Wikipedia

Connor Overton

Connor Danford Overton (born July 24, 1993) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays, Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds.

Connor Overton
Overton with the Louisville Bats in 2022
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1993-07-24) July 24, 1993 (age 31)
Richmond, Virginia, U.S.
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
MLB debut
August 12, 2021, for the Toronto Blue Jays
MLB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Win–loss record1–2
Earned run average4.85
Strikeouts38
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Non-MLB stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams

Early life and amateur career

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Overton was born in Richmond, Virginia and grew up in the Richmond suburb of Mechanicsville, Virginia.[1] He attended Atlee High School, where was a relief pitcher and primarily played shortstop.[2] Overton attended Old Dominion University and played college baseball for the Old Dominion Monarchs.[3]

Professional career

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Miami Marlins

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The Miami Marlins selected Overton in the 15th round of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft. Overton made his professional debut with the Low-A Batavia Muckdogs, pitching to a 4.71 ERA in 17 appearances. He began the 2015 season with the Single-A Greensboro Grasshoppers, but was released by the Marlins on July 9, 2015, after struggling to a 13.03 ERA in 8 games.[4]

Washington Nationals

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On July 17, 2015, Overton signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals organization. He split the remainder of the year with the Low-A Auburn Doubledays, logging a 3.72 ERA in 12 games, and also pitched in one game for the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs. He elected free agency following the season on November 6.

Sioux City Explorers

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Overton signed with the Sioux City Explorers of the independent American Association of Professional Baseball on April 13, 2016.[5] He went 5–1 on the season with a 1.96 ERA and 11 saves and was named a league All-Star before signing with the Giants.[6]

San Francisco Giants

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On August 11, 2016, Overton signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants.[6] Overton appeared in one game for the High-A San Jose Giants, allowing 2 earned runs in 1⁄3 of an inning before undergoing Tommy John surgery and missing the entire 2017 season.[7] He split the 2018 season between three affiliates: San Jose, the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels, and the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats. In 23 appearances between the three teams, Overton posted a cumulative 4.91 ERA with 48 strikeouts in 47+2⁄3 innings of work. Overton returned to Richmond to begin the 2019 season, and posted a 3.62 ERA in 14 appearances for the team.[8] On June 12, 2019, Overton was released by the Giants organization.[9]

Lancaster Barnstormers

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On August 6, 2019, Overton signed with the Lancaster Barnstormers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. In 9 games with the team, he registered a 4.02 ERA with 56 strikeouts in 53+2⁄3 innings of work.[10] He became a free agent following the season.

Toronto Blue Jays

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On February 29, 2020, Overton signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays and was assigned to the Double–A New Hampshire Fisher Cats.[11] Overton 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 became a free agent on November 2, 2020.[13] Overton re–signed with the Blue Jays on a minor league contract on February 2, 2021.[2] He was assigned to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons to begin the year, where he pitched to a 2.03 ERA with 50 strikeouts in 21 appearances.

The Blue Jays selected Overton's contract and promoted him the major leagues for the first time on August 11, 2021.[14] The next day, he made his major league debut against the Los Angeles Angels. In 4 appearances for the Blue Jays during his debut campaign, Overton did not give up a run, while striking out four. On September 3, Overton was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays.[15]

Pittsburgh Pirates

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On September 6, 2021, Overton was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates.[16] On September 16, Overton pitched three scoreless innings against the Cincinnati Reds. In doing so, Overton made MLB history, having the most career innings without allowing a run, with 10+2⁄3 innings pitched.[17] His streak ended at 13+2⁄3 innings after he allowed a home run to Didi Gregorius of the Philadelphia Phillies on September 23. Overton was shut down for the season on September 28 after he was placed on the injured list with a right shoulder strain.[18] He finished the season with a combined 4.70 ERA in 9 appearances between the Blue Jays and Pirates, striking out 15 in 15+1⁄3 innings of work. On November 6, Overton was outrighted off of the 40-man roster.[19] He elected free agency on November 7.[20]

Cincinnati Reds

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On November 17, 2021, Overton signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds.[21] He was assigned to the Triple–A Louisville Bats to begin the 2022 season.

On April 30, 2022, Overton was selected to the active roster to start against the Colorado Rockies.[22] On May 12, Overton earned his first career win, tossing 6+1⁄3 scoreless innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates.[23] On May 23, an MRI revealed Overton had a stress reaction in his lower back[24] and he was placed on the 60-day injured list.[25] Overton was activated from the injured list on September 24.[26] He started four games for the Reds, finishing with a 1–0 record and 2.73 ERA with 14 strikeouts over 33 innings.[27]

Overton began the 2023 season out of Cincinnati's rotation, making 3 starts for the team. On April 15, 2023, Overton was placed on the injured list with a right elbow strain. The injury was suffered in a start against the Philadelphia Phillies in which he allowed 5 earned runs over 3 innings pitched.[28] On May 7, manager David Bell said that Overton would be out until at least mid-July,[29] and Overton was transferred to the 60-day injured list on May 14.[30] He underwent Tommy John surgery on May 23, officially ending his season.[31] On October 9, Overton was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Triple–A Louisville.[32] On November 6, 2024, he elected free agency.[33]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Atlee High grad/Scott's Addition resident Connor Overton went from fishing for a pitching job to seven strong bites". Richmond Times-Dispatch. January 31, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  2. ^ a b O'Connor, John (May 28, 2021). "In January, Connor Overton (Atlee High) sought a job via Twitter. In May, he starred in Triple-A". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  3. ^ "Potential MLB draftees from U.Va., Va. Tech, ODU and W&M". ChicagoTribune.com. June 4, 2016. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  4. ^ O’Connor, John (May 29, 2018). "Atlee High grad Connor Overton has 'gone through the wringer' on way to Squirrels' roster". Richmond Times-Dispatch.
  5. ^ "Sioux City Explorers Add Cunningham, Overton, and Lomascolo". April 13, 2016. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  6. ^ a b "X's Overton heading to Giants organization". Sioux City Journal. August 11, 2016. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  7. ^ "Who is Connor Overton, the Toronto Blue Jays' Newest Pitcher?". August 12, 2021.
  8. ^ "Connor Overton College, Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics & History".
  9. ^ "Blue Jays prospect watch: Pitcher Connor Overton makes his own breaks and catches on with Bisons". thestar.com. June 5, 2021.
  10. ^ "Connor Overton gives Bisons' pitching a lift in spot start to help them take series". The Trentonian. May 9, 2021. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  11. ^ "Connor Overton Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com.
  12. ^ "2020 Minor League Season Canceled". mlbtraderumors.com. June 30, 2020.
  13. ^ "Full List of 2020-2021 MiLB Free Agents". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  14. ^ "Jays place P Stripling on 10-day IL with left oblique strain". TSN.ca. August 11, 2021. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  15. ^ "Blue Jays Claim Jake Lamb From White Sox". MLB Trade Rumors. September 3, 2021.
  16. ^ "Pirates Claim Connor Overton off Waivers from Blue Jays". September 6, 2021.
  17. ^ "Pittsburgh Pirates: Connor Overton Makes MLB History". September 17, 2021.
  18. ^ "Pirates' Connor Overton: Placed on 10-day injured list". September 28, 2021.
  19. ^ "Pirates' Connor Overton: Falls off 40-man roster". November 6, 2021.
  20. ^ "2021–22 Minor League Free Agents for All 30 MLB Teams".
  21. ^ "Reds' Connor Overton: Lands minor-league deal". November 17, 2021.
  22. ^ "Reds' Connor Overton: Contract selected ahead of start". cbssports.com. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  23. ^ "Reds' Connor Overton: Earns first win of season". cbssports.com. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  24. ^ "Reds' Connor Overton: Facing long-term absence". cbssports.com. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  25. ^ "Reds' Connor Overton: Heads to 60-day IL". cbssports.com. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  26. ^ "Connor Overton completes his long road back to the Reds". cincinnati.com. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  27. ^ "Connor Overton Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com.
  28. ^ "Reds' Connor Overton: Lands on IL with elbow strain". cbssports.com. April 15, 2023. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  29. ^ "Reds' Connor Overton: Out until July". cbssports.com. May 7, 2023. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  30. ^ "Reds' Connor Overton: Transferred to 60-day IL". cbssports.com. May 14, 2023. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  31. ^ "Reds' Connor Overton: Undergoes Tommy John surgery". cbssports.com. May 25, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  32. ^ "Reds' Connor Overton: Sent outright to Triple-A". cbssports.com. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  33. ^ https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2024/
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