Mitch Spence

Mitch Spence
Athletics – No. 40
Pitcher
Born: (1998-05-06) May 6, 1998 (age 26)
Kirkland, Washington, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
March 29, 2024, for the Oakland Athletics
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Win–loss record8–10
Earned run average4.58
Strikeouts126
Teams

Mitch Perry Spence (born May 6, 1998) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2024.

Career

Amateur career

Spence 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

The 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

On 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

References

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ "Pacers' Spence earns PBC honor". Post and Courier. March 26, 2018.
  3. ^ "Pacers' Spence named PBC Pitcher of the Week again". Post and Courier. April 24, 2018.
  4. ^ "USCA's Mitch Spence selected in 10th round of MLB Draft". Post and Courier. June 4, 2019.
  5. ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled". mlb.com. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  6. ^ "Mitch Spence Stats & Scouting Report". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  7. ^ "Mitch Spence - Stats - Pitching". fangraphs.com. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  8. ^ "Yanks invite top 2 prospects Volpe, Domínguez to camp". MLB.com.
  9. ^ "Projecting A's Rule 5 Draftee Mitch Spence for 2024". si.com. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  10. ^ Mayo, Jonathan (December 6, 2023). "2023 Rule 5 Draft results: Pick by pick". MLB.com. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  11. ^ "Spence tries his luck in Vegas in bid for rotation spot". MLB.com. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  12. ^ "Former Pacer makes Oakland A's Opening Day roster". Post and Courier. March 26, 2024. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  13. ^ "'Excited' Spence strong in spot start for ailing staff". MLB.com.
  14. ^ "Spence thriving as a starter -- just as he'd hoped". MLB.com. Retrieved June 14, 2024.