Anthony Claggett

{{Infobox baseball biography

| image =Anthony Claggett in 2017.jpg

| caption = Claggett in 2017 as San Jose State volunteer assistant coach

| team = Wichita State Shockers

| name = Anthony Claggett

| position = Pitcher

| bats = Switch

| throws = Right

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1984|7|15}}

| birth_place = Hemet, California, U.S.

|debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = April 18

| debutyear = 2009

| debutteam = New York Yankees

|finalleague = MLB

| finaldate=October 3

|finalyear=2009

|finalteam=Pittsburgh Pirates

|statleague = MLB

| stat1label = Win–loss record

| stat1value = 0–0

| stat2label = Earned run average

| stat2value = 27.00

| stat3label = Strikeouts

| stat3value = 3

| teams=

New York Yankees ({{mlby|2009}})
Pittsburgh Pirates ({{mlby|2009}})

}}

Anthony Paul Claggett (born July 15, 1984) is an American college baseball coach and former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is the pitching coach at Washington State University. He played college baseball at University of California, Riverside. He played for the New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates in 2009. Since 2014, Claggett has been a coach at both the collegiate and professional levels.

Amateur career

Claggett attended Palm Springs High School, where he was primarily a shortstop in baseball and a forward in basketball.{{Cite web |date=September 7, 2005 |title=Anthony Claggett - Alumnus |url=https://pshsathletics.olinesports.com/alumni_news_details.php?anews_id=1 |access-date=January 18, 2024 |website=pshsathletics.olinesports.com}} He was inducted into the Palm Springs High School Hall of Fame in 2019.{{Cite web |title=Hall of Fame |url=https://www.pshs.us/hall-of-fame.html |access-date=January 20, 2024 |website=PALM SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL |language=en}}

He earned a scholarship to the University of California, Riverside as a middle infielder. It wasn't until his sophomore year that the Highlanders tried him as a pitcher. He attended UC Riverside from 2003 to 2005.{{Cite web |title=University of California, Riverside Baseball Players Who Made it to a Major League Baseball Team {{!}} Baseball Almanac |url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/college/university_of_california_riverside_baseball_players.shtml |access-date=January 17, 2024 |website=www.baseball-almanac.com}}

Professional career

=Detroit Tigers=

Claggett was originally selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 11th round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft.{{Cite web |title=2005 Detroit Tigers Draft Class - The Baseball Cube |url=https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/draft_class/2005~11/ |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=TheBaseballCube.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=June 7, 2005 |title=2005 MLB draft selections: Day 1 |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/draft2005/news/story?id=2075697 |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} That year, he pitched to a 4.03 ERA with 25 strikeouts and seven saves in 22.1 innings for the Oneonta Tigers in the Short Season Single-A New York-Penn League.

Claggett started the 2006 season with the West Michigan Whitecaps in the Midwest League, maintaining a 0.91 ERA with 58 strikeouts and 14 saves in 59.1 innings.{{Cite web |date=November 11, 2006 |title=Yankees trade Gary Sheffield to Tigers for 3 pitching prospects |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=2656842 |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} For his performance that year, MiLB.com named him the Class-A Relief Pitcher of the Year.{{Cite web |title=Anthony Claggett Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News |url=https://www.mlb.com/player/anthony-claggett-488782 |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}

=New York Yankees=

The New York Yankees acquired him from Detroit, along with right-handed pitchers Humberto Sánchez and Kevin Whelan, in exchange for outfielder Gary Sheffield on November 10, 2006.{{cite web |date=November 10, 2006 |title=Tigers deal three pitchers to Yankees for Sheffield |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2656847 |access-date=June 10, 2011 |work=ESPN}} In 2007, the Yankees tried Claggett out as a starter. He was 9–8 with a 3.69 ERA in 112.1 innings, including 16 starts, for the Tampa Yankees in High-A. After the season, he played for the Honolulu Sharks in the Hawaii Winter Baseball league.{{Cite web |date=September 30, 2007 |title=For Joba, Ian Kennedy, road to Bronx began in Hawaii |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2007/09/30/for-joba-ian-kennedy-road-to-bronx-began-in-hawaii/ |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=New York Daily News |language=en-US}}

He began the 2008 season on the disabled list with a left hamstring strain, then made one appearance with Tampa before being promoted to Double-A Trenton.{{Cite web |date=May 2, 2008 |title=RHP David Robertson Promoted To Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/rhp-david-robertson-promoted-to-triple-a-scranton-wilkes-barre/n-3633989 |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=OurSports Central |language=en}} He spent the rest of the year with the Trenton Thunder, going 4–2 with nine saves and a 2.15 ERA in 29 relief appearances. Claggett was added to the Yankees' 40-man roster following after the season to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.{{cite web |date=November 20, 2008 |title=Yankees add pitchers Anthony Claggett, Michael Dunn, Christian Garcia and Steven Jackson to roster |url=http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20081120&content_id=3686874&vkey=pr_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208052225/http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20081120&content_id=3686874&vkey=pr_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy |archive-date=December 8, 2008 |website=Yankees.com}}

Before the 2009 season, Baseball America named Claggett to have the best slider in the Yankees organization.{{Cite web |last=Carey |first=Don |date=April 8, 2009 |title=Steven Jackson Don Carey/ the times leader Alfredo Ac |url=https://www.timesleader.com/archive/1290322/steven-jackson-don-carey-the-times-leader-alfredo-ac |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=Times Leader |language=en-US}} He began the year with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees in Triple-A, pitching to a 3.07 ERA in 82 innings for the season. On April 18, he was called up to the majors.{{Cite web |last=Carig |first=Marc |date=April 18, 2009 |title=New York Yankees add reliever Anthony Claggett to overworked bullpen |url=https://www.nj.com/yankees/2009/04/new_york_yankees_add_reliever.html |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=The Star-Ledger |language=en}} Claggett made his major league debut that day, allowing eight runs on nine hits in 1{{fraction|2|3}} innings to the Cleveland Indians. Between him and starter Chien-Ming Wang, Yankees pitchers allowed 14 runs in the second inning alone. Claggett finished the game with a 43.20 ERA.{{Cite web |title=Indians 22-4 Yankees (Apr 18, 2009) Game Recap |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/290418110 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930023025/https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/290418110 |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 30, 2021 |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=ESPN |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Kerber |first=Fred |date=April 19, 2009 |title=ONE AWFUL ENTRANCE FOR YANKEES ROOKIE |url=https://nypost.com/2009/04/19/one-awful-entrance-for-yankees-rookie/ |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=New York Post |language=en-US}} He was sent back to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre the next day. Claggett was called up again on August 5{{cite web |last=Abraham |first=Peter |date=August 5, 2009 |title=Claggett on the way |url=http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2009/08/05/claggett-on-the-way/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090808102656/http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2009/08/05/claggett-on-the-way/ |archive-date=August 8, 2009 |access-date=January 18, 2024 |website=Lohud.com}}{{Cite web |last=Wilkin |first=S. John |date=August 31, 2009 |title=Armed With Potential For His Mlb Dream |url=https://www.timesleader.com/archive/1269651/armed-with-potential-for-his-mlb-dream |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=Times Leader |language=en-US}} and allowed two runs on two hits and two walks in an inning of work against the Boston Red Sox the following day.{{Cite web |title=Yankees 13-6 Red Sox (Aug 6, 2009) Box Score |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/boxscore/_/gameId/290806110 |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=ESPN |language=en}} He was optioned back to Triple-A on August 7 to make room for infielder Ramiro Peña.{{Cite web |last=King III |first=George A. |date=August 8, 2009 |title=A.J., MELKY RIDE LATEST WAIVE OF PAPERWORK |url=https://nypost.com/2009/08/08/a-j-melky-ride-latest-waive-of-paperwork/ |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=New York Post |language=en-US}} On September 14, he was designated for assignment to make room for Freddy Guzman.{{Cite web |date=September 14, 2009 |title=Yankees watch: Yankees bring up Guzman for possible postseason |url=https://www.myjournalcourier.com/news/article/Yankees-watch-Yankees-bring-up-Guzman-for-124939.php |website=Jacksonville Journal Courier}}

=Pittsburgh Pirates=

On September 24, 2009, Claggett was claimed by the Pittsburgh Pirates.{{Cite web |date=September 24, 2009 |title=Pirates Claim Anthony Claggett |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/09/pirates-claim-anthony-claggett.html |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}} On October 3, he pitched in his one game for Pittsburgh, allowing a home run to Joey Votto in the 8th inning.{{Cite web |title=Reds 8-4 Pirates (Oct 3, 2009) Game Recap |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/291003117 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119161647/https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/291003117 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 19, 2024 |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=ESPN |language=en}} He was designated for assigned on January 21, 2010, to make room on the roster for Octavio Dotel.{{Cite web |date=January 21, 2010 |title=Pirates Designate Anthony Claggett For Assignment |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/01/pirates-designate-anthony-claggett-for-assignment.html |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}} Claggett was subsequently outrighted to Triple-A after clearing waivers.{{Cite web |last=Kovacevic |first=Dejan |date=January 27, 2010 |title=Pirates outright Jackson, Claggett after waivers cleared |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2010/01/27/Pirates-outright-Jackson-Claggett-after-waivers-cleared/stories/201001270231 |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |language=en}} He remained in the Pirates organization for the 2010 and 2011 season, struggling to such a degree that he was demoted to Double-A Altoona.{{Cite web |last=WTM |date=February 14, 2016 |title=Building Pirate bullpens: Part 2 |url=https://www.bucsdugout.com/2016/2/14/10985010/building-pirate-bullpens-part-two |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=Bucs Dugout |language=en}} After the 2011 season Claggett was granted free agency.{{Cite web |title=Anthony Claggett Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News |url=https://www.mlb.com/player/anthony-claggett-488782 |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}

= Somerset Patriots =

Claggett signed with the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League on March 28, 2012.{{cite web |date=March 28, 2012 |title=Patriots Sign Three Pitchers |url=http://www.somersetpatriots.com/news/index.html?article_id=2214 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120525232512/http://www.somersetpatriots.com/news/index.html?article_id=2214 |archive-date=May 25, 2012 |website=somersetpatriots.com}} He allowed 21 runs on 27 hits across 10 appearances for the Patriots{{Cite web |title=2012 Somerset Patriots Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}} before getting released on June 5.{{cite web |title=Somerset Patriots Transactions June 2012 |url=http://www.somersetpatriots.com/team/transactions/index.html?p=201206 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018211027/http://www.somersetpatriots.com/team/transactions/index.html?p=201206 |archive-date=October 18, 2012}}

=St. Paul Saints=

He signed with the St. Paul Saints of the American Association of Professional Baseball in June 2012.{{cite web|title=School-record runs fail to get Gophers to final|website = Star Tribune|url=http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/157668445.html?refer=y|date=June 7, 2012}} Claggett pitched to a 5.05 ERA with a 1.513 WHIP in 76.2 innings between the bullpen and rotation.{{Cite web |title=MLB Stats, Scores, History, & Records |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/ |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}} He returned for the 2013 season, leading the Saints rotation with a 3.11 ERA in 142 innings as a starting pitcher.{{Cite web |title=2013 St. Paul Saints Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}} Following the season, the Saints loaned Claggett to the York Revolution of the Atlantic League.{{Cite web |last=blogtoblogchamps |date=September 4, 2013 |title=Pitcher Anthony Claggett acquired from St. Paul Saints to finish season |url=https://blogtoblogchamps.wordpress.com/2013/09/04/pitcher-anthony-claggett-signed-to-finish-season/ |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=blogtoblogchamps |language=en}} He started two games for the Revs, pitching to a 1.59 ERAS in 17 innings.{{Cite web |title=2013 York Revolution Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}} Claggett once again signed with the Saints for the 2014 season,{{Cite web |last=Greder |first=Andy |date=May 13, 2014 |title=For St. Paul Saints, one last trip around bases at aging Midway Stadium |url=https://www.twincities.com/2014/05/13/for-st-paul-saints-one-last-trip-around-bases-at-aging-midway-stadium/ |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=Twin Cities |language=en-US}} once again leading the rotation with a 3.55 ERA in 126.2 innings across 19 starts.{{Cite web |title=2014 St. Paul Saints Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}

= Perth Heat =

Claggett also played for the Perth Heat of the Australian Baseball League for the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 seasons,{{Cite web |last=kari |date=January 26, 2014 |title=American Association of Professional Baseball - CLAGGETT, TRIPP LEAD FIRST-PLACE PERTH |url=https://aabaseball.com/winter-baseball-update-australian-league/ |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=American Association of Professional Baseball |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=February 1, 2014 |title=Strike one drives Claggett's Heat fling |url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/strike-one-drives-claggetts-heat-fling-ng-ya-365012 |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=The West Australian |language=en}} leading the team to a championship in his second season with a 2.96 ERA in 12 starts.{{Cite web |last=Durham |first=Craig |date=February 8, 2014 |title=Perth captures ABL championship |url=https://www.mlb.com/astros/news/perth-captures-20132014-australian-baseball-league-championship/c-67565198 |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=2013-14 Perth Heat Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}

= New Jersey Jackals =

He joined the New Jersey Jackals of the Can-Am League for the 2015 season, pitching to a 4.10 ERA in 68 innings over 11 starts.{{Cite web |title=2015 New Jersey Jackals Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}

Coaching career

While still playing minor league baseball, Claggett worked in his first coaching position in 2014 as pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at the College of the Desert, a junior college in Palm Desert, California.{{cite web |title=Anthony Claggett |url=http://www.sjsuspartans.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/anthony_claggett_1028836.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170616101440/http://www.sjsuspartans.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/anthony_claggett_1028836.html |archive-date=June 16, 2017 |accessdate=March 30, 2018 |publisher=San Jose State Spartans}} In 2015, Claggett became pitching coach for the New Jersey Jackals of the Can-Am League.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=February 9, 2015 |title=New Additions To NJ Jackals Coaching Staff • In The Zone {{!}} Sports Lifestyle & Culture |url=https://www.inthezone.io/new-additions-nj-jackals-coaching-staff/ |access-date=January 19, 2024 |language=en-US}} Returning to the collegiate level, Claggett was pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at Riverside City College in 2016.

Claggett moved up to the NCAA Division I level in 2017 as volunteer assistant coach at San Jose State under manager Jason Hawkins.{{Cite web |date=August 16, 2017 |title=NMSU Baseball Adds Claggett as Pitching Coach |url=https://www.ktsm.com/sports/nmsu-baseball-adds-claggett-as-pitching-coach/ |access-date=January 20, 2024 |website=KTSM 9 News |language=en-US}} In 2018 and 2019, Claggett served as pitching coach at New Mexico State under Brian Green.{{Cite web |last=Reports |first=Sun-News |title=NMSU signs Anthony Claggett as pitching coach |url=https://www.lcsun-news.com/story/sports/college/nmsu/2017/08/17/nmsu-signs-anthony-claggett-pitching-coach/578022001/ |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=Las Cruces Sun-News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=August 16, 2017 |title=Signs Anthony Claggett as Pitching Coach |url=https://nmstatesports.com/news/2017/8/16/-nmstatebaseball-signs-anthony-claggett-as-pitching-coach.aspx |access-date=January 20, 2024 |website=New Mexico State University Athletics |language=en}} Claggett followed Green to Washington State University in the summer of 2019 to serve as pitching coach.{{Cite web |date=December 19, 2023 |title=Brian Green Announces Coaching Staff |url=https://wsucougars.com/news/2019/6/13/baseball-brian-green-announces-coaching-staff.aspx |access-date=January 20, 2024 |website=Washington State University Athletics |language=en}} They stayed with the Cougars for four years before joining Wichita State University in 2023, where he will serve as pitching coach and recruiting assistant.{{Cite web |date=December 28, 2023 |title=Green Adds Trio of Assistants to Coaching Staff |url=https://goshockers.com/news/2023/6/20/baseball-green-adds-trio-of-assistants-to-coaching-staff.aspx |access-date=January 20, 2024 |website=Wichita State Athletics |language=en}}