Position: Starting Pitcher Team: Boston Red Sox MLB Debut:: 06/12/2000 Height/Weight: 6’5”/ 190 Birthdate: February 24, 1977, Key West, FL Bats/Throws: R/R
Bronson Anthony Arroyo was drafted out of Hernando High School, in Brooksville, FL, in the third round (69th overall) by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1995 MLB Amateur Entry Draft. After spending the first nine years of his career bouncing in between the minors and the majors (he had his first official MLB appearance for the Pirates in 2000), Arroyo was an important fixture in the 2004 Boston Red Sox pitching rotation, as he helped the team win its first World Championship in 86 years.
The Red Sox claimed Arroyo off waivers from the Pirates on February 4, 2003. The right-handed pitcher spent the 2003 season bouncing from Pawtucket to Boston, but proved his worth enough for a spot in the starting rotation in 2004. Arroyo enjoyed his first full big league season and finished 10-9 with a 4.03 ERA in 32 games (29 starts) for Boston, establishing career highs in wins, appearances, starts, innings pitched and strikeouts. In 2004, Arroyo held the opposition to a .249 batting average, 9th-lowest in the American League and averaged only 2.4 walks per nine innings, 10th fewest in the A.L. Arroyo’s ERA was 12th-best in the league helping the Sox to a winning record (17-12) every time he took the mound (29 starts).
In the postseason, Arroyo pitched in six games with two starts. He had a 3.00 ERA in an ALDS start vs. Anaheim and started the series-clinching Game 3 at Fenway, limiting the Angels to two runs on three hits in 6.0 innings-plus, striking out seven and walking two batters. Arroyo appeared in three games, including one start, in the ALCS vs. New York, in which he allowed eight hits and two walks, fanning three. He started Game 3 at Fenway, and was tagged for six runs on six hits and two walks in 2.0 innings-plus. He made two relief appearances in the World Series, posting a 6.75 ERA, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk with four K's in 2.2 innings. He is credited for getting one out and issuing one walk in the 8th inning of the series-clinching Game 4 win at Busch Stadium for the title.
Arroyo, who was named after the action Charles Bronson, and his wife Aimee make their offseason home in Brooksville, FL. The Red Sox ace played basketball in addition to baseball in high school, and was an All-State in baseball and All-Area in basketball his senior year.
Arroyo is an avid musician. He plays the guitar and sings, and has put his talent to good use. helping to raise money for various charities and charitable events, such as United Way, Hot Stove Cool Music concert, Picnic in the Park, and the Jimmy Fund.
