2016 to 2021, Bleier was 2nd in fewest walks per 9 innings (1.41), 3rd in fewest home runs per 9 innings (0.58), fewest strikeouts per 9 innings (5.02), and lowest fly ball percentage (18.7%), and 4th in ground ball percentage (63.5%).[75]
2022
On March 21, 2022, the Marlins signed Bleier to a two-year, $6 million extension ($2.25 million in 2022, and $3.5 million in 2023), avoiding arbitration.[76] The deal included a $3.75 million club option for 2024, and a $250,000 buyout.[76]
Bleier was called for a balk by first-base umpire John Tumpane three times—in a single plate appearance. It was as he faced Pete Alonso, allowing Jeff McNeil to score from first base in the eighth inning of a 6–4 win over the New York Mets at Citi Field on September 27, 2022. He had never been called for a balk in his MLB career previously, over the course of 303 games in seven seasons.[77] It was the first time since at least 1900 that one pitcher was called for a balk three times in a single plate appearance.[78] Manager Don Mattingly was ejected from the game for arguing, and Bleier was also ejected from the game at the end of the inning for arguing with the umpires.[78] CBS Sports opined: "Some balks are obvious. Those are not... You almost have to be looking for a reason to call a balk to ring Bleier up on that motion three – again, three! – times in a single inning."[79]
For the 2022 season, Bleier was 2–2 with one save, seven holds, and a 3.55 ERA in 50 games (one start) covering 50.2 innings in which he gave up 10 walks (3 intentional).[33][80] He induced a 52.5% ground ball rate, and 0.53 home runs/9 innings.[81] In 2022, he relied primarily on his heavy sinker (90 mph; 49% of the time) and cutter (87 mph), mixing in a slider (78 mph) and changeup (83 mph), with a rare heavy-sinking four-seam fastball (91 mph).[82]
Since 1990, Bleier had the third-lowest career walk rate (4%) among relievers with at least 250 innings pitched.[81] In his career through 2022, with two outs and runners in scoring position, he had held batters to a .231 batting average and .286 slugging percentage, not allowing any home runs when facing 168 batters.[83]
Boston Red Sox (2023)
On January 30, 2023, the Marlins traded Bleier to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for pitcher Matt Barnes.[84] Bleier opened the season as a member of Boston's bullpen, until being placed on the injured list on May 22 due to left shoulder inflammation.[85] He returned to the team on July 17.[86] Bleier's struggles and inconsistencies continued, and he was designated for assignment on August 7.[87] On August 9, the Red Sox announced that Bleier had been released after clearing waivers.[88] In 27 games with the Red Sox, Bleier was 1–0 after pitching 30+2⁄3 innings while striking out 16 and posting a 5.28 ERA.
Chicago Cubs (2023)
On August 17, 2023, Bleier signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs organization.[89] Bleier posted a 6.35 ERA in 5 appearances for the Triple–A Iowa Cubs before he was released by Chicago on August 30.[90]
Team Israel; World Baseball Classic
2012
In 2012, Bleier, by virtue of his Jewish heritage, played for the Israel national baseball team in the qualifying rounds of the 2013 World Baseball Classic.[91][92] He pitched one scoreless inning, over the course of two appearances.[15] After not pitching in the first game,[93] Bleier got the only batter he faced in the second game, and was credited with a hold.[94] During the third and final game, Bleier recorded two outs while walking two, and was again credited with a hold.[95]
Bleier turned down Israel's offer to once again play for Israel at the World Baseball Classic main tournament, because he was trying to win a job in spring training in the Orioles' bullpen.[96][36] He said: "It was really appealing to me to do it again. I wanted to represent Israel in the Classic. But I feel like I have such a small window at this point in my career. I didn't get to the big leagues until I was 29. I felt I should do whatever I could to get as much big league time as I can with what little time I have left."[97]
2023
Bleier pitched for Team Israel in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.[98][99] He appeared in two games during the tournament, pitching to a 1–0 record, allowing one hit and four strikeouts over 2+2⁄3 scoreless innings.[100]
References
- David Dorsey (May 27, 2016). "Newest New York Yankee, from FGCU, thrives on control". News-Press. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
- Mick Reinhard (May 12, 2015). "Richard Bleier's pitch-to-contact philosophy shows young arms the way". Retrieved January 17, 2017.
- "Richard Bleier Baseball Stats". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
- Greg Cote (May 30, 2016). "Latest Hot Button Top 10; plus who's feeling most heat in South Florida sports? 12 choices, you pick 3. Poll. Vote!; also, Memorial Day, long climb of Richard Bleier ..." Greg Cote's Random Evidence Blog. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
- David Dorsey (May 26, 2016). "FGCU grad Richard Bleier to pitch for New York Yankees". News-Press. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
- Greg Cote (June 4, 2016). "Bronx cheer: Nine-year baseball odyssey through minors leads to debut with Yankees". Miami Herald. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
- Ron Kaplan (June 2, 2016). "Shalom, Richard Bleier, our latest JML » Kaplan's Korner on Jews and Sports". New Jersey Jewish News. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
- "Your guide to all the Jewish baseball players in the MLB". March 10, 2023.
- Kristen Bentley (February 23, 2018). "Baltimore Orioles: Wear special hats for the first game," Fansided.
- "FGCU pitcher stirs scouts". Ft. Myers News-Press. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
- "Richard Bleier". The Official Site of The Florida Gulf Coast University Eagles Athletics. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
- Rich Dubroff (January 5, 2018). "Orioles Hope To Find Fresh Arms At Sarasota Minicamp," Pressbox.
- David Dorsey (May 26, 2016). "MLB: Former FGCU pitcher Richard Bleier called up by Yankees". Naples News. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
- "Richard Bleier Stats, Highlights, Bio". MiLB.com. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
- "Frisco Roughriders Game Notes, May 16, 2013" Archived September 14, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, milb.com.
- "McClurg, Joseph Named All-Conference". Nashville, TN: Lipscomb Sports. May 20, 2008. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
- Liam Jones (May 26, 2016). "FGCU's Richard Bleier called up by Yankees". Scout. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
- "FGCU's Coleman, Jenks among six new members of university's Athletics Hall of Fame". Naples Daily News. November 16, 2022.
- "2009 California League – Season Review", The Baseball Cube.
- "Frisco Roughriders Game Notes, July 20, 2010,", milb.com.
- "Frisco Roughriders Game Notes, April 15, 2010,", milb.com.
- "2010 Texas League Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com.
- "2010 Texas League – Season Review", The Baseball Cube.
- "Richard Bleier Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com.
- Nick Suss (June 28, 2016). "Richard Bleier faces Rangers for first time". mlb.com. Retrieved March 17, 2017.
- Jonathan Mayo (December 12, 2013). "2013 MLB Rule 5 Draft results". mlb.com. Retrieved March 17, 2017.
- "2014 Eastern League Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com.
- "2015 Eastern League Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com.
- Chelsea Janes (July 23, 2015). "Harrisburg starter Richard Bleier, among Eastern League's best, is pitching for a job". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
- "2015 International League Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com.
- Lindsay Kramer (August 13, 2015). "Syracuse Chiefs pitcher Richard Bleier vies for prospect status again". The Post-Standard. Retrieved March 17, 2017.
- "Richard Bleier Baseball Statistics [2006–2016]", The Baseball Cube.
- "Richard Bleier Stats". Baseball-Reference.com.
- "Richard Bleier Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
- Bryan Hoch (May 31, 2016). "Long journey to Majors well worth it for Bleier; 29-year-old left-hander makes big league debut with Yankees". mlb.com. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
- Andrew Sodergren (March 16, 2017). "Former FGCU baseball standout Bleier settling in with Orioles". Naples Daily News. Retrieved March 17, 2017.
- Andrew Sodergren (June 29, 2017). "MLB: Former FGCU pitcher Richard Bleier continues to impress with Orioles," Naples Daily News.
- "Orioles Acquire LHP Richard Bleier From Yankees". CBS. February 21, 2017. Retrieved March 17, 2017.
- Encina, Eduardo A. (February 21, 2017). "Orioles acquire left-hander Richard Bleier in trade with Yankees". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved March 17, 2017.
- "Orioles' Richard Bleier: Injures hamstring," CBS Sports, April 16, 2017.
- "Richard Bleier," baseball-reference.com.
- Sah, Sanjib (April 9, 2022). "Richard Bleier Bio [2022 Update]". Players Bio.
- Ethel Hilsenroth (August 4, 2017). "For ERA leader Richard Bleier, strikeouts don't matter," Jewish Baseball News.
- "2017 MLB Baseball Pitching Statistics and League Leaders," ESPN.
- Matt Kremnitzer (October 5, 2017). "Can The Orioles Rely On Richard Bleier?", Camden Depot.
- "Richard Bleier Statcast, Visuals & Advanced Metrics | MLB.com". Baseball Savant.
- Sam Miller (April 11, 2018). "Your New Favorite Reliever Power Rankings: Eight guys to love you've never heard of," ESPN.
- Jon Meoli (April 21, 2018). "Despite historic start to career, Orioles reliever Richard Bleier taking no time to reflect," Archived April 24, 2018, at the Wayback Machine The Baltimore Sun.
- "Orioles notes: O'Day to have season-ending hamstring surgery," Archived November 17, 2018, at the Wayback Machine The Baltimore Sun.
- David Ginsburg (June 15, 2018) "Orioles LHP Bleier likely out for year with shoulder injury," AP News.
- Roch Kubatko (June 16, 2018). "So, it's a grade 3 lat tear for Bleier and surgery Tuesday #orioles". Twitter.
- "Orioles' Richard Bleier: Begins to throw," CBS Sports, November 10, 2018.
- "2018 MLB Baseball Pitching Statistics and League Leaders," ESPN.
- "American League Leaderboards » 2018 » Pitchers » Batted Ball Statistics," FanGraphs.
- David Laurila (May 27, 2018). " Richard Bleier's Brilliance is Unique (and Under the Radar)," FanGraphs.
- Andrew Sodergren (June 28, 2018). "Injury ends former Eagles pitcher, Orioles' Richard Bleier's season," Naples Daily News.
- "Major League Leaderboards » 2018 » Pitchers » Standard Statistics," FanGraphs.
- "Major League Leaderboards » 2018 » Relievers » Advanced Statistics," FanGraphs
- Alex Church (October 10, 2018). "Reliever Richard Bleier continued to impress before a season-ending injury," Camden Chat.
- Jon Meoli (December 2, 2019). "Orioles agree to 2020 contract with Richard Bleier to avoid arbitration ahead of Monday's deadline," The Baltimore Sun.
- Rich Dubroff (December 10, 2019). "Oriole left-handers might be affected by three-batter minimum rule in 2020," Baltimore Baseball.
- Nick Stevens (November 26, 2019). "Baltimore Orioles 2020 Non-Tender Candidate: Richard Bleier"
- Sk, Andrea (October 18, 2019). "Will the real Richard Bleier please stand up?". Camden Chat. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
- Jon Meoli (August 28, 2019). "Another Orioles Blowup in the Dugout as a player and coach get in a shouting match for second time in month," The Baltimore Sun.
- Chris Thompson (August 29, 2019). "Another Pissed Orioles Player Had To Be Separated From Another Pissed Orioles Coach". Deadspin. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
- Jozwiak, Harrison (December 19, 2019). "The Orioles aren't getting big contributions from their highest paid players". Camden Chat. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
- Trezza, Joe (August 1, 2020). "Orioles trade Bleier to Marlins for PTBN," mlb.com. Retrieved September 19, 2020
- Trezza, Joe (September 18, 2020). "O's announce PTBN for Bleier, Givens," mlb.com. Retrieved September 19, 2020
- "Sports". The Washington Post.
- "Splits Leaderboards". Fangraphs.
- "National League Leaderboards » 2021 » Pitchers » Dashboard". Fangraphs.
- "National League Leaderboards » 2021 » Pitchers » Advanced Statistics". Fangraphs.
- "Ejection 103 – Richard Bleier Ejected as He Sends a Visual Signal of Disproval to Umpire Cory Blaser (video)". CloseCallSports – via YouTube.
- Krutchik, Alex (July 21, 2021). "MIA 3, WSH 6; Bullpen Blows Lead in Marlins' Fourth Straight Loss". Fish Stripes.
- "Major League Leaderboards » 2021 » Pitchers » Dashboard". FanGraphs.
- Joe Trezza (March 23, 2022). "Bleier signs 2-year extension". MLB.com.
- Ladson, Bill (September 28, 2022). "Not 1, not 2 ... Marlins' Bleier called for 3 balks in same AB," mlb.com. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
- "Miami Marlins' Richard Bleier only pitcher since 1900 with 3 balks in same at-bat, gets tossed vs. Mets". ESPN. September 28, 2022.
- Mike Axisa (September 28, 2022). "Marlins' Richard Bleier becomes first pitcher called for three balks in one inning since 1988; Bleier had never balked in his seven-year MLB career prior to Tuesday". CBS Sports.
- "Richard Bleier – Stats – Pitching". FanGraphs.
- Noah Wright (October 23, 2022). "Pittsburgh Pirates Free Agent Target: Left-Handed Reliever Richard Bleier".
- "Player Card: Richard Bleier". Brooks Baseball.
- "Richard Bleier Career Pitching Splits". Baseball-Reference.com.
- Browne, Ian (January 30, 2023). "Sox acquire Bleier from Miami for Barnes". MLB.com. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
- Campbell, Brendan (May 22, 2023). "Red Sox place Richard Bleier on 15-day injured list, recall Brennan Bernardino from Triple-A Worcester". bloggingtheredsox.com. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
- "Red Sox's Jake Faria: Loses spot on 40-man roster". CBS Sports. July 17, 2023. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
- Cotillo, Chris (August 7, 2023). "Red Sox roster: Former Cy Young candidate called up; veteran lefty DFA'd". masslive.com. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
- Cotillo, Chris (August 9, 2023). "Red Sox roster moves: Reliever acquired in Matt Barnes trade released". masslive.com. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
- "Cubs' Richard Bleier: Inks minors deal with CHC". cbssports.com. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
- https://www.milb.com/transactions/2023-08-30
- Justin Kline (October 15, 2012). "MLB Locals: FGCU's Bleier happy to have been part of Team Israel in World Baseball Classic". Naples Daily News. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
- Adam Berry (September 21, 2012). "Freiman's second two-HR day lifts Israel into finals". mlb.com. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
- "Israel vs. South Africa at Roger Dean Stadium – Wednesday, September 19, 2012". mlb.com. Retrieved March 17, 2017.
- "Israel vs. Spain at Roger Dean Stadium – Friday, September 21, 2012". mlb.com. Retrieved March 17, 2017.
- "Spain vs. Israel at Roger Dean Stadium – Sunday, September 23, 2012". mlb.com. Retrieved March 17, 2017.
- "Richard Bleier". Jewish Baseball News. Retrieved March 17, 2017.
- Jim Brockman (March 16, 2017). "Bleier's promised land in Sarasota", Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
- Scott Barancik (July 21, 2022). "Israel's roster swelling with stars; Joc Pederson, Harrison Bader among recent WBC commits". Jewish Baseball News.
- "Israel drawn to WBC group in Miami". IAB – Israel Association of Baseball.
- "The Official Site of Major League Baseball". MLB.com. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet
- Richard Bleier on Instagram