Shawn Michael Armstrong (born September 11, 1990) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cleveland Indians, Seattle Mariners, Baltimore Orioles, Miami Marlins, Tampa Bay Rays, St. Louis Cardinals, and Chicago Cubs.
Shawn Armstrong | |
---|---|
Free agent | |
Pitcher | |
Born: New Bern, North Carolina, U.S. | September 11, 1990|
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
MLB debut | |
August 8, 2015, for the Cleveland Indians | |
MLB statistics (through 2024 season) | |
Win–loss record | 11–8 |
Earned run average | 4.15 |
Strikeouts | 360 |
Stats at Baseball Reference | |
Teams | |
Early life
editArmstrong attended West Craven High School in Vanceboro, North Carolina.[1] He was a member of the varsity baseball team for his entire high school career and participated in cross country for two seasons. The Houston Astros selected Armstrong in the 33rd round of the 2008 MLB draft, but he did not sign. He then enrolled at East Carolina University (ECU), where he played college baseball for the ECU Pirates. He missed the 2009 season after having shoulder surgery, and finished his collegiate career with a 4-3 win–loss record and a 4.45 earned run average (ERA).[2]
Career
editCleveland Indians
editThe Cleveland Indians selected Armstrong in the 18th round of the 2011 MLB draft.[3] In 2012, Armstrong pitched for the Carolina Mudcats of the High-A Carolina League. He was named a Carolina League All-Star.[4] He ended the year with a 2.06 ERA. He missed the beginning of the 2013 with an injury,[1] and had a 4.14 ERA on the season after he returned to health.[5] In 2014, he pitched for the Akron RubberDucks of the Double-A Eastern League.[6] He was named an Eastern League All-Star.[5] After the 2014 season, the Indians added Armstrong to their 40-man roster.[7] Armstrong pitched for the Columbus Clippers of the Triple-A International League in 2015, and was named to the Triple-A All-Star Game.[8]
Armstrong was called up to the major leagues for the first time on August 8, 2015.[9] Armstrong made his major league debut the same night, pitching a scoreless ninth inning with two strikeouts.[10] He finished his rookie season with a 2.25 ERA across eight appearances. In 2016, Armstrong logged a 2.53 ERA with 7 strikeouts in 10 appearances for the Indians. In 2017, he pitched in 22 games for Cleveland, recording a 4.38 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 24.2 innings pitched.
Seattle Mariners
editOn December 13, 2017, the Indians traded Armstrong to the Seattle Mariners for international bonus pool money.[11] In 2018 with Seattle, Armstrong pitched to a neat 1.23 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 14.2 innings pitched. On March 18, 2019, Armstrong was placed on the disabled list with an oblique injury.[12] Armstrong was designated for assignment on April 26 after struggling to a 14.73 ERA in 4 appearances to begin the year.
Baltimore Orioles
editOn April 28, 2019, Armstrong was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles.[13] Armstrong recorded a 5.13 ERA in 51 appearances for the Orioles in 2019.
In 2020, Armstrong pitched in 14 games for the Orioles, notching a 1.80 ERA and 14 strikeouts to go along with a 2–0 record over 15.0 innings pitched.[14]
After struggling to an 8.55 ERA in 20 appearances in 2021, Armstrong was designated for assignment by the Orioles on June 4, 2021.[15] He was outrighted to the Triple-A Norfolk Tides on June 11.[16]
Tampa Bay Rays
editOn July 30, 2021, Armstrong was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for cash considerations.[17] On August 17, the Rays selected Armstrong's contract.[18] Armstrong made 11 appearances for the Rays, posting a 4.50 ERA with 22 strikeouts. Armstrong was designated for assignment by the Rays on September 12.[19] On October 8, Armstrong elected free agency.[20]
Miami Marlins
editOn March 13, 2022, Armstrong signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins.[21] On April 7, the Marlins selected Armstrong's contract, adding him to their opening day roster.[22] He was designated for assignment on May 2, 2022, then elected free agency two days later.
Tampa Bay Rays (second stint)
editOn May 10, 2022, Armstrong signed a minor league deal with the Tampa Bay Rays and was assigned to the Triple–A Durham Bulls. He was selected to the major league roster on May 31.[23] Armstrong made 43 appearances for Tampa Bay in 2022, posting a 2–3 record and 3.60 ERA with 61 strikeouts and two saves in 55 innings pitched.
On April 17, 2023, Armstrong was placed on the 60-day injured list with a neck injury.[24] He was activated on June 3.[25] In 39 appearances for Tampa Bay in 2023, Armstrong recorded a 1.38 ERA with 54 strikeouts across 52 innings of work.
On January 11, 2024, Armstrong signed a one-year, $2.05 million contract extension with the Rays. In 38 games for the Rays, he compiled a 5.40 ERA with 50 strikeouts over 46+2⁄3 innings pitched.[26]
St. Louis Cardinals
editOn July 30, 2024, the Rays traded Armstrong to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for Dylan Carlson.[27] In 11 games for St. Louis, he recorded a 2.84 ERA with 12 strikeouts across 12+2⁄3 innings pitched. Armstrong was designated for assignment by the Cardinals on August 27.[28]
Chicago Cubs
editOn August 30, 2024, Armstrong was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Cubs.[29] In 8 games for Chicago, he logged a 4.91 ERA with 4 strikeouts over 7+1⁄3 innings pitched. Armstrong was designated for assignment by the Cubs on September 20.[30] He was released by the team on September 24.[31]
References
edit- ^ a b Jordan Honeycutt, Sun Journal Staff. "BASEBALL: Armstrong ready to pitch after setback". newbernsj.com. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
- ^ Fox Sports (June 29, 2014). "Getting to know your prospects: Shawn Armstrong". FOX Sports. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
- ^ "Howard, Armstrong added to fold before deadline". www.ohio.com. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
- ^ Woodward, Ronnie (June 18, 2012). "Armstrong relishing setup man role". The Daily Reflector. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
- ^ a b Ryan Lewis. "RubberDucks: Pitcher Shawn Armstrong learns from All-Star Game experience". www.ohio.com. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
- ^ "Shawn Armstrong a big bullpen key for Akron RubberDucks -- Cleveland Indians Class AA Insider". cleveland.com. July 11, 2014. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
- ^ Fox Sports. "Indians fill out 40-man roster". FOX Sports. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
- ^ Massie, Jim (July 15, 2015). "Clippers' Armstrong gets last-minute All-Star invite". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
- ^ "Indians Promote Armstrong & Almonte from AAA". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
- ^ "Minnesota Twins VS Cleveland Indians". ESPN.com. ESPN Inc.(The Walt Disney Company, 80% Hearst Corporation, 20%). Retrieved August 8, 2015.
- ^ @Indians (December 13, 2017). "We've traded Shawn Armstrong to Seattle in exchange for international bonus pool money. Thank you for you strong…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Trupin, John (March 18, 2019). "Shawn Armstrong strains oblique, heads to 10-day IL w/rest of injured Mariners, Ichiro added to roster". Lookout Landing.
- ^ "Orioles Claim Shawn Armstrong". MLB Trade Rumors.
- ^ "Shawn Armstrong Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com.
- ^ "Orioles Make Several Roster Moves". MLB Trade Rumors.
- ^ "Minor MLB Transactions: 6/11/21". MLB Trade Rumors.
- ^ Trezza, Joe (July 30, 2021). "O's net Minors RHP for Galvis, keep stars". MLB.com.
they also received cash considerations from the Rays for reliever Shawn Armstrong earlier in the day in an additional, minor trade.
- ^ "Rays Select Shawn Armstrong". MLB Trade Rumors.
- ^ "Rays' Shawn Armstrong: DFA'd Sunday".
- ^ "Players Recently Electing Free Agency". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
- ^ Polishuk, Mark (March 13, 2022). "Marlins Sign Shawn Armstrong To Minors Deal". MLBTradeRumors.com. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
- ^ Franco, Anthony (April 7, 2022). "Marlins Select Shawn Armstrong". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
- ^ "Rays Place Wander Franco On Injured List, Designate Ben Bowden For Assignment". mlbtraderumors. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
- ^ "Rays' Shawn Armstrong: Moved to 60-day IL". cbssports.com. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
- ^ "Rays' Shawn Armstrong: Returns from injury". cbssports.com. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
- ^ "Cardinals send Dylan Carlson to Rays for RHP Shawn Armstrong". espn.com. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
- ^ Woo, Katie; Jennings, Chad (July 30, 2024). "Cards send Dylan Carlson to Rays". The New York Times. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
- ^ "Cardinals Designate Shawn Armstrong For Assignment". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
- ^ "Chicago Cubs add pitcher Shawn Armstrong to active roster". ESPN.com. Associated Press. August 31, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
- ^ "Cubs Designate Shawn Armstrong For Assignment". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
- ^ "Chicago Cubs Roster Move: Release Shawn Armstrong". bleachernation.com. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
External links
editMedia related to Shawn Armstrong at Wikimedia Commons
- Career statistics from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet