Christian Devont'a Pelham (born February 21, 1995) is an American professional baseball relief pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers.

C. D. Pelham
Pelham at the 2018 All-Star Futures Game
Free agent
Relief pitcher
Born: (1995-02-21) February 21, 1995 (age 29)
Lancaster, South Carolina, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Left
MLB debut
September 5, 2018, for the Texas Rangers
MLB statistics
(through 2018 Season)
Win–loss record0–0
Earned run average7.04
Strikeouts7
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams

Amateur career

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Pelham attended Lancaster High School in Lancaster, South Carolina.[1] Undrafted out of high school, he attended Spartanburg Methodist College to play college baseball.[2] Following his freshman year of college, the Milwaukee Brewers selected him in the 25th round, with the 746th overall selection, of the 2014 MLB draft.[3] He did not sign with Milwaukee, instead returning to college for his sophomore year.[4]

Professional career

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Texas Rangers

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The Texas Rangers selected Pehlam in the 33rd round of the 2015 MLB draft and he signed with them.[4] He began his professional career with the AZL Rangers of the Rookie-level Arizona League in 2015,[2] going 4–0 with a 5.40 ERA over 18+13 innings in 16 games. Pelham spent the 2016 season with the Spokane Indians of the Class A Short Season Northwest League, posting a 0–6 record, 6.16 ERA, and 38 innings in 16 games (7 starts).[5] Pelham spent the 2017 season with the Hickory Crawdads of the Class A South Atlantic League, posting a 4–2 record, 3.18 ERA, 75 strikeouts, and 62+13 innings over 37 games. Pelham began the 2018 season with the Down East Wood Ducks of the Class A-Advanced Carolina League, posting a 0–0 record, 1.95 ERA, 34 strikeouts, and 27+23 innings in 23 games.[6] He was promoted to the Frisco RoughRiders of the Double-A Texas League on June 22, and posted a 2–0 record, 6.16 ERA, 19 strikeouts, and 19 innings in 24 games.[7] He was selected to represent the Rangers at the 2018 All-Star Futures Game.[8]

The Rangers promoted Pelham to the major leagues on September 4, 2018.[9] Pelham posted a 0–0 record, 7.04 ERA, 7 strikeouts, and 7+23 innings in 10 major league games. Following the 2018 season, Pelham played for the Surprise Saguaros of the Arizona Fall League.[10] In 2019, Pelham split the season between Frisco and the Nashville Sounds of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League,[11] combining to go 1–4 with a 11.97 ERA over 32+13 innings. Pelham was designated for assignment on November 20, 2019.[12]

Chicago Cubs

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On November 27, 2019, the Chicago Cubs claimed Pelham from the Rangers off of waivers.[13] Pelham was outrighted off of the roster on January 24, 2020. He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[14] Pelham also missed the 2021 season due to an injury.

In 2022, Pelham made 29 appearances split between the Double-A Tennessee Smokies and the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, posting a cumulative 2–1 record and 4.35 ERA with 41 strikeouts and 2 saves in 41.1 innings pitched. He elected free agency following the season on November 10, 2022.[15]

San Diego Padres

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On March 9, 2023, Pelham signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres organization.[16] He split the year between the rookie–level Arizona Complex League Padres, Single–A Lake Elsinore Storm, and Double–A San Antonio Missions. In 17 games between the three affiliates, Pelham recorded a 7.53 ERA with 16 strikeouts and 2 saves across 14+13 innings pitched. He elected free agency following the season on November 6.[17]

Leones de Yucatán

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On March 29, 2024, Pelham signed with the Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican League.[18] In 17 appearances, Pelham posted a 2–1 record with a stellar 1.04 ERA and 18 strikeouts over 17+13 innings.

Los Angeles Angels

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On May 31, 2024, Pelham's contract was purchased by the Los Angeles Angels and he was assigned to the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees.[19] In 10 appearances split between Salt Lake and the rookie–level Arizona Complex League Angels, he compiled a 1.80 ERA with 12 strikeouts across 10 innings of work. Pelham was released by the Angels organization on July 28.[20]

References

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  1. ^ Robert Howey (July 11, 2018). "Pelham pitches his way to 2nd all-star game". The Lancaster News. Retrieved October 4, 2019.[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ a b Levi Weaver (September 4, 2018). "Meet C.D. Pelham, the latest rookie to get the call for Texas". The Athletic. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  3. ^ Brett McCormick (June 10, 2014). "Pelham to decide baseball future in a month". The Herald (Rock Hill). Retrieved July 6, 2018.
  4. ^ a b "CD Pelham drafted by Texas Rangers in 2015 MLB Draft". gosmcpioneers.com. June 11, 2015. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
  5. ^ Josh Horton (July 7, 2016). "C.D. Pelham provides solid relief as Indians win fifth consecutive game". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  6. ^ David Laurila (July 8, 2018). "Sunday Notes: C.D. Pelham's Heater Does Just About Everything". FanGraphs.com. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  7. ^ Chris Roland (August 1, 2018). "Texas Rangers Top Prospect No. 8: LHP C.D. Pelham". WFAA. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
  8. ^ Jim Callis (May 24, 2018). "2018 Futures Game rosters revealed". MLB.com. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
  9. ^ T.R. Sullivan (September 3, 2019). "Pelham among prospects to be called up". MLB.com. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
  10. ^ Ryan Rouillard (October 9, 2018). "Arizona Fall League action begins today". MLB.com. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  11. ^ "C.D. Pelham". MLB.com. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  12. ^ Evan Grant (November 20, 2019). "Rangers add six prospects to 40-man roster, topped by OF Leody Taveras and 3B Sherten Apostel". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  13. ^ "Cubs claim LHP C.D. Pelham off waivers from Texas". MLB.com. November 27, 2019. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  14. ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled". mlb.com. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  15. ^ "2022-23 Minor League Free Agents For All 30 MLB Teams". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  16. ^ "Padres' CD Pelham: Gets minors deal from San Diego". cbssports.com. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  17. ^ "2023 MiLB Free Agents". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  18. ^ "LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 29 de marzo de 2024". milb.com. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  19. ^ @leonesdeyucatan (May 31, 2024). "DE LEONES PARA LOS ANGELES ¡MUCHO ÉXITO PELHAM!🦁🔥 El club melenudo le desea el mayor de los éxitos a CD. Pelham, quien firmó un contrato con los Angeles Angels🌎👀 ¡Enhorabuena, te deseamos el mayor de los éxitos!🤝🏻 #SomosLeones" (Tweet) (in Spanish). Retrieved June 1, 2024 – via Twitter.
  20. ^ https://www.milb.com/transactions/2024-07-28 [bare URL]
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