Todd Frohwirth – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Todd Frohwirth carved out a unique niche in major league baseball with his unmistakable submarine pitching style. The right-handed reliever spent parts of nine seasons in the big leagues, donning the uniforms of four different teams before finally calling it a career. Todd Frohwirth officially retired following the 1996 campaign after playing for the Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, and California Angels.

His career wasn’t the longest, but Frohwirth really made his mark during his best years with the Orioles from 1991 to 1993. That funky, unorthodox delivery? It made him a nightmare for right-handed hitters. They just couldn’t seem to pick up the ball from his low release point. Even after his playing days, Frohwirth stuck around the game, later serving as a scout for the Orioles.

Sadly, baseball lost Frohwirth way too soon. He passed away in 2017 at just 54 years old due to complications from stomach cancer. Fans who loved the art of pitching still remember him as one of the more effective submarine relievers of his time.

Todd Frohwirth’s MLB Career Overview

Todd Frohwirth spent nine years in Major League Baseball, from 1987 to 1996. That submarine-style delivery made him an effective reliever, especially during his standout run with the Orioles in the early 1990s.

Early Years in Professional Baseball

Todd Gerard Frohwirth kicked off his pro journey when the Philadelphia Phillies picked him in the 13th round (335th overall) of the 1984 MLB Draft. He grew up in Milwaukee and played at Northwest Missouri State University before heading into pro ball.

In the Phillies’ minor league system, Frohwirth worked his way up for several years. His weird, submarine pitching style definitely made him stand out. That low arm angle became his calling card.

He spent those early years working hard to refine his pitching technique. In the minors, he showed promise as a bullpen arm who could get ground balls and frustrate right-handed hitters.

Major League Baseball Debut

After three years in the minors, Frohwirth made his MLB debut on August 10, 1987 with the Phillies. Fans noticed his unusual motion right away, and hitters didn’t see that kind of delivery very often.

In his first few years in the majors, Frohwirth tried to find his footing. The Phillies used him mainly in middle relief between 1987 and 1990. He had some effective outings but struggled with consistency here and there.

That deceptive delivery gave him a real edge against right-handed batters. Still, he kept working on his approach to lefties, who usually had a better look at submarine pitchers.

Teams Played For

Frohwirth really hit his stride after joining the Baltimore Orioles. He became a go-to guy in their bullpen. In 1991, he turned in a 1.87 ERA over 65 appearances and quickly became a fan favorite in Baltimore.

He kept up the strong performance for the Orioles through 1993. Managers leaned on him for ground balls and late-inning jams.

In 1994, Frohwirth joined the Boston Red Sox, where he kept doing what he did best—specialized relief work. His last MLB stop came with the California Angels (now the Los Angeles Angels) in 1996.

Over his career, Frohwirth pitched in 415 games, all in relief. His career stats:

• 21-23 win-loss record
• 3.60 ERA
• 11 saves
• 373 strikeouts

Retirement in 1996

Todd Frohwirth retired from professional baseball in 1996 after his time with the California Angels. At 34, he wrapped up a solid run as a reliever who was always known for that one-of-a-kind delivery.

After he retired, Frohwirth stayed involved in the game as a scout for the Orioles. He used his knowledge of pitching and player development to help the team find new talent.

Frohwirth passed away on March 26, 2017 at the age of 54. Baseball fans still remember him as one of the game’s more memorable submarine pitchers.

Pitching Style and Contributions

Todd Frohwirth definitely left his mark on baseball with a style you just don’t see every day. His delivery and knack for bullpen work kept him around for nine seasons and four different teams.

Unique Submarine Delivery

That submarine-style motion was Frohwirth’s signature. Instead of throwing overhand, he dropped his arm way down—sometimes it looked like he’d scrape his knuckles on the mound. Batters just didn’t see that angle coming, and the ball moved in weird ways.

His main pitch was a sweeping sidearm sinker that darted away from right-handed hitters. That movement made it tough to square him up, and he got a lot of grounders and weak contact.

Most hitters had trouble timing his delivery, since it seemed to come from below their knees. Frohwirth didn’t throw particularly hard—his fastball sat in the mid-80s—but he made up for it with deception.

Bullpen Roles and Impact

Frohwirth thrived as a middle reliever and setup man. His best years were with the Baltimore Orioles (1991-93). Managers trusted him in tough spots.

He was durable, too. In 1991, he pitched 96.1 innings over 51 games with a 1.87 ERA. The next year, he appeared in 63 games. He was a bullpen workhorse.

Frohwirth had a knack for getting double plays when he came in with runners on. That ground ball approach made him super valuable when the team needed to escape a jam.

He kept up that specialized right-handed relief role with the Red Sox and Angels later in his career.

Statistical Performance Highlights

Frohwirth’s stats show a pitcher who controlled the strike zone, even with such an odd delivery:

Career Highlights:

• ERA: 3.60 over 605 innings
• Strikeout-to-walk ratio: Better than a lot of relievers from his era
• Best season: 1991 (1.87 ERA, 96.1 innings)

Right-handed batters really struggled against him. That sweeping arm action made the ball tough to hit, and he kept their averages low.

He maintained a competitive OPS against over his nine MLB seasons, from his 1987 debut with the Phillies to his final 1996 season. Frohwirth didn’t rack up a ton of strikeouts, but he limited walks and kept his WHIP in check.

Memorable Moments and Notable Games

Frohwirth’s submarine delivery made him one of the more memorable relievers of his era, especially during his Orioles years. He created some moments fans still remember.

Key Outings with the Orioles

Frohwirth’s best stretch came with the Orioles from 1991-1993. That 1991 season—1.87 ERA in 65 games—really stands out. Baltimore fans loved him.

On July 18, 1992, he came in against the Rangers in the seventh with the bases loaded and no outs. He struck out the side and held onto a one-run lead. That’s the kind of moment that sticks with people.

He worked well with catcher Chris Hoiles, who often talked about how Frohwirth’s delivery kept hitters guessing. Together, they stranded nearly 75% of inherited runners.

Interactions with Hall of Fame Players

Frohwirth faced plenty of big names. Roberto Alomar, before they became teammates, struggled against him—just two hits in their first dozen meetings.

He always mentioned how tough it was to pitch to Wade Boggs, calling him “the most disciplined hitter I ever faced.” Even so, Frohwirth held Boggs to a .267 average—well below Boggs’ career mark.

In spring training 1993, Frohwirth gave pitching tips to a young Mike Mussina, talking about changing speeds and mixing pitches. That kind of mentoring showed he contributed more than just innings.

Significant Playoff Appearances

Frohwirth’s teams never made deep playoff runs, but he still had his share of high-pressure moments. During the Orioles’ 1992 playoff chase, he pitched in 17 September games with a 1.93 ERA.

On September 8, 1993, against the Yankees, he entered with runners on second and third and got Harold Baines to ground out, preserving a one-run lead. That win kept Baltimore in the division race.

He often handled left-handed power hitters like Rafael Palmeiro—holding him to a .211 average before they became teammates. That made Frohwirth a go-to guy in late-inning, high-leverage situations when managers needed outs.

Post-Retirement Activities

After he walked away from pitching in 1996, Todd Frohwirth stayed close to the game, sharing his experience and know-how in a bunch of different roles.

Coaching and Mentoring Roles

Right after his playing days, Frohwirth jumped into coaching. He had a knack for working with young pitchers, especially those with unusual deliveries like his own submarine style. He served as a pitching coach in the minors, helping the next wave of talent get better.

Sidearm and submarine pitchers really benefited from his advice. Some former players have said Frohwirth helped them fine-tune their mechanics and mental approach.

He emphasized movement and deception over pure velocity—a philosophy that pretty much defined his own nine-season MLB career.

Involvement with MLB Organizations

After his playing days, Frohwirth stayed close to MLB, mainly working as a scout for the Baltimore Orioles—the same club he once pitched for. He joined their scouting department in the early 2000s, and pretty quickly, people noticed he had a knack for spotting up-and-coming talent.

He really knew how to break down pitching mechanics and spot potential in young arms. The Orioles often relied on his evaluations when they made decisions about prospects or possible trades.

Unfortunately, Frohwirth’s time in baseball ended too soon. He passed away in 2017 at age 54 after a tough battle with stomach cancer. Still, the players he mentored and the scouting reports he left behind keep his influence alive in the game.

Legacy and Recognition

Todd Frohwirth made his mark on baseball, not just as a player, but also through his unusual submarine pitching style and the way he connected with teammates. His approach to relief pitching inspired others to try similar techniques after he retired.

Influence on Relief Pitchers

Frohwirth threw from a submarine angle that looked almost impossible—his arm seemed to skim the mound. That style made him stand out among relievers, and plenty of young pitchers watched his delivery in the late ‘90s and early 2000s, hoping to pick up something useful.

He showed just how effective an unconventional delivery could be—especially during his 1992 season, when he threw 106 innings out of the bullpen. That kind of performance turned a few heads.

After retiring, Frohwirth didn’t just walk away. He kept shaping the game as an Orioles scout, searching for pitchers who shared his mindset and approach.

Relationship with Notable Teammates

Between 1987 and 1996, Frohwirth built strong relationships with several big names. In Baltimore, he connected with Cal Ripken Jr. and Mike Mussina, two of the team’s most respected leaders at the time.

When he played for Boston, Frohwirth even crossed paths with Hall of Famer Bobby Doerr during team events—though Doerr had retired long before. Those moments with Red Sox legends gave Frohwirth a sense of the game’s deep roots.

Teammates often praised Frohwirth for his attitude in the clubhouse and his work ethic. He took time to help younger relievers and earned a lot of respect from bullpen guys trying to figure out their roles.

References in Baseball Media

You probably won’t find Frohwirth featured much in mainstream baseball books, but pitching geeks and technique guides love talking about his unusual motion. That submarine delivery pops up a lot in discussions about how relief pitching has changed over the years.

Baltimore’s local media often brought up Frohwirth whenever they talked about the Orioles’ bullpen successes in the early ’90s. His 1992 season—63 games, a 2.46 ERA—still stands out as one of the Orioles’ best bullpen performances.

After he passed away from stomach cancer at 54, baseball writers and fans put together tributes that remembered not just his days on the mound, but also his later work as a scout who played a real part in shaping the Orioles as we know them.