Andrew Chafin

Andrew Gregory Chafin (born June 17, 1990), nicknamed "Big Country" and "the Sheriff",[1] is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago Cubs, Oakland Athletics, and Detroit Tigers.

Andrew Chafin
Chafin with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2016
Milwaukee Brewers – No. 32
Pitcher
Born: (1990-06-17) June 17, 1990
Kettering, Ohio, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Left
MLB debut
August 13, 2014, for the Arizona Diamondbacks
MLB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Win–loss record17–24
Earned run average3.40
Strikeouts485
Saves19
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Amateur career

Chafin is from Wakeman, Ohio.[2] He attended Western Reserve High School in Collins, Ohio, and played for the school's baseball team. He pitched a no-hitter in his final high school game.[3]

Chafin attended Kent State University, and played college baseball for the Kent State Golden Flashes. As a freshman in 2009, he was the Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year after he had a 1.26 earned run average (ERA), eight saves and 55 strikeouts over 35+2⁄3 innings pitched.[4] In 2010, he underwent Tommy John surgery and missed the 2010 season.[5][6] He returned in 2011 as a starter and had a 2.02 ERA with 105 strikeouts over 89 innings. After the 2011 season, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Orleans Firebirds of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[7][8]

Professional career

Arizona Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks selected Chafin in the first round with the 43rd overall selection of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft.[9] He made his professional debut for the Arizona League Diamondbacks, pitching in one game, recording two strikeouts over one inning. Pitching for the Visalia Rawhide in 2012, he recorded a 4.93 ERA with 150 strikeouts over 122+1⁄3. He started the 2013 season with Visalia and was promoted to the Mobile BayBears during the season.[10] Overall, he had a 3.20 ERA and 119 strikeouts over 157+1⁄3.

Chafin made his Major League debut on August 13, 2014, against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field, going 5 innings allowing three hits, two walks, and three strikeouts, earning a no-decision.[11] In his second start and first Major League at-bat on September 17, 2014, for the Arizona Diamondbacks, he hit a single and got an RBI.[12]

Chafin was converted into a reliever for the 2015 season, a season in which he finished 5–1 with a 2.76 ERA in 66 games for the D'Backs. The following season, just like the majority of the pitching staff, Chafin struggled throughout the season, appearing in 32 games with a 6.75 ERA. He bounced back the following season, being used now as a situational left hander out of the bullpen. In 71 games, he had a 3.51 ERA for the D'Backs. In 2018, Chafin was continued to be used as a situational lefty out of the bullpen, pitching 49+1⁄3 innings. His record was 1–6 in a career high 77 games. In 2019, Chafin appeared in 77 games for the second consecutive season, finishing with a record of 2–2 in 52+2⁄3 innings. The following season with the new 3 batter rule, Chafin wasn't used solely as a left handed specialist and he struggled during the first half of the season with the team. He was 1–1 with a career worst 8.10 ERA in 6+2⁄3 innings.

Chicago Cubs

Chafin was traded to the Chicago Cubs on August 31, 2020, the trade deadline of the shortened season, in exchange for Ronny Simon.[13] Chafin pitched to a 3.00 ERA in 4 games with the Cubs to finish the year. On February 2, 2021, Chafin re-signed with the Cubs on a one-year, $2.25 million contract that included a mutual option for 2022.[14] On June 24, 2021, Chafin pitched a combined no-hitter against the Los Angeles Dodgers along with Zach Davies, Ryan Tepera, and Craig Kimbrel.[15] In 43 appearances for the Cubs in 2021, Chafin recorded a 2.06 ERA with 37 strikeouts in 39+1⁄3 innings of work.[16]

Oakland Athletics

On July 27, 2021, the Cubs traded Chafin to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for Greg Deichmann and Daniel Palencia.[17] Between the two teams in 2021, Chafin pitched in 71 games, boasting a 1.83 ERA and 64 strikeouts in 68+2⁄3 innings.

Detroit Tigers

On March 17, 2022, Chafin signed a two-year, $13 million contract with the Detroit Tigers.[18][19] On April 6 (retroactive to April 4), the Tigers placed Chafin on the 10-day injured list with a left groin strain.[20] He made 64 appearances for the 2022 Tigers, posting 3 saves and a 2.83 ERA, with 67 strikeouts in 57+1⁄3 innings.

Chafin opted out of the second year of his Tigers contract on November 6, 2022, making him a free agent.[21]

Arizona Diamondbacks (second stint)

On February 15, 2023, Chafin signed a one-year contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.[22][23]

Milwaukee Brewers

On August 1, 2023, Chafin was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for pitcher Peter Strzelecki.[24]

Pitch selection

Chafin throws a four-seam fastball and a two-seam sinking fastball that each average 92 to 94 MPH (topping out at 97 MPH). His main offspeed pitch is a mid-80s slider.[25]

Personal life

Chafin and his wife, Shelbi, have two daughters and live on a farm near Massillon, Ohio.[26]

References
  1. "Andrew Chafin - Baseball-Reference.com". Pro Baseball Reference. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  2. Andrew Chafin – 2011 Baseball – Kent State University Retrieved 2018-05-25.
  3. "Lefty Dominates Mapleton / Western Reserve's Andrew Chafin Throws No-Hitter In Final High School Game". The Times-Gazette. May 28, 2008. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  4. "Chafin named Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year at Kent State". The Morning Journal. May 27, 2009. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  5. Alexander, Elton (May 27, 2011). "Kent State's Andrew Chafin is healthy again, and eyes of Major League Baseball are on him". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  6. Hazelwood, Mark (May 24, 2010). "Former Firelands Conference pitchers follow similar paths". Sandusky Register. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  7. "Major League Baseball Players From the Cape Cod League" (PDF). capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  8. "Andrew Chafin". pointstreak.com. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  9. Gilbert, Steve (May 24, 2013). "Kent State lefty Chafin rounds out D-backs' day". MLB.com. Archived from the original on February 26, 2014. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  10. Inabinett, Mark (June 2, 2013). "Pitcher Andrew Chafin angling for victories with Mobile BayBears". Al.com. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  11. Magruder, Jack (September 17, 2014). "D-backs plan to give Chafin 2 starts". Fox Sports.
  12. "Baseball Capsules". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Associated Press. September 18, 2014. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  13. "Cubs acquire Andrew Chafin, Josh Osich and Cameron Maybin at MLB trade deadline". CBSSports.com. August 31, 2020. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  14. "Cubs, Andrew Chafin Agree to Major League Deal". February 2, 2021.
  15. Garcia, Megan (June 25, 2021). "Cubs combine to throw record-tying no-hitter". MLB.com. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  16. "Andrew Chafin Stats".
  17. "A's acquire Chafin from Cubs for 2 minor leaguers". July 27, 2021.
  18. Beck, Jason (March 17, 2022). "Tigers fortify 'pen, agree to 2-year deal with Chafin". MLB.com. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  19. "Detroit Tigers, reliever Andrew Chafin agree to two-year, $13M deal". ESPN.com. Associated Press. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  20. Petzold, Evan (April 6, 2022). "Detroit Tigers roster moves: Jose Cisnero to 60-day injured list; Willi Castro to Triple-A". freep.com. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  21. Beck, Jason (November 7, 2022). "Chafin opts out of deal with Tigers". MLB.com. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  22. "Diamondbacks Sign Andrew Chafin". MLB Trade Rumors. February 15, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  23. "D-backs agree to terms with Andrew Chafin on a 1-year contract". mlb.com. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  24. "Brewers add veteran reliever Andrew Chafin, trade away Luis Urías in separate deal".
  25. "Andrew Chafin - Pitching Splits at FanGraphs.com". fangraphs.com. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  26. "Behind the quirks of Tigers pitcher Andrew Chafin, there's a lot to learn".
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