Marcus Stroman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Marcus Stroman |
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Stroman with the Blue Jays in 2016
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| New York Yankees – No. 0 | ||||||||||||||
| Pitcher | ||||||||||||||
| Born: May 1, 1991 Medford, New York, U.S. |
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| debut | ||||||||||||||
| May 4, 2014, for the Toronto Blue Jays | ||||||||||||||
| MLB statistics (through 2024 season) |
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| Win–loss record | 87–85 | |||||||||||||
| Earned run average | 3.72 | |||||||||||||
| Strikeouts | 1,204 | |||||||||||||
| Teams | ||||||||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | ||||||||||||||
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Medals
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Marcus Earl Stroman (born May 1, 1991) is an American professional baseball pitcher. He plays for the New York Yankees in Major League Baseball (MLB). He has also played for the Toronto Blue Jays, New York Mets, and Chicago Cubs.
Stroman is known for being a shorter pitcher, standing at 5 feet 7 inches tall. He is one of only a few pitchers under 5 feet 10 inches to start a game in MLB in the 21st century.
He went to Duke University and played college baseball for the Duke Blue Devils. The Blue Jays picked him in the first round of the 2012 MLB draft. Marcus made his MLB debut in 2014.
In 2017, he won a Gold Glove Award for his excellent fielding. He was also chosen as an All-Star in 2019. Later that year, the Blue Jays traded him to the Mets. He then signed with the Cubs for three years before the 2022 season.
Marcus Stroman has played for both the United States and Puerto Rican national teams. In 2017, he was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the World Baseball Classic while playing for the U.S. team.
Contents
Marcus Stroman's Early Life
Marcus Stroman was born in Medford, New York, on May 1, 1991. His parents are Earl Stroman and Adlin Auffant. They divorced when he was in fifth grade. His mother is Puerto Rican, which allowed him to play for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic. His father works as a police detective. Marcus has a brother named Jayden and a sister named Sabria. His cousin, Erskine Kelley, played baseball in the minor leagues.
When he was six years old in 1997, Stroman appeared on the Nickelodeon game show Figure It Out.
Playing Baseball Before the Pros
Stroman went to Patchogue-Medford High School in Medford. There, he had a friendly rivalry with Steven Matz, who would later become his teammate on the New York Mets. Matz pitched for a nearby high school. Marcus and Steven played together on an elite travel team called the Paveco Storm for several years. They were also roommates during the Area Code Games. They pitched against each other many times in high school. One famous game on April 16, 2009, had over 50 scouts from every MLB team watching.
The Washington Nationals drafted Stroman in the 18th round of the 2009 MLB draft. He decided not to sign with them. Instead, he chose to go to Duke University. There, he played college baseball for the Duke Blue Devils baseball team.
At Duke, Stroman set a school record for strikeouts. He had 290 strikeouts over 222 innings pitched. He also played other positions for Duke, mostly second base and shortstop. In 2010 and 2011, he played summer baseball for the Orleans Firebirds. He did not allow any earned runs in 34 innings for Orleans. He was named an all-star in 2010. He is now part of the CCBL Hall of Fame.
On May 15, 2016, Stroman graduated from Duke University. He earned a bachelor's degree in sociology.
Marcus Stroman's Professional Baseball Journey
Starting in the Minor Leagues
Experts said Stroman was the most ready player for the major leagues in the 2012 MLB draft. The Blue Jays picked him 22nd overall. He was the first player from Duke ever chosen in the first round. He started his pro career with the Low-A Vancouver Canadians. The Blue Jays then moved him to the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats in August 2012.
Stroman faced a suspension for 50 games in August 2012. This was due to a rule violation involving a supplement he said he took without knowing it contained a banned substance.
After his suspension, Stroman returned to play for the Fisher Cats on May 19, 2013. He pitched five innings without giving up any runs. On July 2, 2013, he struck out 13 batters in a game. By July 26, 2013, he was ranked as the third-best prospect in the Blue Jays organization.
Stroman went to the Blue Jays' major league spring training camp in 2014. He was later sent to the minor league camp. He was the Opening Day starting pitcher for the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons in 2014.
Time with the Toronto Blue Jays
2014 and 2015 Seasons
Stroman was called up to the Blue Jays on May 3, 2014. He was considered the team's second-best prospect at that time. He got his first MLB win on May 6, pitching in relief. Stroman was sent back to Triple-A Buffalo on May 18. He was called back up on May 30 to make his first Major League start. He pitched six innings, giving up only one run, and earned the win.
On August 9, Stroman pitched nine innings for the first time in his career. On September 8, he pitched his first complete game and shutout. He only needed 93 pitches to beat the Chicago Cubs 8–0. He gave up only three hits and retired 19 batters in a row at one point.
Stroman was suspended for five games in September 2014. This was for intentionally throwing a pitch at a player. After his suspension, he moved to the bullpen for the rest of the season. He earned his first career save on September 26. He finished 2014 with 11 wins and a 3.65 ERA.
On October 6, 2014, Stroman announced he would change his uniform number to 6. This was to honor his grandmother. During 2015 spring training, Stroman tore a ligament in his left knee. He had successful surgery to fix it. While recovering, Stroman went back to Duke University to finish his degree.
In August 2015, it was announced that Stroman would start playing in rehab games. He pitched for the first time after his injury on August 11. The team said he would be prepared to return as a starter. He pitched a practice game on August 24. On September 2, he played his first Class-A game. He pitched 4.2 innings without giving up any hits.
Stroman returned to the Blue Jays on September 12, 2015. He pitched five innings and earned the win. He finished the 2015 regular season with 4 wins and a 1.67 ERA.
Stroman played his first postseason game in Game 2 of the 2015 American League Division Series. He pitched seven innings and got a no-decision. He started again in Game 5 of the same series. He allowed two runs over six innings in a Blue Jays victory.
2016 and 2017 Seasons
On March 23, 2016, Stroman was named the Opening Day starter for the Blue Jays. He pitched into the ninth inning, helping his team win 5–3. On May 1, he set a new career-high with 9 strikeouts. He also set a Blue Jays record for strikeouts on a pitcher's birthday. On August 1, he struck out 13 Houston Astros batters. He finished the 2016 season with 9 wins and a 4.37 ERA. He pitched a career-high 204 innings. He was known for getting many ground balls (60.1%) and few fly balls (20.4%).
On October 3, Stroman was chosen to start the 2016 American League Wild Card Game. He pitched six innings, giving up two runs. The Blue Jays won and moved on to the next round. Stroman pitched in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series.
On February 14, 2017, Stroman won his arbitration case. He would earn $3.4 million for the 2017 season. On April 25, he got his first career hit. His double was the first pinch hit by a Blue Jays pitcher. It was also the first extra-base pinch hit by an American League pitcher since 1971.
Stroman hit an opposite field home run on May 18, 2017. He became only the second Blue Jays pitcher to hit a home run. His home run followed a solo shot by his catcher, Luke Maile. This made them the first batterymates to hit back-to-back home runs since 1970. He also became the first pitcher listed at 5 feet 8 inches or shorter to hit a home run since 1968.
Stroman finished the 2017 season with 13 wins and a 3.09 ERA. He pitched 201 innings. He was the seventh Blue Jays pitcher to have two straight 200-inning seasons. He again had the highest ground ball percentage among major league pitchers (62.1%).
On October 28, Stroman was a finalist for the American League pitcher's Rawlings Gold Glove Award. He won the award on November 7. He was also voted the Blue Jays' Pitcher of the Year for 2017.
2018 and 2019 Seasons
On February 15, 2018, Stroman announced he had lost his arbitration case. He would earn $6.5 million for the season. Stroman had a tough start to the 2018 season. He was placed on the disabled list in May due to shoulder fatigue. On June 13, he pitched in a rehab start.
Stroman returned to Toronto's starting lineup on June 23. He pitched five shutout innings. Later in the season, he had to leave games due to blisters on his pitching hand. He finished his 2018 season with 4 wins and a 5.54 ERA in 19 starts.
On March 13, 2019, Stroman was named the Opening Day starter by the Blue Jays manager. On June 30, Stroman was chosen for the 2019 MLB All-Star Game. This was his first All-Star selection.
Moving to the New York Mets
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On July 28, 2019, the Toronto Blue Jays traded Stroman to the New York Mets. In 11 starts with the Mets in 2019, Stroman had 4 wins and a 3.77 ERA. Overall, he finished the 2019 season with 10 wins and a 3.22 ERA between both teams.
On November 15, 2019, Stroman announced he would switch to uniform number 0 for the 2020 season. He also changed his Twitter name. He had wanted to give up his old number to honor Jose Reyes. He hired Nikki Huffman as his personal trainer. She had helped him recover from his knee injury in 2015.
Stroman missed the start of the 2020 season due to a torn calf muscle. On August 10, 2020, he announced he would not play for the rest of the season.
After the 2020 season, the Mets offered Stroman a contract worth $18.9 million for 2021. Stroman accepted this offer on November 11. In 2021, Stroman led the Mets' starting pitchers with 10 wins, 158 strikeouts, and 179 innings pitched.
Playing for the Chicago Cubs
On December 1, 2021, Stroman signed a two-year contract with the Chicago Cubs. The deal was worth $71 million. He also had an option for a third year. He became the first Cub ever to wear the uniform number 0. He started for the Cubs on Opening Day in 2023. He was the first pitcher to be called for a violation of the new pitch clock rule.
Stroman was named to the 2023 MLB All-Star Game. However, he chose not to play in the game to rest. In August, the Cubs put Stroman on the injured list because of hip inflammation. Later that month, he was found to have a rib cage cartilage fracture. He returned to the Cubs in mid-September. After the 2023 season, Stroman decided not to take his player option for 2024. He became a free agent.
Joining the New York Yankees
On January 17, 2024, Stroman signed a two-year contract with the New York Yankees. The deal was worth $37 million. It also included a possible player option for the 2026 season. This option would be worth $18 million if he pitches 140 innings in 2025.
In 2024, Stroman made 29 starts and one relief appearance. He had a 4.31 ERA with 113 strikeouts in 154.2 innings. However, his ERA was higher since June. Because of this, Stroman was not on the Yankees' roster for the ALDS. After the Yankees won that series, he was added back to their roster for the ALCS.
Playing for His Country
In December 2016, Stroman said he would play for the United States national baseball team in the 2017 World Baseball Classic. He made three starts for the team. He had a 2.35 ERA in 15.1 innings. In the final game, Stroman did not allow any runs or hits through six innings against Team Puerto Rico. This helped Team USA win 8–0 and claim their first WBC championship.
After the game, Stroman was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player (MVP). He was also chosen for the All-World Baseball Classic team. He later represented the Puerto Rico national baseball team at the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
Marcus Stroman's Pitching Style
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Stroman uses six different pitches. His four-seam fastball averages about 93 miles per hour. His two-seam fastball is around 92 miles per hour. His other pitches include a curveball (82 mph), a changeup (85 mph), a cutter (90 mph), and a slider (85 mph). Since 2015, he has used his two-seam fastball more often, about 41–44% of the time.
Marcus Stroman's Personal Life
Stroman has many tattoos. One large tattoo on his left shoulder honors his grandmother, Gloria Major. She often watched his high school games and passed away while he was at Duke University. Other tattoos include his local area code 631, pictures of his parents, a Gold Glove Award, and the Air Jordan logo. He also has quotes from the Bible and Martin Luther King Jr..
Other tattoos include the flag of Puerto Rico, his mother's eye, and the Major League Baseball logo with his MLB debut date. He has the date of his 2015 knee surgery, a portrait of Rihanna, and characters from Peaky Blinders and Training Day. He also has a tattoo of himself swinging a bat in a Blue Jays uniform, the skyline of Toronto, a lion's head, and his father's police badge.
He also has tattoos of his initials, an orchid, a poker chip, the number 6, an airplane, and a wine glass. Some tattoos say "God bless me," "God save me," and "family" in Spanish. Other words include "blessed," "mamma's boy," "daddy's gift," "dreamchaser," "BElieve in YOUrself," "smile," "mom," "dad," "height doesn't measure heart," and "breaking stereotypes."
On January 9, 2015, Stroman officially trademarked "Height Doesn't Measure Heart" and "HDMH". Since mid-2015, he has made caps with New Era that feature his trademarks. He has also worked with Nike, Jordan Brand, BioSteel, and Rogers to create clothing with the HDMH logo. In December 2016, Stroman said he measured exactly 5 feet 7.25 inches for a physical exam for Nike.
Stroman appeared on a remix of a song from rapper Mike Stud's 2016 album. Stroman has also performed in concert with Stud, who was his teammate at Duke.
Stroman enjoys wine. He has a personal wine cellar in his Tampa home. It is believed to hold over 400 bottles of wine.
Stroman also practices Transcendental Meditation.
Images for kids
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Stroman in his 2015 debut
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Stroman pitching in 2019
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Stroman on the MLB Network during the 2015 MLB postseason
See also
In Spanish: Marcus Stroman para niños
