Tyler Alexander

Tyler John Alexander(born July 14, 1994) is an Americanprofessional baseballpitcherfor theTampa Bay RaysofMajor League Baseball(MLB). He has previously played in MLB for theDetroit Tigers.

Tyler Alexander
Alexander with the Lakeland Flying Tigers
Tampa Bay Rays – No. 14
Pitcher
Born:(1994-07-14)July 14, 1994 Chicago,Illinois,U.S.
Bats:Right Throws:Left
MLB debut
July 3, 2019, for the Detroit Tigers
MLB statistics (through May 24, 2024)
Win–loss record	13–26
Earned run average	4.60
Strikeouts	314
Teams
Detroit Tigers(2019–2023) Tampa Bay Rays(2024–present)
Career highlights and awards
MLB Records 9 consecutive strikeouts by a relief pitcher

Amateur career

Alexander attendedCarroll Senior High SchoolinSouthlake, Texas.In 2013, as a senior, he went 12–1 with a 0.66 ERA, striking out 177 batters in 94.2 innings.He was drafted by theDetroit Tigersin the 23rd round of the2013 MLB draft,but did not sign with the Tigers and instead chose to attendTexas Christian University(TCU), where he playedcollege baseball.As a freshman in 2014, he went 10–3 with a 2.36 ERA in twenty games (16 starts), and in 2015, as a sophomore, he went 6–3 with a 3.07 ERA in 17 games (15 starts). After his sophomore season, Alexander was again drafted by the Tigers, this time in the second round of the2015 MLB draft.

Professional career

Detroit Tigers

Minor leagues

Alexander signed with the Tigers and spent the 2015 season with theConnecticut Tigers,posting an 0–2 record and 0.97 ERA in 37 innings pitched. He started 2016 with theLakeland Flying Tigersand was promoted to theErie SeaWolvesduring the season. In 25 total games (24 starts) between the two teams, he pitched to an 8–8 record and 2.44 ERA with a 1.05 WHIP. He returned to Erie in 2017, posting an 8–9 record, a 5.07 ERA, and 120 strikeouts in 27 games (26 starts),and in 2018, he played for both Erie and theToledo Mud Hens,going 6–8 with a 4.44 ERA in 26 games (24 starts).

Major leagues

Alexander returned to Toledo to begin the 2019 season. On July 3, 2019, the Tigers selected Alexander's contract and promoted him to the major leagues as the 26th man of a doubleheader against theChicago White Sox.In his major league debut, he pitched five innings, allowing two runs and recording four strikeouts (including the very first batter he faced).On September 16, Alexander pitched six innings of one-run baseball against theBaltimore Orioles,earning his first major league win.

On August 2, 2020, against theCincinnati Reds,Alexander set an MLB record for a reliever by striking out nine consecutive batters. He also tied the American League and Tigers' franchise record of nine consecutive strikeouts set byDoug Fisteron September 27, 2012. He became the first pitcher with 10 or more strikeouts in a relief outing sinceRandy Johnsonset the strikeout record for a relief pitcher with 16 on July 18, 2001. (Johnson's record was accomplished on the second day of a suspended game; while he was the first pitcher to appear that day, he was officially listed as a reliever.)

With the2020 Detroit Tigers,Alexander appeared in 14 games, compiling a 2–3 record with a 3.96 ERA and 34 strikeouts in36+1⁄3innings pitched.

Alexander made the TigersOpening Dayroster out of 2021 spring training.He began the season as a long reliever and occasional "opener" (pitching the first two to three innings of a game), before being moved to an official starting role in July.On August 20, Alexander pitched a career-high seven innings and allowed only one run against theToronto Blue Jaysto record his firstquality startof the season.Overall in 2021, Alexander appeared in 41 games (15 starts), posting a 2–4 record and 3.81 ERA, while striking out 87 batters in106+1⁄3innings.

Alexander made the Tigers'Opening Dayroster out of 2022 spring training. He suffered a left elbow sprain and was placed on Detroit's 15-day IL on May 2, retroactive to April 30. He was recalled to the Tigers on June 14.On September 19, Alexander took a no-hitter into the seventh inning against theBaltimore Oriolesbefore surrendering a leadoff single toRyan Mountcastle.Alexander ended up throwing seven shutout innings as he and the Tigers won 11–0.On November 18, Alexander signed a one-year, $1.875 million contract with the Tigers, avoiding arbitration.

Alexander began the 2023 season mainly pitching out of Detroit'sbullpen.He made 25 appearances, recording a 4.50 ERA with 44 strikeouts in 44.0 innings of work before he was placed on the 60-day injured list with alatstrain on July 4, 2023.Following the season on November 6, Alexander wasdesignated for assignmentby the Tigers.

Tampa Bay Rays

On November 10, 2023, Alexander was claimed off waivers by theTampa Bay Rays.On May 17, 2024, he threw 7 1/3perfectinnings vs. theBlue Jaysbefore giving up a single, a home run, and another single and being pulled. This was the 2nd longest perfect game bid in Rays history, behind the duo ofRyne StanekandRyan Yarbroughin 2019 andDrew Rasmussenin 2022, both 8 innings vs theOrioles.

Pitch selection

Alexander throws a combination of four-seam and two-seamfastballs.The four-seam fastball averages 91 MPH (topping out at 94 MPH). He initially threw his two-seam fastball as asinkerat 90 to 91 MPH, but opponents were hitting it for an average over.360.In 2021, Alexander began throwing his two-seamer as acutterat an average of 87 MPH (topping out at 90 MPH). This pitch has been much more effective, with opponents hitting it at only a.222 clip that season.Alexander's main offspeed pitches are achangeupat about 84 MPH and aslideraveraging 85 MPH.

External links

• Career statistics and player information fromMLB,orESPN,orBaseball Reference,orFangraphs,orBaseball Reference (Minors),orRetrosheet
• TCU Horned Frogs bio