Christopher James Mazza (born October 17, 1989) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Seattle Mariners organization. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, and Tampa Bay Rays. Listed at 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) and 180 pounds (82 kg), he throws and bats right-handed.
| Chris Mazza | |
|---|---|
| Seattle Mariners | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1989-10-17) October 17, 1989 (age 33) Walnut Creek, California | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 29, 2019, for the New York Mets | |
| MLB statistics (through 2022 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 3–3 |
| Earned run average | 5.35 |
| Strikeouts | 66 |
| Teams | |
| |
Mazza attended Clayton Valley High School in Concord, California.[1] He attended Menlo College in Atherton, California.[2]
Mazza was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 27th round of the 2011 MLB draft.[2] He became the first player ever drafted out of Menlo College.[2] Mazza spent time in the Twins organization from 2011 to 2015.[3] During his time with them, he played for the GCL Twins, Elizabethton Twins, and Cedar Rapids Kernels. He was released by the Twins on July 22, 2015.[3]
Mazza signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins on August 4, 2015.[3] While in the Miami organization, he played for the GCL Marlins, Jupiter Hammerheads, Jacksonville Suns, Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, and New Orleans Baby Cakes.[4] He was released by the Marlins on May 19, 2018.[3]
After being released by Miami, Mazza signed with the San Rafael Pacifics of the Pacific Association.[5]
On July 13, 2018, Mazza signed a contract with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the Atlantic League.[6]
On August 17, 2018, Mazza was signed by the Seattle Mariners, and was assigned to the Arkansas Travelers for the remainder of the season.[6][3]
On December 13, 2018, Mazza was selected by the New York Mets in the Triple-A phase of the 2018 Rule 5 draft.[7]
Mazza opened the 2019 season playing for the Binghamton Rumble Ponies and the Syracuse Mets.[3] On June 26, Mazza's contract was selected and he was called up to the major leagues for the first time.[8] He made his major league debut on June 29 against the Atlanta Braves, pitching four innings in relief in which he gave up one earned run while striking out two.[9] Overall with the 2019 Mets, Mazza appeared in nine games, all in relief, compiling a 1–1 record with 5.51 ERA in 16+1⁄3 innings pitched while striking out 11 batters.[10] Mazza was designated for assignment on December 13, 2019.[11]
The Boston Red Sox claimed Mazza off waivers on December 20, 2019.[12] On March 26, 2020, the team optioned Mazza to the Class A-Advanced Salem Red Sox.[13] He was added to Boston's active roster on July 29,[14] and made his first appearance with the team on August 1 against the New York Yankees.[15] He was optioned to the Red Sox' alternate training site after the game of August 5, as clubs reduced their 2020 active rosters to 28 players.[16] He was recalled twice during August.[17]
Overall with the 2020 Red Sox, Mazza appeared in nine games (six starts), compiling a 1–2 record with 4.80 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 30 innings pitched.[18] His only victory of the season came on September 8, against the Philadelphia Phillies.[19] He gave up the longest MLB home run of the season, a 495-foot (151 m) shot to Ronald Acuña Jr. of the Atlanta Braves.[20] On February 12, 2021, Mazza was designated for assignment after the signing of Martín Pérez.[21]
On February 17, 2021, the Red Sox traded Mazza and Jeffrey Springs to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Ronaldo Hernández and Nick Sogard.[22] On August 27, Mazza pitched the final 3 innings of a 6-3 victory over the Baltimore Orioles to earn his first career save.[23] On November 5, Mazza was outrighted off of the 40-man roster and elected free agency.[24] He re-signed with the Rays on a minor league contract on January 7, 2022, and was selected to the Rays' roster on April 7.[25][26] On June 20, 2022, he was reinstated from the 60-day injured list and was designated for assignment.
On June 28, 2022, the Seattle Mariners signed Mazza to a minor league deal.[27]
Mazza is related to Joe, Dom and Vince DiMaggio by way of his grandmother, who is a cousin of the DiMaggio brothers.[28]
Mazza and his wife, Callie, married in November 2020.[29] Their first child, a daughter, was born in February 2022.[30]