Asher Wojciechowski


Randall Asher Wojciechowski is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball. He has played in MLB for the Houston Astros and Cincinnati Reds.

Early life

Wojciechowski was born in Hardeeville, South Carolina. In his younger years, he lived in Pensacola, Florida, Sturgis, Michigan, and the Dominican Republic. The Wojciechowskis moved to Romania when Asher was nine. Living abroad, he played soccer, and joined Little League Baseball when it expanded to Bucharest when he was 11. The team played in a tournament similar to the Little League World Series in Poland.
After living in Romania for three years, the family moved to Sturgis, Michigan. Wojciechowski attended Sturgis High School, where he played for the school's baseball team. He also played high school football for one season. The family moved to South Carolina for Asher's senior year of high school, so that he could attract more attention from scouts. Wojciechowski attended Beaufort High School in Beaufort, South Carolina, for his senior year of high school.
After graduating from high school, Wojciechowski then enrolled at The Citadel, choosing it over Winthrop University. He competed for the United States national baseball team in the summer of 2009. In 2010, he was named the Southern Conference's pitcher of the year.

Professional career

Toronto Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays selected Wojciechowski in the first round, with the 41st overall selection, of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft. He received an $815,000 signing bonus, and made his professional debut with the Auburn Doubledays of the Class A-Short Season New York–Penn League. In 2011, Wojciechowski played for the Dunedin Blue Jays of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League. The Blue Jays assigned Wojciechowski to Dunedin in 2012.

Houston Astros

The Blue Jays later traded him, along with Ben Francisco, Francisco Cordero, David Rollins, Joe Musgrove, Carlos Pérez, and a player to be named later to the Houston Astros on July 20, 2012, in exchange for J. A. Happ, Brandon Lyon, and David Carpenter. Houston assigned Wojciechowski to the Corpus Christi Hooks of the Class AA Texas League. He started the 2013 season in Corpus Christi, but received a midseason promotion to the Oklahoma City RedHawks of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League. He was added to the 40-man roster on November 20, 2013. Before spring training began in 2014, Wojciechowski strained a lateral muscle. While recuperating in May, his return was delayed when he strained his forearm. He returned to Oklahoma City in June.
Wojciechowski began the 2015 season in the Astros' starting rotation. He made 5 appearances for the Astros in the 2015 season, 3 of which were starts, and pitched to a 0–1 record, 7.16 ERA, and 16 strikeouts in 16 innings. He was designated for assignment on May 17, 2016.

Miami Marlins

On May 24, Wojciechowski was claimed off waivers by the Miami Marlins. Wojciechowski was designated for assignment on July 16, 2016. He elected free agency on November 7, 2016.

Arizona Diamondbacks

On December 12, 2016, Wojciechowski signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Diamondbacks released him towards the end of spring training in 2017.

Cincinnati Reds

On April 20, 2017, Wojciechowski signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds. He began the season with the Louisville Bats of the Class AAA International League. On May 20, 2017, the Reds selected Wojciechowski's contract. Wojciechowski earned his first MLB win that day over the Colorado Rockies. Wojciechowski pitched innings while allowing one hit and striking out three. He elected free agency on October 6, 2017.

Baltimore Orioles

On December 1, 2017, Wojciechowski signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles. He was assigned to the Norfolk Tides of the International League for the 2018 season. On July 18, Wojciechowski opted-out of his contract and became a free agent.

Chicago White Sox

On July 25, 2018, Wojciechowski signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox, and was assigned to the team's Triple-A affiliate Charlotte Knights. He elected free agency on November 2, 2018.

Cleveland Indians

Wojciechowski signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians on February 14, 2019. The deal included an invitation to the Indians' major league spring training camp. Wojciechowski spent the first half of the 2019 season with the Columbus Clippers, going 8-2 with a 3.61 ERA in 15 starts.

Baltimore Orioles (second stint)

Wojciechowski returned to the Orioles in a cash transaction with the Indians on July 1, 2019 and was assigned back to the Tides. On July 2, the Orioles selected his contract and promoted him to the major league roster. Starting 16 of 17 pitching appearances, he had a 4-8 record with a 4.92 ERA and 1.312 WHIP.

Pitching style

His repertoire includes a fastball around, a slider in the low to mid 80s, and an occasional changeup and curveball.

Personal life

Wojciechowski is married to his wife, Alanna.