Andrew Saalfrank

American baseball player (born 1997)

Baseball player

Andrew Saalfrank
Arizona Diamondbacks – No. 27
Pitcher
Born: (1997-08-18) August 18, 1997 (age 26) Fort Wayne, Indiana, U.S.
Bats: Left Throws: Left
MLB debut
September 5, 2023, for the Arizona Diamondbacks
MLB statistics (through 2023 season)
Win–loss record	0–0
Earned run average	0.00
Strikeouts	6

Teams
Arizona Diamondbacks (2023–present)

Andrew Jacob Saalfrank (born August 18, 1997) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2023.

Amateur career

A native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Saalfrank played college baseball for Indiana University. In 2018, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Bourne Braves of the Cape Cod Baseball League.^[1]

Professional career

Saalfrank was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 6th round, with the 182nd overall selection, of the 2019 Major League Baseball draft.^[2] Saalfrank made his professional debut with the rookie–level Arizona League Diamondbacks and was promoted to the Low–A Hillsboro Hops following that appearance. In 7 games (5 starts) for Hillsboro, he recorded a 3.86 ERA with 21 strikeouts in 11+2⁄3 innings pitched.^[3]

Saalfrank underwent Tommy John surgery prior to the 2021 season and missed the entire year as a result.^[4] He returned to action in 2022, splitting the season between High–A Hillsboro and the Double–A Amarillo Sod Poodles. In 38 total relief appearances, he registered a 3.52 ERA with 70 strikeouts in 53+2⁄3 innings pitched.^[5]

In 2023, Saalfrank split time between Amarillo and the Triple–A Reno Aces. In 44 combined appearances, he logged an 8–2 record and 2.53 ERA with 93 strikeouts and 2 saves in 64.0 innings of work.^[6] On September 4, 2023, Saalfrank was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.^[7] In 10 appearances during his rookie campaign, he did not cede an earned run, striking out six in 10+1⁄3 innings.

Saalfrank was optioned to Triple–A Reno to begin the 2024 season.^[8]

References

^ "Andrew Saalfrank". pointstreak.com. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
^ "Diamondbacks call up Andrew Saalfrank, option Slade Cecconi". ESPN.com. September 4, 2023. Retrieved September 5, 2023 – via Reuters.
^ "Andrew Saalfrank Stats & Scouting Report". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
^ "Saalfrank continues to climb ladder of pro baseball". wzbd.com. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
^ "Andrew Saalfrank - Stats - Pitching". fangraphs.com. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
^ "Diamondbacks' Andrew Saalfrank: Added to roster". cbssports.com. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
^ "Diamondbacks Select Andrew Saalfrank". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
^ "Diamondbacks release Elvis Andrus; Andrew Saalfrank, Pavin Smith optioned to Triple-A Reno". arizonasports.com. Retrieved March 22, 2024.