Andrew Chafin

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Andrew Chafin

|image = Andrew Chafin on February 27, 2016.jpg

|image_size =

|caption = Chafin with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2016

|team = Detroit Tigers

|number =

|position = Pitcher

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1990|6|17}}

|birth_place = Kettering, Ohio, U.S.

|bats = Right

|throws = Left

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = August 13

|debutyear = 2014

|debutteam = Arizona Diamondbacks

|statyear = 2024 Season

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 21–27

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 3.42

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 555

|stat4label = Saves

|stat4value = 20

|teams =

Arizona Diamondbacks ({{mlby|2014}}–{{mlby|2020}})
Chicago Cubs ({{mlby|2020}}–{{mlby|2021}})
Oakland Athletics ({{mlby|2021}})
Detroit Tigers ({{mlby|2022}})
Arizona Diamondbacks ({{mlby|2023}})
Milwaukee Brewers ({{mlby|2023}})
Detroit Tigers ({{mlby|2024}})
Texas Rangers ({{mlby|2024}})

| awards =

Pitched a combined no-hitter on June 24, 2021

}}

Andrew Gregory Chafin (born June 17, 1990), nicknamed "Big Country" and "the Sheriff",{{cite web |title=Andrew Chafin - Baseball-Reference.com |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/chafian01.shtml |publisher=Pro Baseball Reference |access-date=March 12, 2023}} is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Detroit Tigers organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago Cubs, Oakland Athletics, Milwaukee Brewers, and Texas Rangers.

Amateur career

Chafin is from Wakeman, Ohio.[http://kentstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4253 Andrew Chafin – 2011 Baseball – Kent State University] Retrieved May 25, 2018. He attended Western Reserve High School in Collins, Ohio, and played for the school's baseball team. He pitched a no-hitter in his final high school game.{{cite web|url=http://www.times-gazette.com/local%20sports/2008/05/28/lefty-dominates-mapleton-western-reserve-s-andrew-chafin-throws-no-hitter-in-final-high-school-game |title=Lefty Dominates Mapleton / Western Reserve's Andrew Chafin Throws No-Hitter In Final High School Game |work=The Times-Gazette |date=May 28, 2008 |access-date=March 19, 2014}}

Chafin attended Kent State University, and played college baseball for the Kent State Golden Flashes. As a freshman in 2009, he was the Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year after he had a 1.26 earned run average (ERA), eight saves and 55 strikeouts over {{frac|35|2|3}} innings pitched.{{cite web|url=http://mjcollegeinsider.blogspot.com/2009/05/chafin-named-mid-american-conference.html |title=Chafin named Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year at Kent State |work=The Morning Journal |date=May 27, 2009 |access-date=March 19, 2014}} In 2010, he underwent Tommy John surgery and missed the 2010 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.cleveland.com/sports/college/index.ssf/2011/05/kent_states_andrew_chafin_is_h.html |title=Kent State's Andrew Chafin is healthy again, and eyes of Major League Baseball are on him |first=Elton|last=Alexander|work=The Plain Dealer |date=May 27, 2011 |access-date=March 19, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.sanduskyregister.com/article/28142 |title=Former Firelands Conference pitchers follow similar paths |first=Mark|last=Hazelwood|work=Sandusky Register |date=May 24, 2010 |access-date=March 19, 2014}} He returned in 2011 as a starter and had a 2.02 ERA with 105 strikeouts over 89 innings. After the 2011 season, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Orleans Firebirds of the Cape Cod Baseball League.{{cite web|url=http://capecodbaseball.org.ismmedia.com/ISM3/std-content/repos/Top/2012website/archives/Current%20Year/All_Time_MLB_CCBL_Alumni.pdf |title=Major League Baseball Players From the Cape Cod League |publisher=capecodbaseball.org |access-date=September 25, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://baseball.pointstreak.com/player.html?playerid=156780&seasonid=532 |title=Andrew Chafin |publisher=pointstreak.com |accessdate=July 20, 2021}}

Professional career

=Arizona Diamondbacks=

File:CINvARI - Andrew Chafin (31479993718).jpg

The Arizona Diamondbacks selected Chafin in the first round with the 43rd overall selection of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft.{{cite web |url=http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110606&content_id=20114584&vkey=news_ari&c_id=ari |title=Kent State lefty Chafin rounds out D-backs' day |first=Steve |last=Gilbert |work=MLB.com |date=May 24, 2013 |access-date=March 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140226233639/http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110606&content_id=20114584&vkey=news_ari&c_id=ari |archive-date=February 26, 2014 |url-status=dead }} He made his professional debut for the Arizona League Diamondbacks, pitching in one game, recording two strikeouts over one inning. Pitching for the Visalia Rawhide in 2012, he recorded a 4.93 ERA with 150 strikeouts over {{frac|122|1|3}}. He started the 2013 season with Visalia and was promoted to the Mobile BayBears during the season.{{cite web|url=http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/06/pitcher_andrew_chafin_angling.html |title=Pitcher Andrew Chafin angling for victories with Mobile BayBears |first=Mark|last= Inabinett|work=Al.com |date=June 2, 2013 |access-date=March 19, 2014}} Overall, he had a 3.20 ERA and 119 strikeouts over {{frac|157|1|3}}.

Chafin made his Major League debut on August 13, 2014, against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field, pitching five innings allowing three hits, two walks, and three strikeouts, earning a no-decision.{{cite web |url=http://www.foxsports.com/arizona/story/d-backs-plan-to-give-chafin-2-starts-091614|title=D-backs plan to give Chafin 2 starts|first=Jack|last=Magruder|date=September 17, 2014|work=Fox Sports}} In his second start and first major league at-bat on September 17, 2014, for the Arizona Diamondbacks, he hit a run batted in single.{{cite web |url=http://www.star-telegram.com/2014/09/18/6129536/baseball-capsules.html|title=Baseball Capsules|date=September 18, 2014|access-date=September 18, 2014|agency=Associated Press|work=Fort Worth Star-Telegram}}

File:Andrew Chafin (48053115367).jpg

Chafin was converted into a reliever for the 2015 season, a season in which he finished 5–1 with a 2.76 ERA in 66 games for the D'Backs. The following season, just like the majority of the pitching staff, Chafin struggled throughout the season, appearing in 32 games with a 6.75 ERA. He bounced back the following season, being used now as a situational left hander out of the bullpen. In 71 games, he had a 3.51 ERA for the D'Backs. In 2018, Chafin was continued to be used as a situational lefty out of the bullpen, pitching {{frac|49|1|3}} innings. His record was 1–6 in a career high 77 games. In 2019, Chafin appeared in 77 games for the second consecutive season, finishing with a record of 2–2 in {{frac|52|2|3}} innings. The following season with the new 3 batter rule, Chafin wasn't used solely as a left handed specialist and he struggled during the first half of the season with the team. He was 1–1 with a career worst 8.10 ERA in {{frac|6|2|3}} innings.

=Chicago Cubs=

Chafin was traded to the Chicago Cubs on August 31, 2020, the trade deadline of the shortened season, in exchange for Ronny Simon.{{Cite web|title=Cubs acquire Andrew Chafin, Josh Osich and Cameron Maybin at MLB trade deadline|url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/cubs-acquire-andrew-chafin-josh-osich-and-cameron-maybin-at-mlb-trade-deadline/|access-date=September 3, 2020|website=CBSSports.com|date=August 31, 2020 |language=en}} Chafin pitched to a 3.00 ERA in 4 games with the Cubs to finish the year. On February 2, 2021, Chafin re-signed with the Cubs on a one-year, $2.25 million contract that included a mutual option for 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/02/cubs-andrew-chafin-agree-to-major-league-deal.html|title = Cubs, Andrew Chafin Agree to Major League Deal| date=February 2, 2021 }} On June 24, 2021, Chafin pitched a combined no-hitter against the Los Angeles Dodgers along with Zach Davies, Ryan Tepera, and Craig Kimbrel.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/cubs-combined-no-hitter-vs-dodgers?game_pk=633505|title=Cubs combine to throw record-tying no-hitter|first=Megan|last=Garcia|website=MLB.com|date=June 25, 2021|accessdate=June 25, 2021}} In 43 appearances for the Cubs in 2021, Chafin recorded a 2.06 ERA with 37 strikeouts in {{frac|39|1|3}} innings of work.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/chafian01.shtml|title=Andrew Chafin Stats}}

=Oakland Athletics=

On July 27, 2021, the Cubs traded Chafin to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for Greg Deichmann and Daniel Palencia.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/31893113/chicago-cubs-poised-send-andrew-chafin-oakland-athletics-prospects-sources-say|title=A's acquire Chafin from Cubs for 2 minor leaguers|date=July 27, 2021}} Between the two teams in 2021, Chafin pitched in 71 games, boasting a 1.83 ERA and 64 strikeouts in {{frac|68|2|3}} innings.

=Detroit Tigers=

On March 17, 2022, Chafin signed a two-year, $13 million contract with the Detroit Tigers.{{cite web|title=Tigers fortify 'pen, agree to 2-year deal with Chafin|url=https://www.mlb.com/tigers/news/andrew-chafin-deal-with-tigers|first=Jason|last=Beck|work=MLB.com|date=March 17, 2022|accessdate=March 17, 2022}}{{cite news |title=Detroit Tigers, reliever Andrew Chafin agree to two-year, $13M deal |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/33527998/detroit-tigers-reliever-andrew-chafin-agree-two-year-13m-deal |access-date=March 17, 2022 |agency=Associated Press |work=ESPN.com}} On April 6 (retroactive to April 4), the Tigers placed Chafin on the 10-day injured list with a left groin strain.{{cite web|title=Detroit Tigers roster moves: Jose Cisnero to 60-day injured list; Willi Castro to Triple-A|url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2022/04/06/detroit-tigers-roster-moves-jose-cisnero-riley-greene/9484617002/ |website=freep.com |last=Petzold |first=Evan |date=April 6, 2022 |access-date=April 7, 2022}} He made 64 appearances for the 2022 Tigers, posting 3 saves and a 2.83 ERA, with 67 strikeouts in {{frac|57|1|3}} innings.

Chafin opted out of the second year of his Tigers contract on November 6, 2022, making him a free agent.{{cite web|title=Chafin opts out of deal with Tigers|url=https://www.mlb.com/tigers/news/andrew-chafin-opts-out-of-2023-contract-with-tigers|first=Jason|last=Beck|work=MLB.com|date=November 7, 2022|accessdate=November 7, 2022}}

=Arizona Diamondbacks (second stint)=

On February 15, 2023, Chafin signed a one-year contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/02/diamondbacks-agree-to-sign-andrew-chafin.html|title=Diamondbacks Sign Andrew Chafin|work=MLB Trade Rumors|date=February 15, 2023|access-date=February 15, 2023}}{{Cite web|title=D-backs agree to terms with Andrew Chafin on a 1-year contract|url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-d-backs-agree-to-terms-with-andrew-chafin-on-a-1-year-contract|access-date=February 15, 2023|website=mlb.com|language=en}}

=Milwaukee Brewers=

On August 1, 2023, Chafin was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for pitcher Peter Strzelecki.{{cite web | url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/mlb/brewers/2023/08/01/brewers-reportedly-add-pitcher-andrew-chafin-for-peter-strzelecki/70501612007/ | title=Brewers add veteran reliever Andrew Chafin, trade away Luis Urías in separate deal }} He became a free agent following the season.

=Detroit Tigers (second stint)=

On December 12, 2023, Chafin signed with the Tigers on a one-year, $4.25 million contract that included a club option for 2025.{{cite web | last=Passan | first=Jeff | title=Reports: Tigers, LHP Chafin agree to 1-year deal | website=ESPN.com | date=December 10, 2023 | url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/39083691/reports-tigers-lhp-andrew-chafin-agree-1-year-deal | access-date=February 18, 2024}} In 41 appearances for the Tigers in 2024, Chafin recorded a 3.16 ERA with 50 strikeouts across 37 innings pitched.

=Texas Rangers=

On July 30, 2024, Chafin was traded to the Texas Rangers in exchange for Chase Lee and Joseph Montalvo. {{cite web|title=Rangers agree on deal for lefty reliever Chafin|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/andrew-chafin-traded-to-rangers-by-tigers|website=mlb.com|publisher=MLB|date=July 30, 2024|accessdate=July 30, 2024}} In 21 appearances with the Rangers, he posted a 1-1 record, a 4.19 ERA, and struck out 20 batters in {{fraction|19|1|3}} innings pitched. On November 4, the Rangers declined his option for the 2025 season making him a free agent.{{cite web | url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/11/rangers-decline-andrew-chafins-club-option.html | title=Rangers Decline Andrew Chafin's Club Option | date=November 4, 2024 }}

=Detroit Tigers (third stint)=

On February 24, 2025, Chafin signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers.{{cite news |title=Andrew Chafin signs minor league deal with Detroit Tigers |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/44001325/andrew-chafin-signs-minor-league-deal-detroit-tigers |access-date=February 24, 2025 |agency=Associated Press |publisher=ESPN.com |date=February 24, 2025}}

Pitch selection

Chafin throws a four-seam fastball and a two-seam sinking fastball that each average 92 to 94 MPH (topping out at 97 MPH). His main offspeed pitch is a mid-80s slider.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fangraphs.com/players/andrew-chafin/12988/pitch-type-splits?position=P&data=pi&pitchtype=all|title=Andrew Chafin - Pitching Splits at FanGraphs.com|website=fangraphs.com|access-date=March 17, 2022}}

Personal life

Chafin and his wife, Shelbi, have two daughters and a son. They live on a farm near Massillon, Ohio.{{cite web | url=https://theathletic.com/3342765/2022/06/01/tigers-andrew-chafin-mlb/ | title=Behind the quirks of Tigers pitcher Andrew Chafin, there's a lot to learn | last1=Stavenhagen | first1=Cody | website=The Athletic }}