Topic: Alan Embree

Alan Duane Embree (born January 23, 1970, in The Dalles, Oregon) is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher currently with the Boston Red Sox organization. Previously, Embree played with the Cleveland Indians (1992–1996), Atlanta Braves (1997–1998), Arizona Diamondbacks (1998), San Francisco Giants (1999–2001), Chicago White Sox (2001), San Diego Padres (2002 & 2006), Boston Red Sox (2002–2005), New York Yankees (2005), and Oakland Athletics (2007-2008). He bats and throws left-handed, and has been used as a left-handed specialist.

Embree attended Prairie High School in Brush Prairie, Washington and was a letterman in football, basketball, baseball, and volleyball. In baseball, he won All-Conference honors.

Embree relies primarily on two pitches: a 90 to 95 MPH four-seam fastball, and a sharp slider that is very effective when he can keep it down. In his younger days, Embree's fastball was clocked as high as 96 to 98 mph. During his time with the Red Sox, he began to throw his fastball at slightly lower velocity in order to avoid injuring his arm. He also refined his slider into an effective pitch, whereas before, he had relied almost exclusively on his blazing fastball. He is particularly difficult for left-handed hitters, and he is not afraid to throw inside. An excellent fielder, he has a good move to first that keeps runners close.