Chris Mazza
Christopher James Mazza (born October 17, 1989) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Mets, Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays. Listed at 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) and 180 pounds (82 kg), he throws and bats right-handed.
| Chris Mazza | |
|---|---|
| Free agent | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: October 17, 1989 Walnut Creek, California | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 29, 2019, for the New York Mets | |
| MLB statistics (through 2021 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 2–3 |
| Earned run average | 4.89 |
| Strikeouts | 61 |
| Teams | |
Career
Mazza attended Clayton Valley Charter High School in Concord, California.[1] He attended Menlo College in Atherton, California.[2]
Minnesota Twins
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]
Miami Marlins
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]
San Rafael Pacifics
After being released by Miami, Mazza signed with the San Rafael Pacifics of the Pacific Association.[5]
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
On July 13, 2018, Mazza signed a contract with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the Atlantic League.[6]
Seattle Mariners
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]
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] His only victory of the season came on September 8, against the Philadelphia Phillies.[19] He gave up the longest MLB home run of the season, a 495-foot (151 m) shot to Ronald Acuña Jr. of the Atlanta Braves.[20] On February 12, 2021, Mazza was designated for assignment after the signing of Martín Pérez.[21]
Tampa Bay Rays
On February 17, 2021, the Red Sox traded Mazza and Jeffrey Springs to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Ronaldo Hernández and Nick Sogard.[22] On August 27, Mazza pitched the final 3 innings of a 6-3 victory over the Baltimore Orioles to earn his first career save.[23] On November 5, Mazza was outrighted off of the 40-man roster.[24]
Personal life
Mazza is related to Joe, Dom and Vince DiMaggio by way of his grandmother, who is a cousin of the DiMaggio brothers.[25]
Mazza and his wife, Callie, married in November 2020.[26]
References
- "Clayton Valley High grad makes the grade for Class A Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Kernals". The Mercury News. August 12, 2014. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
- "Menlo Oaks' Chris Mazza Signs Major League Contract". menlo.edu. Menlo College. August 25, 2011. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
- "Chris Mazza Player page". MLB.com. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
- 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.
- "Mazza steps up as offense goes crazy with 19 hits". pacificsbaseball.com. Archived from the original on June 26, 2019. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
- "Chris Mazza's Contract Purchased by the Seattle Mariners". atlanticleague.com. August 15, 2018. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
- Mark W. Sanchez (December 13, 2018). "Yankees lose several prospects, Mets gain four in Rule 5 draft". New York Post. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
- RotoWire Staff (June 26, 2019). "Mets' Chris Mazza: Joining Mets". CBS Sports. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
- Howie Kussoy (June 29, 2019). "'A dream come true:' Mets rookie Chris Mazza thrives in MLB debut". New York Post. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
- "Chris Mazza Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
- New York Mets (December 13, 2019). "Mets Sign RHP Michael Wacha to a On-Year Contract". MLB.com. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
- "Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions". MLB.com. December 2019. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
- "Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions". MLB.com. March 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
- "Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions". MLB.com. July 2020. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
- "Red Sox vs. Yankees". ESPN.com. August 1, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
- @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.
- "Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions". MLB.com. August 2020. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
- "Chris Mazza Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
- "Boston Red Sox at Philadelphia Phillies Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. September 8, 2020.
- "Statcast Leaderboard". baseballsavant.com.
- Byrne, Connor (February 12, 2021). "Red Sox Designate Chris Mazza". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
- Adams, Steve (February 17, 2021). "Rays Acquire Chris Mazza, Jeffrey Springs From Red Sox". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
- https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rays/2021/08/28/rays-chris-mazza-louis-head-frequent-fliers-on-durham-shuttle/#:~:text=BALTIMORE%20%E2%80%94%20Chris%20Mazza%20worked%20the,back%20to%20Triple%2DA%20Durham.
- https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/11/phillies-claim-ryan-sherriff-from-rays.html
- Jim Ecker (July 29, 2014). "DiMaggio's cousin gives Kernels a boost". metrosportsreport.com. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
- https://www.instagram.com/p/CH8gEcoHJva/
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball-Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet
- Menlo Oaks bio
- Chris Mazza on Twitter