Glenn Sparkman

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Glenn Sparkman
Glenn Sparkman pitching for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2017 (3) (Cropped).jpg
Sparkman with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2017
Lotte Giants
Pitcher
Born: (1992-05-11) May 11, 1992 (age 29)
Ganado, Texas
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Professional debut
MLB: June 30, 2017, for the Toronto Blue Jays
NPB: August 18, 2021, for the Orix Buffaloes
MLB statistics
(through 2020)
Win–loss record4–14
Earned run average5.99
Strikeouts111
NPB statistics
(through August 18, 2021)
Win–loss record0–0
Earned run average4.50
Strikeouts3
Teams

Glenn Michael Sparkman (born May 11, 1992) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Lotte Giants of the KBO League. He previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays and Kansas City Royals, and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Orix Buffaloes.

High school and college[]

Sparkman attended Ganado High School in his hometown of Ganado, Texas.[1] Undrafted out of high school, he attended Wharton County Junior College in Wharton, Texas.[1] In 2013, his junior year, he went 5-4 with a 2.78 ERA in 77.2 innings.[2]

Professional career[]

Kansas City Royals[]

Sparkman was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 20th round of the 2013 Major League Baseball draft.[3] He was assigned to the Rookie Idaho Falls Chukars for the 2013 season and made 20 relief appearances, posting a 1–0 win–loss record, 1.72 earned run average (ERA), and 47 strikeouts in 362⁄3 innings pitched.[1] Sparkman was promoted to the Advanced-A Wilmington Blue Rocks of the Carolina League for the 2014 season. He was named the Carolina League's Pitcher of the Year after pitching to an 8–3 record, 1.56 ERA, and 117 strikeouts in 121 innings pitched.[1][4]

Sparkman began the 2015 season with the Double-A Northwest Arkansas Naturals, making four starts and going 2–2 with a 3.60 ERA before going on the disabled list with an arm injury. It was later determined that he needed Tommy John surgery, which caused him to miss the remainder of the season and the start of the 2016 season.[5] Sparkman rehabbed with the Arizona League Royals, and also made starts for the Class-A Lexington Legends, Advanced-A Wilmington, and Double-A Northwest Arkansas in 2016. In 16 combined starts, he posted a 2–7 record, 5.22 ERA, and 65 strikeouts in 601⁄3 innings.[1]

Toronto Blue Jays[]

Sparkman pitching for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2017 Spring Training

On December 8, 2016, Sparkman was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2016 Rule 5 draft.[6] Sparkman suffered a broken right thumb in spring training in 2017, and opened the season on the 10-day disabled list. On April 10, he was transferred to the 60-day disabled list.[7] Sparkman was activated on June 30 and called up by the Blue Jays.[8] He appeared in relief in two games, giving up seven runs over a single inning pitched. He was designated for assignment on July 3.[9]

Kansas City Royals (second stint)[]

On July 8, 2017, Sparkman was returned to the Royals organization.[10] He finished the year with the Double-A Northwest Arkansas Naturals, posting a 2.61 ERA in 3 appearances. He was assigned to Northwest Arkansas to begin the 2018 season, later receiving a promotion to the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers. Sparkman was added to the Royals active roster on July 8, 2018.[11] In 15 games on the year, Sparkman recorded an 0-3 record and 4.46 ERA.

Sparkman pitched in 31 games for the Royals in 2019, posting a 4-11 record and 6.02 ERA with 81 strikeouts in 136.0 innings of work. With the 2020 Kansas City Royals, Sparkman appeared in 4 games, compiling a 0-0 record with 5.40 ERA and 2 strikeouts in 5.0 innings pitched.[12] On November 20, 2020, Sparkman was designated for assignment.[13] On November 23, the Royals released Sparkman.[14]

Minnesota Twins[]

On December 17, 2020, Sparkman signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins organization.[15] Sparkman pitched three innings of one-run ball for the Triple-A St. Paul Saints before being released on May 18, 2021.[16]

Orix Buffaloes[]

On June 23, 2021, Sparkman signed with the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).[17][18] On August 18, he made his debut at NPB as a starter against the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.[19] Sparkman pitched 17 innings for the Buffaloes, posting an 0-1 record with a 6.88 ERA and 14 strikeouts. He became a free agent following the 2021 season.

Lotte Giants[]

On December 12, 2021, Sparkman signed with the Lotte Giants of the KBO League.[20]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e "Glenn Sparkman Register Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  2. ^ "Glenn Sparkman - Stats - the Baseball Cube".
  3. ^ Forman, Mike (June 8, 2013). "Ganado grad Sparkman picked by Royals in 20th round". victoriaadvocate.com. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  4. ^ Berenstein, Seth (August 28, 2014). "Sparkman Named Carolina League Pitcher Of The Year - Carolina League News". MiLB.com. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  5. ^ Ashbourne, Nick (December 8, 2016). "Blue Jays select right-hander Glenn Sparkman in Rule 5 Draft". Sportsnet. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  6. ^ "2016 Rule 5 Draft results". MLB.com. December 8, 2016. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  7. ^ Adams, Steve (April 10, 2017). "Blue Jays Claim Ty Kelly From Mets". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
  8. ^ "Blue Jays call up Rule 5 pick Glenn Sparkman, option Chris Smith". Sportsnet. June 30, 2017. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  9. ^ "Jays designate Sparkman; promote Bolsinger". TSN.ca. July 3, 2017. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
  10. ^ "Toronto Blue Jays Transactions in July 2017". MLB.com. Retrieved July 8, 2017.
  11. ^ "Royals' Glenn Sparkman: Promoted to big leagues". cbssports.com. July 8, 2018. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
  12. ^ "Glenn Sparkman Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com.
  13. ^ "Royals Release Glenn Sparkman".
  14. ^ "Royals Release Glenn Sparkman".
  15. ^ "Twins Sign Eight Players to Minor League Deals".
  16. ^ "Minor MLB Transactions: 5/18/21".
  17. ^ "【オリックス】助っ人右腕スパークマン獲得（中日スポーツ）".
  18. ^ "Justin Smoak Returns from NPB".
  19. ^ "Sports Nippon baseball news オリックスの新助っ人スパークマン デビュー戦は4回2失点「緊張と興奮が入り混じったような気持ち」". Sports Nippon (in Japanese). August 18, 2021. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  20. ^ "Glenn Sparkman Agrees To Sign With KBO's Lotte Giants".

External links[]

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