Drew Michael Carlton (born September 8, 1995) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the San Diego Padres organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Detroit Tigers and the San Diego Padres.

Drew Carlton
San Diego Padres – No. 73
Pitcher
Born: (1995-09-08) September 8, 1995 (age 28)
Lakeland, Florida, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 4, 2021, for the Detroit Tigers
MLB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Win–loss record2–1
Earned run average3.82
Strikeouts26
Teams

Career edit

Detroit Tigers edit

Carlton attended George Jenkins High School in Lakeland, Florida, and Florida State University. The Detroit Tigers drafted him in the 32nd round of the 2017 MLB draft. In his first season with the organization, Carlton progressed quickly, earning a late-season call-up to the Single-A West Michigan Whitecaps by the end of the year following 14 innings of two-run ball in Low-A Connecticut. Carlton's successes would continue the following season, pitching with the High-A Lakeland Flying Tigers for the majority of the year with a 2.38 ERA over 56.2 innings in 34 appearances with a 1.01 WHIP. He would move up to the Double-A Erie SeaWolves that season, where he made five appearances, allowing two earned runs in 11 innings pitched.

He remained in Erie for the entire 2019 season, serving as the team's primary closer, going 19/20 in save opportunities with a 1.46 ERA in 68 innings pitched. Carlton's WHIP was under one (0.97) and he allowed just a .200 batting average against while striking out 65.

In 2020, Carlton, like many minor league players, missed the minor league season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, that winter, Carlton would move out to the Dominican Republic to play for Leones del Escogido in the Dominican Winter League.[1] In the Winter League, Carlton gave up just nine hits, one walk, and one run over 14.1 innings.

To begin the 2021 season, Carlton pitched for the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens. He pitched 49 innings with a 3.12 ERA, ten walks and 48 strikeouts.

Carlton was called up and made his Major League debut on September 4, 2021. In his debut he threw only one pitch, retiring Delino DeShields Jr. with a runner at third and two outs. At the time of his call-up, 17 of the 31 players drafted ahead of Carlton by the Tigers in 2017 were no longer playing in the league.[2] On November 9, 2021, Carlton was outrighted off of the 40-man roster.[3]

He was assigned to Triple-A Toledo to begin the 2022 season. In 15.0 innings of work, he recorded a 3.60 ERA and 30.2% strikeout rate. On May 20, 2022, Carlton had his contract selected to the 40-man and active roster.[4] On July 15, 2022, Carlton was designated for assignment. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Toledo on July 19.[5] On October 13, Carlton elected free agency.

San Diego Padres edit

On December 12, 2022, Carlton signed a minor league deal with an invite to spring training with the San Diego Padres.[6] He was assigned to the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas to begin the 2023 season, where he pitched to a 1.13 ERA with 18 strikeouts across 13 appearances. On May 15, 2023, Carlton's contract was selected to the active roster.[7] In 11 games, he pitched to a 4.35 ERA with 18 strikeouts in 20+23 innings of work. On July 1, Carlton was placed on the injured list with right elbow inflammation.[8] He was transferred to the 60–day injured list on August 14.[9] Following the season on November 2, Carlton was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Triple–A El Paso.[10] He elected free agency on November 6. [11]

On November 7, 2023, Carlton re–signed with the Padres on a new minor league contract.[12]

References edit

  1. ^ Petzold, Evan. "Detroit Tigers' Drew Carlton 'keeps having success' as MLB journey stops in Dominican Republic". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2021-09-06.
  2. ^ "From 32nd-round pick to 1-pitch MLB debut". MLB.com. Retrieved 2021-09-05.
  3. ^ "Tigers Outright Drew Carlton". MLB Trade Rumors. November 9, 2021.
  4. ^ "Tigers' Drew Carlton: Contract selected". cbssports.com. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
  5. ^ "Tigers' Drew Carlton: Passes through waivers". cbssports.com. Retrieved 2023-02-26.
  6. ^ "Padres, Anderson Espinoza Agree To Minor League Deal". MLB Trade Rumors. December 12, 2022.
  7. ^ "Padres' Drew Carlton: Added to roster". cbssports.com. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  8. ^ "Padres' Drew Carlton: Placed on IL". cbssports.com. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  9. ^ "Padres Select Ben Gamel". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  10. ^ "Padres Claim Tucupita Marcano From Pirates". MLB Trade Rumors. 2 November 2023.
  11. ^ https://www.milb.com/transactions/2023-11-06
  12. ^ https://www.mlb.com/padres/roster/transactions

External links edit