Mark Payton

Played for the University of Texas...during his junior and senior seasons at UT reached base safely in 101 consecutive games, the longest such streak in Big 12 history.

2020

In his Major League debut made eight apps for the Reds, including six starts in LF...Was one of five Reds players to make Major League debuts (OF Shogo Akiyama, RHP Tejay Antone, C Tyler Stephenson, SS Jose Garcia)...Began Summer Camp at the alternate training site...On 7/21, the Rule 5 draft selection cleared waivers and was returned to the Athletics...on 8/7 was re-acquired by the Reds for cash and was assigned to the alternate training site as part of the 60-man player pool...Joined the Reds' traveling party on 8/19 in Kansas City as part of the Taxi Squad...After four games on the Taxi Squad was added to the active 28-player roster on 8/22, when IF Josh VanMeter was optioned to the alternate training site...From 8/22-8/31 made all eight of his apps before he was optioned back to the alternate site on 9/1, the day after OF Brian Goodwin was acquired from the Angels...Had a second stint on the Taxi Squad for the final road trip of the season, a 3-game series at Min...Accompanied the team to the Wild Card Series at Atl as a member of the Postseason roster...was part of the 40-player pool but was not active for the two-game series sweep loss...With two outs in the top of the ninth inning of the 3-0 loss on 8/22 at StL, made his Major League debut as a pinch hitter and grounded out off Giovanny Gallegos...In the 6-2 loss on 8/23 at StL made his first Major League start, played LF (0-2)...In the fifth inning on 8/25 at Mil produced his first Major League hit, a double off Brandon Woodruff...Recorded all three of his hits over a four-game span from 8/25-8/29 in which he went 3-for-10 with a double.

2019

Was a non-roster invitee to the Athletics' Major League spring training camp and then for Class AAA Las Vegas produced the best season of his professional career...Was an MiLB.com Athletics Organizational All-Star...Twice was named Pacific Coast League Player of the Week (4/8-4/14, 7/8-7/14)...Ranked among the Pacific Coast League leaders in OPS (2nd, 1.053), slugging percentage (3rd), batting average (4th), RBI (8th), doubles (11th) and on-base percentage (11th)...Entered the season with 32 career HR over his first 5 professional seasons and 448 games.