Tyler Payne

Tyler Payne
Payne with the Iowa Cubs in 2022
Free agent
Catcher
Born: (1992-10-25) October 25, 1992 (age 32)
Hurricane, West Virginia, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
October 3, 2021, for the Chicago Cubs
MLB statistics
(through 2021 season)
Batting average.000
Home runs0
Runs batted in0
Teams

Anthony Tyler Payne (born October 25, 1992) is an American professional baseball catcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago Cubs.

Career

Chicago Cubs

Payne graduated from Hurricane High School in Hurricane, West Virginia, and attended West Virginia State University, where he played college baseball for the West Virginia State Yellow Jackets. The Cubs selected Payne in the 30th round, with the 893rd overall selection, of the 2015 Major League Baseball draft.[1]

Payne did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[2] Payne spent the majority of the 2021 season with the Double-A Tennessee Smokies, also appearing in 1 game for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, hitting a cumulative .231/.291/.363 with 4 home runs and 30 RBI in 60 games. On October 3, 2021, Payne was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[3] He made his major league debut that day as a pinch hitter.[4] He was designated for assignment by the team on October 18.[5] On November 16, Payne re-signed with the Cubs on a minor league contract for the 2022 season.[6]

In 2022, Payne played in 48 games for Triple–A Iowa, hitting .298/.335/.397 with one home run and 15 RBI.[7] He elected free agency following the season on November 10, 2022.[8]

Los Angeles Angels

On May 25, 2023, Payne signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels organization.[9] In 44 games for the Double–A Rocket City Trash Pandas, he batted .313/.369/.472 with 4 home runs and 26 RBI.[10]

On October 13, 2023, Payne re–signed with the Angels on a new minor league contract for the 2024 season.[11] He became a free agent after the 2024 season.[12]

References

  1. ^ "Hurricane's Dawson drafted by Detroit, will still attend LSU". WV MetroNews. June 11, 2015. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  2. ^ "2020 Minor League Season Canceled". mlbtraderumors.com. June 30, 2020.
  3. ^ Stephens, Tim (September 30, 2021). "Cubs call up former Hurricane star Tyler Payne". Charleston Gazette-Mail. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  4. ^ "Cubs' roller-coaster season ends with MLB history in finale". October 4, 2021.
  5. ^ @MLBastian (October 18, 2021). "There were some procedural moves for Cubs today: • Bote, Martini, Romine, Wieck reinstated from IL • Castillo, Payne DFA'd • Fargas, Biagini, Ladendorf returned to Triple-A" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  6. ^ "Cubs' Tyler Payne: Back with Cubs on MiLB deal". November 16, 2021.
  7. ^ "Tyler Payne - Stats - Batting". fangraphs.com. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  8. ^ "2022-23 Minor League Free Agents For All 30 MLB Teams". baseballamerica.com. November 13, 2022. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  9. ^ "Angels' Tyler Payne: Joins Angels". cbssports.com. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  10. ^ "Minor MLB Transactions: 10/13/23". mlbtraderumors.com. October 13, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  11. ^ "Angels Offseason News: Halos Bring Back Catcher on Minor League Deal". yardbarker.com. October 14, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  12. ^ Eddy, Matt (November 6, 2024). "Minor League Free Agents 2024". Baseball America. Retrieved November 6, 2024.