| Jacob Webb | |
|---|---|
| Texas Rangers – No. 71 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1993-08-15)August 15, 1993 (age 31) Riverside, California, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 16, 2019, for the Atlanta Braves | |
| MLB statistics (through 2024 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 12–10 |
| Earned run average | 2.98 |
| Strikeouts | 186 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Jacob Lawrence Webb[a] (born August 15, 1993) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher for theTexas Rangers ofMajor League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for theAtlanta Braves,Los Angeles Angels, andBaltimore Orioles. He playedcollege baseball atTabor College and was selected by the Braves in the 18th round of the2014 MLB draft.
Webb attendedRiverside Polytechnic High School inRiverside, California, and playedcollege baseball atTabor College in Kansas. He was selected by theAtlanta Braves in the 18th round of the2014 MLB draft.[2]
Webb made his professional debut in 2014 with theRookie-levelGulf Coast Braves, going 2–1 with a 2.14earned run average (ERA) in33+2⁄3innings pitched.[3] He missed the 2015 season after undergoingTommy John surgery.[4] In 2016, he played for theRookie AdvancedDanville Braves and theSingle–ARome Braves, registering a 4.85 ERA in12+1⁄3 innings with no decisions.
Webb split the 2017 season between theHigh–AFlorida Fire Frogs and theDouble-AMississippi Braves, accumulating a 5–2 record with a 2.07 ERA in 65 innings. He split his 2018 season between Mississippi and theTriple-AGwinnett Stripers, going 3–4 with a 3.15 ERA in 53 innings.[3] The Braves added Webb to their40-man roster after the 2018 season.[5] During the 2018 offseason, he played for theEstrellas de Oriente of theDominican Winter League.[6]
Webb opened the 2019 season with the Triple–AGwinnett Stripers.[3] On April 14, he was added to the major-league roster for the first time.[7][8] He made his major league debut on April 16, recording one-third of an inning pitched via a strikeout ofKetel Marte.[9][10] Webb earned his first win andsave in a series against theColorado Rockies.[11][12] Webb's season ended in August after suffering an elbow impingement.[13] He posted a 4–0 record with a 1.39 ERA over32+1⁄3 innings in 2019 for the Braves.[13]
In 2020 he had a 0.00 ERA with no decisions in eight relief appearances over 10 innings.[14] On May 17, 2021, Webb accidentally struckNew York Mets outfielderKevin Pillar in the face with a 94 mph (151 km/h) fastball during the seventh inning, which resulted in Pillar suffering several nasal fractures.[15][16] For 2021, Webb was 5–4 with a 4.19 ERA in 34 relief appearances over34+1⁄3 innings.[14] The Braves finished with an 88–73 record, clinching theNational League East division, and went on to win the2021 World Series, giving the Braves their first title since 1995.[17]
Webb began the 2022 season inspring training,[18] and was sent to Triple A Gwinnett in March.[19] On April 12, 2022, he wasdesignated for assignment by the Braves.[20] Seven days later, he was claimed by theArizona Diamondbacks.[21]
On April 19, 2022, Webb was claimed off waivers by theArizona Diamondbacks.[22] Webb did not make an appearance with the Diamondbacks, spending his entire tenure with Arizona's Triple-A affiliate, theReno Aces. With Reno, Webb made six relief appearances posting a 10.13 ERA.[23] On June 5, he was designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks.[24]
On June 7, 2022, Webb was traded to theAtlanta Braves in exchange for cash considerations.[25] The Braves designated Webb for assignment on June 16,[26] and sent him to theGwinnett Stripers on June 19.[27] In 28 appearances for Gwinnett, he logged a 2-3 record and 5.34 ERA with 35 strikeouts and 3 saves across30+1⁄3 innings pitched. Webb elected free agency following the season on November 10.[28]
On November 24, 2022, Webb signed a minor league contract with theLos Angeles Angels.[29] He was assigned to the Triple-ASalt Lake Bees to begin the 2023 season, where he made 16 appearances and struggled to a 6.75 ERA with 21 strikeouts in17+1⁄3 innings pitched. On May 21, Webb's contract was selected to the major league roster.[30] Two days later, he made his first pitching appearance since 2021, throwing a scoreless inning against theBoston Red Sox. In 29 games for the Angels, he registered a 3.98 ERA with 34 strikeouts and 1 save in31+2⁄3 innings pitched. On August 5, Webb wasdesignated for assignment following the promotion ofKenny Rosenberg.[31]
On August 7, 2023, Webb was claimed off waivers by theBaltimore Orioles.[32] In 25 appearances down the stretch, he recorded a 3.27 ERA with 23 strikeouts over 22 innings of work.
Webb made 60 relief outings for Baltimore in 2024, compiling a 2–5 record and 3.02 ERA with 58 strikeouts across56+2⁄3 innings pitched. On November 22, 2024, the Orioles non–tendered Webb, making him a free agent.[33]
On December 11, 2024, Webb signed a one–year, $1.25 million contract with theTexas Rangers.[34]