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Nick Wittgren

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Nick Wittgren
Wittgren with the Kansas City Royals
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1991-05-29) May 29, 1991 (age 33)
Torrance, California, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
April 19, 2016, for the Miami Marlins
MLB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Win–loss record20–15
Earned run average4.04
Strikeouts300
Teams

Nicholas James Wittgren (born May 29, 1991) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Miami Marlins, Cleveland Indians, St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Royals.

Amateur career

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Wittgren was born in Torrance, California, but grew up in Lafayette, Indiana where he attended McCutcheon High School and played for the school's baseball, basketball, and tennis teams. Wittgren played college baseball at Parkland College for a year before transferring to Purdue University where he played from 2011 to 2012.[1] He served as the closer for Purdue during his two years, finishing with a 2.54 earned run average (ERA), 22 saves and 94 strikeouts over 92 innings pitched. In 2011, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Hyannis Harbor Hawks of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[2]

Professional career

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Miami Marlins

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Wittgren with the Zephyrs in 2015

Wittgren was drafted by the Miami Marlins in the ninth round of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft.[3] During his first professional season he had a 1.17 ERA, 13 saves and 47 strikeouts over 30+2⁄3 innings while playing for the Jamestown Jammers and Greensboro Grasshoppers. He started the 2013 season with the Jupiter Hammerheads and was promoted to the Double-A Jacksonville Suns.[4][5] For the season he posted a 0.77 ERA with 26 saves and 63 strikeouts over 58+1⁄3. At the end of the season he was named the Minor League Relief Pitcher of the Year by the staff of MiLB.com.[6][7][8] Wittgren returned to Jacksonville in 2014. He appeared in 52 games and had a 3.55 ERA, 20 saves and 56 strikeouts over 66 innings.[9] He again returned to Jacksonville to start 2015, but was promoted to the Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs after two games.

The Marlins promoted Wittgren to the major leagues on April 19, 2016.[10] In his first Major League appearance, he walked the only batter he faced, Anthony Rendon. Rendon later scored on Bryce Harper's grand slam. He spent most of the season in the Marlins bullpen, appearing in 48 games. He had a 3.14 ERA in 51+2⁄3 innings. The next season he spent time between the Triple–A level and the Marlins bullpen, appearing in 38 games with a 4.68 ERA in 42+1⁄3 innings. Wittgren was designated for assignment on January 29, 2019 following the signing of Neil Walker.

Cleveland Indians

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Wittgren with the Cleveland Indians

On February 4, 2019, Wittgren was traded to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for Jordan Milbrath.[11] On March 24, 2019, Wittgren was optioned to the Triple–A Columbus Clippers.[12] On April 9, 2019, he was called up to the Indians after Mike Clevinger went to the 10-day IL.

With the 2020 Cleveland Indians, Wittgren appeared in 25 games, compiling a 2-0 record with 3.42 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 23.2 innings pitched.[13]

Wittgren made 60 appearances in 2021, posting a 5.05 ERA and 61 strikeouts.

On November 5, 2021, the Indians outrighted Wittgren off their 40-man roster; Wittgren subsequently elected free agency.[14]

St. Louis Cardinals

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On March 13, 2022, Wittgren signed a one-year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals.[15] After recording a 5.90 ERA in a team-leading 29 appearances for the Cardinals, Wittgren was designated for assignment on July 2.[16] Wittgren was released on July 9.

Kansas City Royals

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On December 23, 2022, Wittgren signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals.[17] He was assigned to the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers to begin the 2023 season, making 17 appearances and registering a 1.25 ERA with 19 strikeouts and five saves in 21+2⁄3 innings pitched. On May 23, Wittgren's contract was selected to the active roster.[18] In 27 games for the Royals, he logged a 4.97 ERA with 18 strikeouts in 29.0 innings of work. On August 16, he was optioned to Triple–A Omaha following the promotion of John McMillon.[19] Rather than accepting the assignment, Wittgren instead elected free agency.[20]

Seattle Mariners

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On August 19, 2023, Wittgren signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners.[21] In 12 appearances out of the bullpen for the Triple–A Tacoma Rainiers, he struggled to a 7.90 ERA with 10 strikeouts across 13+2⁄3 innings pitched. Wittgren elected free agency following the season on November 6.[22]

Minnesota Twins

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On April 26, 2024, Wittgren signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins.[23] In 40 appearance split between the Double–A Wichita Wind Surge and Triple–A St. Paul Saints, he posted a combined 2–3 record and 5.58 ERA with 52 strikeouts across 59+2⁄3 innings pitched. Wittgren was released by the Twins organization on September 16.[24]

International career

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Wittgren was selected to represent Germany at the 2023 World Baseball Classic qualification.[25]

Personal life

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Wittgren and his wife, Ashley, have two sons together.[26] They met in 2011 while Wittgren was playing in the Cape Cod Baseball League, where Ashley worked. She has a master's degree in strength and conditioning, and is Wittgren's personal trainer during the off-season.[27]

References

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  1. ^ Travis Baugh (February 9, 2012). "Wittgren uses community college as stepping stone". Purdueexponent.org.
  2. ^ "#9 Nick Wittgren - Profile". Pointstreak.com. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  3. ^ "Wittgren Selected in Ninth Round by Miami Marlins in MLB Draft". Purduesports.com. June 5, 2012. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
  4. ^ "Nick Wittgren promoted to Double-A". Php.jconline.com. September 1, 2013. Archived from the original on September 5, 2013. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
  5. ^ "Hammerheads' Closer breezing through Florida State League". Tcpalm.com. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  6. ^ Parker, John (October 25, 2013). "Closing time: Wittgren is top reliever". Milb.com. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
  7. ^ "Nick Wittgren (McCutcheon/Purdue) earns minor league Relief Pitcher of the Year honor". Jconline.com. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
  8. ^ Baird, Nathan. "Purdue's Nick Wittgren earns minor league Relief Pitcher of the Year honor". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  9. ^ Baird, Nathan. "Former Purdue baseball star Wittgren still winning". Jconline.com. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  10. ^ "Former McCutcheon, Purdue standout Nick Wittgren called up to Marlins | wlfi.com". Archived from the original on April 19, 2016. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
  11. ^ "Indians acquire RHP Wittgren in deal with Marlins". ESPN.com. February 4, 2019. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  12. ^ Ryan Lewis (March 24, 2019). "Indians option Nick Wittgren to Triple-A; Opening Day bullpen is set". Ohio.com. GateHouse Media, LLC. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
  13. ^ "Nick Wittgren Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  14. ^ Steve Adams (November 5, 2021). "Nick Wittgren, Cam Hill Elect Free Agency". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  15. ^ "Cardinals sign right-hander Wittgren to one-year deal". MLB.com.
  16. ^ "Cardinals activate Hicks, recall Liberatore; Woodford optioned to Memphis; Wittgren designated for assignment". MLB.com. July 2, 2022. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  17. ^ "Royals, Nick Wittgren Agree to Minor League Deal". December 23, 2022.
  18. ^ "Royals' Nick Wittgren: Added to roster". cbssports.com. May 23, 2023. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  19. ^ "Royals' Nick Wittgren: Optioned to Omaha". cbssports.com. August 16, 2023. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  20. ^ "Nick Wittgren: Becomes free agent". cbssports.com. August 17, 2023. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  21. ^ "Mariners Sign Nick Wittgren". MLB Trade Rumors. August 20, 2023. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  22. ^ "2023 MiLB Free Agents". baseballamerica.com. November 8, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  23. ^ "Transactions".
  24. ^ https://www.milb.com/transactions/2024-09-16
  25. ^ "Deutschland gibt Kader für World Baseball Classic Qualifier in Regensburg bekannt / Erstes Spiel am Samstag um 19 Uhr". baseball-softball.de (in German). DBV. September 13, 2022. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  26. ^ "Tribe pitcher Nick Wittgren and wife Ashley report death threats after Friday night's loss". News5cleveland.com. July 24, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  27. ^ "Wittgren has perfect trainer in wife Ashley". MLB.com.
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