Cooper Criswell (born July 24, 1996) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Tampa Bay Rays organization. He made his MLB debut in 2021 with the Los Angeles Angels.
Cooper Criswell | |
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![]() Criswell pitching for the Angels in 2021 | |
Tampa Bay Rays | |
Pitcher | |
Born: (1996-07-24) July 24, 1996 (age 26) Carrollton, Georgia | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
MLB debut | |
August 27, 2021, for the Los Angeles Angels | |
MLB statistics (through 2022 season) | |
Win–loss record | 0-1 |
Earned run average | 7.71 |
Strikeouts | 4 |
Teams | |
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Criswell grew up in Carrollton, Georgia and attended Carrollton High School.[1]
Criswell began his college baseball career at Southern Union State Community College. As a sophomore, he compiled a 10-1 record with a 2.54 ERA and committed to continue his college career at the University of North Carolina.[2] In his lone season with the Tar Heels, Criswell went 6-2 with a 2.99 ERA and 86 strikeouts in 75+1⁄3 innings.[3]
Criswell was selected in the 13th round by the Los Angeles Angels in the 2018 Major League Baseball draft.[4] He began his professional career the following year with the Inland Empire 66ers of the Class A-Advanced California League. Criswell was assigned to the Double-A Rocket City Trash Pandas at the beginning of the 2021 minor league season.[5] Criswell made 12 starts for Double-A Rocket City, going 6-4 with a 3.71 ERA and 85 strikeouts. On July 31, Criswell was promoted to the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees. After going 2-1 with a 3.98 ERA and 27 strikeouts through four starts, on August 27, the Angels selected Criswell's contract.[6] He made his debut the same night, giving up three runs in 1.1 innings pitched.[7] He was optioned back to Salt Lake the next day.[8] On April 7, 2022, Criswell was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right shoulder strain[9] and was moved to the 60-day injured list the next day to make room on the 40-man roster for Kyle Tyler.[10]
On July 16, 2022, Criswell was claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Rays.[11] He was designated for assignment on July 19, 2022. He was added back as a covid replacement player on September 12, 2022 and returned to Triple-A the next day.