Garrett Cleavinger Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Garrett J. Cleavinger
Born 04/23/1994 in Lawrence, KS
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 220 / Bats: R / Throws: L
School Oregon
Debut 09/17/2020
Drafted in the 3rd round (102nd overall) by the Baltimore Orioles in 2015 (signed for $500,000).

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The Ducks rallied in the season's second half, riding Cleavinger and Stephen Nogosek down the stretch as a two-man bullpen tandem. Cleavinger has been a consistent performer even though, for the most part, his velocity has sat more in the 92-93 mph range this spring than the 93-96 he showed last summer. Despite the diminished velocity, Cleavinger has maintained his killer instinct and ability to finish off hitters. Strong-bodied at a listed 6-foot, 220 pounds, he has good running life on his fastball and has harnessed just enough command of the live pitch to rack up plenty of strikeouts (15 K/9). He was even better in the Cape Cod League last summer (29 K, 13 IP). His curveball has power, at times sitting at 80-81 mph, and when he is able to land it, hitters have little chance against him. Cleavinger has mostly pitched in one-inning looks and projects in a similar role as a pro. He may not need much minor league time if he keeps missing bats.

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The Orioles saw Cleavinger touch 97 mph in the Cape Cod League in the 2014 and they drafted him in the third round in 2015, signing him for $500,000. He was first-team Pacific-12 Conference in 2015, going 6-2, 1.58 with 66 strikeouts over 40 innings for Oregon. Early in the college season, Cleavinger's velocity was down at 89-92 mph, and that is mostly what the Orioles saw when he pitched at short-season Aberdeen, though they are confident there is more there. He showed a solid curveball with good depth at 75-78 mph and needs to work on his changeup. Cleavinger creates deception with a funky takeaway in his delivery that one scout felt impacts his command, but he has thrown enough strikes in the past. The deception is a key part of his overall package. While he needs some polish to that delivery, Cleavinger projects as a power lefty reliever. He should pitch in the bullpen in 2016, starting at low Class A Delmarva.

The Ducks rallied in the season's second half, riding Cleavinger and Stephen Nogosek down the stretch as a two-man bullpen tandem. Cleavinger has been a consistent performer even though, for the most part, his velocity has sat more in the 92-93 mph range this spring than the 93-96 he showed last summer. Despite the diminished velocity, Cleavinger has maintained his killer instinct and ability to finish off hitters. Strong-bodied at a listed 6-foot, 220 pounds, he has good running life on his fastball and has harnessed just enough command of the live pitch to rack up plenty of strikeouts (15 K/9). He was even better in the Cape Cod League last summer (29 K, 13 IP). His curveball has power, at times sitting at 80-81 mph, and when he is able to land it, hitters have little chance against him. Cleavinger has mostly pitched in one-inning looks and projects in a similar role as a pro. He may not need much minor league time if he keeps missing bats.

Tampa Bay Rays transferred LHP Garrett Cleavinger from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list. Right knee sprain.
Tampa Bay Rays placed LHP Garrett Cleavinger on the 15-day injured list. Right knee sprain.