Graduated from Harvard-Westlake (Calif.) High School, where he was teammates with Max Fried and Lucas Giolito...went 23-0 with a 0.63 ERA over his final two seasons and had a 35-3 overall record throughout his high school career...led Harvard-Westlake to the 2013 state title, pitching a shutout and driving in the lone run in a 1-0 victory in the championship game at Dodger Stadium...was a two-time Southern Section Division 1 Player of the Year and was named 2014 Los Angeles Daily News All-Area Baseball Player of the Year and California Gatorade State Player of the Year...selected to participate in the 2017 MLB Futures Game at Marlins Park in Miami...2017 Baseball America Minor League All-Star and MiLB.com Organization All-Star (Cardinals)...2024 World Series Champion (Los Angeles-NL).
2024
Went 7-5 with a 2.95 ERA (35ER/106.2IP) in 18 starts with Detroit...Won four straight games from May 30-June 21...ranked first among all MLB pitchers in wins (four), hits allowed (11), earned runs allowed (one), and ERA (0.40) over that span...Traded to Los Angeles-NL for catcher Thayron Liranzo and infielder Trey Sweeney on July 30...Was 6-2 with a 3.58 ERA (22ER/55.1IP) in 10 starts for the Dodgers...went 1-2 with a 7.36 ERA in five postseason starts and started the final game of the World Series.
2023
Began the 2023 season with St. Louis, before being traded to Baltimore on Aug. 1...combined to pitch in 29 games, including 27 starts... Posted his 10th career double-digit strikeout game on May 15 vs. Milwaukee, throwing 7.0 shutout innings with three hits allowed, two walks and 10 strikeouts... Started five games with the Cardinals in July, going 3-1 with a 3.03 ERA (29.2IP/10ER) and 26 strikeouts... Made his Baltimore debut on Aug. 3 at Toronto, sitting down 15 straight Blue Jays after allowing the first two batters of the game to reach...according to the Elias Sports Bureau, he became the second pitcher since the Orioles moved to Baltimore in 1954 to retire 15 straight batters at any point in his debut with the team, joining Dave McNally, who set down 17 in a row in his MLB debut on Sept. 26, 1962 vs. Kansas City (Game 1)...Struck out 16 batters in his first two starts with the Orioles, the most in that span since the team moved to Baltimore... Appeared in one game during the American League Division Series vs. Texas, throwing 2.0 innings.
2022
Missed a total of 122 games due to a right shoulder injury (64 games from April 7-June 14 and another 58 games from June 27-Sept.4)....Began the season on the 15-day Injured List with right shoulder discomfort (4/4) and was later transferred to the 60-day Injured List (5/20)....Activated from the 60-day Injured List on June 15 and made his season debut vs. Pirates. Took a no-decision in a Cardinals 6-4 loss, allowing four runs (three earned) in his 3.0 IP while throwing 60 pitches....Made two more starts for St. Louis in June before returning to the 15-Day Injured List with a right shoulder strain (6/27). Was transferred to the 60-Day Injured List (7/11)....Activated from the Injured List (9/5). Finished his season 2-1 with a 3.86 ERA and 27 strikeouts over his last six outings (five starts). Throw 5.0+ innings in every start, with the Cardinals posting a 5-1 record....Returned to the Busch Stadium mound on 9/5 vs. Washington for the first time since 6/26 and worked 5.0 IP, allowing one run on six hits. Took the loss, as the Cardinals were blanked, 6-0, by the Nationals...Posted season highs in strikeouts (9), innings pitched (6.0) and pitches thrown (99) in a 5-4 win at SD (9/22) for his first win of the season and first since 8/13/21 at KC....Notched his 600th career strikeout in a 1.0-inning relief outing for his final regular season appearance on 10/4 at Pittsburgh. Became the 31st Cardinals pitcher to reach that milestone and in 523.1 IP, was the fastest to reach the mark in club history...Made a total of seven injury rehab starts at Memphis (AAA) and Springfield (AA) over two different stints in June and August, going 1-2 with a 3.00 ERA (27.0 IP) and 34 strikeouts.
2021
Made 17 appearances (15 starts) over an injury-shortened season, missing a combined 88 games due to left oblique and right shoulder strains... Began the season 8-1 with a 2.90 ERA in 11 starts, leading all of Major League Baseball in wins (St. Louis was 9-0) and runs support (9.87) before missing time due to injury... Held his opposition to three earned runs or fewer in 13 of his 15 starts... Became the first Cardinals starting pitcher to begin a season 8-0 since Bob Gibson in 1965 and first MLB starting pitcher to do so since Houston's Dallas Keuchel (9-0 in 2017)... Became the first Cardinal to win eight consecutive starts since John Tudor (9 from 6/3-7/11) and Joaquin Andujar (8 from 5/10-6/14) in 1985... Flaherty was also the first to record 8 wins in the team’s first 43 games since Bob Tewksbury (8-1 in 1994)... Became one of three starting pitchers in franchise history whose team won in his first nine starts of the season, joining Michael Wacha (2015) and Bob Forsch (1982)... Joined Bob Gibson (8-0, 2.42 in 1965) and Burleigh Grimes (8-1, 2.66 in 1931) as the only three Cardinals to record a sub-3.00 ERA and win at least 8 of his first 9 games to begin a season... Limited opposing left-handers to hit .195/.275/.315 (29-149) with a career single-season low .591 OPS... Missed 60 games (6/1-8/12) with a left oblique strain suffered while batting on 5/31 at Los Angeles Dodgers. Placed on the 10-day Injured List on June 1 and transferred to the 60-Day IL on July 2... Activated on 8/13 and made three starts before suffering a right shoulder strain on 8/24 vs. Detroit. Placed on the 10-day Injured List the following day... Activated on 9/24 and pitched in the opening frame of a 12-4 win over the Chicago Cubs in Game 2 of a doubleheader sweep at Wrigley Field... Made his second consecutive Opening Day start (2020-21) on 4/1 at Cincinnati. Became the 5th pitcher in Cardinals history to make multiple Opening Day starts before turning age 26, joining Joe Magrane (3), Dizzy Dean (3), Lee Meadows (2), and Johnny Lush (2)... Joined Chicago White Sox’s Lucas Giolito and Atlanta Braves’ Max Fried as Opening Day starters who graduated from Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles, Calif... Pushed his win-loss mark to 10-2 with a 1.41 ERA in 17 career starts in August, making him the MLB leader in August ERA and opponent BA (.148) since the Live Ball Era (1920)... Made two relief appearances (9/29 vs. Milwaukee & 10/1 vs. Chicago Cubs), both scoreless while striking out at least one batter... Hit his first Major League home run off former teammate Austin Gomber (5/7 vs. Colorado) at Busch Stadium.
2020
Held his opposition to three runs or fewer in eight of his nine starts...The Cardinals were 5-4 in his starts, with three losses coming when he received zero runs of support...Made his first career Opening Day start, coming vs. Pittsburgh (7/24), tossing 7.0 innings for his 20th career win. Allowed two runs following 6.2 scoreless innings before a two-RBI single by Jacob Stallings in the 7th inning broke his career high streak of 25.2 scoreless innings (9/19/19)...At age 24.283, he became the 16th youngest Cardinal to make an Opening Day start (since 1904) and youngest since Joe Magrane (Age 24.275) on April 3, 1989, vs. the New York Mets...After the COVID-19 team shutdown, went 25 days between his first and second starts of the season (8/19-1 at Chicago Cubs). Marked the shortest start of career (41 pitches in 1.2 innings as the Cardinals won 9-3)...Surrendered a career-high nine runs at Milwaukee (9/15), snapping a streak of 22 consecutive regular season starts of limiting his opposition to three runs or fewer...The 22-game streak was the longest in Cardinals history, out-distancing 19 straight starts by Bob Gibson (1968) and Lance Lynn (2014), and nine games shy of the MLB record by a non-opener held by Jacob deGrom (31)...Threw a career high 43 pitches in the 1st inning at Chicago Cubs (9/4), most by a Cardinal in the 1st inning during the 2020 season...Pushed his won-loss mark to 9-1 with a 0.99 ERA in 14 career starts in August, making him the MLB leader in August ERA and opponent BA (.139) since the Live Ball Era (1920).
2020 POSTSEASON: Made a start in deciding Game 3 of the Wild Card Series at San Diego...allowed one run over six innings with eight strikeouts (110 pitches) in the 4-0 defeat... ran his postseason career strikeout total to 30 over his first four postseason starts (2019-20), T-4th most in MLB postseason history in a pitcher’s first four starts.
2019
Is the 3rd Cardinal in franchise history to strike out 180 or more in two of his first three career seasons (2018-19), joining Dizzy Dean (1932-33), and Lance Lynn (2012-13)...Struck out 231 in 2019 (6th in NL), becoming the 8th different Cardinal (19th instance) and youngest in franchise history to strike out 200 or more in a season...His 231 strikeouts ranked 6th in franchise single-season history, trailing only Bob Gibson (1964, 1965, 1968, 1969, 1970)...Has struck out 433 batters over his first 67 career games, the most ever by a Cardinal and 12th-most in National League history (since 1908)...Recorded five double-digit strikeouts games in 2019 and has eight for his career. His eight games with 10+ strikeouts in his first 67 career games are a Cardinals record...In 2019, set the Cardinals single-season records in strikeouts/ 9 IP (10.59) and percentage of swings that missed (30.7) (in data since 1988)...Led the National League with 124 strikeouts after the AllStar Break in 2019. Ranks 2nd among NL pitchers with 219 strikeouts Post All-Star Break over the last two seasons (2018-19) behind only Mets Jacob deGrom (237)...His 182 strikeouts as a rookie in 2018 ranked 3rd all-time in Cardinals history behind Rick Ankiel (194 in 1999) and Dizzy Dean (191 in 1932)...Averaged 10.85 strikeouts/9 IP in 2018, ranking first among rookies in franchise history (min. 150 IP) and 4th all-time for rookies behind Kerry Wood (12.58 in 1998), Dwight Gooden (11.39 in 1984) and Hideo Nomo (11.10 in 1995)...Established a Cardinals Division Series record with 16 strikeouts in 2019 vs. Atlanta...Became the 6th pitcher in MLB postseason history and first Cardinal age 23 or younger to make two starts in a division series, joining Jaret Wright (1997 Indians), Fernando Valenzuela (1981 Dodgers), Jarrod Parker (2012 A's), Sonny Gray (2013 A's), and Gerrit Cole (2013 Pirates)...Joined Chris Carpenter (1-0 CG win at Philadelphia in 2011) and Adam Wainwright (6-1 CG win vs. Pittsburgh in 2013) as the only Cardinals starters to win a deciding NLDS Game 5. Allowed one run while striking out eight in 6.0 innings in 13-1 win at Atlanta (10/9/19)...Finished 4th in the National League Cy Young award voting, 13th for NL Most Valuable Player award, and was recognized as one of five starting pitchers on the All-MLB Second Team...Finalist for the Rawlings Glove Glove award. Was one of eight NL pitchers (and three Cardinals) to record a perfect fielding percentage...Established single-season career highs in wins (11), innings pitched (196.1), strikeouts, quality starts and starts...Set Cardinals single-season records in strikeouts/ 9 IP (10.59) and percentage of swings that missed (30.7) (in data since 1988). His .192 opponent batting average was 2nd to only Bob Gibson (.184) in 1968...Struck out 231, walked 55 and recorded a 2.75 ERA. Since 1885, became only the third pitcher younger than 24-yearsold to record a season of at least 230 strikeouts, while permitting 55-or-fewer walks to go along with an ERA of 2.75-or-better, joining Clayton Kershaw (2011) and Mark Prior (2003)...Became the 8th different Cardinal (19th instance) and youngest in franchise history to strike out 200 or more batters in a season. His 231 strikeouts ranked 6th in franchise single-season history, trailing only Bob Gibson (1964, 1965, 1968, 1969, 1970)...Led the National League with 124 strikeouts after the All-Star Break. Ranks 2nd among NL pitchers with 219 strikeouts Post All-Star Break over the last two seasons (2018-19) behind only Mets Jacob deGrom (237)...Recorded five double-digit strikeouts games (T7th in NL) and has eight for his career; His eight games with 10+ strikeouts in his first 67 career games are a Cardinals record...Sported the 3rd-lowest ERA (0.91) in MLB history in 15 starts after the All-Star Break, behind 2015 Cubs Jake Arrieta (0.75) and 1994 Braves Greg Maddux (0.87)....In the second half of the season, went 7-2 with 124 strikeouts, 23 walks and a 0.91 ERA (99.1 IP) in 15 starts, becoming the first MLB pitcher since 1915 to record at least 120 strikeouts while posting an ERA of 1.00-or-lower in the second half of a season...Two-time National League Pitcher of the Month award winner (August and September). Became the first NL pitcher to win the award in back-to-back months since Max Scherzer (April & May 2018) and first Cardinal to win twice in a single season since the award was first given out in 1975...Named NL Pitcher of the Month for August (4-1, 0.71 ERA in six starts). Was the first Cardinal to win the award since Adam Wainwright (Sept. 2014)...Named NL Pitcher of the Month for September. In six starts, led all of MLB in ERA (0.82), average against (.118), WHIP (0.57), and opponent OPS (.344) while pacing the NL in strikeouts (53). Logged four scoreless starts with at least 7.0 innings pitched...The first time facing the opposition through a lineup, led all MLB starting pitchers in average against (.128), on-base pct. (.190), slugging pct, (209), and OPS (.399). His .128 batting average (35-273) ranked 2nd-lowest in MLB history among starting pitchers (min. 100 BF, since 1974) and tied Kevin Siegrist (2013) for lowest by any Cardinals pitcher in franchise history (since 1974)...Carried a shutout 5.0 innings or longer into a game 13 times (T2nd NL)...Limited opposing right-handed batters to a .182 average (63-347), ranking 3rd in the NL this season and 2nd all-time in Cardinals history (Jose DeLeon, .148 in 1989)....Twelve of his team-leading 33 starts were scoreless, most in MLB among non-openers and most by a Cardinal since Adam Wainwright (12) in 2014...Made 14 starts of 6.0+ innings while holding his opposition to three hits or fewer (most in MLB), and eight starts of 7.0+ frames and three hits or fewer (shared MLB lead with Justin Verlander and Jacob deGrom)...His 1.48 ERA (73.0 IP) in 12 day starts ranked 3rd-lowest in the National League...His 1.48 ERA (73.0 IP) in 12 day starts ranked 3rd-lowest in the National League...Received zero runs of support in five of his eight losses...Over a 12-start span from July 7-Sept. 8, went 6-2 with 0.80 ERA (7 ER/78.1 IP) and .146 opp. BA. Since ERA became an official stat in 1913, the only other pitchers in MLB history to have a sub-1.00 ERA and sub-.150 opp. BA over a single-season 12-start span were Cubs Jake Arrieta (2015) & Red Sox Chris Sale (2018)...Matched his single-game career high 8.0 IP in three of his regular season-ending six starts...Logged 23.0 scoreless IP streak (7/26-8/13), longest by a Cardinals starting pitcher since Adam Wainwright's 25.0 scoreless innings in 2014...Went 1-2 with a 4.24 ERA (17.0 IP) in three Postseason starts against Atlanta and Washington... Was 1-1 with a 2.77 ERA in two starts during the NLDS against Atlanta, striking out a Cardinals Division Series record 16 batters...became the 6th pitcher in MLB postseason history and first Cardinal age 23 or younger to make two starts in a division series, joining Jaret Wright (1997 Indians), Fernando Valenzuela (1981 Dodgers), Jarrod Parker (2012 A's), Sonny Gray (2013 A's), and Gerrit Cole (2013 Pirates)...Made his postseason debut in NLDS Game 2 at SunTrust, becoming the youngest Cardinals starting pitcher to make his postseason debut since Shelby Miller (23.362) in Game 4 of the 2014 NLDS vs. Los Angeles...threw 117 pitches over 7.0 innings in Game 2, most by a Cardinal in his postseason debut since Woody Williams threw 133 pitches in 7.0 innings of one-run ball in Game 2 of the 2001 NLDS at Arizona...earned the win in the Division Series deciding Game 5, pitching 6.0 innings allowing one run on a solo home run while matcheing his postseason strikeout high (8)... joined Chris Carpenter (1-0 CG win at Philadelphia in 2011) and Adam Wainwright (6-1 CG win vs. Pittsburgh in 2013) as the 3rd Cardinal to win an NLDS Game 5...drew a bases loaded walk in Game 5, the first Cardinals pitcher since Bob Gibson in Game 4 of the 1968 World Series to do so.
2018
NL Rookie of the Year candidate made 28 starts over three stints with St. Louis, while being named to Baseball America 's All-Rookie Team at one of five starting pitcher positions...Finished 5th in the National League Rookie of the Year Voting...Struck out 223 batters between St. Louis and Memphis (AAA) in 34 starts covering 182.2 innings (10.99 K/9 IP)...Ranked among NL rookies in wins (8, T1st), ERA (3.34, 3rd), strikeouts (182, 1st), opponent batting average (.199, 2nd), win percentage (.471, T1st), innings pitched (151.0, 2nd), starts (28, 2nd), quality starts (10, 4th) and walks (59, 1st)... St. Louis was 11-17 in his 28 starts, which were most by a Cardinals rookie pitcher since Shelby Miller (31) in 2013... Pitched at least 6.0 innings in 11 starts (2nd on STL) and at least 7.0 innings in four outings (T2nd on STL)...Limited the opposition to one run or fewer in 15 starts (T4th among NL pitchers) and 4 earned runs or fewer in 27 starts...His team-leading 182 strikeouts led Major League rookie pitchers, ranked 11th among all NL pitchers, and were the 3rd-most all-time in Cardinals single-season history for rookies, trailing only Dizzy Dean (191 in 1932) and Rick Ankiel (194 in 2000)...Struck out 95 batters after the All-Star Break, 5th-most among NL pitchers...His 202 strikeouts in his first 34 career games are the most ever by a Cardinal and rank 17th all-time in National League history (since 1908)...Averaged 10.85 strikeouts/9 IP in 2018, ranking first among rookies in franchise history (min. 150 IP) and 4th all-time for rookies behind Kerry Wood (12.58 in 1998), Dwight Gooden (11.39 in 1984) and Hideo Nomo (11.10 in 1995), all who went on to win Rookie of the Year awards...His .199 average against ranked as the 5th-lowest mark in MLB history among rookies (min. 150 IP). Jose Fernandez (2013) and Hideo Nomo (1995) co-lead at .182...Ranked 7th among NL starters in 2018 with a .177 average against (40-226) the first time through a lineup...Ranked 6th in the NL in Hits/ 9 IP (6.44), which also tied Fred Beebe (1906) for lowest all-time among rookies in franchise history (min. 150 IP)...Threw his curveball 11.2 % (289 of 2,587) of the time and allowed only 8 singles and no extra-base hits (.178 slugging). Opponents hit just .181 (34-188) against his slider ( Statcast)...14.0% of his pitches were put into play, 6th-lowest in NL single-season history and lowest by a Cardinal (min. 150 IP)...30.1% of opposing swings were put in play, 2nd-lowest in the NL in 2018 (Max Scherzer 27.5), 8th-lowest NL single season history and lowest by a Cardinal (min. 150 IP)...His 31.5% swing-and-miss percentage was T3rd-highest in the NL, highest by a Cardinal in single-season history (min. 150 IP)...Yielded team-leading 20 home runs (1.19 HR/9 IP), accounting for 28 of his total 59 (47.5%) runs allowed. Surrendered at least one homer in 18 starts (T7th in NL)...Sported the 5th-lowest ERA of NL pitchers to allow 20 or more homers, behind Max Scherzer (2.53, 23 HR), Jameson Taillon (3.20, 20), Zack Greinke (3.21, 28), and Jon Lester (3.32, 24)...Ranked T4th among NL pitchers with 11 hit batsmen, including four Cubs...Received team-low 4.41 run support average, 13th-lowest in the NL. Received one run or fewer of support in 11 starts & 2 runs or fewer in 18 starts...He was 7-0 (STL 8-2) in games which he received 3 or more runs of support...Was one of nine NL pitchers to not allow a hit with the bases loaded (min. 9 batters faced). His 6 strikeouts with the bases loaded ranked T8th in NL...Recalled (3/28) when Adam Wainwright was placed on the 10-day DL and made his 2018 season debut at Milwaukee (4/3), striking out a-then MLB career-high nine Brewers in a 5-4 loss at Miller Park...Earned his first career Major League win with a 13-strikeout masterpiece, leading St. Louis to a 5-1 victory over the Phillies (5/20) at Busch. Established single-game career highs in innings (7.2), strikeouts and pitches (120)...Retired the first 10 batters and 12 of the final 13; his lone blemish was a first-pitch solo home run to Rhys Hoskins in the 4th inning...Became the 8th Cardinal to post 10 or more strikeouts in one of his first nine MLB starts and the most recent since Luke Weaver (8/31/2016 at MIL)...Fanned 13 batters on two occasions (5/20 vs. PHI & 6/22 at MIL), most by a Cardinal in 2018 and tying a Cardinals rookie record shared with Shelby Miller (5/10/13 vs. COL), Dick Hughes (5/30/67 at CIN) and Scipio Spinks (6/25/72 at NYM)...His 13 strikeouts in one of his first 10 career MLB games surpassed the previous Cardinals record of 11 by Alan Benes (1996) and Harvey Haddix (1952)...Joined Milwaukee's Freddy Peralta (5/13/18 vs. COL, 13) as the second MLB pitcher to strike out at least 13 batters while recording his first career MLB win in 2018...Joined Ernie Broglio (7/15/60 vs. CHI), Bob Gibson (6/17/70 at SD), Todd Stottlemyre (5/11/98 vs. MIL), Shelby Miller (5/10/13 vs. COL) and Jaime Garcia (4/14/16 vs. MIL) as the 6th Cardinal in franchise history to allow 2 or fewer hits, 2 or fewer walks, and strike out 13 or more batters in a start...Is one of just six pitchers in MLB history to have two or more 13+ strikeout performances in their first 17 career games: Kerry Wood (4-1998), Hideo Nomo (4-1995), Don Wilson (2-1967), Bob Turley (1953-54) & Bob Feller (2-1936)...Was the first MLB pitcher to throw 120 or more pitches in one of his first 10 MLB games since Odrisamer Despaigne vs. NYM (123, 7/20/2014) and the youngest Cardinals pitcher to do so since Bud Smith's (21.315) no-hitter at San Diego on 9/3/01 (134 pitches)...Finished June ranked T5th in the NL in strikeouts (37) and 6th in opponent BA (.194)...Carried a no-hitter for 6.1 innings at Milwaukee (6/22), before allowing a Jesus Aguilar solo HR. Matched his own Cardinals rookie single-game record with 13 strikeouts...Hurled 5.0 scoreless frames in a no-decision to lead St. Louis to a 5-0 shutout win over the Cubs on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball on Father's Day (6/17) at Busch. Became the 3rd Cardinals starting pitcher 22 years or younger to throw at least 5.0 shutout innings in a start against the Cubs since 1963, joining Andy Rincon (9.0 IP, 4/21/1981) and Shelby Miller (5.0, IP, 6/17/13)...His 38 strikeouts in July ranked 2nd in the NL and was the 2nd-highest total by a Cardinals rookie in the month of July, behind only Dizzy Dean (54 in 1932)...Was 4-0 with a 1.13 ERA in five August starts, ranking T3rd in the NL in ERA leading the league with .136 opponent batting average. Became the 5th rookie starter in the last 30 seasons with four or more wins and an ERA below 1.20 in a calendar month (Elias)...Southern California native held the Dodgers hitless over his first 5.1 innings (8/22) before allowing Joc Pederson solo HR in the 6th inning, his lone hit allowed. Struck out 10, taking no-decision in a 3-1 Cardinals loss at Dodger Stadium. It marked his seventh-straight start with 7 or more strikeouts; first Cardinal to do so since Chris Carpenter (7 straight, June 8-July 17, 2005)...Took the loss after holding the Dodgers to one run (Yasiel Puig solo HR) while striking out eight in a 3-0 defeat opposite Walker Buehler at Busch Stadium on 9/14. Was his first lost since July 31 vs. COL (spanning 7 starts). Passed Dick Hughes (161, 6th) and Harvey Haddix (163, 5th) among Cardinals rookie strikeout leaders during that game...St. Louis lost his final six starts (9/3-present) to end the season...Made five starts over two stints for Memphis (AAA), going 4-1 with a 2.27 ERA (31.2 IP) and 41 strikeouts (11.7 SO/9 IP)...At the time of his final recall (5/15), ranked among the Pacific Coast League leaders in wins (4, T2nd), ERA (2.27, 2nd), strikeouts (41, T6th) and WHIP (0.92, 3rd)...Was one of three Redbirds pitchers in the Top 6 in the PCL in strikeouts, joining Austin Gomber (44, T2nd) and Daniel Ponce de Leon (44, T2nd).
2017
Named the Cardinals 2017 Minor League Pitcher of the Year and appeared in six games (five starts) for St. Louis during his Major League debut season...Became the 11th different Cardinal to make his MLB debut in 2017 and the 7th different Cardinals pitcher to make a start behind the original starting five, following Marco Gon-zales and Luke Weaver...As a starter in five outings, went 0-2 with a 6.64 ERA (20.1 IP/15 ER), 20 strikeouts and 10 walks (St. Louis was 3-2)...Also made one scoreless relief appearance on 9/25 vs. CHI (1.0 IP)...Had contract purchased (9/1) and made his Major League debut that night in St. Louis' 11-6 comeback win at SF. Allowed 5 runs on 8 hits and struck out 6 over 4.0 innings in no-decision...Became the first Cardinal to draw a starting assignment in his MLB debut since Luke Weaver (8/13/16 at CHI)...Was 4th Cardinals pitcher to make his MLB debut during the season and was the first Cards pitcher since Kurt Kepshire (1984) to debut as a starter at SF...Was the 15th youngest Cardinal to make his MLB debut in a start at 21 years and 321 days old and the youngest since Rick Ankiel (20 years-35 days) at Montreal on 8/23/99...Michael Wacha was the next oldest (16th on St. Louis' list) at 21.333 when he made his MLB debut start on May 30, 2013 vs. Kansas City...Was also the youngest pitcher to make a start in his MLB debut since the Dodgers' Julio Urias (19.289) vs. Mets on 5/27/16...Was the 7th Cardinal in club history to make MLB debut in a start vs. SF & first since Lance Lynn (6/2/11 at STL)...Fanned his first Major League batter faced (Denard Span, swinging) on 9/1... Made a combined 25 starts between Memphis (AAA) and Springfield (AA), leading Cardinals minor league pitchers in ERA (2.18) & strikeouts (147), co-leading in wins (14), and ranking 3rd in innings pitched (148.2) and T4th in starts (25)...The last Cards pitcher to lead the minor league organization in all three categories at the end of the minor league season was Rick Ankiel in 1999 (13-3, 2.35 ERA, 194 K); 13 wins co-led with Larry Luebbers...His 14 wins were T7th-most among all minor league pitch-ers, while his 2.18 ERA was the 12th-lowest... Pitched at least 6.0 innings in 16 of 25 combined minor league starts (all quality)...Walked a combined 35 batters to 147 strikeouts, while holding opponents to a .221 average against...Recognized as a Texas League Mid-Season and Post-Sea-son All-Star with Springfield... Was Springfield's Opening Day starter: W, 6.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K...Named the Texas League Player and Cardinals Minor League Pitcher of the Month for April (4-0, 5 GS, 0.56 ERA, 32.1 IP, 22 H, 2 R, 4 BB, 29 K) Ranked 2nd in ERA among all minor league pitchers (30.0 or more IP)...Recognized as Texas League Pitcher of the Week for the April 17-23 period...tossed 13.2 scoreless innings with eight hits and two walks while striking out 14 over two starts...Matched career high of 12 strikeouts on 5/5 vs. Northwest Arkansas (7.0 IP, 2 H, R, ER, BB, 12 K)...Represented St. Louis on the U.S. Team in the 2017 Sirius/ XM MLB All-Star Futures Game (7/9) in Miami. Allowed two runs with one strikeout in the 6th inning...Promoted to Memphis on 6/1, where at the time, ranked among Texas League leaders in wins (1st), WHIP (0.92, 1st), ERA (2nd), strikeouts (2nd), innnings pitched (3rd), and Opp. AVG (.204, 4th)...Over 10-start stretch (7/4-8/26) with Memphis, was 6-1 with a 2.01 ERA (58.1 IP/13 ER) and 54 strikeouts...yielded 2 runs or fewer in nine outings, while six of those were shutout or one-run starts...Named Pacific Coast League August Player of the Month in a vote by league managers. In five August starts, was 4-1 with a 1.97 ERA (7 ER/32.0 IP), 29 strikeouts and only seven walks...Was one of six pitchers (five starters) to be selected to Baseball America's 2017 Minor League All-Star First Team...Rated as the Pacific Coast League's No. 8 prospect and the Texas League's No. 4 prospect by Baseball America following the season.
