Chris Flexen

Christopher Flexen (born July 1, 1994) is an American professional baseball pitcher who plays for the Doosan Bears of the KBO League. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Mets.

Chris Flexen
Flexen with the Mets in 2017
Doosan Bears – No. 34
Pitcher
Born: (1994-07-01) July 1, 1994
Newark, California
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Professional debut
MLB: July 27, 2017, for the New York Mets
KBO: May 7, 2020, for the Doosan Bears
MLB statistics
(through 2019 season)
Win–loss record3–11
Earned run average8.07
Strikeouts49
KBO statistics
(through June 23, 2020)
Win–loss record3–1
Earned run average3.26
Strikeouts43
Teams

Amateur career

Flexen attended Newark Memorial High School in Newark, California where he was the quarterback of the school's football team and made the varsity baseball team as a freshman. His outstanding ability in two sports led to him earning his nickname Chris "Flex” Flexen. Flexen initially committed to play college baseball for the Arizona State Sun Devils but was drafted in the 14th round of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft by the New York Mets and was lured away from his commitment by a $375,000 signing bonus.[1]

Professional career

Flexen spent 2012 with the Kingsport Mets, where he posted a 1–3 win–loss record with a 5.63 earned run average (ERA) in seven games. Flexen returned to Kingsport for the 2013 season, where he was 8–1 with a 2.09 ERA in 11 starts. In 2014, Flexen played for the Savannah Sand Gnats, where he was 3–5 with a 4.83 ERA in 13 starts.[2] Flexen underwent Tommy John surgery in 2014.[1] Flexen spent 2015 with Savannah, the Brooklyn Cyclones, and the GCL Mets, where he posted a combined 2.42 ERA in 12 games between the three clubs. In 2016, he pitched for the St. Lucie Mets where he was 10–9 with a 3.56 ERA in 25 starts. The Mets added him to their 40-man roster after the 2016 season.[3] Flexen started 2017 with St. Lucie, and after posting a 2.13 ERA there while striking out over a batter per inning in 3 starts, he was called up to the Binghamton Rumble Ponies on May 31.[4]

Flexen made his MLB debut on July 27, 2017 against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park.[5] He gave up 4 runs on 5 hits in the start. He also became the fifth Mets player in franchise history to give up a home run to the first batter he faced in the Major Leagues after allowing one to Manuel Margot on only his third pitch.[6] On August 8, 2017, Flexen recorded his first Major League win against the Texas Rangers at Citi Field, pitching 5.1 innings, allowing 3 earned runs and striking out 4 batters.[7]

MLB.com ranked Flexen as New York's ninth-best prospect going into the 2018 season.[8] On May 19, Flexen, who started the season in the Pacific Coast League, was promoted to the Mets.[9] He made only four appearances for the big league club, including one start, struggling to a 12.79 ERA and 3.16 WHIP over those outings. He underwent knee surgery in early August, ending his 2018 season.

Flexen was designated for assignment on December 6, 2019,[10] and on the next day, it was announced that Flexen signed a one year contract with KBO's Doosan Bears, the 2019 Korean Series Champion.[11]

References
  1. Wagner, James (July 27, 2017). "A Mets Pitcher Makes Big Leap to Majors, and Then Stumbles". The New York Times. Retrieved July 29, 2017.
  2. "Chris Flexen Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  3. "Mets add shortstop Amed Rosario, four others to 40-man roster". Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  4. Burneal, Larry. "Ponies snap skid in Trenton, Flexen called up". Retrieved July 25, 2017.
  5. "Mets' Chris Flexen set to make MLB debut: What to know". NJ.com. Retrieved July 28, 2017.
  6. Mastracco, Abbey (July 28, 2017). "Mets' Chris Flexen shelled in MLB debut | Rapid Reaction". NJ.com. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
  7. Kerber, Fred (August 9, 2017). "Chris Flexen picks up first MLB win thanks to Mets' power display". New York Post. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  8. "Gimenez leads new Mets Top 30 Prospects list". MLB.com. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  9. Botte, Peter (May 19, 2018). "Mets made these roster moves ahead of Diamondbacks game". New York Daily News. Retrieved May 19, 2018.
  10. Danny Abriano (December 6, 2019). "Mets sign free agent reliever Brad Brach". SNY. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  11. "Ex-MLB pitcher Chris Flexen signs with KBO's Doosan Bears". Yonhap News. December 8, 2019.
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