| Kyle Crick | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Crick with thePittsburgh Pirates in 2018 | |
| Free agent | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1992-11-30)November 30, 1992 (age 33) Fort Worth, Texas, U.S. | |
Bats: Left Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 22, 2017, for the San Francisco Giants | |
| MLB statistics (through 2022 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 9–11 |
| Earned run average | 3.56 |
| Strikeouts | 201 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Kyle Daniel Crick (born November 30, 1992) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theSan Francisco Giants,Pittsburgh Pirates, andChicago White Sox.
Crick attendedSherman High School inSherman, Texas. He played for the school's baseball team as afirst baseman andthird baseman, and only occasionally as apitcher. He became a full-time pitcher in his senior year,[1] and he had a 7–2win–loss record and a 1.11earned run average (ERA) with 95 strikeouts.[2] Crick committed to attendTexas Christian University (TCU) to playcollege baseball for theTCU Horned Frogs.[3]
TheSan Francisco Giants selected Crick in the first round, with the 49th overall selection, of the2011 Major League Baseball draft.[4] Citing arm injuries suffered by TCU pitchers, Crick opted to sign with the Giants rather than attend college. He received a $900,000signing bonus.[3] After signing, he made his professional debut that year with theAZL Giants of the Rookie LeagueArizona Fall League, going 1–0 with a 6.43 ERA in seven relief innings pitched. Crick pitched to a 7–6 record and 2.51 ERA with 128 strikeouts in111+1⁄3 innings pitched in 23 games (22 starts) for theAugusta GreenJackets of theSingle–ASouth Atlantic League in 2012.[5]
Prior to the 2013 season,Baseball America ranked Crick as the Giants' best prospect.[6] He was also ranked as the 86th best prospect in baseball byMLB.com.[7] He pitched for theSan Jose Giants of theHigh–ACalifornia League in 2013, and was the Giants' lone representative in theAll-Star Futures Game.[8] Crick pitched to a 3–1 record and a 1.57 ERA with 95 strikeouts in68+2⁄3 innings pitched in 14 starts for San Jose. He missed two months of the season with an oblique injury, and was assigned to theScottsdale Scorpions of theArizona Fall League to make up for missed innings.[1][9] He earned comparisons to Giants pitcherMatt Cain.[1]
Before the 2014 season,MLB.com ranked him as the 32nd best prospect in all of baseball, jumping 54 spots from his previous ranking of 89th overall in 2013. He was also ranked byBaseball America as the 33rd best prospect in baseball.[10] Crick pitched for theRichmond Flying Squirrels of theDouble–AEastern League in 2014,[11] compiling a 6–7 record and 3.79 ERA in 23 games (22 starts). Crick returned to Richmond in 2015, and struggled with his control,walking 66 batters in 63 innings pitched. He was removed from thestarting rotation and used as arelief pitcher. In 36 games (11 starts) for Richmond, he was 3–4 with a 3.29 ERA and 1.79 WHIP. After the 2015 season, the Giants added Crick to their40-man roster to protect him from being eligible for selection in theRule 5 draft.[12]
Crick returned to Richmond in 2016 as a starting pitcher. In 23 starts, he pitched to a 4–11 record and a 5.04 ERA. After a strong performance inspring training in 2017, he was assigned to theSacramento River Cats of theTriple–APacific Coast League to begin the season. As a relief pitcher, he had a 1–2 record and a 2.76 ERA in29+1⁄3 innings pitched across 24 appearances, with 39 strikeouts.[13]
On June 20, the Giants promoted Crick to the major leagues as amiddle reliever.[14] He made his major league debut on June 22.[15] Crick remained with the Giants for the remainder of the season and had a 3.06 ERA in32+1⁄3 major league innings, striking out 28 and allowing 17 walks.[16]
On January 15, 2018, the Giants traded Crick,Bryan Reynolds and $500,000 of international bonus slot money to thePittsburgh Pirates in exchange forAndrew McCutchen and cash considerations.[17] Crick began the 2018 season with theIndianapolis Indians of the Triple-AInternational League, and was promoted to the Pirates on April 13.[18] Crick spent the entire season pitching out of the bullpen, leading the team in ERA with a 2.39 ERA in 64 games. He struck out 65 batters in60+1⁄3 innings. Crick posted a 4.96 ERA in 52 appearances for the Pirates in 2019. On September 10, Crick and teammateFelipe Vázquez got into a clubhouse fight. Crick broke his finger, requiring season-ending surgery on the tendon.[19]
Crick began the 2020 season on the injured list due to a right shoulder strain and was activated on August 29, 2020.[20] On September 14, Crick was placed back on the injured list due to a lat strain and missed the rest of the season.[21] In 2020 for the Pirates, Crick registered a 1.59 ERA with 7 strikeouts in 5.2 innings pitched.[22] In 2021, Crick recorded a 4.44 ERA in 27 appearances with Pittsburgh. He was designated for assignment by the Pirates on July 19, 2021, following the acquisition ofDillon Peters.[23] On July 24, Crick was released by the Pirates.[24]
On July 30, 2021, Crick signed a minor league deal with theChicago White Sox.[25]The White Sox assigned him to the Triple-ACharlotte Knights.[26] He made eight appearances for Charlotte, and went 2–0 with an 0.87 ERA with 15 strikeouts. On September 1, 2021, the White Sox released Crick.[27]
On January 14, 2022, Crick re-signed with the White Sox.[28] On April 7, his contract was purchased and he was selected to the Opening Day roster.[29] He made 14 appearances for the White Sox, posting a 2–0 record and 4.02 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 15.2 innings pitched. He was placed on the injured list with right elbow inflammation on June 15,[30] and transferred to the 60–day injured list on August 21, where he spent the remainder of the season.[31] On November 4, Crick was removed from the40-man roster and sent outright to Triple–A.[32] He elected free agency three days later.[33]
On February 11, 2023, Crick signed a minor league contract with theTampa Bay Rays.[34] On March 25, Crick exercised the opt-out clause in his contract and elected free agency.[35]
On December 1, 2023, Crick signed a minor league contract with theNew York Mets that included an invitation to spring training.[36] He split the 2024 campaign between the Single-ASt. Lucie Mets, High-ABrooklyn Cyclones, and Triple-ASyracuse Mets. In 10 appearances for the three affiliates, Crick compiled a 1.74 ERA with 16 strikeouts across10+1⁄3 innings pitched. He elected free agency following the season on November 4.[37]
Crick had a fraternal twin named Kevin.[14] On December 30, 2019, Kevin died after suffering a cervical injury after a fall in Cancun, Mexico.[38] On May 15, 2020, his father Reggie died at the age of 69.[39]