Mike Clevinger
Michael Anthony Clevinger (born December 21, 1990) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball (MLB).
Mike Clevinger | |||
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![]() Clevinger with the Cleveland Indians in 2020 | |||
Cleveland Indians – No. 52 | |||
Pitcher | |||
Born: Jacksonville, Florida | December 21, 1990|||
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MLB debut | |||
May 18, 2016, for the Cleveland Indians | |||
MLB statistics (through 2019 season) | |||
Win–loss record | 41–21 | ||
Earned run average | 3.20 | ||
Strikeouts | 563 | ||
Teams | |||
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Early life and career
Clevinger was born on December 21, 1990, in Jacksonville, Florida.[1] 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.[2] After the 2011 season, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[3]
Los Angeles Angels
Clevinger was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the fourth round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft.[4] 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.[5]
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.[6][7] 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.[8] 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.[9] 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.
Clevinger's pitching repertoire includes a fastball he can throw as hard as 99 miles per hour, a curveball, a slider, and a changeup.[10] [11]
Personal life
Clevinger has two daughters. His first daughter, Penelope Grace, was born on May 2, 2016.[12] His second daughter, Piper Lotus, was born on March 20, 2017.[13]
Clevinger's nickname is "Sunshine," one he received after teammates likened him to Ronnie "Sunshine" Bass from the film Remember the Titans.[14]
References
- "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 – Online Research Library: Questia". Questia Online Library. Farmington Hills, Michigan: Gale. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
- "#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). 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.
- "Mike Clevinger Visualization Report | MLB.com". baseballsavant.com. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
- "The Retooled Mike Clevinger Is Something to Behold". FanGraphs Baseball. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
- "Join us in congratulating RHP Mike Clevinger on the birth of his first child: Penelope Grace Clevinger". TribeVibe. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
- "Congratulations: Tribe family just keeps growing!". Fox 8 Cleveland. 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