| Ben Lively | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Lively with theCleveland Guardians in 2024 | |
| Free agent | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1992-03-05)March 5, 1992 (age 33) Pensacola, Florida, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| Professional debut | |
| MLB: June 3, 2017, for the Philadelphia Phillies | |
| KBO: August 13, 2019, for the Samsung Lions | |
| MLB statistics (through 2025 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 23–29 |
| Earned run average | 4.38 |
| Strikeouts | 306 |
| KBO statistics (through 2021 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 10–12 |
| Earned run average | 4.14 |
| Strikeouts | 191 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Edward Bennett Lively (born March 5, 1992) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for thePhiladelphia Phillies,Kansas City Royals,Cincinnati Reds, andCleveland Guardians, and in theKBO League for theSamsung Lions.
Lively was born to Edward and Ginny Lively inPensacola, Florida.[1][2] He began playing organized baseball at age 4 in theTee-ball league; he was allowed to join a year early because of his prowess and the fact that his grandfather, Jim Lively, who coached him throughout his childhood, was the league commissioner.[2] He is a graduate ofGulf Breeze High School.[2]
TheCleveland Indians selected Lively in the 26th round of the2010 Major League Baseball Draft out of high school. He did not sign and instead attended theUniversity of Central Florida (UCF).[3] In his three years pitching for theUCF Knights baseball team, he went 21–8 with a 3.06earned run average (ERA) and 226strikeouts over 244 innings. After his sophomore season in 2012, he playedcollegiate summer baseball for theYarmouth–Dennis Red Sox of theCape Cod Baseball League.[4]
TheCincinnati Reds selected Lively in the fourth round of the2013 Major League Baseball Draft.[5][6] He made his professional debut with theBillings Mustangs and made one start with theDayton Dragons.[7] Lively finished his first season, 0–4 but with a 0.88 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 41 innings. He started the 2014 season with theBakersfield Blaze.[8] He was named as the top player in the Reds' farm system in 2014 after posting a 13–7 record and 3.04 ERA with Bakersfield and the Double-APensacola Blue Wahoos.[9]
On December 31, 2014, the Reds traded Lively to thePhiladelphia Phillies in exchange forMarlon Byrd.[10]
In 2015, Lively went 8–7 with a 4.13 ERA in 25 games with the Double-AReading Fightin Phils. He began the 2016 season with Reading before being promoted to the Triple-ALehigh Valley IronPigs. He received the 2016 Paul Owens Award as best pitcher in the Phillies' farm system.[2] The Phillies added him to their 40-man roster after the 2016 season.[11] He was assigned to Lehigh Valley to begin the 2017 season.
On June 3, 2017, Lively made his major league debut with the Philadelphia Phillies against theSan Francisco Giants. He allowed one run on four hits and three walks, earning his first major league win.[12] In his June 24 start against theArizona Diamondbacks, he collected his first major league RBI with a 2-run home run, but gave up 4 earned runs and took the 9–2 loss.[13] He finished his rookie season with a 4–7 record and 4.26 ERA in 15 major league appearances. In 2018, Lively pitched in 5 games for Philadelphia, but after struggling to an 0–2 record and 6.85 ERA, he was designated for assignment on September 3, 2018.[14]
On September 5, 2018, Lively was claimed off waivers by theKansas City Royals, who then designatedEric Stout for assignment to add Lively to the 40-man roster.[15] Lively recorded a 1.35 ERA in 6.2 innings of work for Kansas City in 2018. He was assigned to the Triple-AOmaha Storm Chasers to begin the 2019 season. Lively himself was designated for assignment on June 20, 2019, following the promotion ofHumberto Arteaga. He allowed 3 runs in the only inning he pitched for Kansas City.
On June 22, 2019, Lively was traded to theArizona Diamondbacks in exchange for cash considerations.[16] He was assigned to the Triple-AReno Aces, where he recorded a 5.04 ERA and 2–1 record across 7 appearances.
On August 7, 2019, Lively left the Diamondbacks organization to sign with theSamsung Lions of theKBO League. Lively pitched to a 4–4 record and a 3.95 ERA in his first season with Samsung. Lively re-signed with Samsung for the 2020 season on a $700,000 contract.[17] In 2020 he pitched to a 6–7 record and 4.26 ERA in 21 appearances. Lively only made six appearances in 2021, registering a 4.05 ERA. On June 1, 2021, Lively was released after being diagnosed with a shoulder injury.[18]
On January 6, 2022, Lively signed a minor league contract with theCincinnati Reds.[19] He spent the entire year with the Triple-ALouisville Bats, making 18 starts and registering a 2–5 record and 4.09 ERA with 79 strikeouts in 77.0 innings pitched. He elected free agency following the season on November 10.[20]
On November 19, 2022, Lively re-signed with the Reds on a new minor league contract. He was assigned to Triple-A Louisville to begin the 2023 season, where he posted a 4–0 record and 2.33 ERA with 16 strikeouts across 5 games (4 starts). On May 9, 2023, Lively had his contract selected to the active roster.[21] He made his first start on May 20 against theNew York Yankees, allowing 2 runs on 2 hits and one walk with a career-high 8 strikeouts in 5.2 innings pitched.[22] In an August 1 start against theChicago Cubs, Lively allowed 13 runs on 13 hits and 2 walks in 4.0 innings of work.[23] In 19 total games (12 starts) for Cincinnati, he logged a 4–7 record and 5.38 ERA with 79 strikeouts in88+2⁄3 innings of work. Following the season on October 18, Lively was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Triple–A Louisville.[24] He elected free agency on November 6.[25]
On December 12, 2023, Lively signed a major league contract with theCleveland Guardians.[26] He started 29 total games in the 2024 season, pitching to a 3.81 ERA with 118 strikeouts in 151 innings.[27] Lively was not selected to the Guardians' active roster in theirALDSseries against theDetroit Tigers orALCSseries against the New York Yankees.[28]
Lively signed a one-year, $2.25 million deal with the Guardians in November 2024 to avoid arbitration.[29] He unexpectedly started onOpening Day for the Guardians when planned starterTanner Bibee became unavailable due toacute gastroenteritis.[30] Lively allowed three runs and four hits in five innings pitched.[31] In nine starts for Cleveland, he posted a 2–2 record and 3.22 ERA with 29 strikeouts across44+2⁄3 innings pitched. On May 23, 2025, it was announced that Lively would undergoTommy John surgery and a flexor tendon repair, ruling him out for the remainder of the season.[32] On November 6, Lively was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to the Triple-AColumbus Clippers; he subsequently rejected the assignment and elected free agency.[33]