Mike Clevinger
Mike Clevinger | |
---|---|
![]() Clevinger with the Cleveland Indians in 2020 | |
San Diego Padres – No. 52 | |
Pitcher | |
Born: Jacksonville, Florida | December 21, 1990|
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
MLB debut | |
May 18, 2016, for the Cleveland Indians | |
MLB statistics (through June 5, 2022) | |
Win–loss record | 45–23 |
Earned run average | 3.19 |
Strikeouts | 623 |
Teams | |
|
Michael Anthony Clevinger (born December 21, 1990) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB) where he spends most of his time on the Injured List[1]. He previously played for the Cleveland Indians.
Early life and career
Clevinger was born on December 21, 1990, in Jacksonville, Florida.[2] He graduated from Wolfson High School in Jacksonville, Florida. He played college baseball at The Citadel before transferring to Seminole Community College after his freshman season.[3] After the 2011 season, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[4]
Los Angeles Angels
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim selected Clevinger in the fourth round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft.[5] He spent 2011 with the rookie-level Orem Owlz, then was promoted to the Cedar Rapids Kernels the following year, pitching in eight games. He had elbow reconstruction surgery, and as a result only pitched in three total games in 2013.[6]
Cleveland Indians
After pitching for two separate minor league organizations for the Angels in 2014, on August 7 he was traded to the Cleveland Indians for Vinnie Pestano.[7][8] Clevinger spent 2015 with the Double-A Akron RubberDucks, going 9–8 with a 2.73 earned run average (ERA). The Indians added him to their 40-man roster after the season.
Clevinger was called up by the Indians on May 18, 2016, and made his major league debut that evening.[9] He returned to the minor leagues after three starts, spending the next three months with the Columbus Clippers. Clevinger finished his time with Columbus with 11 wins, a loss, and a 3.00 ERA. He was called back up again on August 4, 2016, to start against the Minnesota Twins.[10] He finished the season appearing in 17 games, 10 of them starts, going 3–3 in 53 innings. After injuries to a few starters in 2017, Clevinger stepped into the rotation and proved to be an asset for the Indians going forward. He finished with a 12–6 record in 27 games, 21 starts. He struck out 137 batters in 121+2⁄3 innings.
In August 2020, Clevinger was placed on the restricted list by the Indians and sent home by the team after violating COVID-19 safety protocols.[11]
San Diego Padres
On August 31, 2020, the Indians traded Clevinger, along with Greg Allen and Matt Waldron to the San Diego Padres in exchange for Austin Hedges, Josh Naylor, Cal Quantrill, and minor league players Gabriel Arias, Owen Miller, and Joey Cantillo.[12] On November 15, 2020, a 2-year contract extension was agreed upon by Clevinger and the Padres, with annual salaries of $2 million in 2021 and $6.5 million in 2022, with a $3 million signing bonus. On the same day, it was announced that Clevinger would need to undergo Tommy John surgery and miss the 2021 season.[13] On February 18, 2021, Clevinger was placed on the 60-day injured list as he continued to recover from Tommy John surgery.[14]
Pitching style
Clevinger's pitching repertoire includes a fastball he can throw as hard as 99 miles per hour, a curveball, a slider, and a changeup.[15][16]
Personal life
Clevinger and fiancé Olivia had a daughter in March 2022. Clevinger has two older daughters. The first daughter was born on May 2, 2016.[17] Their second daughter was born on March 20, 2017.[18]
Clevinger's nickname is "Sunshine," one he received after teammates likened him to Ronnie "Sunshine" Bass from the film Remember the Titans.[19]
References
- ^ "Baseball Prospectus | Transactions". legacy.baseballprospectus.com. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
- ^ "Mike Clevinger, rhp, Indians". Baseball America. Durham, North Carolina: TEN: The Enthusiast Network. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
- ^ ""Angels Pay for Former Wolfson Pitcher; after Turning Down First Offer, Clevinger Agrees to $350,000 Deal" by Carlyon, Hays – The Florida Times Union, June 8, 2011". Farmington Hills, Michigan. Archived from the original on June 28, 2018.
- ^ "#31 Michael Clevinger – Profile". pointstreak.com. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
- ^ "MLB Draft Roundup: Former Wolfson standout Clevinger goes in fourth round to Angels". The Florida Times-Union. Jacksonville, Florida: Morris Communications. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
- ^ Pluto, Terry (March 23, 2016). "Cleveland Indians prospect Mike Clevinger savors everything from breaking bats to baby-sitting". Cleveland.com. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
- ^ Storm, Stephanie (August 7, 2014). "Indians trade RH reliever Vinnie Pestano to Angels for minor league pitcher Michael Clevinger". Akron Beacon Journal. Akron, Ohio: Black Press Ltd. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
- ^ "Cleveland Indians trade Vinnie Pestano to Angels for RHP Michael Clevinger". Cleveland.com. Cleveland: Advance Publications (Newhouse Newspapers). August 8, 2014. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
- ^ "Indians recall RHP Mike Clevinger from Columbus". MLB.com. New York City: Major League Baseball. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
- ^ Hoynes, Paul (August 2, 2016). "Does Cleveland Indians' Danny Salazar have peace of mind? Mike Clevinger to start Thursday". Cleveland.com. Cleveland: Advance Publications (Newhouse Newspapers). Retrieved August 3, 2016.
- ^ "Cleveland Indians place right-handers Zach Plesac, Mike Clevinger on restricted list". August 11, 2020.
- ^ "Cleveland Indians trade Mike Clevinger, Greg Allen and player to be named to San Diego for six players". August 31, 2020.
- ^ "Mike Clevinger To Undergo Tommy John Surgery; 2-Year Deal Official". MLB Trade Rumors.
- ^ "Padres Sign Mark Melancon". MLB Trade Rumors.
- ^ "Mike Clevinger Visualization Report | MLB.com". baseballsavant.com. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
- ^ "The Retooled Mike Clevinger Is Something to Behold". FanGraphs Baseball. August 22, 2019. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
- ^ "Join us in congratulating RHP Mike Clevinger on the birth of his first child: Penelope Grace Clevinger". TribeVibe. October 26, 2016. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
- ^ "Congratulations: His family just keeps growing!". Fox 8 Cleveland. March 22, 2017. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
- ^ Green, Taiki. "Mike Clevinger". Momentum. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
- Michael Clevinger on Twitter
- 1990 births
- Living people
- Baseball players from Jacksonville, Florida
- Major League Baseball pitchers
- Cleveland Indians players
- San Diego Padres players
- The Citadel Bulldogs baseball players
- Seminole State Raiders baseball players
- Cotuit Kettleers players
- Orem Owlz players
- Cedar Rapids Kernels players
- Arizona League Angels players
- Burlington Bees players
- Carolina Mudcats players
- Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino players
- Akron RubberDucks players
- Columbus Clippers players