Sean Poppen
American baseball player (born 1994)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sean Russell Poppen (born March 15, 1994) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Tampa Bay Rays, and Arizona Diamondbacks.
| Sean Poppen | |
|---|---|
Poppen with the Fort Myers Miracle in 2018 | |
| Free agent | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: March 15, 1994 Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 19, 2019, for the Minnesota Twins | |
| MLB statistics (through 2022 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 3–3 |
| Earned run average | 5.08 |
| Strikeouts | 67 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
Career
Poppen attended Cape Henry Collegiate in Virginia Beach, Virginia.[1] He attended Harvard University for four years (2013 through 2016), and played college baseball for the Crimson.[2][3]
Minnesota Twins
Poppen was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 19th round, with the 573rd overall selection, of the 2016 MLB draft.[3] He spent the 2016 season with the Elizabethton Twins and the Cedar Rapids Kernels.[4] In 2017, he played for Cedar Rapids and the Fort Myers Miracle.[4] His 2018 was split between Fort Myers and the Chattanooga Lookouts. He split the 2019 minor league season between the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and the Rochester Red Wings, going a combined 7–4 with a 4.01 ERA over 89.2 innings.[5][4]
On June 19, 2019, his contract was selected and he was called up to the major leagues for the first time.[6] He made his debut that night versus the Boston Red Sox.[7] He posted a 0–0 record with a 7.56 ERA over 8.1 innings for the Twins in 2019. Poppen finished the 2019 season on the injured list with elbow inflammation.[8]
Poppen was designated for assignment by the Twins on September 29, 2020, when Alex Kirilloff was selected to the 40-man roster.[9] With the 2020 Minnesota Twins, Poppen appeared in 6 games, compiling a 0–0 record with 4.70 ERA and 10 strikeouts in 7.2 innings pitched.[10]
Pittsburgh Pirates
On October 1, 2020, Poppen was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates.[11] Poppen recorded a 7.71 ERA in 3 appearances before being designated for assignment on May 13, 2021.[12]
Tampa Bay Rays
On May 18, 2021, Poppen was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for cash considerations.[13] He was designated for assignment on July 30, 2021.
Arizona Diamondbacks
On August 2, 2021, Poppen was claimed off of waivers by the Arizona Diamondbacks.[14] He finished the season appearing in 20 games for Arizona, registering a 1–1 record and 4.67 ERA with 21 strikeouts in 17.1 innings pitched.
In 2022, Poppen made 29 appearances for the Diamondbacks, pitching to a 2–2 record and 4.40 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 28.2 innings of work.
San Diego Padres
On December 2, 2022, Poppen was claimed off waivers by the San Diego Padres.[15] On January 20, 2023, Poppen was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas.[16] In 47 games for El Paso, he struggled to a 1–4 record and 6.33 ERA with 51 strikeouts across 58+1⁄3 innings pitched. Poppen elected free agency following the season on November 6.[17]
Seattle Mariners
On January 18, 2024, Poppen signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners.[18] In two appearances for the Triple–A Tacoma Rainiers, he surrendered four runs in 3+1⁄3 innings pitched. Poppen was released by the Mariners organization on April 5.[19]
Gastonia Baseball Club
On April 26, 2024, Poppen signed with the Gastonia Baseball Club of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[20] In 12 games for the team, he logged a 5.11 ERA with 35 strikeouts across 24+2⁄3 innings pitched.[21] On June 17, Poppen was released by Gastonia.[20]
Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos
On January 29, 2025, Poppen signed with the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos of the Mexican League.[22] Poppen made three scoreless appearances for Dos Laredos, recording five strikeouts across 3+2⁄3 innings pitched.[21]
Los Angeles Angels
On April 28, 2025, Poppen signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels.[23] In 22 appearances split between the rookie-level Arizona Complex League Angels and Double-A Rocket City Trash Pandas, he accumulated a 3-4 record and 5.34 ERA with 38 strikeouts across 30+1⁄3 innings pitched.[21] Poppen was released by the Angels organization on August 2.[24]