Shawn Kraatz on Blogger: Dodgers Sign Starting Pitcher Alex Wood

Friday, February 7, 2020

Dodgers Sign Starting Pitcher Alex Wood

Baseball

Shawn Kraatz is an experienced insurance professional who has served as first vice president at Alliant Insurance since 2000. Outside of his career, Shawn Kraatz enjoys following the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB).

To bolster their starting rotation, the Dodgers signed starting pitcher Alex Wood to a one-year, $4-million contract on January 12, 2020. The deal includes performance-based incentives that could see Wood earn as much as $10 million.

The 29-year-old left-handed pitcher battled through injuries last season, and as a result, started only seven games with the Cincinnati Reds. He recorded a 5.80 earned run average (ERA) and had a win-loss record of 1-3 in those games.

Wood spent the previous three-and-a-half seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers and was named an All-Star in 2017. That season, he produced a career-best 16 wins and a 2.72 ERA and finished ninth in National League (NL) Cy Young voting.

He also led the NL with an impressive .842 winning percentage. Originally selected by the Atlanta Braves in the second round of the 2012 MLB Amateur Draft, Wood boasts a record of 53-43 in addition to a 3.40 ERA and 768 strikeouts through 839 innings pitched across seven seasons.

About Shawn Kraatz

Shawn Kraatz is a well-established presence in the Southern California insurance field who serves as Alliant Insurance’s first vice president. Joining the firm nearly two decades ago, he has held a leadership role with the firm ever since, with the exception of two years spent on a project-focused assignment. As a broker, Shawn Kraatz is recognized for his nationwide results in areas such as real estate and casualty insurance.

Mr. Kraatz works closely with a variety of clients, including public organizations and property owners, and has given educational presentations throughout the country. His range of knowledge extends to workers compensation, environmental insurance, and owner-controlled insurance programs (OCIP). Critical during the property renovation and construction process, OCIPs enable property owners to cover nearly all liabilities and associated losses.

Mr. Kraatz also holds serves as advisory chairman of the board for Kids Konnected, which provides family support to those diagnosed with cancer. A sports enthusiast, he supports local professional teams such as the Los Angeles Kings and the Los Angeles Dodgers.