DONTRELLE WILLIS BIO

Dontrelle Willis is an MLB studio analyst for FOX Sports.

The World Series Champion and All-Star contributes to MLB WHIPAROUND, the network’s nightly baseball program, in addition to coverage throughout the regular season and MLB Postseason.

Willis was selected by the Chicago Cubs during the 2000 June Amateur Draft. In 2002, he was traded to the Florida Marlins where he made his Major League debut against the Colorado Rockies. Known for his unconventional pitching style and crooked baseball cap, "The D-Train" rose quickly. In just 27 starts, Willis went 14-6 and locked in a 3.30 ERA – earning himself the 2003 NL Rookie of the Year Award. He went on to play an instrumental role in the Marlins playoff run that same season, culminating in a World Series Championship. In 2005, he joined an elite group nicknamed "The Black Aces," representing African American pitchers have who won at least 20 games in a single season.

Among the Marlins organization, Willis ranks first in complete games (15); second in wins (68), shutouts (8) and games started (162); and third in total strikeouts (757).

After five successful seasons in Florida, Willis was traded to the Detroit Tigers at the start of the 2008 season. He pitched for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2010 and finished his career as a member of the Cincinnati Reds in 2011.

Willis ended his career 72-69 with a 4.17 ERA and 896 strikeouts.

Born in Oakland, Calif., Willis attended Encinal High School.

An alumnus of the Alameda Boys & Girls Club, Willis continues to show an enormous amount of support to the organization. He also contributes widely to children’s causes in Alameda and surrounding areas.