| Foster Griffin | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Griffin with theYomiuri Giants in 2024 | |
| Yomiuri Giants – No. 29 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1995-07-27)July 27, 1995 (age 30) Orlando, Florida, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Left | |
| Professional debut | |
| MLB: July 27, 2020, for the Kansas City Royals | |
| NPB: April 1, 2023, for the Yomiuri Giants | |
| MLB statistics (through 2022 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 1–0 |
| Earned run average | 6.75 |
| Strikeouts | 5 |
| NPB statistics (through August 26, 2025) | |
| Win–loss record | 18–10 |
| Earned run average | 2.47 |
| Strikeouts | 318 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
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| Career highlights and awards | |
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Fred Foster Griffin (born July 27, 1995) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher for theYomiuri Giants ofNippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has previously played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) with theKansas City Royals andToronto Blue Jays. The Royals selected him in the first round of the2014 MLB draft, and he made his MLB debut withthe team in 2020. After his debut, he hadTommy John surgery. After a brief return to the majors in 2022, he signed with Yomiuri. He was anNPB All-Star in 2025.
Griffin attendedThe First Academy inOrlando, Florida. TheKansas City Royals selected him in the first round of the2014 Major League Baseball draft.[1][2][3] He signed on June 10,[4] and was assigned to theBurlington Royals, where he posted a 3.21 ERA in 28innings pitched. Griffin spent 2015 with theLexington Legends where he went 4–6 with a 5.44 ERA. In 2016, Griffin split time between Lexington and theWilmington Blue Rocks, where he posted a combined 6–4 record and a 5.43 ERA between the two teams. He spent 2017 with both Wilmington and theNorthwest Arkansas Naturals where he went a combined 15–7 with a 3.35 ERA between both clubs, and 2018 back with the Naturals where he pitched to a 10–12 record with a 5.13 ERA in 28 games (26 starts). He spent 2019 with theOmaha Storm Chasers, going 8–6 with a 5.23 ERA over 25 starts, striking out 111 over130+2⁄3 innings.[5][6] Griffin was added to the Royals40-man roster following the 2019 season.[7]
Griffin made his major league debut on July 27, 2020, pitching1+2⁄3 scoreless innings to earn the win against theDetroit Tigers.[8] On August 11, Griffin underwentTommy John surgery. On November 30, Griffin wasdesignated for assignment.[9][10] On December 2, the Royals non-tendered Griffin, making him afree agent. On December 12, Griffin re-signed with the Royals on a minor league contract.[11]
Griffin made 15 rehab appearances with five Royals minor league affiliates in 2021. He began the 2022 season with the Triple-AOmaha Storm Chasers. On May 20, 2022, Griffin had his contract selected by the Royals.[10] He pitched in five games before the Royals designated him for assignment on July 11.[12]
On July 16, 2022, Griffin traded to theToronto Blue Jays in exchange for Jonatan Bernal. Griffin pitched only once for Toronto, tossing two scoreless innings with two strikeouts. The rest of his season was spent with the Triple-ABuffalo Bisons, where he pitched to a pristine 1.93 ERA and 4-0 record with 32 strikeouts in 28 innings pitched.[13] He was released on November 15.[14]
On January 12, 2023, Griffin signed with theYomiuri Giants ofNippon Professional Baseball.[15] On May 13, Griffin hit a triple off ofMasato Morishita of theHiroshima Toyo Carp. He became the first Yomiuri non-Japanese pitcher to hit a triple since Toru Nishida in 1952.[16] In his first season in Japan, he was 6–5 with a 2.75 ERA in 20 games.[17] Griffin signed a two-year contract extension for the 2024 season on November 26.[18] He had similar results in 2024, going 6–4 with a 3.01 ERA in 20 games.[17] He was anNPB All-Star in 2025.[19]