C. D. Pelham

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = C. D. Pelham

|position = Relief pitcher

|team = Athletics

|number =

|image = CD Pelham (51276357690) (cropped).jpg

|caption = Pelham at the 2018 All-Star Futures Game

|bats = Right

|throws = Left

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|2|21}}

|birth_place = Lancaster, South Carolina, U.S.

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = September 5

|debutyear = 2018

|debutteam = Texas Rangers

|statyear = 2018 Season

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 0–0

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 7.04

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 7

|teams =

Texas Rangers ({{mlby|2018}})

}}

Christian Devont'a Pelham (born February 21, 1995) is an American professional baseball relief pitcher in the Athletics organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers.

Amateur career

Pelham attended Lancaster High School in Lancaster, South Carolina.{{cite web|url=https://www.thelancasternews.com/content/pelham-pitches-his-way-2nd-all-star-game|title=Pelham pitches his way to 2nd all-star game|website=The Lancaster News|author=Robert Howey|date=July 11, 2018|access-date=October 4, 2019}}{{Dead link|date=November 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Undrafted out of high school, he attended Spartanburg Methodist College to play college baseball. Following his freshman year of college, the Milwaukee Brewers selected him in the 25th round, with the 746th overall selection, of the 2014 MLB draft.{{cite web|author=Brett McCormick|url=https://www.heraldonline.com/sports/high-school/article12295577.html|title=Pelham to decide baseball future in a month|newspaper=The Herald (Rock Hill)|date=June 10, 2014|access-date=July 6, 2018}} He did not sign with Milwaukee, instead returning to college for his sophomore year.

Professional career

=Texas Rangers=

The Texas Rangers drafted Pehlam in the 33rd round, with the 978th overall selection, of the 2015 Major League Baseball draft, and he signed with them.{{cite journal|url=https://www.gosmcpioneers.com/sports/bsb/2015-16/releases/201506117ee8xw|title=CD Pelham drafted by Texas Rangers in 2015 MLB Draft|website=gosmcpioneers.com|date=June 11, 2015|access-date=September 13, 2019}} He began his professional career with the Arizona League Rangers of the Rookie-level Arizona League in 2015,{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/505537/2018/09/04/meet-c-d-pelham-the-latest-rookie-to-get-the-call-for-texas/|title=Meet C.D. Pelham, the latest rookie to get the call for Texas|website=The Athletic|author=Levi Weaver|date=September 4, 2018|access-date=October 4, 2019}} going 4–0 with a 5.40 ERA and 24 strikeouts over {{frac|18|1|3}} innings in 16 games. Pelham spent the 2016 season with the Spokane Indians of the Low-A Northwest League, posting a 0–6 record, 6.16 ERA, 50 strikeouts, and 38 innings pitched in 16 games (7 starts).{{cite web|url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2016/jul/07/cd-pelham-provides-solid-relief-as-indians-win-fif/|title=C.D. Pelham provides solid relief as Indians win fifth consecutive game|website=The Spokesman-Review|author=Josh Horton|date=July 7, 2016|access-date=October 4, 2019}}

Pelham spent the 2017 season with the Hickory Crawdads of the Single-A South Atlantic League, posting a 4–2 record, 3.18 ERA, 75 strikeouts, and {{frac|62|1|3}} innings over 37 games. Pelham began the 2018 season with the Down East Wood Ducks of the High-A Carolina League, posting a 0–0 record, 1.95 ERA, 34 strikeouts, and {{frac|27|2|3}} innings in 23 games.{{cite web|url=https://blogs.fangraphs.com/sunday-notes-c-d-pelhams-heater-does-just-about-everything/|title=Sunday Notes: C.D. Pelham's Heater Does Just About Everything|website=FanGraphs.com|author=David Laurila|date=July 8, 2018|access-date=October 4, 2019}} He was promoted to the Frisco RoughRiders of the Double-A Texas League on June 22, and posted a 2–0 record, 6.16 ERA, 19 strikeouts, and 19 innings in 24 games.{{cite web|author=Chris Roland|url=https://www.wfaa.com/article/sports/texas-rangers-top-prospect-no-8-lhp-cd-pelham/287-579414182|title=Texas Rangers Top Prospect No. 8: LHP C.D. Pelham|website=WFAA|date=August 1, 2018|access-date=September 13, 2019}} He was selected to represent the Rangers at the 2018 All-Star Futures Game.{{cite web|author=Jim Callis|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2018-futures-game-rosters-revealed/c-284471810|title=2018 Futures Game rosters revealed|website=MLB.com|date=May 24, 2018|access-date=July 6, 2018}}

The Rangers promoted Pelham to the major leagues for the first time on September 4, 2018.{{cite web|author=T.R. Sullivan|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/c-d-pelham-to-be-called-up-by-rangers-c293222354|title=Pelham among prospects to be called up|website=MLB.com|date=September 3, 2019|access-date=September 13, 2019}} Pelham posted a 0–0 record, 7.04 ERA, 7 strikeouts, and {{frac|7|2|3}} innings in 10 major league games. Following the 2018 season, Pelham played for the Surprise Saguaros of the Arizona Fall League.{{cite web|url=https://ridersinsider.mlblogs.com/arizona-fall-league-action-begins-today-c46b19156c5f|title=Arizona Fall League action begins today|author=Ryan Rouillard|work=MLB.com|date=October 9, 2018|access-date=October 4, 2019}} In 2019, Pelham split the season between Frisco and the Nashville Sounds of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League,{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/player/c-d-pelham-641962|title=C.D. Pelham|work=MLB.com|access-date=March 22, 2019}} combining to go 1–4 with a 11.97 ERA over {{frac|32|1|3}} innings. Pelham was designated for assignment on November 20, 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/rangers/2019/11/20/rangers-to-add-at-least-four-prospects-to-40-man-roster-topped-by-of-leody-taveras-3b-sherten-apostel/|title=Rangers add six prospects to 40-man roster, topped by OF Leody Taveras and 3B Sherten Apostel|website=The Dallas Morning News|author=Evan Grant|date=November 20, 2019|access-date=November 20, 2019}}

=Chicago Cubs=

On November 27, 2019, the Chicago Cubs claimed Pelham from the Rangers off of waivers.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/cubs/press-release/press-release-cubs-claim-lhp-c-d-pelham-off-waivers-from-texas|title=Cubs claim LHP C.D. Pelham off waivers from Texas|website=MLB.com|date=November 27, 2019|access-date=November 27, 2019}} Pelham was outrighted off of the roster on January 24, 2020. He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|title=2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2020-minor-league-baseball-season-canceled|access-date=2023-02-27|website=mlb.com|language=en}} Pelham also missed the 2021 season due to an injury.

In 2022, Pelham made 29 appearances split between the Double-A Tennessee Smokies and the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, posting a cumulative 2–1 record and 4.35 ERA with 41 strikeouts and 2 saves in {{fraction|41|1|3}} innings pitched. He elected free agency following the season on November 10, 2022.{{Cite web|title=2022-23 Minor League Free Agents For All 30 MLB Teams|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2022-23-minor-league-free-agents-for-all-30-mlb-teams/?amphtml|access-date=April 1, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 13, 2022 |language=en}}

=San Diego Padres=

On March 9, 2023, Pelham signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres organization.{{Cite web|title=Padres' CD Pelham: Gets minors deal from San Diego|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/padres-cd-pelham-gets-minors-deal-from-san-diego/amp/|access-date=2023-03-10|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} He split the year between the rookie–level Arizona Complex League Padres, Single–A Lake Elsinore Storm, and Double–A San Antonio Missions. In 17 games between the three affiliates, Pelham recorded a 7.53 ERA with 16 strikeouts and 2 saves across {{fraction|14|1|3}} innings pitched. He elected free agency following the season on November 6.{{Cite web|title=2023 MiLB Free Agents|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2023-milb-free-agents/|access-date=April 1, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 8, 2023 |language=en}}

=Leones de Yucatán=

On March 29, 2024, Pelham signed with the Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican League.{{Cite web|title=LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 29 de marzo de 2024|url=https://www.milb.com/mexican/news/lmb-movimientos-en-listas-de-reserva-29-de-marzo-de-2024|access-date=April 1, 2024|website=milb.com|language=en}} In 17 appearances, Pelham posted a 2–1 record with a stellar 1.04 ERA and 18 strikeouts over {{fraction|17|1|3}} innings.

=Los Angeles Angels=

On May 31, 2024, Pelham's contract was purchased by the Los Angeles Angels and he was assigned to the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees.{{Cite tweet|user=leonesdeyucatan|number=1796736228303224954|title=DE LEONES PARA LOS ANGELES ¡MUCHO ÉXITO PELHAM!🦁🔥 El club melenudo le desea el mayor de los éxitos a CD. Pelham, quien firmó un contrato con los Angeles Angels🌎👀 ¡Enhorabuena, te deseamos el mayor de los éxitos!🤝🏻 #SomosLeones|date=31 May 2024|language=ES|access-date=1 June 2024}} In 10 appearances split between Salt Lake and the rookie–level Arizona Complex League Angels, he compiled a 1.80 ERA with 12 strikeouts across 10 innings of work. Pelham was released by the Angels organization on July 28.{{cite web | url=https://www.milb.com/transactions/2024-07-28 | title=Transactions }}

=Athletics=

On January 8, 2025, Pelham signed a minor league contract with the Athletics.{{Cite web|title=Athletics' CD Pelham: NRI pact with Athletics|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/athletics-cd-pelham-nri-pact-with-athletics/amp/|access-date=January 8, 2025|website=cbssports.com|language=en}}