Baseball player Mitch SpenceAthletics – No. 28PitcherBorn: (1998-05-06) May 6, 1998 (age 27)Kirkland, Washington, U.S.Bats: RightThrows: RightMLB debutMarch 29, 2024, for the Oakland AthleticsMLB statistics (through July 9, 2025)Win–loss record10–15Earned run erage4.62Strikeouts189Stats at Baseball Reference Teams Oakland Athletics / Athletics (2024–present)
Mitchell Perry Spence (born May 6, 1998) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2024.
Career[edit] Amateur career[edit]Spence attended Green Hope High School in Cary, North Carolina, and played on the school's baseball team.[1] He enrolled at the University of South Carolina Aiken, where he played college baseball for the Pacers. Spence was twice named the Peach Belt Conference's pitcher of the week.[2][3]
New York Yankees[edit]The New York Yankees drafted Spence in the 10th round, with the 315th overall selection, of the 2019 Major League Baseball draft.[4] He made his professional debut with the rookie–level Pulaski Yankees, posting a 3.54 ERA in 16 games out of the bullpen. Spence did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[5]
Spence returned to action in 2021 with the High–A Hudson Valley Renegades. He made 23 appearances (20 starts) and logged a 7–6 record and 3.94 ERA with 118 strikeouts in 105 innings pitched.[6] He split the 2022 season between the Double–A Somerset Patriots and Triple–A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Pitching in 27 contests, Spence registered a 6–7 record and 4.70 ERA with 127 strikeouts across 130+1⁄3 innings of work.[7]
The Yankees invited Spence to spring training as a non-roster player in 2023.[8] He spent the year with Triple–A Scranton, making 29 starts and posting an 8–8 record and 4.47 ERA with 153 strikeouts across 163 innings pitched.[9]
Oakland Athletics[edit]On December 6, 2023, the Oakland Athletics selected Spence with the first overall pick of the Rule 5 draft.[10] After competing in spring training in 2024 for a roster spot with the Athletics,[11] Spence made their Opening Day roster.[12] After pitching in relief, Spence made his first major league start on May 17.[13] The Athletics kept him in their starting rotation afterwards.[14] In 35 appearances (24 starts) for Oakland during his rookie campaign, Spence compiled an 8-10 record and 4.58 ERA with 126 strikeouts across 151+1⁄3 innings pitched.[15]
See also[edit] Rule 5 draft results References[edit] ^ Mangan, Mike (May 4, 2016). "Mitch Spence flirts with no-hitter as Green Hope defeats Middle Creek baseball, assumes first place". The News & Observer. Retrieved May 20, 2024. ^ "Pacers' Spence earns PBC honor". Post and Courier. March 26, 2018. ^ "Pacers' Spence named PBC Pitcher of the Week again". Post and Courier. April 24, 2018. ^ "USCA's Mitch Spence selected in 10th round of MLB Draft". Post and Courier. June 4, 2019. ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled". mlb.com. Retrieved March 23, 2024. ^ "Mitch Spence Stats & Scouting Report". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved March 23, 2024. ^ "Mitch Spence - Stats - Pitching". fangraphs.com. Retrieved March 23, 2024. ^ "Yanks invite top 2 prospects Volpe, Domínguez to camp". MLB.com. ^ "Projecting A's Rule 5 Draftee Mitch Spence for 2024". si.com. Retrieved March 23, 2024. ^ Mayo, Jonathan (December 6, 2023). "2023 Rule 5 Draft results: Pick by pick". MLB.com. Retrieved December 6, 2023. ^ "Spence tries his luck in Vegas in bid for rotation spot". MLB.com. Retrieved May 20, 2024. ^ "Former Pacer makes Oakland A's Opening Day roster". Post and Courier. March 26, 2024. Retrieved May 20, 2024. ^ "'Excited' Spence strong in spot start for ailing staff". MLB.com. ^ "Spence thriving as a starter -- just as he'd hoped". MLB.com. Retrieved June 14, 2024. ^ "Mitch Spence 2024 pitching Stats Per Game". espn.com. Retrieved July 5, 2025. External links[edit] Career statistics from MLB · ESPN · Baseball Reference · Fangraphs · Baseball Reference (Minors) · Retrosheet vteAthletics current rosterActive roster 2 Darell Hernáiz 4 Lawrence Butler 5 Jacob Wilson 11 Brett Harris 12 Max Schuemann 16 Nick Kurtz 20 Zack Gelof 21 Tyler Soderstrom 23 Shea Langeliers 25 Brent Rooker 26 Carlos Cortes 31 Sean Newcomb 32 Colby Thomas 33 JJ Bleday 36 Hogan Harris 40 Luis Severino 44 Tyler Ferguson 45 Osvaldo Bido 47 Michael Kelly 58 Luis Morales 59 Jeffrey Springs 60 Justin Sterner 61 Elvis Alvarado 63 Mason Barnett 65 Willie MacIver 66 Brady Basso 70 J. T. Ginn -- Scott McGough Inactive roster 28 Mitch Spence 30 Ken Waldichuk 47 Michel Otañez 54 Eduarniel Núñez 56 Anthony Maldonado -- Henry Báez -- Jared Shuster Injured list 1 Denzel Clarke 10 Max Muncy 50 Jack Perkins 57 Jacob Lopez 68 Joey Estes 60-day Injured list 29 Austin Wynns 37 José Leclerc 46 Luis Medina 62 Ben Bowden 67 Grant Holman 79 Gunnar Hoglund Coaching staff Manager 7 Mark Kotsay Bench 51 Darren Bush First base 8 Bobby Crosby Third base 3 Eric Martins Hitting 18 Mike Aldrete Pitching 14 Scott Emerson Bullpen 71 Dan Hubbs Assistant hitting 41 Chris Cron Bullpen catcher 90 Wilkin Castillo Bullpen catcher 91 Dustin Hughes Coach 88 Ramón Hernández Quality control 72 Marcus Jensen