Chris Okey

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Chris Okey

|image = Chris Okey (51282579604) (cropped).jpg

|caption = Okey with the Louisville Bats in 2021

|team = Los Angeles Dodgers

|number =

|position = Catcher

|bats = Right

|throws = Right

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|12|29}}

|birth_place = Altamonte Springs, Florida, U.S.

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = June 10

|debutyear = 2022

|debutteam = Cincinnati Reds

|statleague = MLB

|statyear = 2023 season

|stat1label = Batting average

|stat1value = .143

|stat2label = Home runs

|stat2value = 0

|stat3label = Runs batted in

|stat3value = 0

|teams =

Cincinnati Reds ({{mlby|2022}})
Los Angeles Angels ({{mlby|2023}})

|medaltemplates=

{{MedalCountry | {{bb|USA}}}}

}}

Christopher Campbell Okey (born December 29, 1994) is an American professional baseball catcher in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Angels. He played college baseball for the Clemson Tigers of Clemson University.

Amateur career

Okey attended Eustis High School in Eustis, Florida. Playing for the school's baseball team, Okey was a four-year letterman. He also played for the United States national youth baseball team. In his senior year, Okey had a .411 batting average with four home runs and 29 runs batted in (RBIs).{{cite web|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2013/06/05/prospect-faces-baseball-draft-decision-play-for-clemson-or-sign-pro-contract/|title=Eustis' Chris Okey waiting on draft to make decision Clemson or MLB|work=Orlando Sentinel|first=Joe |last=Williams|date=June 5, 2013|access-date=April 7, 2016}} The San Diego Padres selected Okey in the 31st round of the 2013 Major League Baseball draft, but he did not sign.{{cite web|url=http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20160105/PC20/160109684/1032/clemson-catcher-chris-okey-leads-list-of-state-x2019-s-top-college-draft-prospects|title=Clemson catcher Chris Okey leads list of state's top college draft prospects|work=The Post and Courier|date=January 5, 2016 |access-date=April 7, 2016}}

Okey enrolled at Clemson University in order to play college baseball for the Clemson Tigers. He split time during his freshman year between catcher and designated hitter. As a freshman, Okey batted .248 with four home runs, and 41 RBIs in 61 games played.{{cite web|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2014/06/25/eustis-grad-chris-okey-behind-the-plate-again-for-usa-baseball/|title=Eustis grad Chris Okey behind the plate again for USA Baseball|date=June 25, 2014|first=Eleanor|last=Roy|work=Orlando Sentinel|access-date=April 7, 2016}} In 2015, his sophomore year, Okey started at catcher in all of the Tigers' 61 games,{{cite web|url=http://www.thestate.com/sports/college/acc/clemson-university/article22443693.html|title=Chris Okey is iron man behind the plate for Clemson|work=The State|first=Brad|last=Senkiw|date=May 27, 2015|access-date=April 7, 2016}} and had a .315 batting average and led the team with 12 home runs and 57 RBIs. He was named to the All-Atlantic Coast Conference team, an All-American, and a semifinalist for the Johnny Bench Award.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/25466529/its-winter-and-there-is-no-baseball-clemsons-chris-okey-is-here-to-help|title=It's winter and there is no baseball; Clemson's Chris Okey is here to help|work=CBSSports.com|access-date=April 7, 2016}} In 2016, Baseball America rated Okey as the 25th-best college prospect available in the 2016 Major League Baseball draft. He was named a Preseason All-American before the 2016 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.goupstate.com/article/20151222/ARTICLES/151229948|title=Clemson catcher Chris Okey named 2nd team preseason All-American|work=Spartanburg Herald-Journal|date=December 22, 2015|access-date=April 7, 2016}}

Professional career

=Cincinnati Reds=

The Cincinnati Reds selected Okey in the second round, with the 43rd overall selection, of the 2016 draft.{{cite web|url=http://www.thestate.com/sports/college/acc/clemson-university/article82922307.html|title=Clemson catcher Chris Okey drafted 43rd by Cincinnati|work=The State|access-date=June 23, 2016}} Okey signed with the Reds, receiving a reported $2 million signing bonus,{{cite web|url=http://www.postandcourier.com/20160613/160619765/clemsons-pat-krall-to-return-chris-okey-signs-with-reds|title=Clemson's Pat Krall to return; Chris Okey signs with Reds|date=June 13, 2016|work=The Post and Courier|access-date=June 23, 2016}} and made his professional debut with the Billings Mustangs of the Rookie-level Pioneer League.{{cite web|url=http://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/sports/college/clemson/2016/06/10/okey-bound-billings/85717904/|title=Okey bound for Billings|work=Greenville News|first= Scott|last=Keepfer|date=June 10, 2016|access-date=June 23, 2016}} After playing in nine games for Billings, he was promoted to the Dayton Dragons of the Single-A Midwest League.{{cite web|url=http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/reds/2016/07/03/nick-senzel-chris-okey-big-part-reds-future-dayton/86662496/|title=Nick Senzel, Chris Okey big part of Reds' future in Dayton|first=Zach |last=Buchanan|work=Cincinnati Enquirer|date=July 3, 2016|access-date=July 13, 2016}} Okey finished the 2016 season with a .227 batting average, six home runs and 22 RBIs in 51 games.{{cite web|url=http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?player_id=608360#/career/R/hitting/2016/ALL |title=Chris Okey Stats, Highlights, Bio | MiLB.com Stats | The Official Site of Minor League Baseball |publisher=Milb.com |date= |access-date=2017-06-10}}

Okey spent the 2017 season with the Daytona Tortugas of the High-A Florida State League,{{cite web|url=http://www.herald-dispatch.com/sports/reds-catcher-inspired-by-stars/article_2fa18783-146e-5ca0-a24f-3162bbf55eb0.html |title=Reds catcher inspired by stars | Sports |publisher=herald-dispatch.com |date=2017-02-01 |access-date=2017-06-10}} posting a .185 batting average with three home runs, 28 RBIs, and a .514 OPS in 93 games.{{cite web|url=http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?player_id=608360#/career/R/hitting/2017/ALL|title=Chris Okey Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball|publisher=MiLB.com|access-date=November 19, 2017}} He began 2018 with Daytona before being promoted to the Pensacola Blue Wahoos of the Double-A Southern League. In 86 games between the two clubs, Okey slashed .199/.259/.315 with seven home runs and 29 RBIs. He split the 2019 with the Chattanooga Lookouts of the Double-A Southern League and the Louisville Bats of the Triple-A International League, batting .209 with seven home runs and 28 RBIs over 58 games.{{cite web|url=https://primetimesportstalk.com/2019/09/23/cincinnati-reds-taking-a-look-at-internal-catching-depth/|title = Cincinnati Reds: Taking a look at internal catching depth|date = September 23, 2019}} The Reds invited Okey to spring training as a non-roster player in 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/mlb/reds/2020/01/19/cincinnati-reds-roster-position-position-breakdown-before-spring-training/4519386002/ |title=Cincinnati Reds roster: Position-by-position breakdown before spring training |publisher=Courier-journal.com |date= |accessdate=2022-06-10}} After the cancellation of the 2020 season, Okey played for Louisville in 2021{{cite web|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/mlb/minors/louisville-bats/2021/07/26/how-louisville-bats-survived-covid-19-year-without-baseball/8006491002/ |title=The Courier-Journal |publisher=The Courier-Journal |date= |accessdate=2022-06-10}} and returned there in 2022. On June 4, 2022, while playing for Louisville, Okey hit for the cycle in an 11–3 victory over the Gwinnett Stripers. He became the 7th player in Bats history to do so.{{Cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/chris-okey-hits-for-the-cycle-for-louisville-bats|title=Louisville's Okey hits for the cycle|website=MiLB.com|accessdate=March 26, 2023}}

The Reds promoted Okey to the major leagues on June 10, 2022, following an injury to regular catcher Tyler Stephenson.{{cite web|url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/2022/06/10/chris-okey-call-up-video-louisville-bats-catcher-learns-mlb-promotion-joins-cincinnati-reds-debut/7584487001/ |title=Watch: Chris Okey, Louisville Bats catcher, finds out he's MLB-bound, joining Reds |publisher=Cincinnati.com |date= |accessdate=2022-07-13}} He made his major league debut that same day as a defensive substitute for Aramis Garcia in a 2–0 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals.{{cite web|author=Kaycee Sloan |url=https://www.wlwt.com/article/chris-okey-mlb-debut-reds-louisville-bats/40266158# |title='A dream come true': Louisville Bats Chris Okey made his first MLB start on Saturday |publisher=Wlwt.com |date=2022-06-12 |accessdate=2022-07-13}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/reds/2022/06/11/chris-okey-makes-his-big-league-debut-cincinnati-reds/7582506001/ |title=Chris Okey makes his big league debut for Cincinnati Reds |publisher=Cincinnati.com |date= |accessdate=2022-07-13}} On June 13, Okey collected his first career hit, slapping a single up the middle off of Arizona Diamondbacks starter Merrill Kelly.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/video/okey-s-first-major-league-hit|title=Chris Okey's first Major League hit | 06/13/2022|website=MLB.com|accessdate=March 26, 2023}}

The Reds optioned Okey back to Louisville on June 29{{cite web|url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/reds/2022/06/29/reds-news-michael-papierski-added-roster-colin-moran-designated-for-assignment-justin-dunn-update/7767745001/ |title=Michael Papierski added to roster; Justin Dunn update: Reds notes |publisher=Cincinnati.com |date= |accessdate=2022-07-13}} and designated him for assignment on July 5.{{cite web|author=Steve Adams |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/07/reds-to-claim-ian-gibaut-waivers-dodgers.html |title=Reds Claim RHP Ian Gibaut Off Waivers From Dodgers |publisher=MLB Trade Rumors |date=2022-07-05 |accessdate=2022-07-13}} Okey cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A on July 6.{{Cite web|title=Reds' Chris Okey: Outrighted to Triple-A|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/reds-chris-okey-outrighted-to-triple-a/|access-date=2023-05-15|website=cbssports.com|date=July 6, 2022 |language=en}} He was released on August 13.

=Los Angeles Angels=

On March 30, 2023, Okey signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels. He played in 13 games for the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees, hitting .125/.205/.225. On May 9, Okey had his contract selected to the active roster after Chad Wallach was placed on the concussion injured list. He was subsequently slotted into the starting lineup in that day's game against the Houston Astros.{{cite web|title=Angels' Chris Okey: Contract selected from Salt Lake|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/angels-chris-okey-contract-selected-from-salt-lake/|access-date=2023-05-09|website=cbssports.com|date=May 9, 2023 |language=en}} He went hitless in two games for the Angels before he was designated for assignment on June 24.{{Cite web|title=Angels' Chris Okey: Designated for assignment|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/angels-chris-okey-designated-for-assignment/amp/|access-date=June 24, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} On June 26, Okey cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple–A.{{Cite web|title=Angels' Chris Okey: Outrighted to Triple-A|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/angels-chris-okey-outrighted-to-triple-a/amp/|access-date=June 26, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} On October 10, he elected free agency.{{Cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/transactions/2023-10-10|title=Transactions|website=MiLB.com}}

=Los Angeles Dodgers=

File:Chrisokey.jpg

On January 3, 2024, Okey signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers{{Cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/player/chris-okey-608360|title=Chris Okey Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News|website=MiLB.com}} and he was assigned to the Triple–A Oklahoma City Baseball Club to start the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.truebluela.com/2024/3/29/24114906/dodgers-oklahoma-city-roster-2024|title=Dodgers Triple-A affiliate Oklahoma City sets preliminary roster for 2024|first=Eric|last=Stephen|work=SB Nation|date=March 29, 2024|accessdate=March 29, 2024}} He played in 45 games, batting .236/.283/.327 with two home runs, 13 RBI, and four stolen bases. Okey elected free agency following the season on November 4.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2024/|title=Minor League Free Agents 2024|work=Baseball America|date=November 6, 2024|accessdate=November 6, 2024|first=Matt|last=Eddy}}

On January 24, 2025, Okey re-signed with the Dodgers organization on a new minor league contract.{{Cite web|title=Dodgers Re-Sign Chris Okey To Minor League Deal|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/01/dodgers-re-sign-chris-okey-to-minor-league-deal.html|access-date=January 24, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=January 24, 2025 |language=en}}

Personal life

Okey's father, Chuck, played college football at Presbyterian College. His mother, Kim, was a cheerleader for Clemson. He has two older brothers, Chase and Mitch.{{cite web|url=http://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/sports/college/clemson/2016/02/18/tiger-all-way-chris-okey-always-knew-where-hed-play-baseball/80475084/|title=A Tiger all the way: Chris Okey always knew where he'd play baseball|date=February 18, 2016|first=Scott|last=Keepfer|work=The Greenville News|access-date=April 7, 2016}}