Ethan Roberts

This article is about the baseball player. For the guitarist, see Ethan Roberts (guitarist).

Ethan Roberts
Chicago Cubs – No. 39
Pitcher
Born: (1997-07-04) July 4, 1997 (age 27)
Sparta, Tennessee, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
April 9, 2022, for the Chicago Cubs
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Win–loss record1–2
Earned run average4.72
Strikeouts35
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams

Ethan Michael Roberts (born July 4, 1997) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2022 with the Cubs.

Amateur career

Roberts attended White County High School in Sparta, Tennessee, and played college baseball at Tennessee Technological University. As a junior at Tennessee Tech in 2018, he went 6–1 with a 2.41 ERA and 14 saves over 71 innings pitched.[1] Following the season's end, he was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the fourth round of the 2018 Major League Baseball draft.[2]

Professional career

Roberts signed with the Cubs and made his professional debut with the Eugene Emeralds, posting a 5.40 ERA over 15 innings. In 2019, he began the year with the South Bend Cubs before being promoted to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans.[3] Over 59 relief innings between the two clubs, Roberts went 4–5 with a 2.59 ERA, 13 saves, and 54 strikeouts.[4] He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[5] Roberts began the 2021 season with the Tennessee Smokies and was promoted to the Iowa Cubs in early August.[6] Over 39 relief appearances between the two clubs, Roberts went 4–2 with a 3.00 ERA and 72 strikeouts over 54 innings.[7]

On November 19, 2021, the Cubs added Roberts to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.[8] On April 4, 2022, it was announced that Roberts had made the Opening Day roster.[9] He made his MLB debut on April 9, throwing one scoreless inning of relief versus the Milwaukee Brewers.[10] In early May, he was placed on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation.[11] On June 23, it was announced he would be undergoing Tommy John surgery, ending his season.[12] He was non-tendered and became a free agent on November 17.

On December 2, 2023, Roberts re-signed with the Cubs organization on a minor league contract.[13] He made 12 scoreless appearances split between the rookie–level Arizona Complex League Cubs, Double–A Tennessee, and Triple–A Iowa, striking out 13 in 11+1⁄3 innings of work. On June 16, 2024, the Cubs selected Roberts' contract, adding him to their roster.[14]

References

  1. ^ "Cubs add eight in Day 2". 247sports.com. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  2. ^ 1 min read (June 5, 2018). "Cubs' Ethan Roberts: Popped by Cubs in fourth round". CBSSports.com. Retrieved February 19, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ Stephanie Lynn (September 24, 2019). "An Interview with Myrtle Beach Pelicans Pitcher Ethan Roberts | Cubs Den". Chicagonow.com. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  4. ^ "Previewing the 2021 South Bend Cubs". CubsHQ.com. April 15, 2021. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  5. ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball season canceled". MLB.com.
  6. ^ "UC Connections: Roberts promoted to Triple-A". Herald Citizen. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  7. ^ "The 2021 BN Cubs All-System Prospect Team". October 29, 2021.
  8. ^ Montemurro, Meghan (November 19, 2021). "Chicago Cubs add OF Nelson Velázquez and RHP Ethan Roberts to the 40-man roster, protecting them from the Rule 5 draft". Chicagotribune.com. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  9. ^ "Watch Cubs' Ethan Roberts Find Out He's Made Opening Day Roster". April 4, 2022.
  10. ^ "Cubs' Ethan Roberts: Finishes game in debut". April 10, 2022.
  11. ^ "Cubs' Ethan Roberts: Placed on 10-day IL". May 2022.
  12. ^ "Cubs reliever Roberts to undergo Tommy John surgery". June 23, 2022.
  13. ^ "Transactions". MiLB.com. December 2, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  14. ^ "Cubs Select Ethan Roberts, Designate Jose Cuas". mlbtraderumors.com. June 16, 2024. Retrieved June 16, 2024.