Nick Wittgren

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Nick Wittgren
Nick Wittgren (49488532893) (cropped).jpg
Wittgren with the Indians in February 2020
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1991-05-29) May 29, 1991 (age 30)
Torrance, California
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
April 19, 2016, for the Miami Marlins
MLB statistics
(through 2021 season)
Win–loss record18–15
Earned run average3.75
Strikeouts265
Teams

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

Amateur career[]

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[]

Miami Marlins[]

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 AAA 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[]

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 AAA 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]

In 2021, 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]

Personal life[]

Wittgren and his wife, Ashley, have two sons together.[15] 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.[16]

References[]

  1. ^ Travis Baugh. "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 22 November 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 22 November 2021.
  9. ^ Baird, Nathan. "Former Purdue baseball star Wittgren still winning". Jconline.com. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  10. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-04-19. Retrieved 2016-04-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  11. ^ "Indians acquire RHP Wittgren in deal with Marlins". ESPN.com. 4 February 2019. Retrieved 22 November 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 22 November 2021.
  14. ^ Steve Adams (November 5, 2021). "Nick Wittgren, Cam Hill Elect Free Agency". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  15. ^ "Tribe pitcher Nick Wittgren and wife Ashley report death threats after Friday night's loss". News5cleveland.com. 24 July 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  16. ^ "Wittgren has perfect trainer in wife Ashley". MLB.com.

External links[]

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