Adrian Sampson
American baseball player (born 1991)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Adrian David Sampson (born October 7, 1991) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, and Chicago Cubs, and in the KBO League for the Lotte Giants.
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| Adrian Sampson | |
|---|---|
Sampson with the Texas Rangers in 2019 | |
| Free agent | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: October 7, 1991 Redmond, Washington, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| Professional debut | |
| MLB: June 18, 2016, for the Seattle Mariners | |
| KBO: May 28, 2020, for the Lotte Giants | |
| MLB statistics (through 2022 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 11–19 |
| Earned run average | 4.43 |
| Strikeouts | 219 |
| KBO statistics (through 2020 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 9–12 |
| Earned run average | 5.40 |
| Strikeouts | 87 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
High school and college
Sampson attended Skyline High School in Sammamish, Washington. In July 2009, Sampson had Tommy John surgery, which caused him to miss his senior season.[1] After not receiving any college baseball scholarships, Sampson attended Bellevue College. After going 4–2 with a 2.36 earned run average (ERA), Sampson was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 16th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft.[2] He did not sign with the Marlins and returned to Bellevue. In 2012, he went 13–0 with a 1.36 ERA and 107 strikeouts.[3]
Professional career
Pittsburgh Pirates
Sampson was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the fifth round of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft and signed with the Pirates.[4] He made his professional debut that season with the State College Spikes. He started nine of 11 games and had a 2.95 ERA.
Sampson played the 2013 season with the Bradenton Marauders, finishing 5-8 with a 5.14 ERA in 140 innings.[5] He started the 2014 season with the Altoona Curve.[6][7] In July he was selected to play in the Eastern League All-Star Game, but was forced to sit out the game by the Pirates.[8] In August he was promoted to the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians after posting a 2.55 ERA with Altoona. Overall, he went 11–6 with a 2.96 ERA and 109 strikeouts.
Seattle Mariners
On July 31, 2015, Sampson was traded to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for J. A. Happ.[9] He spent the remainder of the year with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers, making seven starts and struggling to a 2-4 record and 7.28 ERA with 28 strikeouts across 38+1⁄3 innings pitched.
Sampson made his Major League debut on June 18, 2016, against the Boston Red Sox, relieving the injured Wade Miley.[10][11] Scheduled to replace Miley in the rotation, Sampson suffered a torn flexor tendon while warming up before his first major league start five days later against the Detroit Tigers, which required season-ending surgery later that month.[12][13][14][15]
Texas Rangers
On November 2, 2016, the Texas Rangers claimed Sampson off of waivers.[16][17] In 2017, Sampson rehabbed from the torn flexor tendon injury and made eight minor league appearances that season, going 2-2 with a 3.45 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 31+1⁄3 innings with the rookie-level Arizona League Rangers, High-A Down East Wood Ducks, and Triple-A Round Rock Express.
Sampson spent the first 5 months of the 2018 season with Triple-A Round Rock, going 8-4 with a 3.77 ERA and 85 strikeouts across 126+2⁄3 innings pitched. Sampson was recalled by Texas on September 4, 2018, and on September 11, Sampson made his first career start. He finished the year with a 0-3 record and a 4.30 ERA and 15 strikeouts over 23 innings of work. Sampson was non-tendered by Texas and became a free agent on November 30.[18]
On December 27, 2018, Sampson re-signed with the Rangers on a minor league contract that included an invitation to spring training.[19] Sampson was assigned to the Triple-A Nashville Sounds to begin the 2019 season.[20] On April 1, 2019, the Rangers purchased Sampson's contract and recalled him to the major league roster.[21] On June 8, he recorded his first career complete game versus the Oakland Athletics.[22] Sampson finished the 2019 season going 6–8 with a 5.89 ERA and 101 strikeouts across 125+1⁄3 innings pitched.
Lotte Giants
On November 22, 2019, Sampson signed one-year contract with the Lotte Giants of the KBO League.[23] He made 25 starts for the Giants in 2020, posting a 9-12 record and 5.40 ERA with 87 strikeouts over 130 innings of work. Sampson became a free agent following the season.
Chicago Cubs
On May 10, 2021, Sampson signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs organization.[24] With the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, he was 4-5 with a 4.96 ERA. On August 18, his contract was selected by the Cubs.[25] Sampson pitched to a 2.80 ERA with 28 strikeouts in 10 appearances with Chicago. On November 5, Sampson was outrighted off of the 40-man roster.[26]
Sampson returned to the Cubs organization, signing a minor league contract on March 19, 2022.[27] On May 10, he was designated for assignment,[28] and subsequently claimed via waivers by the Seattle Mariners three days later.[29] Though Sampson was assigned to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers, he did not play for the team before being designated for assignment a second time on May 21.[30][31] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A on May 24, but rejected the outright assignment a day later and elected free agency.[32] On May 31, Sampson re-signed with the Cubs on a minor league contract. On June 16, Sampson was selected back to the active roster.[33] He made 21 appearances (19 starts) for Chicago in 2022, pitching to a 4–5 record and 3.11 ERA with 73 strikeouts in 104+1⁄3 innings of work.
On November 18, 2022, Sampson signed a one-year, $1.9 million contract with the Cubs, avoiding arbitration.[34] In spring training in 2023, Sampson competed with Hayden Wesneski for the fifth starter role behind Marcus Stroman, Jameson Taillon, Drew Smyly, and Justin Steele. He was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on March 25, 2023, after manager David Ross announced Wesneski had won the job.[35] Sampson made two starts for Iowa before undergoing a meniscal debridement surgery on his right knee on May 7.[36] He was placed on the 60-day injured list on May 15.[37] On July 24, Sampson was activated from the injured list. However, upon his activation, he was promptly removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Triple–A Iowa.[38]
On August 1, 2023, the Cubs traded Sampson, Manuel Rodríguez, and international free agent bonus pool space to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Josh Roberson.[39] Sampson did not appear for the organization and was released two days later.[40]
Texas Rangers (second stint)
On February 13, 2024, Sampson signed a minor league contract to return to the Texas Rangers organization.[41] He made 28 appearances (27 starts) for the Triple-A Round Rock Express, compiling an 8-10 record and 5.64 ERA with 120 strikeouts across 137+1⁄3 innings pitched. Sampson elected free agency following the season on November 4.[42]
Washington Nationals
On May 6, 2025, Sampson signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals.[43] He made 19 starts split between the rookie-level Florida Complex League Nationals, Double-A Harrisburg Senators, and Triple-A Rochester Red Wings, accumulating a combined 6-5 record and 3.95 ERA with 65 strikeouts across 100+1⁄3 innings pitched. Sampson elected free agency following the season on November 6.[44]