All-Time Indians: David Riske

Despite a last not conducive to a relief pitcher and an improbable draft choice, David Riske would end up becoming one of the greatest right handed relievers in Indians history. Riske was, in fact, selected in the 56th round of the 1996 draft, making him the latest draft pick ever to play a single game with the Cleveland Indians. The next latest draft pick to sign and get into the a game for the Tribe was Tony Sipp, who was taken in the 45th round in 2004. Despite being picked behind 1,559 other players, Riske ended up with a career worth remembering.

After being selected in 1996, Riske wouldn’t make his minor league debut until the following season beginning a five year trek to become a Major League regular. In 1999, Riske advanced to AAA Buffalo for the first time and after a 0.65 ERA in 27.2 innings, was called up to Cleveland to finish the year. There, he was slightly less impressive, posting an 8.36 ERA in 14 innings, numbers that make it very easy to forget that a 56th round relief pitcher even exists. After missing almost all of 2000 with injuries, that seemed like it could have been the case, but another solid partial season in AAA lead to the call-up that would finally allow Riske to show what he could do.

In the middle of a play-off race (after missing the post-season in 2000 for the first time since 1993), Riske was added to the roster at the end of June and proceeded to become one of the team’s most dependable relievers. He allowed an ERA of just 1.98, striking out 29 in 27.2 innings. The Indians would ultimately reach the post-season that year (their final time until 2007) where they would face the Mariners, who had set a new mark for most wins in a single season in baseball history. In the five game series, Riske was used three times and didn’t allow a run, pitching more than one inning twice and giving up just two hits, both in his final appearance. While the Indians would ultimately lose the series, it had nothing to do with Riske or the Indians bullpen (let’s just say there is a reason Chuck Finley doesn’t have an All-Time Indians article).

The next season was Riske’s first full Major League season and it was one worth forgetting. He posted a 5.26 ERA in 51 appearances and graced both the Akron Aeros and Buffalo Bisons with his presence for the final time. The 2003 season would be something else entirely.

The early 2000’s were a time of great transition for the Indians and 2003 saw the departure of Jim Thome, the last of the great sluggers of the 1990’s and was the first full season dealing with the ramifications of the Bartolo Colon trade. With the stars gone, there was little to get excited about (outside of the emergence of C.C. Sabathia), but the bullpen was excellent. Dannys Baez was in his prime, Rafael Betancourt had his first of many great seasons and even Jack Cressend provided solid work. At the head of all this was Riske, who had a career year with a 2.29 ERA in 74.2 innings, striking out 82. Riske had also transitioned to a late inning role as with all the moves, he had quickly become one of the most veteran pitchers in the bullpen. With this, he earned holds in 17 games, the third highest total since the hold became a stat in 1999 (behind Paul Shuey in 1999 and 2000) and saved eight games when Baez wasn’t available, the second highest total on the team behind the Tribe closer.

In 2004, Bob Wickman had returned from injury to reclaim the closer’s role, but Riske maintained his job, sharing the set-up duties with the younger Betancourt. Riske lead all Indians relievers in appearances that year with 72 (still among the ten most in Indians history), and had a respectable ERA of 3.72. As before, he added to his decisions as well with another nine holds and five saves. While his final career save conversion percentage of 55% is not ideal, when holds are included, he actually saved or held 79% of chances. In addition, in his career, Riske still ranks among the top ten in career holds with the Indians (33) and batting average allowed (among pitchers with at least 300 IP). His career K/9 of 9.03 is fifth in Indians history among all pitchers with at least 300 innings and second among relief pitchers, again behind Shuey.

The 2005 season was Riske’s final as an Indian and he was just as dependable as had come to be expected. For the third consecutive season he threw more than 70 innings (72.2) had an ERA below 4.00 (3.10) and while his velocity and strike outs fell (just 48), his control increased (a career low 15 walks). The Indians had signed free agent Bob Howry, formerly of the Cubs and he took Riske’s position at the back of the bullpen with Betancourt getting most of the other late inning chances. Riske still got into 58 games and, as the stats show, responded well to his transition into more of a long relief role. In all, the 2005 version of the Indians bullpen was one of the greatest ever with Wickman, Howry, Arthur Rhodes and Fernando Cabrera putting out ERA’s below 2.50 and Betancourt not far behind at 2.81.

With all that depth and Riske about to turn 29, he was traded in a blockbuster deal to Boston. This trade, which would ultimately be a dud for the Tribe, saw Riske, the great defensive outfielder Coco Crisp and the switch hitting catcher Josh Bard go to Boston in exchange for their number one prospect (recently acquired from Atlanta) Andy Marte, Guillermo Mota and Kelly Shoppach. While Shoppach would eventually turn into a solid catcher, losing Riske and Crisp was not worth the problems that came with Marte and Mota. Riske wouldn’t stay long in Boston, however, as later in the 2006 season he was sent to Chicago in exchange for Javier Lopez. Riske would have one more great season with the Royals in 2007 (2.45 ERA in 69.2 innings, 52 K’s) which he would parlay into a $12.75 million pay out with the Brewers. While this made up slightly for the fact that he made less than $1M total for his first four years in Cleveland, the Brewers couldn’t have been too happy with the signing as he pitched just 66.2 innings for Milwaukee, allowing 40 runs for a 5.40 ERA through three years. He was released before the end of the 2010 season, after which he signed with Baltimore. He was unable to play the regular season though, and retired after Spring Training.