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| Michael Plassmeyer | |
|---|---|
| Free agent | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born:November 5, 1996 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. | |
Bats: Left Throws: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 23, 2022, for the Philadelphia Phillies | |
| MLB statistics (through 2023 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 0–2 |
| Earned run average | 9.82 |
| Strikeouts | 11 |
| Teams | |
Michael Gene Plassmeyer (born November 5,1996) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies.
Plassmeyer attended De Smet Jesuit High School in Creve Coeur,Missouri. [1] He then attended the University of Missouri,where he played college baseball for the Missouri Tigers. During his sophomore year,Plassmeyer was removed from the starting rotation and ended the year with a 4.83 earned run average (ERA) and 54 strikeouts. After the season,he trained with Brian DeLunas,increasing the velocity of his fastball and improving his grip on his curveball. [2] As a junior at Missouri,he pitched to a 5–4 win–loss record with a 3.05 ERA,striking out 103 batters in 91+1⁄3 innings pitched. [1]
The Seattle Mariners selected Plassmeyer in the fourth round, with the 118th overall selection, of the 2018 Major League Baseball draft. [3] He signed and was assigned to the Low–A Everett AquaSox, going 0–1 with a 2.25 ERA and 44 strikeouts in 24 innings pitched. [4] He was a 2018 NWL mid-season All Star. [5]
On November 8, 2018, the Mariners traded Plassmeyer, Mike Zunino, and Guillermo Heredia to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Mallex Smith and Jake Fraley. [6] He began the 2019 season with the Single–A Bowling Green Hot Rods, for whom he was 2–1 with a 1.23 ERA. [7] He was a 2019 MiLB organization All Star, and finished the year making appearances for the High–A Charlotte Stone Crabs and Triple–A Durham Bulls. In 25 total games (23 starts), he accumulated a 9–3 record and 1.91 ERA with 109 strikeouts in 132 innings of work. [5] Plassmeyer did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. [8] He returned to action in 2021 for the Double–A Montgomery Biscuits, for whom he logged a 3.64 ERA across 7 contests.
On June 11, 2021, the Rays traded Plassmeyer to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for pitcher Matt Wisler. [9] Playing for the Triple–A Sacramento River Cats, Plassmeyer worked with pitching coach Garvin Alston to make mechanical adjustments to his pitching motion. [10]
The Giants traded Plassmeyer to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for Austin Wynns on June 8, 2022. [11] Assigned to the Triple–A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Plassmeyer continued working on his mechanical adjustments with IronPigs pitching coach Cesar Ramos. [10]
The Phillies selected Plassmeyer's contract on August 22, 2022, and he was called up to the majors. [12] On August 23 he made his debut, pitching 1+1⁄3 perfect innings, striking out Austin Romine on three pitches with the bases loaded. [13]
Plassmeyer was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley to begin the 2023 season. [14] In 11 games (10 starts), he struggled to a 6.95 ERA with 47 strikeouts in 44 innings of work. On June 20, 2023, Plassmeyer was released by the Phillies. [15] Plassmeyer re–signed with the Phillies on a minor league contract on June 23. [16] On September 30, the Phillies selected Plassmeyer's contract, adding him back to the major league roster. [17] That day he made his first MLB start against the New York Mets, surrendering 10 runs (9 earned) on 8 hits with 4 strikeouts across 3+2⁄3 innings pitched. [18] Following the season on November 6, Plassmeyer was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Triple–A Lehigh Valley. [19] He elected free agency the same day. [20]
On January 4, 2024, Plassmeyer signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. [21] In 28 games (11 starts) for the Triple–A Indianapolis Indians, he struggled to a 5–10 record and 7.93 ERA with 70+1⁄3 innings pitched. Plassmeyer elected free agency following the season on November 4. [22]
On December 10, 2024, Plassmeyer signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers. [23] He elected free agency on November 6. [24]
Plassmeyer's father, Marty, and older brother, Mitch, both played college baseball as left-handed pitchers. Marty played for Nicholls State University and Mitch played for Bradley University. [25] Mitch is currently the bullpen coach for the Baltimore Orioles.
