Samuel Taylor Wolff (born April 14, 1991) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played college baseball for the University of San Diego, College of Southern Nevada, and University of New Mexico. The Texas Rangers selected him in the sixth round of the 2013 MLB Draft.
| Sam Wolff | |
|---|---|
| Pitcher | |
| Born: April 14, 1991 Rapid City, South Dakota | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right |
High school and college
editWolff attended Stevens High School in Rapid City, South Dakota. He began his collegiate career at the University of San Diego with the San Diego Toreros, then transferred to the College of Southern Nevada for his sophomore year. He then transferred to the University of New Mexico for his junior and senior years, where he pitched for the New Mexico Lobos. He was selected in the 42nd round of the 2009 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and in the 47th round of the 2011 MLB Draft by the Boston Red Sox, but did not sign with either team. The Rangers selected him in the sixth round, with the 190th overall selection, of the 2013 MLB Draft,[1][2] and he received a $65,000 signing bonus from the Rangers.[3]
Professional career
editTexas Rangers
editAfter signing, Wolff was assigned to the Low-A Spokane Indians and later promoted to the Single-A Hickory Crawdads. In 21 relief appearances between the two teams, he was 4–0 with a 0.60 ERA and 44 strikeouts in 30 innings. He spent 2014 with the High-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans and posted a 9–5 record and 3.37 ERA with a 1.17 WHIP in 24 games (23 starts). Wolff missed the 2015 regular season with a torn achilles tendon, but was assigned to the Surprise Saguaros of the Arizona Fall League.[4][5] In 2016, Wolff played for the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders where he compiled a 4–3 record and 4.83 ERA in only ten starts due to injury, and in 2017, he pitched for both Frisco and the Triple-A Round Rock Express, pitching to a 4–5 record, 2.93 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 40 appearances out of the bullpen.[6]
San Francisco Giants
editOn December 15, 2017, the Rangers traded Wolff and Israel Cruz to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for Matt Moore.[7][8] Wolff split the 2018 season between the AZL Giants and the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels, going a combined 1–2 with a 6.03 ERA over 31 innings.[9][10] He split the 2019 season between the AZL Giants, Richmond, and the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats, going a combined 2–2 with a 2.87 ERA and 56 strikeouts over 47 innings.[11]
Wolff did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[12] He spent the 2021 campaign with Triple-A Sacramento, logging a 4.03 ERA with 29 strikeouts in 22.1 innings pitched across 24 appearances. He elected minor league free agency following the season on November 7, 2021.[13] Wolf announced his retirement on May 31, 2022.[14]
Personal life
editSam's father, Steve, is a former Minor League Baseball player with the San Diego Padres organization.[3]
References
edit- ^ Josh Benham. "Baseball: Sam Wolff picked by Rangers in sixth". Rapid City Journal. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
- ^ "Texas takes Sam Wolff and his explosive fastball". MLB.com. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
- ^ a b Kevin Hendricks (July 21, 2013). "Wait worth it for Wolff". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
- ^ Kelsie Heneghan (November 9, 2015). "Texas Rangers' Sam Wolff returns to form in Arizona Fall League action". MiLB.com. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
- ^ Kevin Hendricks (September 13, 2015). "Ex-Lobo Wolff to pitch in Arizona Fall League". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
- ^ "Sam Wolff Stats, Highlights, Bio". MiLB.com. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
- ^ USA Today Sports (December 15, 2017). "Rangers acquire LHP Matt Moore in trade with Giants". USA Today. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
- ^ T.R. Sullivan (December 15, 2017). "Rangers acquire Moore from Giants". MLB.com. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
- ^ Richard Anderson (December 22, 2018). "Former Hardhats Chleborad and Wolff still pursuing Major League dreams". Rapid City Journal. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
- ^ Carmen Kiew (November 14, 2018). "Arizona Fall League interview with right-handed relief pitcher Sam Wolff". McCovey Chronicles. SB Nation. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
- ^ "Sam Wolff Player Page". MiLB.com. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
- ^ "2020 Minor League Season Canceled". mlbtraderumors.com.
- ^ "2021-22 Minor League Free Agents for All 30 MLB Teams".
- ^ Bandujo, Kyle (May 31, 2022). "Sam Wolff Joins 'From Phenom To The Farm:' Episode 57". Baseball America. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
External links
edit- Career statistics from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
- New Mexico Lobos bio