Ben Lively

Edward Bennett Lively (born March 5, 1992) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Samsung Lions of the KBO League. He previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies and the Kansas City Royals.

Ben Lively
Lively with the Omaha Storm Chasers in 2019
Samsung Lions – No. 39
Pitcher
Born: (1992-03-05) March 5, 1992
Pensacola, Florida
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Professional debut
MLB: June 3, 2017, for the Philadelphia Phillies
KBO: August 13, 2019, for the Samsung Lions
MLB statistics
(through 2019 season)
Win–loss record4–10
Earned run average4.80
Strikeouts80
KBO statistics
(through 2020 season)
Win–loss record10-11
Earned run average4.15
Strikeouts153
Teams

Early life and education

Lively was born to Edward and Ginny Lively in Pensacola, Florida.[1][2] He began playing organized baseball at age 4 in the Tee-ball league; he was allowed to join a year early because of his prowess and the fact that his grandfather, Jim Lively, who coached him throughout his childhood, was the league commissioner.[2] He is a graduate of Gulf Breeze High School.[2]

The Cleveland Indians selected Lively in the 26th round of the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft out of high school. He did not sign and instead attended the University of Central Florida (UCF).[3] In his three years pitching for the UCF Knights baseball team, he went 21–8 with a 3.06 earned run average (ERA) and 226 strikeouts over 244 innings. After his sophomore season in 2012, he played collegiate summer baseball for the Yarmouth–Dennis Red Sox of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[4]

Career

Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds selected Lively in the fourth round of the 2013 Major League Baseball Draft.[5][6] He made his professional debut with the Billings Mustangs and made one start with the Dayton Dragons.[7] Lively finished his first season, 0–4 but with a 0.88 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 41 innings. He started the 2014 season with the Bakersfield Blaze.[8] He was named as the top player in the Reds' farm system in 2014.[9]

Philadelphia Phillies

On December 31, 2014, the Reds traded Lively to the Philadelphia Phillies for Marlon Byrd.[10]

In 2015, Lively went 8–7 with a 4.13 ERA in 25 games with the Phillies AA minor-league team, Reading of the Eastern League. He started 2016 with Reading before being promoted to Phillies AAA minor-league team, Lehigh Valley of the International League. He received the 2016 Paul Owens Award as best pitcher in the Phillies' farm system.[2] The Phillies added him to their 40-man roster after the 2016 season.[11]

On June 3, 2017, Lively made his major league debut with the Philadelphia Phillies against the San Francisco Giants. He allowed one run on four hits and three walks, earning his first major league win.[12] In his June 24 start against the Arizona Diamondbacks, he collected his first major league RBI with a 2-run home run, but gave up 4 earned runs and took the 9–2 loss.[13]

Kansas City Royals

On September 5, 2018, Lively was claimed off waivers by the Kansas City Royals, who then designated Eric Stout for assignment to add Lively to the 40-man roster.[14] Lively himself was designated for assignment on June 20, 2019 following the promotion of Humberto Arteaga.

Arizona Diamondbacks

On June 22, 2019, Lively was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for cash considerations.[15]

Samsung Lions

On August 7, 2019, Lively left the Diamondbacks organization to sign with the Samsung Lions of the KBO League. Lively re-signed with Samsung for the 2020 season on a $700,000 contract.[16]

References
  1. Salisbury, Jim (June 3, 2017). "Ben Lively Reels in His 1st Big-League Win, a Much-Needed One for Phillies". CSNPhilly. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  2. Vilona, Bill (April 19, 2017). "Gulf Breeze's Ben Lively called up to join the Phillies". Pensacola News Journal. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  3. "UCF pitcher Ben Lively has grown into ace". Orlando Sentinel. April 18, 2013. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  4. "Ben Lively". pointstreak.com. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  5. "Sports - Pensacola News Journal - pnj.com". Pensacola News Journal. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  6. "Sports - Pensacola News Journal - pnj.com". Pensacola News Journal. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  7. "Lively Joins Dragons as Garrett Departs - Dayton Dragons News". Dayton Dragons. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  8. "Cincinnati Reds' Ben Lively near perfect in California League debut - MiLB.com News - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  9. Vilona, Bill (December 8, 2014). "Ben Lively named Reds top minor league player". Pensacola News Journal. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  10. Sheldon, Mark (December 31, 2014). "Reds acquire outfielder Byrd in deal with Phils". MLB.com. Retrieved December 31, 2014.
  11. Gelb, Matt (November 19, 2016). "Phillies add 11 players in 40-man roster overhaul". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  12. Associated Press (June 4, 2017). "Lively, Herrera lead Phillies past Giants 5-3". ESPN. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  13. Associated Press (June 25, 2017). "Lamb, Diamondbacks rally past Phillies 9-2". ESPN. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  14. Adams, Steve (September 5, 2018). "Royals Claim Ben Lively, Designate Eric Stout". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
  15. "Royals deal Ben Lively to Diamondbacks". Fox Sports Kansas City. June 22, 2019. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  16. "Ex-MLB pitcher Ben Lively re-signs with KBO's Samsung Lions". Yonhap News Agency. December 18, 2019. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
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