Biography
Carlos Samuel Estévez (born December 28, 1992) is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Angels, and Philadelphia Phillies. Estévez made his MLB debut in 2016 with the Rockies. He was an All-Star in 2023.
Career
Colorado Rockies
Estévez signed with the Rockies as a free agent in 2011, at the age of 18. On November 20, 2015, the Rockies added Estévez to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. He was promoted the major leagues on April 22, 2016. He made his debut on April 23. When Rockies' closer Jake McGee went on the disabled list in June, Estévez became the Rockies' new closer. He finished the 2016 season with a 3-7 record, 63 appearances and 11 saves, and a 5.24 ERA.
On April 3, 2017, Estévez pitched a hitless sixth, earning the win against the Milwaukee Brewers on Opening Day. On June 18, 2017, Estévez was recalled from Albuquerque to the Rockies to replace Chad Qualls, who went to the 10-day disabled list. In 35 appearances, he finished with a record of 5–0 and an ERA of 5.57.
Estévez missed the entire 2018 season following several injuries, remaining with the Triple–A Albuquerque Isotopes. The following season, Estévez finished with a 3.75 ERA and 81 strikeouts in 71 games.
In 2020 Estévez's performance regressed from the previous season as he allowed 21 runs in 24 innings pitched, and was 1-3 with a 7.50 ERA. In 2021, he was 3-5 as he pitched in 64 games, posting an ERA of 4.38 with 11 saves.
Los Angeles Angels
On December 5, 2022, Estévez signed a two-year, $13.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels. In the first half of the 2023 season, Estévez had a 1.80 ERA and was successful in converting 21-of-21 save opportunities. He was selected to the 2023 MLB All-Star Game. For the 2023 season, he was 5-5 with a 3.90 ERA, as in the second half he had a 6.59 ERA.
Estévez made 34 appearances for the Angels in 2024, compiling a 2.38 ERA with 32 strikeouts and 20 saves across 34 innings of work.
Philadelphia Phillies
On July 27, 2024, the Angels traded Estévez to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for Samuel Aldegheri and George Klassen. In 20 games for Philadelphia, Estévez posted a 2.57 ERA with 18 strikeouts and 6 saves across 21 innings pitched.
On October 9, in Game 4 of the 2024 National League Division Series against the New York Mets, he was sent to pitch in the bottom of the 6th inning with the bases loaded and surrendered a grand slam to Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor giving them a 4–1 lead, which was the final score. The Mets went on to eliminate the Phillies from the NLDS.
Kansas City Royals
On January 31, 2025, Estévez signed a two-year, $22 million contract with the Kansas City Royals including a club option for a third year, which would up the deal to $33 million.
Personal life
An anime fan, Estévez keeps figurines of his favorite characters inside his locker, including characters from Dragon Ball Z, Naruto, and One Piece. In 2016, Estévez met actor Charlie Sheen, who shares his birth name, and the two have kept in correspondence since.