Demarcus Malik Evans (born October 22, 1996) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers.

Demarcus Evans
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1996-10-22) October 22, 1996 (age 28)
Petal, Mississippi, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 18, 2020, for the Texas Rangers
MLB statistics
(through 2021 season)
Win–loss record0–2
Earned run average4.75
Strikeouts37
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams

Amateur career

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Evans attended Petal High School in Petal, Mississippi.[1] Evans was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 25th round of the 2015 MLB draft and signed with them for a $100,000 signing bonus,[2][3] forgoing his college commitment to Hinds Community College.[4]

Professional career

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Texas Rangers

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After signing, Evans was assigned to the Arizona League Rangers of the Rookie-level Arizona League to make his professional debut; in 11+23 innings pitched for them, he posted a 0–0 record with a 2.31 ERA. He split the 2016 season between the AZL Rangers and the Spokane Indians of the Low–A Northwest League. In a combined 14 games (12 starts), he went 1–2 with a 2.95 ERA, striking out 75 in 55 innings. He split 2017 between the AZL Rangers, Spokane, and Hickory Crawdads of the Single–A South Atlantic League, going a combined 2–8 with a 4.53 ERA in 20 games (14 starts). He spent 2018 with Hickory, going 4–1 with a 1.77 ERA, while striking out 103 in 56.0 innings.[5] He earned a spot on the South Atlantic League post-season all-star team.[6] After the 2018 regular season, Evans played for the Surprise Saguaros of the Arizona Fall League.[7][8] Evans was named the Texas Rangers 2018 Minor League Reliever of the Year.[9]

Evans was assigned to the Down East Wood Ducks of the High–A Carolina League to open the 2019 season.[10] He went 4–0 with a 0.81 ERA and 40 strikeouts in 22+13 innings for them. On May 29, he was promoted to the Frisco RoughRiders of the Double-A Texas League.[11][12] With Frisco, Evans went 2–0 with a 0.96 ERA and 60 strikeouts over 37+23 innings.[13][14] Evans was named the 2019 MiLB Relief Pitcher of the Year by Baseball America.[15] Evans was named the Texas Rangers 2019 Minor League Reliever of the Year.[16] Following the 2019 season, Evans played for Leones del Escogido of the Dominican Winter League.[17] On November 20, 2019, the Rangers added Evans to their 40–man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.[18]

On September 15, 2020, Evans was promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[19] He made his debut on September 18 against the Los Angeles Angels, surrendering Albert Pujols' career home run number 662.[20] In four appearances for Texas in 2020, Evans recorded a 2.25 ERA with 4 strikeouts over 4 innings.[6] Evans split the 2021 season between Texas and the Round Rock Express of the Triple-A West. With Texas he went 0–2 with a 5.13 ERA and 33 strikeouts over 26+13 innings, and with Round Rock he posted a 2–0 record with a 3.74 ERA and 31 strikeouts over 21+23 innings.[21]

He was designated for assignment on June 26, 2022. Evans cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Round Rock on July 1.[22] He spent the 2022 season back with Round Rock, going 2–3 with a 3.82 ERA over 33 innings. He elected free agency following the season on November 10.[23]

New York Yankees

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On December 8, 2022, Evans signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees.[23] He did not play in a game for the organization and elected free agency following the season on November 6, 2023.[24]

Charleston Dirty Birds

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On February 22, 2024, Evans signed with the Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican League.[25] However, he did not make an appearance for Yucátan, and signed with the Charleston Dirty Birds of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball on May 9.[26] In four games for the Dirty Birds, Evans struggled to a 12.46 ERA with three strikeouts across 4+13 innings. On May 21, Evans was released by Charleston.[27]

Personal life

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Evans and professional baseball outfielder Anthony Alford are cousins.[28]

References

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  1. ^ "Anthony Alford hosts youth baseball camp at his hometown park". WDAM 7. February 20, 2016. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
  2. ^ "Local players picked in MLB Draft". The Clarion-Ledger. June 10, 2015. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
  3. ^ "Demarcus Evans". The Baseball Cube. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  4. ^ "DeMarcus Evans Class of 2015 - Player Profile | Perfect Game USA".
  5. ^ "DeMarcus Evans Rises To The Challenge". Baseball America. November 22, 2018. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
  6. ^ a b "Demarcus Evans Player Page". MiLB.com. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  7. ^ Vincent Lara-Cinisomo (November 5, 2018). "Reliever Evans showing breakout potential". MiLB.com. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
  8. ^ "Winter Leagues: Arizona Fall League". MLB.com. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  9. ^ "Texas Rangers have announced 2018 Minor League Award recipients". MLB.com. January 9, 2019. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  10. ^ Matt Present (March 27, 2019). "Wood Ducks Announce 2019 Roster". MiLB.com. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  11. ^ Adam J. Morris (May 28, 2012). "Fairbanks to AAA, Evans, Barlow to AA". Lone Star Ball. SB Nation. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  12. ^ Evan Grant (May 28, 2018). "Rangers putting three minor league pitchers on fast track after dominant May performances". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  13. ^ Jamey Newberg (September 10, 2018). "Long-term looks: Embracing similar messages, Demarcus Evans and Joe Barlow knocking on Rangers' door". The Athletic. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
  14. ^ Brian Stultz (December 16, 2019). "Huff, Bahr headline Rangers prospects". MiLB.com. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
  15. ^ BA Staff (September 10, 2018). "2019 Minor League Baseball All-Stars". Baseball America. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  16. ^ John Blake (September 27, 2019). "Rangers announce 2019 Minor League Award winners". MLB.com. Retrieved September 27, 2019.
  17. ^ El Nuevo Diario (September 9, 2019). "Leones del Escogido contratan los servicios del relevista Demarcus Evans". El Nuevo Diario. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  18. ^ 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.
  19. ^ "Rangers activate OF Willie Calhoun from 10-day injured list; recall RHP Demarcus Evans from alternate training site". MLB.com. September 15, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  20. ^ Drew Davison (September 16, 2020). "Angels slugger Albert Pujols makes history again against the Texas Rangers". Fort Worth Star Telegram. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  21. ^ Weaver, Levi (October 7, 2021). "Grading the 2021 Texas Rangers: Pitchers edition". The Athletic. Archived from the original on October 4, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  22. ^ "Rangers' Demarcus Evans: Outrighted to Triple-A". cbssports.com. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  23. ^ a b "Demarcus Evans Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  24. ^ "2023 MiLB Free Agents". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  25. ^ https://twitter.com/leonesdeyucatan/status/1760831209758757364/photo/1
  26. ^ "Transactions". baseball.pointstreak.com. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  27. ^ "Transactions". baseball.pointstreak.com. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  28. ^ Jim Callis (October 15, 2018). "Rangers' AFL contingent includes Minors' K-rate king". MLB.com. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
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