Blake Townsend
| Blake Townsend | |
|---|---|
| Texas Rangers | |
| Relief pitcher | |
| Born: 5 April 2001 Traralgon, Victoria, Australia | |
Bats: Left Throws: Left | |
| Stats at Baseball Reference |
Blake Andrew Townsend (born 5 April 2001) is an Australian professional baseball pitcher in the Texas Rangers organization.
Career
[edit]Seattle Mariners
[edit]Townsend signed with the Seattle Mariners as an international free agent on 19 June 2018.[1] He made his professional debut in 2019 with the rookie-level Arizona League Mariners. Townsend did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[2]
Townsend returned to action in 2021 with the rookie-level Arizona Complex League Mariners and High-A Everett AquaSox, posting an 0-1 record and 4.11 ERA with 26 strikeouts over five games (three starts).[3] He split the 2022 campaign between the ACL Mariners, the Single-A Modesto Nuts, Everett, and the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers. In 20 appearances for the four affiliates, Townsend accumulated a 2-2 record and 4.60 ERA with 37 strikeouts across 29+1⁄3 innings pitched.[4]
In 2023, Townsend made 35 appearances out of the bullpen for Modesto, registering a 4-3 record and 3.38 ERA with 55 strikeouts and one save across 48 innings of work.[5] He began the 2024 season with Everett, recording a 2.45 ERA with 30 strikeouts in 28 appearances. Townsend was released by the Mariners organization on 5 August 2024.[6]
Pittsburgh Pirates
[edit]On 21 August 2024, Townsend signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.[7] He made five appearances down the stretch for the Double-A Altoona Curve, posting a 1-0 record and 2.00 ERA with six strikeouts over nine innings of work. Townsend elected free agency following the season on 4 November.[8]
On 12 February 2025, Townsend re-signed with the Pirates organization on a new minor league contract. He made 34 appearances (12 starts) split between the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians, Altoona, and the High-A Greensboro Grasshoppers, accumulating an 8-4 record and 1.76 ERA with 81 strikeouts and one save over 92 innings of work. Townsend elected free agency following the season on 6 November.[9]
Texas Rangers
[edit]On 23 January 2026, Townsend signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers.[10]
International career
[edit]Townsend represented the Australia national baseball team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic,[11] pitching in Australia's game against Japan.[12]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Mariners sign a pair of young left-handed pitchers from Pacific Rim countries". The Seattle Times. 19 June 2018.
- ↑ "2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled". mlb.com. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ↑ "Blake Townsend Stats & Scouting Report". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ↑ "Blake Townsend - Stats - Pitching". fangraphs.com. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ↑ "Blake Townsend - Baseball Statistics". thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ↑ "Blake Townsend Player Card". baseballprospectus.com. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ↑ "Team Australia left-handed pitcher Blake Townsend signs with Pittsburgh Pirates". baseball.com.au.
- ↑ "Minor League Free Agents 2024". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ↑ "Minor League Free Agents 2025". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
- ↑ https://www.milb.com/transactions/2026-01-23
- ↑ "Pitcher's rise to baseball's world stage hails from country town where cricket, footy reign". ABC News. 13 May 2023 – via www.abc.net.au.
- ↑ "Ohtani's mammoth three run homer highlights Japanese win over Australia". baseball.com.au.
External links
[edit]- Career statistics from MLB · Baseball Reference (Minors)
- 2001 births
- Living people
- Adelaide Giants players
- Altoona Curve players
- Arizona Complex League Mariners players
- Arizona League Mariners players
- Australian expatriate baseball players in the United States
- Everett AquaSox players
- Greensboro Grasshoppers players
- Indianapolis Indians players
- Melbourne Aces players
- Modesto Nuts players
- Tacoma Rainiers players
- 2023 World Baseball Classic players
- 2024 WBSC Premier12 players
- 2026 World Baseball Classic players
- World Baseball Classic players of Australia