Gus Varland

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name=Gus Varland

|team=Chicago White Sox

|number=37

|position=Pitcher

|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1996|11|6}}

|birth_place=Maplewood, Minnesota, U.S.

|bats=Left

|throws=Right

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = March 30

|debutyear = 2023

|debutteam = Milwaukee Brewers

|statyear = 2024 season

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 2–1

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 4.82

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 47

|teams =

Milwaukee Brewers ({{mlby|2023}})
Los Angeles Dodgers ({{mlby|2023}}–{{mlby|2024}})
Chicago White Sox ({{mlby|2024}}–present)

}}

Augustus James Varland (born November 6, 1996) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Career

Varland graduated from North Senior High School in North St. Paul, Minnesota and played college baseball at Concordia University, St. Paul.{{cite web|url=https://www.twincities.com/2023/04/15/for-varland-brothers-both-in-the-majors-at-same-time-a-dream-come-true/|title=For Varland brothers, now both in the majors at same time|work=Pioneer Press|date=April 15, 2023|accessdate=January 9, 2024|first=Betsy|last=Helfand}} In 31 games at college, he was 16–7 with a 3.04 ERA. He also played in summer leagues for the Utica Blue Sox of the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League and Willmar Stingers of the Northwoods League.

=Oakland Athletics=

The Oakland Athletics selected Varland in the 14th round of the 2018 MLB draft. He split his first professional season between the rookie-level Arizona League Athletics, Low-A Vermont Lake Monsters, and Single-A Beloit Snappers.

He made five appearances (four starts) with the High-A Stockton Ports in 2019, posting a 2–1 record and 2.39 ERA with 27 strikeouts in {{fraction|26|1|3}} innings pitched.{{Cite web|title=Oakland A's 2019 Community Prospect List #22: Gus Varland bursts onto the scene|url=https://www.athleticsnation.com/platform/amp/2019/3/5/18251696/oakland-as-2019-community-prospect-list-22-gus-varland|access-date=April 21, 2023|website=athleticsnation.com|language=en}} Varland 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=March 18, 2023|website=mlb.com|language=en}}

=Los Angeles Dodgers=

The Athletics traded Varland and Sheldon Neuse to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for Adam Kolarek and Cody Thomas on February 12, 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-dodgers-acquire-if-sheldon-neuse-and-rhp-gus-varland-from-athletic|title=Dodgers acquire IF Sheldon Neuse and RHP Gus Varland from Athletics|website=MLB.com}} Varland spent the year with the Double-A Tulsa Drillers, pitching to a 1–4 record and 5.71 ERA with 22 strikeouts in {{fraction|34|2|3}} innings of work.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=varlan000gus|title=Gus Varland Minor League Statistics|work=Baseball Reference|accessdate=May 22, 2023}}

On May 6, 2022, Varland was the starting pitcher in a game against the Wichita Wind Surge, for whom his brother Louie was the starting pitcher.{{Cite web|title=Varland brothers start against one another in Double-A|url=https://www.truebluela.com/platform/amp/2022/5/7/23060982/dodgers-minors-gus-louie-varland-tulsa-kevin-pillar-jerming-rosario|access-date=April 21, 2023|website=truebluela.com|language=en}} He spent the entire 2022 season with Tulsa, struggling to a 4–4 record and 6.11 ERA with 85 strikeouts in {{fraction|70|2|3}} innings pitched.

=Milwaukee Brewers=

On December 7, 2022, the Milwaukee Brewers selected Varland in the Rule 5 Draft and he made the Brewers' Opening Day roster out of spring training.{{cite web|url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/mlb/brewers/2023/03/27/brewers-rule-5-pick-gus-varland-makes-the-opening-day-roster/70050673007/ |title=Brewers Rule 5 pick Gus Varland makes the opening day roster |publisher=Jsonline.com |date= |accessdate=March 28, 2023}} Varland made his MLB debut on Opening Day (March 30), pitching in relief against the Chicago Cubs. He struck out the first batter he faced, Miles Mastrobuoni.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/brice-turang-gus-varland-debut-for-brewers-on-opening-day|title=Brewers rookies suit up for memorable debuts|website=MLB.com}} Through seven appearances for Milwaukee, Varland held a 2.25 ERA with five strikeouts in nine innings pitched. In a May 15 appearances against the St. Louis Cardinals, he allowed nine earned runs on six hits and three walks with one strikeout. He was designated for assignment by the Brewers the following day.{{cite web|title=Brewers' Gus Varland: Designated for assignment|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/brewers-gus-varland-designated-for-assignment/|access-date=May 16, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}}

=Los Angeles Dodgers (second stint)=

On May 22, 2023, Varland cleared waivers and was returned to the Dodgers organization.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/05/brewers-return-rule-5-gus-varland-dodgers.html|title=Brewers Return Gus Varland To Dodgers, Place Eric Lauer On Injured List|work=MLB Trade Rumors|first=Steve and Darragh McDonald|last=Adams|date=May 22, 2023|accessdate=May 22, 2023}} He was assigned to the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers, where he made 30 appearances and logged a 2.16 ERA with 39 strikeouts in {{fraction|33|1|3}} innings pitched.{{Cite web|title=Dodgers call up Gus Varland from Triple-A|url=https://www.truebluela.com/platform/amp/2023/8/15/23832244/dodgers-roster-gus-varland-jake-marisnick|access-date=August 15, 2023|website=truebluela.com|language=en}} On August 15, the Dodgers selected Varland's contract, adding him to the major league roster.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/08/dodgers-to-select-gus-varland.html|title=Dodgers Select Gus Varland|work=MLB Trade Rumors|first=Steve|last=Adams|date=August 15, 2023|accessdate=August 15, 2023}} On August 23, Varland recorded his first career victory in the major leagues, beating the Cleveland Guardians. He pitched in eight games for Los Angeles, allowing four earned runs in {{fraction|11|2|3}} innings.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/varlagu01.shtml|title=Gus Varland Stats|work=Baseball Reference|accessdate=September 12, 2023}} On September 10, Varland was placed on the injured list with right knee inflammation.{{Cite web|title=Dodgers' Gus Varland: Placed on 15-day IL|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/dodgers-gus-varland-placed-on-15-day-il/|access-date=September 15, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} He was transferred to the 60–day injured list two days later, ending his season.{{Cite web|title=Dodgers' Gus Varland: Moved to 60-day IL|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/dodgers-gus-varland-moved-to-60-day-il/|access-date=September 15, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}}

Varland began the 2024 on the major league roster for the Dodgers season opening series in Seoul, South Korea and pitched to one batter before he was optioned back to Oklahoma City to start the minor league season.{{cite web|url=https://dodgersnation.com/dodgers-appear-to-finalize-bullpen-in-advance-of-freeway-series/2024/03/22/|title=Dodgers Appear to Finalize Bullpen in Advance of Freeway Series|first=Ricardo|last=Sandoval|date=March 22, 2024|accessdate=March 23, 2024|work=Dodgers Nation}} He made seven appearances in the majors, allowing two earned runs in six innings and 28 appearances for Oklahoma City for a 7.99 ERA before he was designated for assignment on July 30.{{cite web|url=https://www.truebluela.com/2024/7/30/24209706/kevin-kiermaier-ryan-yarbrough-trade-dodgers-blue-jays|title=Dodgers trade Ryan Yarbrough to Blue Jays for Kevin Kiermaier|work=SB Nation|first=Eric|last=Stephen|date=July 30, 2024|accessdate=July 30, 2024}}

=Chicago White Sox=

On August 2, 2024, Varland was claimed off waivers by the Chicago White Sox.{{Cite web|title=White Sox Claim Gus Varland From Dodgers|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/08/white-sox-claim-gus-varland-from-dodgers.html|access-date=August 2, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} In 19 appearances for the White Sox, he compiled a 1-0 record and 3.54 ERA with 24 strikeouts across {{fraction|20|1|3}} innings pitched.

Varland was optioned to the Triple-A Charlotte Knights to begin the 2025 season.{{Cite web|title=White Sox make two roster moves|url=https://www.mlb.com/amp/press-release/press-release-white-sox-make-two-roster-moves-x1824.html|access-date=March 28, 2025|website=mlb.com|language=en}}

Personal life

Varland's younger brother, Louie, is also a professional baseball player.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gus-louie-varland-square-off-as-starters-for-tulsa-wichita |title=Gus Louie Varland square off as starters for Tulsa, Wichita |publisher=MiLB.com |date=May 6, 2022 |accessdate=March 28, 2023}}