J.D. Durbin

Joseph Adam Durbin was born on February 24, 1982.

The Minnesota Twins selected him with the 54th overall pick in the 2000 MLB Draft, and he quickly became one of baseball's best pitching prospects. Durbin was the Twins minor league Pitcher of the Year in 2002, and pitched to fellow Minnesota stud prospect Joe Mauer in the 2003 Futures Game. His self proclaimed "The Real Deal" nickname was eventually endorsed by Twins third base coach Al Newman.

Durbin made his Major League debut out of the Twins bullpen on September 8, 2004. He allowed just one run over 4.1 relief innings that month, then made his first big league start on September 23rd. This didn't go well for Durbin, as he allowed five runs in just three innings against the Cleveland Indians. He entered 2005 as the 70th ranked prospect on the Baseball America preseason list, but struggled at the Triple-A level and never got called up to work at the big league level. Durbin bounced back in 2006, posting a 2.33 ERA in 16 starts for the Rochester Red Wings. He seemed destined to re-join the Major League club, especially with Francisco Liriano going down hurt, but a bicep injury ended his season before the Twins ever recalled Durbin.

Minnesota waived Durbin after the 2006 season, and he was claimed by the Arizona Diamondbacks. He made their Opening Day roster, but was immediately designated for assignment after a disastrous first relief appearance; 0.2 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 1 BB, 1 K. The Philadelphia Phillies claimed Durbin, and he reported to Triple-A.

The Phillies recalled Durbin in June, and he remained up for the rest of that season in a hybrid starter-long relief role. Durbin was 6-5 with a 5.15 ERA across ten starts and eight relief appearances for Philadelphia.

That was the final season of big league action for Durbin. He pitched professionally through the 2014 season, spending time in various international and independent leagues.

• 2002 Jim Rantz Award
  • Twins minor league Pitcher of the Year