Mike Clevinger


Michael Anthony Clevinger is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball.

Early life and career

Clevinger was born on December 21, 1990, in Jacksonville, Florida. He graduated from Wolfson High School in Jacksonville, Florida. He played college baseball at The Citadel before transferring to Seminole Community College after his freshman season. After the 2011 season, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League.

Los Angeles Angels

Clevinger was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the fourth round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft. He spent 2011 with the rookie-level Orem Owlz, then was promoted to the Cedar Rapids Kernels the following year, pitching in eight games. He had elbow reconstruction surgery, and as a result only pitched in three total games in 2013.

Cleveland Indians

After pitching for two separate minor league organizations for the Angels in 2014, on August 7 he was traded to the Cleveland Indians for Vinnie Pestano. Clevinger spent 2015 with the Double-A Akron RubberDucks, going 9-8 with a 2.73 earned run average. The Indians added him to their 40-man roster after the season.
Clevinger was called up by the Indians on May 18, 2016, and made his major league debut that evening. He returned to the minor leagues after three starts, spending the next three months with the Columbus Clippers. Clevinger finished his time with Columbus with 11 wins, a loss, and a 3.00 ERA. He was called back up again on August 4, 2016, to start against the Minnesota Twins. He finished the season appearing in 17 games, 10 of them starts, going 3-3 in 53 innings. After injuries to a few starters in 2017, Clevinger stepped into the rotation and proved to be an asset for the Indians going forward. He finished with a 12-6 record in 27 games, 21 starts. He struck out 137 batters in innings.
Clevinger's pitching repertoire includes a fastball he can throw as hard as 99 miles per hour, a curveball, a slider, and a changeup.

Personal life

Clevinger has two daughters. His first daughter, Penelope Grace, was born on May 2, 2016. His second daughter, Piper Lotus, was born on March 20, 2017.
Clevinger's nickname is "Sunshine," one he received after teammates likened him to Ronnie "Sunshine" Bass from the film Remember the Titans.