Adrian Sampson

Adrian David Sampson (born October 7, 1991) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Texas Rangers organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Seattle Mariners, and Chicago Cubs. He has also played in the KBO League for the Lotte Giants.

Adrian Sampson
Sampson with the Texas Rangers in 2019
Texas Rangers
Pitcher
Born: (1991-10-07) October 7, 1991 (age 32) Redmond, Washington, U.S.
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Professional debut
MLB: June 18, 2016, for the Seattle Mariners
KBO: May 28, 2020, for the Lotte Giants
MLB statistics (through 2022 season)
Win–loss record	11–19
Earned run average	4.43
Strikeouts	219
KBO statistics (through 2020 season)
Win–loss record	9–12
Earned run average	5.40
Strikeouts	87
Teams
Seattle Mariners (2016) Texas Rangers (2018–2019) Lotte Giants (2020) Chicago Cubs (2021–2022)

High school and college

Sampson attended Skyline High School in Sammamish, Washington. In July 2009, Sampson had Tommy John surgery, which caused him to miss his senior season.^[1] After not receiving any college baseball scholarships, Sampson attended Bellevue College. After going 4–2 with a 2.36 earned run average (ERA), Sampson was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 16th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft.^[2] He did not sign with the Marlins and returned to Bellevue. In 2012, he went 13–0 with a 1.36 ERA and 107 strikeouts.^[3]

Professional career

Pittsburgh Pirates

Sampson was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the fifth round of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft and signed with the Pirates.^[4] He made his professional debut that season with the State College Spikes. He started nine of 11 games and had a 2.95 ERA.

Sampson played the 2013 season with the Bradenton Marauders, finishing 5-8 with a 5.14 ERA in 140 innings.^[5] He started the 2014 season with the Altoona Curve.^[6][7] In July he was selected to play in the Eastern League All-Star Game, but was forced to sit out the game by the Pirates.^[8] In August he was promoted to the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians after posting a 2.55 ERA with Altoona. Overall, he went 11–6 with a 2.96 ERA and 109 strikeouts.

Seattle Mariners

On July 31, 2015, Sampson was traded to the Seattle Mariners for J. A. Happ.^[9]

Sampson made his Major League debut on June 18, 2016 against the Boston Red Sox, relieving the injured Wade Miley.^[10][11] Scheduled to replace Miley in the rotation, Sampson suffered a torn flexor tendon while warming up before his first major league start five days later against the Detroit Tigers, which required season-ending surgery later that month.^{[12][13][14][15]}

Texas Rangers

On November 2, 2016, the Texas Rangers claimed Sampson off of waivers.^[16][17] In 2017, Sampson rehabbed from the torn flexor tendon injury and made eight minor league appearances that season, going 2-2 with a 3.45 ERA in 31.1 innings with the AZL Rangers, Down East Wood Ducks, and the Round Rock Express.

Sampson spent the first 5 months of the 2018 season with the AAA Round Rock Express, going 8-4 with a 3.77 ERA in 126.2 innings. Sampson was recalled to the Texas Rangers on September 4, and on September 11, 2018 Sampson made his first career MLB start. Sampson finished 2018 with a 0-3 record and a 4.30 ERA in 23 major league innings. Sampson was non-tendered by Texas after the 2018 season, and became a free agent on November 30, 2018.^[18]

On December 27, 2018, Sampson re-signed with the Rangers on a minor league contract with an invite to major league spring training.^[19] Sampson was assigned to the AAA Nashville Sounds on March 28, 2019.^[20] On April 1, 2019, the Rangers purchased Sampson's contract and recalled him to the major league roster.^[21] On June 8, he recorded his first career complete game versus the Oakland Athletics.^[22]

Sampson finished the 2019 season going 6–8 with a 5.89 ERA over 125.1 innings.

Lotte Giants

On November 22, 2019, Sampson signed one-year contract with the Lotte Giants of the KBO League.^[23]

He was 9-12 with a 5.40 ERA. He became a free agent following the season.

Chicago Cubs

On May 10, 2021, Sampson signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs organization.^[24] With the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, he was 4-5 with a 4.96 ERA. On August 18, his contract was selected by the Cubs.^[25] Sampson pitched to a 2.80 ERA with 28 strikeouts in 10 appearances with Chicago. On November 5, Sampson was outrighted off of the 40-man roster.^[26]

He returned to the organization, signing a minor league contract on March 19, 2022.^[27] On May 10, he was designated for assignment,^[28] and subsequently claimed via waivers by the Seattle Mariners three days later.^[29] Though Sampson was assigned to the Tacoma Rainiers, he did not play for the team before being designated for assignment a second time on May 21.^[30][31] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A on May 24, but rejected the outright assignment a day later and elected free agency.^[32] On May 31, 2022, Sampson re-signed with the Cubs on a minor league contract. On June 16, Sampson was selected back to the active roster.^[33] He made 21 appearances (19 starts) for Chicago in 2022, pitching to a 4-5 record and 3.11 ERA with 73 strikeouts in 104.1 innings of work.

On November 18, 2022, Sampson signed a one-year, $1.9 million contract with the Cubs, avoiding arbitration.^[34] In spring training in 2023, Sampson competed with Hayden Wesneski for the fifth starter role behind Marcus Stroman, Jameson Taillon, Drew Smyly, and Justin Steele. He was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on March 25, after manager David Ross announced Wesneski had won the job.^[35] He made 2 starts for Iowa before undergoing a meniscal debridement surgery on his right knee on May 7.^[36] He was placed on the 60-day injured list on May 15.^[37] On July 24, Sampson was activated from the injured list. However, upon his activation, he was promptly removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Triple–A Iowa.^[38]

Tampa Bay Rays

On August 1, 2023, the Cubs traded Sampson, Manuel Rodríguez, and international free agent bonus pool space to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Josh Roberson.^[39] Sampson did not appear for the organization and was released two days later.^[40]

Texas Rangers (second stint)

On February 13, 2024, Sampson signed a minor league contract with the Rangers.^[41]

References

1. . issaquahpress.com. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
2. "Skyline's Adrian Sampson selected in 16th round of MLB Draft". Issaquah-Sammamish Reporter. June 7, 2011. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
3. . Bellevue Reporter. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
4. . Pittsburgh Pirates. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
5. Simon Sharkey-Gotlieb (March 6, 2014). "Adrian Sampson brings new attitude to 2014 seaon [sic]". The Toronto Observer. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
6. "Minor league report: Newcomer Sampson is surprise of Curve staff". TribLIVE.com. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
7. John Perrotto (July 27, 2014). "Minor League Report: Sampson has a changeup season from Class A". Timesonline.com. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
8. "Curve's Sampson gets raw deal from Pirates having to sit out EL All-Star Game". altoonamirror.com. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
9. Brent Stecker (December 31, 1969). "Mariners trade starter J.A. Happ to Pirates for local pitching prospect Adrian Sampson". 710Sports.com. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
10. Divish, Ryan (June 18, 2016). "Adrian Sampson makes MLB debut, but Mariners can't muster much support in loss to Red Sox". Seattle Times. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
11. Johns, Greg (June 18, 2016). "Despite loss, Sampson calls debut 'awesome'". MLB.com. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
12. "Seattle Mariners' Adrian Sampson needs surgery on injured elbow, will miss rest of season". espn.com. June 25, 2016. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
13. Crabtree, Curtis (June 25, 2016). "Mariners pitcher Adrian Sampson needs surgery on injured elbow". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
14. Jude, Adam (June 25, 2016). "Veteran Wade Miley set to return to Mariners' rotation; rookie Adrian Sampson to have elbow surgery". Seattle Times. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
15. Johns, Greg (June 24, 2016). "Miley could be close to rejoining rotation". MLB.com. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
16. "Rangers claim RHP Sampson on waiver claim from Mariners". ESPN.com. Associated Press. November 2, 2016. Retrieved May 22, 2022. Alternate UEL
17. "Rangers receive RHP Adrian Sampson on waiver claim from Seattle Mariners". MLB.com. November 2, 2016. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
18. Morris, Adam (November 30, 2018). "Texas Rangers non-tender four, including Matt Bush". lonestarball.com. Retrieved December 28, 2018.
19. Fraley, Gerry (December 27, 2018). "Rangers bring back RHP Adrian Sampson as rotation candidate". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved December 28, 2018.
20. "Texas Rangers Set Opening Day Roster". KXAS-TV. March 28, 2019. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
21. "Rangers select Adrian Sampson, option Kyle Bird". MLB.com. April 1, 2019. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
22. T.R. Sullivan (June 8, 2019). "Sampson fires complete game to sweep twin bill". MLB.com. Retrieved June 8, 2019.
23. "롯데, 외국인 선수 애드리안 샘슨, 딕슨 마차도 영입 [오피셜]". NAVER Sports. November 22, 2019. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
24. "'A pitching coach's dream': Adrian Sampson has put himself on the map for Cubs". Marquee Sports Network. October 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
25. "Cubs select RHP Adrian Sampson from Triple-A Iowa, designate OF Johneshwy Fargas for assignment". MLB.com. August 18, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
26. "A very preliminary estimate of the Cubs 2022 payroll and luxury tax". November 15, 2021.
27. "Cubs select RHP Adrian Sampson from Triple-A Iowa, Frank Schwindel optioned to Iowa". MLB.com. May 8, 2022. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
28. Montemurro, Meghan (May 10, 2022). "Wade Miley will make his Chicago Cubs debut tonight, coming off the injured list to add stability to the rotation". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
29. Divish, Ryan (May 13, 2022). "Mariners option Jarred Kelenic to Class AAA Tacoma, make seven other roster moves". Yakima Herald. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
30. Divish, Ryan (May 21, 2022). "With their outfield ranks growing thin, Mariners take a chance on former All-Star Justin Upton". Seattle Times. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
31. "Seattle Mariners sign Justin Upton". ESPN.com. Associated Press. May 21, 2022. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
32. "Adrian Sampson: Elects free agency". cbssports.com. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
33. "Adrian Sampson rejoins Cubs, Eric Stout DFA'd". RSN. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
34. "Players Avoiding Arbitration: 11/18/22". MLB Trade Rumors. November 18, 2022.
35. "Cubs' Adrian Sampson: Optioned to Triple-A". cbssports.com. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
36. "Cubs' Adrian Sampson: Undergoes meniscus surgery". cbssports.com. May 7, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
37. "Cubs' Adrian Sampson: Moved to 60-day IL". cbssports.com. May 15, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
38. "Cubs' Adrian Sampson: Reinstated, outrighted to Triple-A". cbssports.com. July 24, 2023. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
39. "Cubs Reportedly Trade Adrian Sampson, Manny Rodriguez, and IFA Money to the Rays for Josh Roberson". bleachernation.com. August 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
40. "Transactions". MiLB.com. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
41. "Rangers Sign Adrian Sampson To Minor League Deal". MLB Trade Rumors. February 13, 2024.

External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet
• Adrian Sampson on Twitter