Roy Halladay

Guide Note

Roy Halladay is a Right-handed pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays. Growing up in the Denver area, Halladay was a star pitcher at Arvada West High School, and in 48 career games Halladay recorded a 25-2 record with a 0.55 ERA. After three All-Conference Selections and two State MVP Awards, the Blue Jays made Halladay the 17th overall section in the 1995 amateur draft. Halladay was a star within the Blue Jays farm system, working his way up to the majors in 1998. In 1999 Halladay played his first full year in the majors, and looked on his way to becoming a furute cornerstone of the Blue Jays starting rotation. In 2000 Halladay struggled posting a 4-7 record and a 10.64 ERA, and was eventually demoted to the minors. In his second stint in the minors Halladay rebuilt his confidence, and developed an effective split-finger fastball. Halladay would complete a successful comeback, by rejoining the Blue Jays at the end of the 2001 season. Halladay had turned the corner in his career. In 2002 Halladay posted a 19-7 record, and in 2003 he would win 22 games on his way to a Cy Young Award. Despite troubles with injuries in 2005-2006 Halladay has posted a .500 or better record in every year since 2001, making him a true ace for the Blue Jays.

Fast Facts

1. Hometown: Denver
2. MLB Draft: 1995, Toronto
3. All-star appearances: 4
4. Cy Young Award: 2003
5. 2006 W-L, ERA: 16-5, 3.19

Halladay has a lively fastball, which he compliments with a solid changeup and a deceptive knuckle curveball which he often uses on right-handed batters[1]. He is tall and fields his position well[2]. For the most part, Halladay has been healthy and dependable.

Halladay throws a lot of pitches, which is a concern for power pitchers. He is also slow with his delivery, making it difficult for him to hold runners[3].