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Darren McCaughan

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Darren McCaughan
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1996-03-18) March 18, 1996 (age 28)
Long Beach, California, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
July 21, 2021, for the Seattle Mariners
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Win–loss record0–0
Earned run average6.43
Strikeouts40
Teams

Darren Scott McCaughan (/ˌmɪˈkækən/ mi-KAK-ən) (born March 18, 1996) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Seattle Mariners, Miami Marlins, and Cleveland Guardians. He made his MLB debut in 2021 for the Mariners.

Amateur career

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McCaughan attended Los Alamitos High School in Los Alamitos, California.[1] He committed to play college baseball at Long Beach State University during his junior year in 2013.[2] As a junior, he went 6–4 with a 2.96 ERA.[3] Undrafted out of high school in the 2014 MLB draft, he enrolled at Long Beach State where he played college baseball for the Dirtbags.

As a freshman at Long Beach State in 2015, McCaughan went 4–2 with a 2.47 ERA in 23 games (three starts).[4] In 2016, as a sophomore, he pitched to a 10–1 record with a 2.03 ERA in 16 starts,[5][6] earning the title of Big West Pitcher of the Year.[7] He was named an All-American by multiple outlets including Collegiate Baseball and Perfect Game.[8] That summer, he played for the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team.[9] In 2017, a junior, McCaughan compiled a 9–2 record with a 2.50 ERA in 17 starts.[10] He was named Big West Pitcher of the Year for the second consecutive year[11] along with being named an All-American by D1Baseball among various other media sources.[12] After the year, he was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 12th round of the 2017 MLB draft.[13]

Professional career

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Seattle Mariners

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McCaughan signed with Seattle and made his professional with the Rookie-level Arizona League Mariners, going 0–1 with a 3.75 ERA in 12 innings.[14] He spent the 2018 season with the Modesto Nuts of the High-A California League, where he pitched to a 6–10 record and a 3.05 ERA in 25 starts and was named an All-Star.[15] He also made one spot start for the Tacoma Rainiers of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League in June.[16] He began 2019 with the Arkansas Travelers of the Double-A Texas League,[17] with whom he was named an All-Star[18] alongside earning the title of Texas League Pitcher of the Year after going 7–5 with a 2.89 ERA over 17 starts.[19] In July, he was promoted to Tacoma, going 0–6 with an 8.09 ERA over nine starts.

McCaughan did not play a minor league game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.[20] He returned to Arkansas to begin the 2021 season, now members of the Double-A Central.[21] After one start, he was promoted to Tacoma, now a part of the Triple-A West.[22] On July 21, 2021, McCaughan was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[23] He made his MLB debut that day pitching in relief against the Colorado Rockies, throwing five innings in which he gave up no hits and one earned run while walking three batters.[24] He made two appearances for Seattle, working to a 8.00 ERA with 2 strikeouts. On October 22, the Mariners removed him from the 40-man roster and sent him outright to Tacoma.[25]

In 2022, McCaughan made 28 starts for Tacoma, posting an 8-9 record and 4.55 ERA with 141 strikeouts in 154.1 innings pitched. He was assigned to Tacoma to begin the 2023 season.

On April 11, 2023, McCaughan had his contract selected to the active roster.[26] In three appearances for Seattle, he recorded a 5.40 ERA with 10 strikeouts across 5.0 innings of work. McCaughan was designated for assignment on February 7, 2024, following the waiver claim of Canaan Smith-Njigba.[27]

Miami Marlins

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On February 9, 2024, McCaughan was traded to the Miami Marlins in exchange for cash considerations.[28] He was optioned to the Triple–A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp to begin the 2024 season.[29] McCaughan made one appearance for Miami, surrendering eight runs on nine hits with two strikeouts across 4+23 innings against the Oakland Athletics. He was designated for assignment by the Marlins on May 5.[30]

Cleveland Guardians

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On May 9, 2024, McCaughan was traded to the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for cash considerations.[31] In two games for Cleveland, he surrendered six runs on nine hits with one strikeout across six innings pitched. McCaughan was designated for assignment by Cleveland on June 30.[32]

Miami Marlins (second stint)

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On July 7, 2024, McCaughan was claimed off waivers by the Miami Marlins.[33] In 10 total games for Miami, he compiled a 5.75 ERA with 27 strikeouts and 2 saves over 36 innings pitched. On November 1, McCaughan was removed from the 40–man roster sent outright to the minors.[34] He elected free agency the same day.[35]

References

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  1. ^ "Darren McCaughan fits in as Long Beach State Dirtbag". Press Telegram. May 13, 2016. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  2. ^ "Baseball: Darren McCaughan commits to Long Beach State". Los Angeles Times. August 23, 2013. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  3. ^ "MaxPreps 2014 Top 100 Preseason National Baseball Rankings". MaxPreps. February 25, 2014. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  4. ^ "2016 Big West Conference baseball previews: CSF, UCI and LBSU". The Orange County Register. February 17, 2016. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  5. ^ "Big West baseball capsules: Cal State Fullerton, UC Irvine, Long Beach State". The Orange County Register. February 18, 2017. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  6. ^ "It's time for college baseball; openers are this week". Los Angeles Times. February 15, 2017. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  7. ^ "Long Beach State Dirtbags 2017 baseball preview". Press Telegram. February 16, 2017. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  8. ^ "Darren McCaughan Picks Up Perfect Game All-American Nod". Long Beach State University Athletics. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  9. ^ "LBSU's McCaughan enjoying international experience with Team USA baseball". Press Telegram. July 9, 2016. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  10. ^ "McCaughan stifles Salt Lake in debut, helps Tacoma snap losing streak". Puyallup River Courier. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  11. ^ "Long Beach State tops Cal State Fullerton in NCAA Super Regional opener, 3-0". The Orange County Register. June 10, 2017. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  12. ^ "McKay Leads D1Baseball All-Americans". D1Baseball. June 15, 2017. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  13. ^ "LBSU Dirtbags Notebook: Six More Dirtbags Selected In The MLB Draft". Gazettes Sports. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  14. ^ "Darren McCaughan Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  15. ^ "California League Announces 2018 All-Star Rosters". Baseball America. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  16. ^ "Nuts' McCaughan continues stingy stretch". MiLB.com. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  17. ^ "2019 Opening Travs Roster Announced". MiLB.com. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  18. ^ "Eight Travs Named TL Midseason All-Stars | Travelers". Milb.com. June 14, 2019. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  19. ^ "Darren McCaughan Named TL Pitcher of the Year | Travelers". Milb.com. August 27, 2019. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  20. ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball season canceled". MLB.com.
  21. ^ Smith, Lauren (April 30, 2021). "Mariners announce minor league rosters for 2021". Tacoma News Tribune. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  22. ^ "Rainiers Defeated by Salt Lake, Reinheimer and Thomas each Drive Home Two Runs". MiLB.com.
  23. ^ "Mariners Select Darren McCaughan".
  24. ^ "Darren McCaughan pitches 5 hitless innings in MLB debut". MLB.com.
  25. ^ "Mariners make 6 roster moves ahead of 40-man roster crunch". October 22, 2021.
  26. ^ "Mariners' Darren McCaughan: Promotion official". cbssports.com. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  27. ^ "Former Pirates OF Canaan Smith-Njigba claimed by Mariners". February 7, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  28. ^ "Marlins acquire RHP Darren McCaughan from Mariners for cash". ESPN.com. Associated Press. February 9, 2024. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
  29. ^ "Marlins' Darren McCaughan: Optioned to Triple-A". cbssports.com. March 8, 2024.
  30. ^ "Marlins Select Eli Villalobos". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  31. ^ "Guardians put Gavin Williams on 60-day IL, trade for Marlins pitcher Darren McCaughan". Akron Beacon Journal. May 9, 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  32. ^ "Roster moves". MLB.com. June 30, 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  33. ^ Deeds, Nick (July 7, 2024). "Marlins Claim Darren McCaughan". MLB Trade Rumors.
  34. ^ "Marlins Claim Christian Roa". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  35. ^ "12 Players Elect Free Agency". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
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