Chris Mazza

Christopher James Mazza (born October 17, 1989) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in MLB for the New York Mets. Listed at 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) and 180 pounds (82 kg), he throws and bats right-handed.

Chris Mazza
Boston Red Sox – No. 22
Pitcher
Born: (1989-10-17) October 17, 1989
Walnut Creek, California
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
June 29, 2019, for the New York Mets
MLB statistics
(through 2020 season)
Win–loss record2–3
Earned run average5.05
Strikeouts40
Teams

Career

Mazza attended Clayton Valley Charter High School in Concord, California.[1] He attended Menlo College in Atherton, California.[2]

Path to the major leagues

Mazza was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 27th round of the 2011 MLB draft.[2] He became the first player ever drafted out of Menlo College.[2] Mazza spent time in the Twins organization from 2011 to 2015.[3] During his time with them, he played for the GCL Twins, Elizabethton Twins, and Cedar Rapids Kernels. He was released by the Twins on July 22, 2015.[3]

Mazza signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins on August 4, 2015.[3] While in the Miami organization, he played for the GCL Marlins, Jupiter Hammerheads, Jacksonville Suns, Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, and New Orleans Baby Cakes.[4] He was released by the Marlins on May 19, 2018.[3]

After being released by Miami, Mazza signed with the San Rafael Pacifics of the Pacific Association.[5] On July 13, 2018, Mazza signed a contract with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the Atlantic League.[6] On August 17, 2018, Mazza was signed by the Seattle Mariners, and was assigned to the Arkansas Travelers for the remainder of the season.[6][3]

New York Mets

On December 13, 2018, Mazza was selected by the New York Mets in the Triple-A phase of the 2018 Rule 5 draft.[7]

Further information: Rule 5 draft results § 2018

Mazza opened the 2019 season playing for the Binghamton Rumble Ponies and the Syracuse Mets.[3] On June 26, Mazza's contract was selected and he was called up to the major leagues for the first time.[8] He made his major league debut on June 29 against the Atlanta Braves, pitching four innings in relief in which he gave up one earned run while striking out two.[9] Overall with the 2019 Mets, Mazza appeared in nine games, all in relief, compiling a 1–1 record with 5.51 ERA in ​16 1⁄3 innings pitched while striking out 11 batters.[10] Mazza was designated for assignment on December 13, 2019.[11]

Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox claimed Mazza off waivers on December 20, 2019.[12] On March 26, 2020, the team optioned Mazza to the Class A-Advanced Salem Red Sox.[13] He was added to Boston's active roster on July 29,[14] and made his first appearance with the team on August 1 against the New York Yankees.[15] He was optioned to the Red Sox' alternate training site after the game of August 5, as clubs reduced their 2020 active rosters to 28 players.[16] He was recalled twice during August.[17]

Overall with the 2020 Red Sox, Mazza appeared in nine games (six starts), compiling a 1–2 record with 4.80 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 30 innings pitched.[18] He gave up the longest shot in major league baseball for the season, a 495 foot home run to Ronald Acuna Jr.[19] His only victory of the season came on September 8, 2020 against the Phillies. [20]

Personal life

Mazza is related to Joe DiMaggio by way of his grandmother, who is a cousin of DiMaggio.[21]

References
  1. "Clayton Valley High grad makes the grade for Class A Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Kernals". The Mercury News. August 12, 2014. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  2. "Menlo Oaks' Chris Mazza Signs Major League Contract". menlo.edu. Menlo College. August 25, 2011. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  3. "Chris Mazza Player page". MLB.com. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  4. Tim Healey (February 8, 2018). "Marlins set to bring several top prospects to major league spring training". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  5. "Mazza steps up as offense goes crazy with 19 hits". pacificsbaseball.com. Archived from the original on June 26, 2019. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  6. "Chris Mazza's Contract Purchased by the Seattle Mariners". atlanticleague.com. August 15, 2018. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  7. Mark W. Sanchez (December 13, 2018). "Yankees lose several prospects, Mets gain four in Rule 5 draft". New York Post. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  8. RotoWire Staff (June 26, 2019). "Mets' Chris Mazza: Joining Mets". CBS Sports. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  9. Howie Kussoy (June 29, 2019). "'A dream come true:' Mets rookie Chris Mazza thrives in MLB debut". New York Post. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
  10. "Chris Mazza Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  11. New York Mets (December 13, 2019). "Mets Sign RHP Michael Wacha to a On-Year Contract". MLB.com. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
  12. "Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions". MLB.com. December 2019. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  13. "Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions". MLB.com. March 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  14. "Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions". MLB.com. July 2020. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  15. "Red Sox vs. Yankees". ESPN.com. August 1, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  16. @PeteAbe (August 5, 2020). "Red Sox optioned RHP Chris Mazza and LHP Matt Hall to take the roster down to 28" (Tweet). Retrieved August 5, 2020 – via Twitter.
  17. "Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions". MLB.com. August 2020. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  18. "Chris Mazza Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
  19. "Statcast Leaderboard". baseballsavant.com.
  20. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PHI/PHI202009082.shtml
  21. Jim Ecker (July 29, 2014). "DiMaggio's cousin gives Kernels a boost". metrosportsreport.com. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
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