Jordan Horton Lyles (born October 19, 1990) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Astros, Colorado Rockies, San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, Milwaukee Brewers, Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles, and Kansas City Royals.

Jordan Lyles
Lyles with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2019
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1990-10-19) October 19, 1990 (age 34)
Hartsville, South Carolina, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
May 31, 2011, for the Houston Astros
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Win–loss record72–107
Earned run average5.22
Strikeouts1,145
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams

High school

edit

Lyles attended Hartsville High School in Hartsville, South Carolina. In his junior baseball season, he led the Red Foxes to a 4A championship, compiling a 6–1 win–loss record and a 0.85 earned run average (ERA). He went 7–2 in 2008, recording a 1.86 ERA and 89 strikeouts in 60+23 innings pitched. As a hitter, Lyles hit .447 with six home runs and 20 runs batted in. In football, Lyles set single-season school records with 81 receptions for 1,568 yards and 23 touchdowns.[1]

Professional career

edit

Houston Astros

edit

The Houston Astros selected Lyles with the 38th pick in the 2008 Major League Baseball draft. After signing, Lyles pitched in the Rookie-level Appalachian League, where he recorded 64 strikeouts in 49+23 innings.[2] In 2010, Baseball America named Lyles the Astros' top pitching prospect.[3] That season, he appeared in the All-Star Futures Game.[4][5]

Lyles had his contract purchased by Houston on May 28, 2011.[6] His first start with the Houston Astros came at Wrigley Field on May 31. He pitched 7+ innings and allowed two earned runs in a 7–3 win.[7] He also got his first career hit. Lyles recorded his first major league win August 3, 2011, against the Cincinnati Reds.[8] In the 2011 season with Houston, he was 2–8 with a 5.36 ERA.[9]

 
Lyles with the Astros in 2012

The Astros optioned Lyles to Oklahoma City at the start of the 2012 season.[10] On April 29, Lyles was recalled to Houston to make a start for Kyle Weiland, who was placed on the 15-day DL.[citation needed] Lyles was 4–0 with a 3.46 ERA with 24 strikeouts in 26 innings at Oklahoma City.[11] Lyles gave up three runs over six innings of work. Though he left with the lead, the bullpen lost control, and the Astros lost, 6–5.[citation needed] After the game, Lyles was optioned back to Triple-A to make room for Marwin González, who was activated from paternity leave.[12] In the 2012 season with Houston, he was 5–12 with a 5.09 ERA.[9]

In the 2013 season with the Astros, he was 7–9 with a 5.59 ERA.[9] In AAA with Oklahoma City, he was 2–2 with a 5.32 ERA.[9]

Colorado Rockies

edit

On December 3, 2013, Lyles, along with outfielder Brandon Barnes, was traded to the Colorado Rockies for outfielder Dexter Fowler and a player to be named later.[13][14] In 22 starts, Lyles tied a career high with seven wins and posted his lowest ERA of his career with a 4.33 in 126+23 innings.[9]

On January 14, 2015, Lyles and the Rockies avoided arbitration, agreeing to a one-year contract worth $2.475 million.[15] On June 1, Jordan was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a medial collateral ligament injury in his left big toe.[16] On June 3, it was declared Lyles would need left big toe surgery, ending his season after just 10 starts.[17] In 2015 with the Rockies, he was 2–5 with a 5.14 ERA.[9]

 
Lyles with the Rockies in 2016

In 2016, Lyles began as a starter but after five starts, he was shifted to the bullpen for the remainder of the season. He posted a record of 4–5 with a 5.83 ERA in 40 games in the majors.[9] and in AAA with Albuquerque he was 4–2 with a 5.44 ERA.[9]

The following season in 2017, Lyles was used mainly out of the bullpen to disastrous results, as he posted an 0–2 record with an ERA of 6.94 in 33 games.[9] He was designated for assignment and released by the Rockies on August 1.[18]

San Diego Padres

edit

Lyles signed a minor league deal with the San Diego Padres on August 8, 2017.[19] The Padres used Lyles as a starter for the final month of the season, in which he posted a 1–3 record with an ERA of 9.39.[9]

On November 2, 2017, he was granted free agency.[18] On December 17, 2017, the Padres signed Lyles to a one-year, $1 million contract to remain with the team.[20] On May 15, 2018, Lyles threw seven perfect innings against the Colorado Rockies at home before allowing a hit in the eighth.[21] Lyles split time between the bullpen and the rotation, appearing in 24 games while making eight starts. He pitched to a 4.29 ERA in 71+13 innings.[9]

Milwaukee Brewers

edit

On August 5, 2018, the Milwaukee Brewers claimed Lyles from the Padres off of trade waivers.[22] In 11 games, Lyles posted a 3.31 ERA in 16+13 innings.[9]

Pittsburgh Pirates

edit

On December 17, 2018, Lyles signed a one-year, $2.05 million contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates for the 2019 season.[23] He made 17 starts for the Pirates, with a 5–7 record and 5.36 ERA.[9]

Milwaukee Brewers (second stint)

edit

Lyles was traded back to the Brewers for Cody Ponce on July 29.[24] He finished the season going 7–1 with a 2.45 ERA over 58+23 innings for the Brewers.[25]

Texas Rangers

edit

On December 13, 2019, Lyles signed a two-year contract with the Texas Rangers worth $16 million.[26] In 2020 he went 1–6 with a 7.02 ERA.[9] He tied for the AL lead in earned runs allowed, with 45.[27] Lyles posted a 10–13 record with a 5.15 ERA and 146 strikeouts over 180 innings in 2021.[9] He led the majors with 38 home runs allowed.[28]

Baltimore Orioles

edit

Lyles signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles on March 12, 2022.[29] On September 21, Lyles tossed his second career complete game, allowing only three hits in a start against the Detroit Tigers. The only blemish on his line was a Kerry Carpenter home run as the Orioles won the game 8–1.[30] On the year, he was 12-11 with a 4.42 ERA over a career high 32 starts covering 179 innings.[9] He led a resurgent Orioles pitching staff in innings pitched, strikeouts, and wins.[9] He became a free agent on November 9, 2022 when the Orioles declined to pick up his contract option for 2023.[31]

Kansas City Royals

edit

On December 28, 2022, Lyles signed a two-year contract with the Kansas City Royals worth $17 million.[32] He began 2023 at 0–11, losing in each of his first fifteen starts to set a Live-ball era MLB record. His first win was a 9–4 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on June 24.[33] In 31 starts, Lyles had a 6–17 record, a 6.28 ERA, three complete games, 39 home runs allowed, and was charged with a league leading 130 runs (124 earned).[9] He was the worst qualified pitcher in 2023, leading the MLB in losses and had the highest ERA amongst qualified pitchers.[9]

On March 21, 2024, manager Matt Quatraro announced that Alec Marsh had beat out Lyles for the final rotation spot, pushing Lyles to the bullpen to begin the year.[34] He did not allow a run in any of the five innings he pitched for the Royals.[9] He was placed on the restricted list on April 22 due to personal issues.[35] On July 20, Lyles was released by the Royals after having reported to the team one month prior, with the team opting to not place him on their 26-man roster.[36]

Los Angeles Dodgers

edit

On July 25, 2024, Lyles signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.[37] With the Oklahoma City Baseball Club, he made five appearances (four starts) and allowed 11 earned runs in 15+13 innings for a 6.46 ERA.[9] He became a free agent after the season.[38]

References

edit
  1. ^ Lou Bezjak (June 6, 2008). "Astros select Hartsville's Lyles". The Morning News. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
  2. ^ Fraley, Gerry (January 12, 2009). "Cooper ready to lead Astros on smoother trip". USA Today. Retrieved January 21, 2009.
  3. ^ "Lyles Named to Futures Game". MILB.com. June 22, 2010. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
  4. ^ McTaggert, Brian (June 22, 2010). "Lyles to get a taste of future in Anaheim". MLB.com. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
  5. ^ Corpus Christi Hooks (July 2, 2010). "Lyles Named to Futures Game". MILB.com. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
  6. ^ Brian McTaggert (May 28, 2011). "Wandy heading to DL, Astros will promote Lyles". MLB.com. Retrieved August 19, 2014.[dead link]
  7. ^ "Impressive Jordan Lyles settles for no-decision as Astros rally by Cubs". ESPN.com. Associated Press. May 31, 2011. Archived from the original on June 3, 2011. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
  8. ^ "J.D. Martinez comes through in clutch to lift Astros past Reds". ESPN.com. Associated Press. August 3, 2011. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u "Jordan Lyles Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com.
  10. ^ Brian McTaggert (April 2, 2012). "Astros option Lyles to Oklahoma City". MLB.com. Archived from the original on April 4, 2012. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
  11. ^ "Astros recall Lyles, will start Sunday". Chicago Tribune. Reuters. April 28, 2012. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
  12. ^ Jeff Wallner (April 29, 2012). "Lyles solid in debut, 'pen can't hold on". MLB.com. Archived from the original on May 1, 2012.
  13. ^ "Astros acquire OF Dexter Fowler". ESPN.com. Associated Press. December 3, 2013. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
  14. ^ Brian McTaggert (December 3, 2013). "Astros add Fowler, send Barnes, Lyles to Rockies". MLB.com. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
  15. ^ "Stubbs, Lyles, Chatwood agree to deals with Rockies". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 14, 2015. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
  16. ^ "Jordan Lyles Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com.
  17. ^ Aaron Gleeman (June 3, 2015). "Toe surgery ends Rockies starter Jordan Lyles' season". NBC Sports.
  18. ^ a b "Jordan Lyles Stats". Baseball-Reference.com.
  19. ^ Jeff Sanders (August 8, 2017). "Jordan Lyles, Padres agree to minor league deal". San Diego Union-Tribune.
  20. ^ Thornburg, Chad (December 17, 2017). "Padres sign pitcher Lyles to 1-year deal". MLB.com. Retrieved December 17, 2017.
  21. ^ MJ Acosta (May 15, 2018). "Jordan Lyles Throws for 7 Perfect Innings, Padres Top Rockies". NBC 7 San Diego. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  22. ^ Andrew Wagner (August 5, 2018). "Brewers add righty Lyles on claim from Padres". MLB.com. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  23. ^ "After strong 2018 finish with Brewers, Jordan Lyles signs $2.05M, 1-year deal with Pirates". Wisconsin State Journal. Associated Press. December 18, 2018.
  24. ^ Jason Mackey (July 29, 2019). "Pirates trade Jordan Lyles to Brewers for reliever Cody Ponce". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  25. ^ Adam J. Morris (December 6, 2019). "Texas Rangers, Jordan Lyles agree to deal, per reports". Lone Star Ball. SB Nation. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  26. ^ "Rangers finish $16M. 2-year deal with pitcher Jordan Lyles". Associated Press. December 13, 2019. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
  27. ^ "2020 American League Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com.
  28. ^ Weaver, Levi (October 4, 2021). "Grading the 2021 Texas Rangers: Pitchers edition". The Athletic. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  29. ^ "Jordan Lyles signs 1-year deal with Orioles". MLB.com.
  30. ^ "Lyles goes distance to keep Orioles in hunt". mlb.com. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  31. ^ Jackson, Luke. "Orioles Decline 2023 Club Option On RHP Jordan Lyles," PressBox (Baltimore, MD), Wednesday, November 9, 2022. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  32. ^ "Righty Lyles' 2-year deal with Royals official". mlb.com.
  33. ^ Johnston, Joey. "With long-awaited win, KC ends drought not seen in 103 years," MLB.com, Saturday, June 24, 2023. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  34. ^ "Royals' Alec Marsh: Named fifth starter". cbssports.com. March 21, 2024.
  35. ^ "Royals' Jordan Lyles: Likely to miss extended time". www.cbssports.com. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  36. ^ Thompson, Jaylon (July 20, 2024). "KC Royals began Saturday with a roster move. They finished by beating the White Sox". Kansas City Star. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  37. ^ McDonald, Darragh (July 25, 2024). "Dodgers To Sign Jordan Lyles To Minor League Deal". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  38. ^ Eddy, Matt (November 6, 2024). "Minor League Free Agents 2024". Baseball America. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
edit