Michael Kenechukwu Petersen (born May 16, 1994) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins.
| Michael Petersen | |
|---|---|
| Toronto Blue Jays | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: May 16, 1994 London, England | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 18, 2024, for the Los Angeles Dodgers | |
| MLB statistics (through 2024 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 3–1 |
| Earned run average | 5.95 |
| Strikeouts | 14 |
| Teams | |
Early life
editPetersen was born in London to a white American father and Nigerian mother.[1][2][3] At age one, Petersen moved to California, his father's home state.[2] Petersen grew up in San Jose and attended Saint Francis High School.[4]
Career
editAmateur
editPetersen was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 19th round of the 2012 MLB draft out of Saint Francis High School but did not sign. He was later drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 31st round of the 2013 MLB draft out of West Valley College but also did not sign.[5]
After one year at West Valley, Petersen transferred to Riverside City College, playing one game in the 2014 season, for 1 1⁄3 innings pitched, two strikeouts, and no runs allowed.[6]
Milwaukee Brewers
editHe was then drafted for a third time by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 17th round of the 2015 MLB draft and this time he did sign.[5] Petersen began his professional career in 2015 with the Arizona League Brewers and then played for the Helena Brewers in 2016 and 2017.[5] In 2018 with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, he made 32 appearances to a 3.72 earned run average (ERA)[5] and in 2019 with the Carolina Mudcats he had a 3.17 ERA in 41 games.[5]
Colorado Rockies
editPetersen was claimed off waivers by the Colorado Rockies on December 12, 2019[7] He did not play in 2020 as a result of the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic and missed the 2021 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery on May 5, 2021.[8][1] While rehabbing from his injury, he made only one appearance in 2022 (in the Arizona Complex League)[1] before splitting the 2023 season between the Double-A Hartford Yard Goats and Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes, with a combined 41 games and 4.10 ERA.[5] He also played for Great Britain at the 2023 World Baseball Classic.[1][9]
Los Angeles Dodgers
editPetersen signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers on January 24, 2024 and began the season with the Triple-A Oklahoma City Baseball Club.[7] On June 16, Petersen was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[10] He made his MLB debut two days later against the Rockies, allowing one run on one hit and one walk while striking out two in two innings to pick up the win. His first strikeout was of Elehuris Montero.[11] He pitched 14 innings over 11 games for the Dodgers, with three wins, a 6.43 ERA, and 11 strikeouts.[12] Petersen also appeared in 35 games for Oklahoma City, with a 1.64 ERA, 10 saves, and 44 strikeouts.[5] He was designated for assignment by the Dodgers on September 8.[13]
Miami Marlins
editOn September 10, 2024, Petersen was claimed off waivers by the Miami Marlins.[14] In 5 appearances for the Marlins, Petersen logged a 4.76 ERA with 3 strikeouts across 5 2⁄3 innings pitched.
Toronto Blue Jays
editOn November 4, 2024, Petersen was claimed off waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays.[15]
References
edit- ^ a b c d Harding, Thomas (August 18, 2023). "How Petersen kept busy as the world shut down". mlb.com. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
- ^ a b Osborne, Cary (June 24, 2024). "The pride of the U.K. — Michael Petersen and his long road to the big leagues". MLBlogs.com. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
- ^ Grammer, Geoff (August 4, 2023). "Meet Michael Petersen, the Isotopes pitcher with a one-of-a-kind backstory and 100-mph fastball carrying him to the Majors". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
...Michael Petersen — then a 28-year-old career minor leaguer who was born in London to an American father and Nigerian mother ...
- ^ "Michael Petersen". Riverside City College. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Michael Petersen Amateur & Minor League statistics". Baseball Reference. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
- ^ "Michael Petersen statistics". Riverside City College. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
- ^ a b "Michael Peterson Stats". mlb.com. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
- ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled". mlb.com. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
- ^ Writer, Geoff Grammer / Journal Staff (August 4, 2023). "Meet Michael Petersen, the Isotopes pitcher with a one-of-a-kind backstory and 100-mph fastball carrying him to the Majors". Albuquerque Journal.
- ^ "Dodgers recall J.P. Feyereisen and select Michael Petersen". MLB.com.
- ^ "Dodgers vs Rockies June 18 2024". ESPN. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
- ^ "Michael Petersen stats". Baseball Reference. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
- ^ "Los Angeles Dodgers promote left-hander Ramirez from minors". ESPN.com. September 8, 2024. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
- ^ Stephen, Eric (September 10, 2024). "Marlins claim Michael Petersen off waivers from Dodgers". True Blue LA.
- ^ "Blue Jays Claim Michael Petersen, Outright Genesis Cabrera". MLB Trade Rumors. November 4, 2024.
External links
edit- Career statistics from MLB, or Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors)