Will Vest
Vest with the Mariners in 2021
Detroit Tigers – No. 19
Pitcher
Born: (1995-06-06) June 6, 1995 (age 28)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
April 1, 2021, for the Seattle Mariners
MLB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Win–loss record6–4
Earned run average4.18
Strikeouts146
Teams

William Lane Vest (born June 6, 1995) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in MLB for the Seattle Mariners.

Career

Amateur career

Vest attended Ridge Point High School in Sienna, Texas. He played for the school's baseball team as a shortstop. He enrolled at Stephen F. Austin State University, where he played college baseball for the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks. Vest became a pitcher in college.[1]

Detroit Tigers

Vest was drafted in the 12th round, 365th overall, by the Detroit Tigers in the 2017 MLB draft.[2] Vest made his professional debut with the Low-A Connecticut Tigers, posting a 3-1 record and 2.83 ERA in 21 games. He split the 2018 season between the Single-A West Michigan Whitecaps and the High-A Lakeland Flying Tigers, recording a cumulative 4-4 record and 5.18 ERA in 30 appearances. In 2019, Vest split the year between Lakeland, the Double-A Erie SeaWolves, and the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens, pitching to a 3-5 record and 3.27 ERA with 58 strikeouts in 55.0 innings of work in 37 games between the three teams.[3]

Vest did not play in a game in 2020, as the minor league season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[4]

Seattle Mariners

On December 10, 2020, the Seattle Mariners selected Vest from the Tigers in the Rule 5 draft.[5] He made the Mariners' Opening Day roster.[6] Vest made the Opening Day roster and made his major league debut in relief on Opening Day.[7] On July 12, Vest was designated for assignment by Seattle after recording a 6.17 ERA in 32 relief appearances.[8]

Detroit Tigers (second stint)

Vest cleared waivers and Seattle returned him to the Tigers on July 17, 2021.[9] The Tigers assigned Vest to Toledo.[10] Vest made the Tigers' Opening Day roster for the 2022 season.[11]

On May 13, Vest picked up his first career save in a 4-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles. He entered a bases-loaded situation with one out in the ninth inning, and struck out both batters he faced.[12] On May 20, Vest was placed on the non-injury (COVID-19) inactive list.[13] He returned to the Tigers on May 31.

The Tigers optioned Vest to Toledo to start the 2023 season.[14] On April 18, 2023, Vest was called up from Toledo to be the 27th man on the roster during a doubleheader against the Cleveland Guardians. He was sent back down to Toledo without appearing in either game.[15] Vest returned to the Tigers three days later after another pitcher ended up on the injured list.[16] On June 26, 2023, Vest had to enter the game in the first inning after starter Matthew Boyd left the game suddenly with elbow discomfort. Vest had to leave the game the following inning with right knee discomfort. He was placed on the injured list the next day along with Boyd.[17] [18]

See also

References

  1. ^ Brock, Corey. "'Electric factory': Will Vest brings intriguing arm to Mariners bullpen". The Athletic.
  2. ^ Angel Verdejo Jr. (June 14, 2017). "Local players picked on day 3 of MLB draft". Chron.com. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  3. ^ "Will Vest College, Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History".
  4. ^ "2020 Minor League Season Canceled". mlbtraderumors.com.
  5. ^ Smith, Lauren (December 10, 2020). "Mariners select pitcher Will Vest from Tigers in Rule 5 Draft". Tacoma News Tribune. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  6. ^ "Mariners waiting on health status of Kyle Lewis, Domingo Tapia before finalizing opening-day roster". The Seattle Times. March 28, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  7. ^ "Mariners rookie Will Vest able to check off one of major goals in MLB debut". The Seattle Times. April 2, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  8. ^ "Mariners Designate Will Vest For Assignment". mlbtraderumors.com.
  9. ^ "Mariners return Rule 5 Draft selection to Tigers". July 17, 2021.
  10. ^ "The Detroit News". The Detroit News. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  11. ^ Michigan (April 5, 2022). "Tigers tell 3 non-roster relievers they've made Opening Day roster". mlive.com. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  12. ^ Beck, Jason (May 14, 2022). "Vest earns first save -- and celebration ensues". mlb.com. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  13. ^ Petzold, Evan (May 20, 2022). "Detroit Tigers reliever Will Vest tests positive for COVID-19; manager A.J. Hinch sits out with non-COVID illness". freep.com. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
  14. ^ Petzold, Evan (March 24, 2023). "Detroit Tigers option Will Vest to Triple-A Toledo, send Andy Ibañez to minor-league camp". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  15. ^ "Tigers' Will Vest: Up as 27th man". CBSSports.com. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  16. ^ "Detroit Tigers' Trey Wingenter injury the latest setback; Will Vest shines in return". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  17. ^ "'Not again': Tigers pitchers Matt Boyd, Will Vest injured in 7-2 win over Rangers". The Detroit News. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  18. ^ "Detroit Tigers send reliever Will Vest to injured list, but he needs further evaluation". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved June 28, 2023.

External links

Detroit Tigers current roster
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