Tyler Eppler

Tyler Eppler
Epler with the Rochester Red Wings in 2021
Wei Chuan Dragons – No. 35
Pitcher
Born: (1993-01-05) January 5, 1993 (age 32)
Navasota, Texas, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Professional debut
NPB: May 4, 2019, for the Orix Buffaloes
KBO: April 5, 2022, for the Kiwoom Heroes
CPBL: April 3, 2023, for the Fubon Guardians
NPB statistics
(through 2019 season)
Win–loss record4–4
Earned run average4.02
Strikeouts25
KBO statistics
(through 2022 season)
Win–loss record6-8
Earned run average4.30
Strikeouts86
CPBL statistics
(through 2024 season)
Win–loss record13-12
Earned run average2.79
Strikeouts148
Teams

Tyler Austin Eppler (born January 5, 1993) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Wei Chuan Dragons of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL). He has previously played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Orix Buffaloes, the KBO League for the Kiwoom Heroes, and the CPBL for the Fubon Guardians.

Career

Pittsburgh Pirates

Eppler attended Navasota High School in Navasota, Texas, and played college baseball at Texarkana College and Sam Houston State University.[1] The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Eppler in the sixth round of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft.[2] He signed with the Pirates on June 11, 2014, for a signing bonus worth $200,000.[3]

Eppler made his professional debut with the Jamestown Jammers,[4] pitching in 14 games, posting a 2.49 ERA. He played 2015 with the Bradenton Marauders and Altoona Curve, going 6–2 with a 3.14 ERA in 15 games. After the season he played in the Arizona Fall League. He spent 2016 with Altoona, pitching to a 9–1 record and 3.99 ERA in a career high 162.1 innings pitched. He spent 2017 with the Indianapolis Indians,[5] posting an 8–9 record with a 4.89 ERA.[6] Eppler returned to the Indians in 2018, going 13–6 with a 3.59 ERA in 28 games (25 starts).[7]

Orix Buffaloes

Eppler pitching for Orix in 2019.

On January 15, 2019, the Orix Buffaloes purchased Eppler's contract from the Pirates.[8] In 24 games for Orix, he recorded a 4–4 record and 4.02 ERA with 25 strikeouts across 31+1⁄3 innings pitched. On December 2, Eppler became a free agent.[9]

Washington Nationals

On January 9, 2020, Eppler signed a minor league deal with the Washington Nationals. Eppler did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[10] In 2021, Eppler appeared in 19 games for the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings, posting a 7.75 ERA with 48 strikeouts. On August 24, 2021, Eppler was released by the Nationals.

Kiwoom Heroes

On December 17, 2021, Eppler signed a one-year, $400,000 deal with the Kiwoom Heroes of the KBO League.[11] He became a free agent after the 2022 season.

Fubon Guardians

On January 5, 2023, Eppler signed with the Fubon Guardians of the Chinese Professional Baseball League.[12] Eppler made 9 starts for Fubon, posting a 3–1 record and 2.89 ERA with 30 strikeouts in 56.0 innings pitched. On June 21, he was released by the Guardians. The release was made after Eppler decided to terminate the contract early for personal reasons.[13]

Sultanes de Monterrey

On June 30, 2023, Eppler signed with the Sultanes de Monterrey of the Mexican League.[14] In 7 starts for Monterrey, Eppler registered a 4–1 record and 4.23 ERA with 27 strikeouts across 38+1⁄3 innings pitched.

Wei Chuan Dragons

On February 6, 2024, Eppler signed with the Wei Chuan Dragons of the Chinese Professional Baseball League.[15]

Personal life

His younger brother, Shelton, plays quarterback for the Vienna Vikings of the European League of Football.

References

  1. ^ "A lot of teams probably wish they had SHSU's Eppler | Aggie Sports". theeagle.com. May 31, 2014. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
  2. ^ McDonald, Scott (June 11, 2014). "Eppler drafted by Pittsburgh Pirates – The Navasota Examiner: Sports". The Navasota Examiner. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
  3. ^ "Sixth Round Pick Tyler Eppler Signs With Pirates – Pirates Prospects". www.piratesprospects.com.
  4. ^ "SHSU's Eppler agrees to terms with Pirates, heads to Class A ball | Aggie Sports". theeagle.com. June 12, 2014. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
  5. ^ Rob Biertempfel (February 26, 2017). "Pirates pitcher Eppler hopes new pitch helps him become more effective, reach majors". TribLIVE. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
  6. ^ "Tyler Eppler Stats, Highlights, Bio – MiLB.com Stats – The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". Retrieved November 19, 2017.
  7. ^ "Tyler Eppler Stats, Highlights, Bio – MiLB.com Stats – The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  8. ^ "オリックス、エップラーを獲得 3Aの長身右腕投手" (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2019-01-16. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
  9. ^ "2019年度 自由契約選手". NPB.jp 日本野球機構 (in Japanese). Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  10. ^ "2020 Minor League Season Canceled". mlbtraderumors.com.
  11. ^ "Heroes sign new pitcher; Lions, Landers bring back foreign players". English.yonhapnews.co.kr. December 17, 2021. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  12. ^ Yen, William (January 6, 2023). "Fubon Guardians sign American pitcher Tyler Eppler". Central News Agency. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
  13. ^ "Fubon Guardians Release Tyler Eppler". cpblstats.com. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  14. ^ "TYLER EPPLER SERÁ ACTIVADO POR SULTANES". sultanes.com.mx (in Spanish). Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  15. ^ "Wei Chuan Dragons Sign Tyler Eppler for 2024 CPBL season". cpblstats.com. Retrieved February 6, 2024.