According to a Tweet by Jerry Crasnick, Detroit Tigers reliever Al Alburquerque has signed with Praver/Shapiro Group for his representation. He was previously represented by Rick Thurman of the Beverly Hills Sports Council.
The 28-year old Dominican Republic native is in his fifth MLB season, all with the Tigers. He began his professional career in 2006 after being signed by the Chicago Cubs. He was traded to the Colorado Rockies in the 2009 season, where he finished the season with the Double-A affiliate Tulsa Drillers (now part of the Dodgers farm system). Following the 2010 season, he became a free agent and signed a major league contract with the Detroit Tigers, who placed him on their 40-man roster despite never having appeared in a Major League game. He made his Major League debut on April 15, 2011 for the Tigers and has been a mainstay ever since.
This season he has appeared in 23 games, amassing 22.1 innings pitched, allowing 22 hits, 20 strikeouts, 11 BB and 9 ER for an ERA of 3.63. In his 5-year career he has appeared in 197 games, pitching 185.1 innings, allowing 134 hits, 238 strikeouts, 103 BB for an ERA of 2.91.
Praver, Shapiro Sports Management Group is a boutique agency specializing in representing Major League Baseball players. According to MLB Trade Rumors, the agency represents 58 players in the Major Leagues.