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Ben Casparius

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Ben Casparius
Los Angeles Dodgers – No. 78
Pitcher
Born:(1999-02-11)February 11, 1999(age 25)
Westport, Connecticut,U.S.
Bats:Right
Throws:Right
MLB debut
August 31, 2024, for the Los Angeles Dodgers
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Win–loss record2–0
Earned run average2.16
Strikeouts12
Teams

Benjamin Keith Casparius(born February 11, 1999) is an Americanprofessional baseballpitcherfor theLos Angeles DodgersofMajor League Baseball(MLB).

Career

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Amateur career

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Casparius attendedStaples High SchoolinWestport, Connecticut,where he set the state's all-time hits record and led them to a state title in 2017 while being awarded as the Connecticut Gatorade Player of the Year.[1]He playedcollege baseballatUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hillfor two years, where he was a two-way player. As a freshman he had a 1.69 ERA in 10 pitching appearances while collecting 18 hits and 15 RBI and helpingthemto a berth in theCollege World Series.[2]Thefollowing season,he struggled a bit at the plate so the Tar Heels asked him to concentrate on pitching where he had a 4.41 ERA in 12 outings.[3]After the season, he playedcollegiate summer baseballin both theCape Cod Leaguewith theFalmouth Commodores,[4]and in theNew England Collegiate Baseball League.[5]

He transferred to theUniversity of Connecticut Huskiesin 2020, but was denied a waiver and had to sit out his junior season, which wound up being cancelled anyway by theCOVID-19 pandemic.[1]He played instead in theFutures Collegiate Baseball Leaguefor theNew Britain Bees[5]and hoped to be selected in the2020 MLB draftbut because of its shortened length he was not chosen and opted to play for theHuskiesin 2021.[1][6]In 15 starts he was 8–5 with a 4.03 ERA.[5]

Los Angeles Dodgers

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Casparius was selected by theLos Angeles Dodgersin the fifth round of the2021 Major League Baseball draft,[7]and signed for a $247,500 bonus on July 26.[8]

Casparius spent his first professional season with theArizona Complex League DodgersandRancho Cucamonga Quakes,pitching in five games and allowing two earned runs in six innings.[5]He pitched 2022 with Rancho Cucamonga and theGreat Lakes Loons,pitching89+2⁄3innings in 27 games (16 starts) for a 6.42 ERA.[5]The following season, with Great Lakes and theTulsa Drillershe made 26 appearances (21 starts) and was 6–7 with a 5.27 ERA.[5][9]After the 2023 season, Casparius pitched in theArizona Fall Leaguefor theGlendale Desert Dogs.[10]He started 2024 with Tulsa, making five starts with a 3.32 ERA[5]before being promoted to the Triple-AOklahoma City Baseball Club.[11]In 16 games (14 starts) at AAA, he was 4–3 with a 3.36 ERA.[5]

Casparius was promoted to the major leagues for the first time on August 18, 2024,[12]but was optioned back to Oklahoma City on August 21, without appearing in a major league game.[13]Casparius was promoted to the major leagues for a second time on August 31[14]and made his debut that day in relief against theArizona Diamondbacks,working a scoreless inning of relief to pick up his first career win.[15]His first strikeout was ofNolan Jonesof theColorado Rockieson September 22.[16]He pitched a total of8+1⁄3innings in three games, with two wins, nine hits and two runs allowed with 12 strikeouts.[17]

References

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  1. ^abcBorges, David (April 29, 2021)."UConn ace, Westport native Ben Casparius sees MLB draft prospects rise as strikeout numbers soar".The Hour.RetrievedAugust 18,2024.
  2. ^"Ben Casparius bio".North Carolina Tar Heels.RetrievedAugust 18,2024.
  3. ^Borges, David (August 20, 2019)."Westport's Ben Casparius returns" home "after transferring from North Carolina to UConn".Middletown Press.RetrievedAugust 18,2024.
  4. ^"Ben Casparius - Profile".pointstreak.RetrievedSeptember 10,2024.
  5. ^abcdefgh"Ben Casparius College, Amateur and Minor League Statistics".Baseball Reference.RetrievedAugust 18,2024.
  6. ^Borges, David (June 24, 2020)."Formers Staples baseball star Ben Casparius of Westport will play at UConn for his senior season".New Haven Register.RetrievedAugust 18,2024.
  7. ^Aldam, Will (July 12, 2021)."UConn battery mates Casparius, Winkel picked on Day 2 of MLB draft".CT Insider.RetrievedAugust 18,2024.
  8. ^Stephen, Eric (August 4, 2021)."Dodgers 2021 MLB Draft tracker".SB Nation.RetrievedAugust 18,2024.
  9. ^Borges, David (July 15, 2023)."Uconn product Ben Casparius adjusting to new minor league level".CT Insider.RetrievedAugust 18,2024.
  10. ^Weinrib, Ben (November 7, 2023)."Ramos, Casparius earn Week 5 Fall League honors".MLB.RetrievedAugust 18,2024.
  11. ^Borges, David (June 1, 2024)."CT native, ex-UConn Pitcher, one step away from LA Dodgers rotation".RetrievedAugust 18,2024.
  12. ^Borges, David (August 18, 2024)."Los Angeles Dodgers call up Ben Casparius, former Staples High, UConn baseball standout".The Hour.RetrievedAugust 18,2024.
  13. ^Stephen, Eric (August 21, 2024)."Dodgers activate Blake Treinen from injured list, option Ben Casparius".SB Nation.RetrievedAugust 21,2024.
  14. ^"Dodgers Place Clayton Kershaw On Injured List Due To Bone Spur In Toe".mlbtraderumors.RetrievedAugust 31,2024.
  15. ^"Dodgers vs Diamondbacks (August 31, 2024)".ESPN.RetrievedAugust 31,2024.
  16. ^"Colorado Rockies vs Los Angeles Dodgers Box Score: September 22, 2024".Baseball Reference.RetrievedSeptember 29,2024.
  17. ^"Ben Casparius Stats".Baseball References.RetrievedSeptember 29,2024.
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