Mitch Perry Spence (born May 6, 1998) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2024.
| Mitch Spence | |
|---|---|
| Oakland Athletics – No. 40 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: May 6, 1998 Kirkland, Washington, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| March 29, 2024, for the Oakland Athletics | |
| MLB statistics (through 2024 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 8–10 |
| Earned run average | 4.58 |
| Strikeouts | 126 |
| Teams | |
| |
Career
editAmateur career
editSpence attended Green Hope High School in Cary, North Carolina, and played on the school's baseball team.[1] He enrolled at the University of South Carolina Aiken, where he played college baseball for the Pacers. Spence was twice named the Peach Belt Conference's pitcher of the week.[2][3]
New York Yankees
editThe New York Yankees drafted Spence in the 10th round, with the 315th overall selection, of the 2019 Major League Baseball draft.[4] He made his professional debut with the rookie–level Pulaski Yankees, posting a 3.54 ERA in 16 games out of the bullpen. Spence did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[5]
Spence returned to action in 2021 with the High–A Hudson Valley Renegades. He made 23 appearances (20 starts) and logged a 7–6 record and 3.94 ERA with 118 strikeouts in 105 innings pitched.[6] He split the 2022 season between the Double–A Somerset Patriots and Triple–A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Pitching in 27 contests, Spence registered a 6–7 record and 4.70 ERA with 127 strikeouts across 130+1⁄3 innings of work.[7]
The Yankees invited Spence to spring training as a non-roster player in 2023.[8] He spent the year with Triple–A Scranton, making 29 starts and posting an 8–8 record and 4.47 ERA with 153 strikeouts across 163 innings pitched.[9]
Oakland Athletics
editOn December 6, 2023, the Oakland Athletics selected Spence with the first overall pick of the Rule 5 draft.[10] After competing in spring training in 2024 for a roster spot with the Athletics,[11] Spence made their Opening Day roster.[12] After pitching in relief, Spence made his first major league start on May 17.[13] The Athletics kept him in their starting rotation afterwards.[14]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Mangan, Mike (May 4, 2016). "Mitch Spence flirts with no-hitter as Green Hope defeats Middle Creek baseball, assumes first place". The News & Observer. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
- ^ "Pacers' Spence earns PBC honor". Post and Courier. March 26, 2018.
- ^ "Pacers' Spence named PBC Pitcher of the Week again". Post and Courier. April 24, 2018.
- ^ "USCA's Mitch Spence selected in 10th round of MLB Draft". Post and Courier. June 4, 2019.
- ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled". mlb.com. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
- ^ "Mitch Spence Stats & Scouting Report". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
- ^ "Mitch Spence - Stats - Pitching". fangraphs.com. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
- ^ "Yanks invite top 2 prospects Volpe, Domínguez to camp". MLB.com.
- ^ "Projecting A's Rule 5 Draftee Mitch Spence for 2024". si.com. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
- ^ Mayo, Jonathan (December 6, 2023). "2023 Rule 5 Draft results: Pick by pick". MLB.com. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
- ^ "Spence tries his luck in Vegas in bid for rotation spot". MLB.com. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
- ^ "Former Pacer makes Oakland A's Opening Day roster". Post and Courier. March 26, 2024. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
- ^ "'Excited' Spence strong in spot start for ailing staff". MLB.com.
- ^ "Spence thriving as a starter -- just as he'd hoped". MLB.com. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
External links
edit- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)