Nick Vespi Explained

Nick Vespi
Team:Baltimore Orioles
Number:79
Position:Pitcher
Birth Date:10 October 1995
Birth Place:Miami, Florida, U.S.
Bats:Left
Throws:Left
Debutleague:MLB
Debutdate:May 20
Debutyear:2022
Debutteam:Baltimore Orioles
Statleague:MLB
Statyear:June 27, 2024
Stat1label:Win–loss record
Stat1value:6–0
Stat2label:Earned run average
Stat2value:3.53
Stat3label:Strikeouts
Stat3value:43
Teams:

Nicholas Anthony Vespi (born October 10, 1995) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2022.

Career

Vespi played college baseball at Palm Beach State College. He was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 18th round of the 2015 MLB draft.[1] [2] Vespi made his professional debut with the Gulf Coast Orioles. He split the 2016 season with the GCL Orioles and Low-A Aberdeen IronBirds, registering a 5-1 record and 1.88 ERA with 41 strikeouts in 52.2 innings pitched across 13 games (10 starts). In 2017, Vespi split time between Aberdeen and the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds, posting a 4-3 record and 4.41 ERA with 69 strikeouts in 49.0 innings of work.

Vespi spent the following two seasons with Single–A Delmarva. In 2018, he logged a 6–6 record and 2.09 ERA with 68 strikeouts and 9 saves across innings. In 2019, Vespi logged an 8–6 record and 3.16 ERA with a career–high 100 strikeouts in 91 innings pitched.[3] He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[4] Vespi returned to action in 2021, recording a 4.19 ERA with 51 strikeouts in 30 relief outings for Norfolk and the Double–A Bowie Baysox.[5]

Vespi was called up to the majors for the first time on May 17, 2022.[6] Vespi made his Major League debut on May 20, pitching two innings for the Orioles in an extra innings game against the Tampa Bay Rays, striking out three, giving up no runs, and being credited with his first career MLB win.[7] He made 25 total appearances for the Orioles in 2022, logging a 5-0 record 4.10 ERA with 28 strikeouts across 26.1 innings pitched. On January 5, 2023, Vespi underwent hernia surgery.[8]

Vespi was optioned to the Triple-A Norfolk Tides to begin the 2023 season.[9] In 9 appearances for the Orioles, he recorded a 4.30 ERA with 9 strikeouts across innings pitched.

International career

On December 16, 2022, Vespi announced that he had been selected to represent Italy in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.[10]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Orioles prospects Robert Neustrom and Nick Vespi are facing an uncertain future. It's only fueled them .
  2. Web site: Vespi leading bullpen pack at Triple-A eyeing call-up .
  3. Web site: Nick Vespi - Stats - Pitching. May 1, 2024. fangraphs.com. en.
  4. Web site: 2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled. May 1, 2024. mlb.com. en.
  5. Web site: Nick Vespi Stats & Scouting Report. May 1, 2024. baseballamerica.com. en.
  6. Web site: Orioles' Nick Vespi Earns Big-League Call-Up . May 17, 2022 .
  7. Web site: Nick Vespi Game by Game Stats and Performance. espn.com. December 30, 2022.
  8. Web site: Orioles claim Díaz and DFA O’Hearn (Vespi undergoes surgery). January 5, 2023. masnsports.com. en.
  9. Web site: Orioles’ Nick Vespi: Sent down to Triple-A. March 22, 2023. cbssports.com. en.
  10. Web site: Orioles reliever Nick Vespi to play for Team Italy in World Baseball Classic. December 16, 2022. December 30, 2022.