Michael David Minor, known as Mike Minor, is a former professional baseball pitcher whose career spanned over a decade in Major League Baseball (MLB). Born on December 26, 1987, in Chapel Hill, Tennessee, Minor attended Vanderbilt University, where he honed his skills as a pitcher before entering the MLB draft.
In 2009, the Atlanta Braves selected Minor with the seventh overall pick in the first round of the MLB Draft. He quickly rose through the minor league ranks, making his MLB debut with the Braves on August 9, 2010. During his rookie season, Minor showed promise with his pitching abilities, finishing the year with a 3-2 record and a 5.98 ERA over nine starts.
Minor's tenure with the Braves saw him develop into a reliable starting pitcher. In 2012, he secured a spot in the Braves' starting rotation, posting an 11-10 record with a 4.12 ERA. The following year, Minor had a breakout season, achieving a 13-9 record and a 3.21 ERA, helping the Braves clinch the National League East division title. His performance in 2013 was marked by career highs in innings pitched and strikeouts, establishing him as a dependable arm in the Braves' rotation.
However, Minor's career faced challenges in the subsequent years. In 2014, he struggled with shoulder issues, which affected his performance on the mound. Despite these setbacks, he managed to make 25 starts, ending the season with a 6-12 record and a 4.77 ERA. The shoulder problems persisted, leading to Minor missing the entire 2015 season after undergoing surgery.
In 2016, Minor signed a two-year contract with the Kansas City Royals, although he spent the entire season in rehabilitation. He returned to the majors in 2017, transitioning to a relief role with the Royals. This change proved beneficial, as Minor excelled as a reliever, posting a 2.55 ERA over 65 appearances and earning six saves.
Minor's success in the bullpen caught the attention of the Texas Rangers, who signed him to a three-year contract in December 2017. The Rangers moved him back to a starting role, where he continued to thrive. In 2018, Minor recorded a 12-8 record with a 4.18 ERA, solidifying his place in the Rangers' rotation. The following year, he delivered one of the best seasons of his career, achieving a 14-10 record with a 3.59 ERA and earning his first All-Star selection. Minor also reached a personal milestone in 2019, surpassing 200 innings pitched and 200 strikeouts for the first time.
The 2020 season, shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, saw Minor traded to the Oakland Athletics, where he made a handful of starts before entering free agency. In 2021, Minor returned to the Royals on a two-year deal, aiming to provide veteran leadership and stability to their pitching staff. He concluded the season with an 8-12 record and a 5.05 ERA over 28 starts.
⚾