Shawn O'Malley

For those of the same or a similar name, see Sean O'Malley (disambiguation).

Shawn O'Malley
O'Malley with the Tacoma Rainiers in 2015
Utility player
Born: (1987-12-28) December 28, 1987 (age 37)
Richland, Washington
Batted: Switch
Threw: Right
MLB debut
September 7, 2014, for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Last MLB appearance
October 2, 2016, for the Seattle Mariners
MLB statistics
Batting average.231
Home runs3
Runs batted in25
Stolen bases11
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams

Shawn Michael O'Malley (born December 28, 1987) is an American former professional baseball utility player. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Seattle Mariners.

Playing career

High school

O'Malley helped lead Southridge High School to the 2003-2004 Washington State 4A Baseball Title. O'Malley received all-state honors in football and baseball. He committed to play baseball at Washington State University.

Tampa Bay Rays

O'Malley was drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the fifth round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft (139th overall) out of Southridge High School in Kennewick, Washington.[1] He played in the Devil Rays/Rays organization until 2013 without reaching the majors.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Before the 2014 season he signed a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

O'Malley was called up to the majors for the first time on September 1, 2014. He made his major league debut on September 7, 2014, when he pinch-hit for Albert Pujols at Minnesota against Twins pitcher Ryan Pressly, reaching on an infield hit to shortstop which drove in a run. O'Malley was released by the Angels on December 19, 2014.[2]

Seattle Mariners

On January 22, 2015, O'Malley was signed by the Seattle Mariners to a minor league contract with an invite to Major League spring training. While batting .345 at Triple-A with the Tacoma Rainiers, he was hindered from getting promoted due to a wrist injury, until rosters expanded. The Mariners promoted him to the major leagues on September 1.[3]

In his first game with the Mariners, he went 3 for 4 with three singles, two RBI, and a stolen base in an 8-3 win over the Houston Astros. O'Malley finished the 2015 season batting .262 with Seattle.

Despite a very successful Spring Training, batting .471 (16-for-34) in 21 games, O'Malley was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma to begin the 2016 season. O'Malley was recalled by the Mariners on May 15, 2016, after batting .317 in 25 games with the Tacoma Rainiers.[4]

On June 2, 2016, O'Malley played a vital role in the Mariners biggest comeback in club history. He drove in the game winning run with an RBI single.[5] He missed the entire 2017 season due to injury. He elected free agency following the season on November 6, 2017.[6]

Colorado Rockies

On December 16, 2017, O'Malley signed a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies.[7] In 55 games for the Triple–A Albuquerque Isotopes, he batted .279/.321/.367 with one home run and 16 RBI. O'Malley elected free agency following the season on November 2.[8]

Kansas City T-Bones

On February 27, 2019, O'Malley signed with the Kansas City T-Bones of the independent American Association. He retired from professional baseball following the season. In 83 games he hit .307/.378/.429 with 5 home runs, 40 RBIs and 10 stolen bases.

Coaching career

O'Malley was announced as hitting coach for the Modesto Nuts, the High–A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, for the 2020 season.[9] He was promoted to be the hitting coach of the Double-A affiliate Arkansas Travelers for 2023.

On January 24, 2024, O'Malley was announced as the hitting coach of the Triple–A Tacoma Rainiers.[10]

Awards

References

  1. ^ Miller, Ryan (June 6, 2014). "'Green light' O'Malley now goes for the extra base for the Salt Lake Bees". DeseretNews.com. Archived from the original on June 9, 2014. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
  2. ^ Links, Zach (December 19, 2014). "Angels Release Shawn O'Malley". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
  3. ^ Dutton, Bob (September 1, 2015). "Mariners promote four players from Tacoma". TheOlympian.com. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
  4. ^ Miller, Doug (May 15, 2016). "Mariners recall O'Malley, option Sardinas". Mariners.MLB.com. Archived from the original on May 17, 2016. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
  5. ^ "Seattle Mariners win the most amazing game of 2016". ESPNGo.com. June 3, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
  6. ^ "Minor League Free Agents 2017". baseballamerica.com. November 7, 2017. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  7. ^ Byrne, Connor (December 16, 2017). "Minor MLB Transactions: 12/16/17". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved December 17, 2017.
  8. ^ "Minor League Free Agents 2018". baseballamerica.com. November 6, 2018. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  9. ^ Johns, Greg (January 21, 2020). "Former Mariner among additions to Minors staff". MLB.com. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
  10. ^ "Rainiers Coaching Staff Set, New Players Signed". wertacoma.com. Retrieved February 25, 2024.