Bryce Ball

Bryce Ball
Free agent
First baseman
Born: (1998-07-08) July 8, 1998 (age 26)
Mason City, Iowa, U.S.
Bats: Left
Throws: Right

Brycelin Steven Ball (born July 8, 1998) is an American professional baseball first baseman who is a free agent.

Career

Ball attended Newman Catholic High School in Mason City, Iowa, and played college baseball at North Iowa Area Community College and Dallas Baptist University.[1] He was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 24th round of the 2019 Major League Baseball draft.[2]

Atlanta Braves

Ball made his professional debut with the Danville Braves and was later promoted to the Rome Braves. In 62 games, he hit .329/.395/.628 with 17 home runs and 52 runs batted in (RBIs) over 231 at-bats.[3] The Braves invited him to their Spring Training in 2020.[4][5] However, he did not play a minor league game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[6] Ball began the 2021 season with Rome.

Chicago Cubs

On July 15, 2021, Ball was traded to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for Joc Pederson.[7][8] He was assigned to the South Bend Cubs with whom he finished the season.[9] Over 107 games between Rome and South Bend, he slashed .206/.351/.387 with 13 home runs, 52 RBIs, and 21 doubles.

Ball spent the 2022 season with the Double–A Tennessee Smokies. Playing in 131 games, he hit .265/.357/.405 with 11 home runs and a career–high 76 RBI.[10]

In 2023, Ball played in 52 games split between South Bend and Tennessee, accumulating a .214/.323/.305 batting line with 1 home runs and 28 RBI. On July 4, 2023, Ball was released by the Cubs organization.[11]

Cleveland Guardians

On July 20, 2023, Ball signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Guardians organization.[12] In 43 games with the Double–A Akron RubberDucks, he slashed .224/.305/.436 with eight home runs and 22 RBI.

Philadelphia Phillies

On December 6, 2023, Ball was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft.[13] In 54 games for the Double–A Reading Fightin Phils, he batted .193/.301/.324 with three home runs and 19 RBI. Ball was released by the Phillies organization on July 1, 2024.[14]

References

  1. ^ [email protected], Chris Doherty (June 25, 2019). "D-Brave of the Week: Bryce Ball opens pro career as Appy League player of the Week". Martinsville Bulletin.
  2. ^ "Bryce Ball, aka 'Drago' or 'Ball Bunyan,' might be late-draft steal for Braves – The Athletic". Theathletic.com. 2020-02-27. Retrieved 2021-05-02.
  3. ^ [email protected], SHANE LANTZ (February 19, 2020). "Bryce Ball ready to showcase skills in major league camp". Globe Gazette | Mason City, Iowa | globegazette.com.
  4. ^ https://www.southernminn.com/around_the_web/news/article_f693775d-70ee-50ce-b9bb-56289dc5de57.html [permanent dead link‍]
  5. ^ Shanks, Bill (2020-03-02). "Bryce Ball making a great impression in his first MLB camp with the Braves - Sports Illustrated Atlanta Braves News, Analysis and More". Si.com. Retrieved 2021-05-02.
  6. ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball season canceled". MLB.com.
  7. ^ Bowman, Mark (July 15, 2021). "Braves get slugging OF Pederson from Cubs". MLB.com. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  8. ^ Rogers, Jesse (July 15, 2021). "Chicago Cubs trade Joc Pederson to Atlanta Braves for 1B prospect Bryce Ball". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  9. ^ "These five prospects from Chicago Cubs' fire sale land in South Bend". Southbendtribune.com. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  10. ^ "Bryce Ball - Stats - Batting". fangraphs.com. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  11. ^ https://www.milb.com/transactions/2023-07-04
  12. ^ https://www.mlb.com/transactions/2023/07/20
  13. ^ Mayo, Jonathan (December 6, 2023). "2023 Rule 5 Draft results: Pick by pick". MLB.com. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  14. ^ https://www.milb.com/transactions/2024-07-01