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Kevin Gausman

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Kevin Gausman
Gausman with the Atlanta Braves in 2018
Toronto Blue Jays – No. 34
Pitcher
Born: (1991-01-06) January 6, 1991 (age 33)
Centennial, Colorado, U.S.
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
MLB debut
May 23, 2013, for the Baltimore Orioles
MLB statistics
(through August 19, 2024)
Win–loss record99–100
Earned run average3.88
Strikeouts1,734
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Kevin John Gausman (born January 6, 1991), nicknamed "Gaus",[1] is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, and San Francisco Giants. Before his professional career, Gausman attended Louisiana State University (LSU) and played college baseball for the LSU Tigers, with whom he was an All-American. The Orioles selected him in the first round (4th overall) of the 2012 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut in 2013. He was an All-Star in 2021 and 2023.

Early life

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Gausman attended Grandview High School in Aurora, Colorado, where he played for the school's baseball team as a pitcher.[2] In his sophomore year he pitched to a 5–2 win–loss record with a 2.79 earned run average (ERA). In his junior year, he was 7–2 with a 2.15 ERA, and in 2010, his senior year, he was 9–2 with a 3.12 ERA.[3] As a batter, playing for his high school varsity, he hit .322/.431/.576 with seven home runs and 40 runs batted in (RBIs) in 145 plate appearances.[4]

The Los Angeles Dodgers selected Gausman in the sixth round of the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft, but he did not sign.[2]

College career

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He attended Louisiana State University (LSU), where he played college baseball for the LSU Tigers baseball team. In 2011, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[5] In 2012, as a sophomore at LSU, he was 12–2 (leading the Southeastern Conference in wins) with a 2.77 ERA in 18 games (17 starts) and 135 strikeouts (leading the Conference) in 123.2 innings.[6][7] He was named an All-American in 2012.[8]

Gausman pitched in both Games 1 and 2 of the Baton Rouge Super Regional, coming out in relief in the completion of the rain-delayed first game and earning a win, but taking a loss in the second game as LSU suffered a historic upset at the hands of Stony Brook.[9] In an interview with Jake Arrieta ten years later, Gausman said, "That's probably the one thing in baseball that I constantly look back on."[10]

Professional career

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Draft and minor leagues

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Gausman in 2013

The Baltimore Orioles selected Gausman in the first round with the fourth overall selection in the 2012 Major League Baseball draft.[11] He signed with the Orioles for a signing bonus of $4.32 million on July 13, 2012.[12]

Gausman started the 2013 season with the Double-A Bowie Baysox.

Baltimore Orioles (2013–2018)

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The Orioles promoted Gausman to the major leagues to make his debut in Toronto against the Blue Jays on May 23, 2013.[13] Gausman pitched five innings and allowed seven hits, four runs, and two walks, while striking out five.[14] He picked up the loss as the Orioles fell 12–6 to the Blue Jays. On June 14, Gausman was optioned to the Triple-A Norfolk Tides.[15] He was recalled again on June 24,[16] and on June 28 he earned his first Major League win, against the New York Yankees, pitching in relief of T. J. McFarland, going 4+1⁄3 innings, striking out four and allowing no walks and three hits.[17] Gausman was optioned back to Norfolk on July 10. He was again recalled from the Norfolk Tides on August 28 and earned his second big league win, on September 1, also against the Yankees, this time at Yankee Stadium.[18]

2014 season

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On June 7, 2014, Gausman earned his first win as a starting pitcher, going seven innings against the Oakland Athletics, allowing only one run, walking one, and striking out six.[19] Following the best outing of his young career, Gausman pitched against the AL East leading Toronto Blue Jays where he went six innings, again allowing one run and striking out three. In the 2014 postseason, Gausman pitched out of the bullpen for the Orioles.[20][21] Gausman pitched eight innings in three relief appearances, posting a 1.13 ERA and an 0.75 WHIP. The Orioles would sweep the Tigers in the ALDS before being swept in the ALCS by the Kansas City Royals.[22][23]

Gausman finished the 2014 campaign having made 20 starts, with one complete game (five innings, due to rain), posting a 3.57 ERA and a 7–7 win–loss record.[24]

2015 season

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Gausman made 25 appearances in 2015 (17 starts). He posted a moderate 4.25 ERA, but struck out a career-high 103 batters, averaging 8.3 K/9. He posted a 4–7 record, as the Orioles finished 81–81 and didn't make the playoffs.[25]

2016 season

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Gausman pitching for the Baltimore Orioles in 2016

Gausman started the 2016 season on the disabled list. He made his season debut on April 25 against the Rays, earning a tough loss after going five innings and giving up one run on three hits. He earned a no decision in his next start, as the Orioles lost 8–7 against the White Sox. Gausman went six innings, allowing three runs (two earned). His next start was the best of his career, as he pitched eight shutout innings, allowing only three hits along with no walks and four strikeouts. He earned a no decision, though, as the Orioles eventually won the game 1–0 in the tenth inning.

Gausman pitched to a 4.15 ERA and 1–6 record in 15 pre-All Star Break starts.

On August 28, Gausman pitched seven scoreless innings against the Yankees, raising his scoreless innings streak to 132⁄3 innings. In his next start against the Yankees, Gausman pitched six shutout innings, raising his scoreless innings streak to 192⁄3 innings. He struck out eight batters and won his career-high fourth straight start. Gausman also tied his career high with his seventh win of the year, while lowering his ERA to 3.58. He extended the scoreless innings streak to 211⁄3 against the Tigers before allowing a run in the second inning of a 4–3 loss. Following this start, he threw eight scoreless innings in a 1–0 victory over the Red Sox, improving to 8–10 on the year and lowering his ERA to 3.43.

Gausman finished the year 11–12, despite pitching to a 3.61 ERA, due to low run support. He pitched a career-high in innings, and struck out a career-high 174 batters. His 8.716 K/9 and his 3.706 K/BB were both 10th in the AL.[26]

2017 season

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On March 28, 2017, Gausman was named the Orioles' Opening Day starting pitcher for the first time in his career.[27] He pitched 5.1 innings on Opening Day, allowing two runs on five hits and four walks, while also striking out four batters. Gausman earned the no decision. On May 3, Gausman was ejected for the first time in his Major League career after hitting Xander Bogaerts with a pitch.[28] On July 29, Gausman pitched the longest outing of his career against the Texas Rangers, going 82⁄3 shutout innings while striking out eight batters and earning the victory.

For the season, he led the league with 34 starts, and his 179 strikeouts and 186.7 innings pitched were both 10th in the AL.[26] He had the lowest percentage of balls pulled against him (33.3%) among major league pitchers.[29] His 8.630 K/9 was 10th in the AL.[26]

2018 season

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Before the 2018 season, Gausman changed from his old number of 39 to 34, in honor of the late former Toronto Blue Jays and Philadelphia Phillies pitcher, and fellow Coloradan Roy Halladay.[30] On April 23, in a start against the Cleveland Indians, Gausman threw the 90th immaculate inning in MLB history, striking out three batters in one inning on just nine pitches.[31][32]

Atlanta Braves (2018–2019)

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On July 31, 2018, Gausman along with Darren O'Day, was traded to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for minor leaguers Brett Cumberland, Jean Carlos Encarnacion, Evan Phillips, Bruce Zimmermann, and international signing money.[33]

During spring training in 2019, Gausman dealt with a sore shoulder.[34] He began the season rehabilitating in the minor leagues, and made his season debut on April 5.[35][36]

On May 3, 2019, Gausman was ejected from a game against the Miami Marlins by umpire Jeff Nelson for throwing behind José Ureña. He and Ureña had last faced each other on August 15, 2018, when Ureña hit the Braves' Ronald Acuña with a pitch.[37][38] Major League Baseball fined and suspended Gausman for five games. Gausman initially appealed the suspension.[39][40] On May 12, Gausman dropped his appeal.[41][42] In 16 starts, he was 3–7 with a career-high 6.19 ERA. and struck out 85 batters in 80 innings.[26]

In August Gausman was designated for assignment by the Braves following a stretch in which he allowed 47 hits and 29 earned runs over 26 innings[43] and was overall 3–7 with a 6.219 ERA in 16 starts in 2019 for the Braves.[44]

Cincinnati Reds (2019)

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On August 5, 2019, the Cincinnati Reds claimed Gausman off waivers from the Braves.[45][46] With the Reds, Gausman became a reliever.[47] In an appearance against the St. Louis Cardinals on August 18, Gausman struck out all six batters he faced, including tossing his second career immaculate inning.[48]

In 2019 with Cincinnati he was 0–2 with a 4.03 ERA in 15 games (one start) in which he threw 22+1⁄3 innings, walked five batters, and struck out 29 batters.[26] Gausman was non-tendered on December 2, 2019, and became a free agent.[49]

San Francisco Giants (2020–2021)

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2020 season

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On December 10, 2019, Gausman signed a one-year $9 million contract with the San Francisco Giants.[50]

During the shortened 2020 season, Gausman had a major bounce-back season, in which he was 3–3 with a 3.62 ERA and 15 walks and 79 strikeouts in 59+2⁄3 innings in 12 games (10 starts), and a career-low 1.106 WHIP along with a career-high 11.9 K/9.[26] On November 11, 2020, Gausman accepted a qualifying $18.9 million offer from the Giants.[51]

2021 season

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Gausman was the 2021 Opening Day starter for the Giants.[52] He was named the National League Pitcher of the Month for the month of May 2021. He won five games during the month, maintained an ERA of 0.73, and allowed an opponent slash line of .165/.201/.241.[53] He was a 2021 National League All Star.[26]

On September 17, 2021, Gausman was on the bench as the Giants took on the Braves. When the Giants ran out of position players, having already pinch-hit five times,[54] Gausman, slashing .184/.212/.184 as a batter, was called upon to pinch-hit in the bottom of the 11th with the bases loaded and one out, and the game tied 5–5. On a full count, he hit his first career sacrifice fly, scoring Brandon Crawford to win the game. Gausman described it as "the coolest thing I've ever done in my entire career".[55]

In the regular season in 2021, Gausman was 14–6 with a 2.81 ERA (6th in the NL), in a National League-leading 33 starts he pitched 192 innings (5th) and had 227 strikeouts (4th).[26] His 14 wins and 10.641 K/9 were fifth in the league, and his .700 win-loss percentage was sixth, as he gave up 7.031 hits per 9 innings (sixth).[26]

Toronto Blue Jays (2022–present)

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On December 1, 2021, Gausman signed a five-year, $110 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.[56] In 2022, Gausman made 31 starts during the regular season with a 12–10 win-loss record and a 3.35 ERA. He also made one postseason start for the Blue Jays during the Wild Card Series against the Seattle Mariners.

After a 2023 season in which Gausman had a 3.16 ERA over 185 innings and an AL-best 237 strikeouts, he went on to place third in 2023 Cy Young Award voting.[57]

Pitching style

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According to Statcast, Gausman currently throws four pitches: a four-seam fastball at 92–98 miles per hour (148–158 km/h), a splitter at 82–86 miles per hour (132–138 km/h), a slider at 80–86 miles per hour (129–138 km/h), and a changeup at 84–88 miles per hour (135–142 km/h).[58]

In 2020, he increased the average velocity and spin rate (as compared to 2019) on his four-seam fastball by simply bending his right leg, while tucking the front foot at the level of the back leg's knee.[59]

Personal life

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In December 2016, Gausman married Taylor North, and they have two daughters.[60][61]

Gausman grew up a Colorado Rockies fan. He is the son of former college football official Clair Gausman.[62]

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ Thanawalla, Ali (September 17, 2021). "Gausman's rare walk-off 'coolest moment' of MLB career". NBC Sports. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Baseball: Grandview grad Gausman grabbed 4th, Regis Jesuit pair also go in MLB Draft". Aurora Sentinel. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  3. ^ "Player Profiles". Baseball.playerprofiles.com. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
  4. ^ "Kevin Gausman's High School Baseball Stats". MaxPreps.com.
  5. ^ "Kevin Gausman". pointstreak.com. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  6. ^ "2012 Southeastern Conference Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com.
  7. ^ "LSU - 2012 Season Statistics". LSU Tigers Baseball. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  8. ^ "LSU baseball's Raph Rhymes, Kevin Gausman named to Collegiate Baseball All-America team". NOLA.com. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  9. ^ Times-Picayune, Trey Iles, NOLA com | The (June 10, 2012). "LSU pitcher Kevin Gausman outdueled in possible final game at Alex Box Stadium". NOLA.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ Starting 9. "What still keeps up @KevinGausman up at night?". Twitter. Retrieved October 17, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ "Orioles select RHP Kevin Gausman in first round of draft". Baltimore Orioles. Archived from the original on October 24, 2012. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  12. ^ "Orioles ink first-round Draft pick Gausman". Baltimore Orioles. Archived from the original on January 31, 2013. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  13. ^ "Orioles to call up Kevin Gausman to make start Thursday in Toronto, sources say". baltimoresun.com. May 22, 2013. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  14. ^ "Baltimore Orioles vs. Toronto Blue Jays - Box Score - May 23, 2013 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  15. ^ Connolly, Dan (June 14, 2013). "Orioles option Kevin Gausman to Triple-A Norfolk". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  16. ^ Gleeman, Aaron (June 24, 2013). "Orioles recall Kevin Gausman, designate Freddy Garcia for assignment". Hardball Talk. Retrieved June 24, 2013.
  17. ^ "Orioles Buzz: Kevin Gausman trades doughnuts for pie after first win". MASNsports. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  18. ^ "Baltimore Orioles at New York Yankees Box Score, September 1, 2013". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  19. ^ "Oakland Athletics at Baltimore Orioles Box Score, June 7, 2014". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  20. ^ "The 2014 BAL A Division Series Pitching Log for Kevin Gausman". Retrosheet. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  21. ^ "The 2014 BAL A League Championship Series Pitching Log for Kevin Gausman". Retrosheet. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  22. ^ "2014 AL Division Series - Baltimore Orioles over Detroit Tigers (3-0)". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  23. ^ "2014 ALCS - Kansas City Royals over Baltimore Orioles (4-0)". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  24. ^ "Kevin Gausman 2014 Pitching Game Logs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  25. ^ "Kevin Gausman 2015 Pitching Game Logs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  26. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Kevin Gausman Stats". Baseball-Reference.com.
  27. ^ Encina, Eduardo A. (March 27, 2017). "Kevin Gausman named Orioles' Opening Day starter". baltimoresun.com.
  28. ^ Forde, Craig. "Kevin Gausman ejected for hitting Bogaerts". MLB. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  29. ^ "Major League Leaderboards » 2017 » Pitchers » Batted Ball Statistics | FanGraphs Baseball". www.fangraphs.com.
  30. ^ Encina, Eduardo A. (December 7, 2017). "Orioles' pitcher Kevin Gausman plans to honor Roy Halladay by wearing his No.34". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  31. ^ Ghiroli, Brittany (April 24, 2018). "Gausman throws first immaculate inning of '18". MLB.com. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  32. ^ Meoli, Jon (April 23, 2018). "Despite quality start and immaculate inning, Orioles' Kevin Gausman loses to Indians, 2-1". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  33. ^ Bowman, Mark (July 31, 2018). "Braves get Gausman, O'Day from Orioles". MLB.com. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  34. ^ Scanlon, Dick (February 28, 2019). "Braves pitching staff springing leaks early in camp". Associated Press. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  35. ^ Burns, Gabriel (April 4, 2019). "Kevin Gausman scheduled to start for Braves on Friday". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  36. ^ Burns, Gabriel (April 5, 2019). "Kevin Gausman returns, Shane Carle optioned". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  37. ^ DeNicola, Christina (May 3, 2019). "Gausman ejected for throwing behind Urena". MLB.com. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
  38. ^ "Braves' Gausman tossed for pitch behind Urena". ESPN. Associated Press. May 3, 2019. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
  39. ^ Harrigan, Thomas (May 6, 2019). "Gausman opts to appeal 5-game suspension". MLB.com. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  40. ^ "Gausman gets 5-game ban for throwing at Urena". ESPN.com. May 6, 2019. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  41. ^ Rill, Jake (May 12, 2019). "Gausman drops suspension appeal". MLB.com. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  42. ^ "Braves' Gausman drops appeal of 5-game ban". ESPN.com. May 12, 2019. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  43. ^ "How Kevin Gausman built a career on one of baseball's best pitches".
  44. ^ "Cincinnati Reds moves: Gausman added, Dietrich to IL, O'Grady called up, Trahan DFA'd".
  45. ^ Burns, Gabriel (August 5, 2019). "Braves' Kevin Gausman claimed off waivers by Reds". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
  46. ^ "Reds claim Gausman off waivers from Braves". ESPN.com. August 5, 2019. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
  47. ^ Nightengale, Bobby (August 6, 2019). "Newly-acquired pitcher Kevin Gausman embraces role in Cincinnati Reds' bullpen". Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
  48. ^ Nightengale, Bobby (August 18, 2019). "Cincinnati Reds split series against St. Louis Cardinals, remain 7 games out of a playoff spot". Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
  49. ^ Bobby Nightengale (December 2, 2019). "Cincinnati Reds part ways with José Peraza, Kevin Gausman at the non-tender deadline". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  50. ^ Kerry Crowley (December 10, 2019). "SF Giants trade for a prospect, sign a starter and acquire an infielder in flurry of moves". The Mercury News. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  51. ^ Guardado, Maria (November 11, 2020). "Gausman accepts QO from Giants". Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  52. ^ Guardado, Maria (March 24, 2021). "Gausman gets Opening Day start for Giants". MLB.com. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  53. ^ Klopfer, Brady (June 3, 2021). "Gausman named NL Pitcher of the Month". McCovey Chronicles. SB Nation. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  54. ^ "Atlanta Braves at San Francisco Giants Box Score, September 17, 2021". Baseball-Reference.com.
  55. ^ Thanawalla, Ali (September 18, 2021). "Gausman's rare walk-off 'coolest moment' of MLB career". NBC Sports. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
  56. ^ "Sources: Jays give Gausman 5-year, $110M deal". November 29, 2021.
  57. ^ "Yankees' Cole wins 2023 AL Cy Young, Blue Jays' Gausman finishes third". Sportsnet.ca. November 15, 2023. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  58. ^ "Kevin Gausman Statcast Pitch Arsenal". baseballsavant.com. Statcast. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
  59. ^ "Bargain pitchers in free agency - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  60. ^ Randhawa, Manny (April 8, 2019). "Gausman excited for 1st MLB start in hometown". MLB.com. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
  61. ^ Matz, Eddie (March 12, 2016). "Orioles hope Kevin Gausman will be the pick that (finally) clicks". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
  62. ^ Randhawa, Manny (April 8, 2019). "Kevin Gausman excited to pitch in Colorado". MLB.com. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
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