Justus Sheffield

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = Justus Sheffield

| image = Justus Sheffield (52819658899).jpg

| caption = Sheffield with the Seattle Mariners in 2023

| width =

| team = Gastonia Ghost Peppers

| number =

| position = Pitcher

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|5|13}}

| birth_place = Tullahoma, Tennessee, U.S.

| bats = Left

| throws = Left

| debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = September 19

| debutyear = 2018

| debutteam = New York Yankees

| statyear = 2022 season

| statleague = MLB

| stat1label = Win–loss record

| stat1value = 12–12

| stat2label = Earned run average

| stat2value = 5.47

| stat3label = Strikeouts

| stat3value = 155

| teams =

New York Yankees ({{mlby|2018}})
Seattle Mariners ({{mlby|2019}}–{{mlby|2022}})

|medaltemplates=

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

}}

Justus Kane Sheffield (born May 13, 1996) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Gastonia Ghost Peppers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners.

He was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the first round of the 2014 MLB draft. During the 2016 trade deadline, he was traded to the Yankees, where he made his MLB debut on September 19, 2018. Following the 2018 season, Sheffield was traded to the Seattle Mariners.

Career

= Amateur =

Sheffield attended Tullahoma High School in Tullahoma, Tennessee. He threw two no-hitters in high school, including a 17–strikeout game as a senior.{{cite web|url=http://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/preps/2014/04/07/tullahomas-justus-sheffield-throws-hitter/7449161/|title=Vanderbilt signee Justus Sheffield throws no-hitter|website=The Tennessean |date=April 7, 2014|access-date=January 13, 2015}} He finished his senior season with an 11-0 record, a 0.34 earned run average (ERA), and 131 strikeouts in {{frac|61|2|3}} innings pitched. He also batted .405/.478/.620 with three home runs. He was named the Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year.{{cite web|url=http://www.gatorade.com/poy/profile.aspx?id=15301|title=Justus Sheffield - Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year 2013-2014|access-date=January 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150523170737/http://www.gatorade.com/poy/profile.aspx?id=15301|archive-date=May 23, 2015|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/preps/2014/06/04/justus-sheffield-gatorade-national-player-year/9927795/|title=Justus Sheffield first TN Gatorade national player of year|website=The Tennessean |date=June 4, 2014|access-date=January 13, 2015}}{{cite web |url=http://www.letsgotribe.com/2014/6/5/5784418/mlb-draft-2014-indians-31-pick-justus-sheffield-news|title=MLB Draft 2014: Indians select Justus Sheffield #31 overall|access-date=June 15, 2014|date=June 5, 2014|work=SB Nation|author=Lukehart, Jason}} In June 2013, he was named to the USA Baseball 18 and under national team roster.{{Cite web |last=Cirillo |first=Chip |title=Sheffield makes 40-man cut for national team |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/highschoolsports/2013/06/24/sheffield-makes-40-man-cut-for-national-team/5429067/ |access-date=December 11, 2023 |website=The Tennessean |language=en-US}} The team won the 2013 18U Baseball World Cup in Taichung, Taiwan.{{Cite news |title=WORLD CHAMPS! Team USA Defeats Chinese Taipei, Wins Gold At WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup |url=https://www.usabaseball.com/news/topic/18u/world-champs-team-usa-defeats-chinese-taipei-wins-gold-at-wbsc-u-18-baseball-wor |access-date=December 11, 2023 |website=USA Baseball |language=en}} Sheffield committed to play college baseball at Vanderbilt University.{{cite web |last=Boclair |first=David |title=Vanderbilt signee named country's top high school baseball player |url=http://nashvillepost.com/blogs/postsports/2014/6/4/vanderbilt_signee_named_countrys_top_high_school_baseball_player |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606220732/http://nashvillepost.com/blogs/postsports/2014/6/4/vanderbilt_signee_named_countrys_top_high_school_baseball_player |archive-date=June 6, 2014 |access-date=January 13, 2015 |website=Nashville Post}}

=Cleveland Indians=

The Cleveland Indians selected Sheffield in the first round (31st overall) of the 2014 MLB draft, and he signed with Cleveland, bypassing Vanderbilt.{{cite web |title=Indians agree to terms with LHP Sheffield |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140605&content_id=78406188¬ebook_id=78452394&vkey=notebook_cle&c_id=cle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140607134353/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140605&content_id=78406188¬ebook_id=78452394&vkey=notebook_cle&c_id=cle |archive-date=June 7, 2014 |access-date=January 13, 2015 |work=MLB.com}} In 2015, he pitched for the Lake County Captains of the Single-A Midwest League. He threw {{frac|127|2|3}} innings, and had a 9-4 record and a 3.31 ERA and was a Midwest League Mid-Season All-Star.{{Cite web |title=Justus Sheffield Stats, Fantasy & News |url=https://www.milb.com/player/justus-sheffield-656954 |access-date=December 10, 2023 |website=Minor League Baseball |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Zack Meisel |first=cleveland com |date=October 20, 2015 |title=Cleveland Indians prospect Justus Sheffield learned how to pitch in 2015 and he enjoyed the results |url=https://www.cleveland.com/tribe/2015/10/cleveland_indians_prospect_jus.html |access-date=December 10, 2023 |website=cleveland |language=en}} Sheffield began the 2016 season with the Lynchburg Hillcats of the High-A Carolina League.{{cite web|url=http://www.tullahomanews.com/sheffield-continues-to-improve-in-all-star-season/ |title=Sheffield continues to improve in All-Star season | Local Sports |publisher=tullahomanews.com |date=July 28, 2016 |access-date=August 22, 2018}} He was a Carolina League Mid-Season All-Star after pitching to a 3.59 ERA in 19 games over 95.1 innings.

=New York Yankees=

On July 31, 2016, the Indians traded Sheffield along with Clint Frazier, Ben Heller, and J. P. Feyereisen to the New York Yankees for Andrew Miller.{{cite web|url=http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2016/07/cleveland_indians_andrew_mille.html |title=All in? Cleveland Indians acquire Yankees relief ace Andrew Miller for Clint Frazier, other prospects |publisher=cleveland.com |date=July 31, 2016 |access-date=August 22, 2018}} He finished the 2016 season with the Tampa Yankees of the High-A Florida State League, where he posted a 10-6 record with a 3.09 ERA. Before the 2017 season, Baseball America ranked Sheffield as the 7th best prospect in the Yankees organization.{{Cite web |last=Norris |first=Josh |date=October 28, 2016 |title=2017 New York Yankees Top 10 Prospects |url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2017-new-york-yankees-top-10-prospects/ |access-date=December 10, 2023 |website=College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects - Baseball America |language=en-US}} Baseball Prospectus ranked him 5th.{{Cite web |date=November 28, 2016 |title=2017 Prospects: New York Yankees Top 10 Prospects |url=https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/30752/2017-prospects-new-york-yankees-top-10-prospects/ |access-date=December 10, 2023 |website=Baseball Prospectus}} He spent 2017 with the Trenton Thunder of the Double-A Eastern League, going 7-6 with a 3.18 ERA in {{frac|93|1|3}} innings pitched. Sheffield was named Eastern League Pitcher of the Week for the weeks of May 28 and June 18 and was named a Mid-Season All-Star. He later played in the Arizona Fall League and was a 2017 Rising Star.{{Cite web |title=Robles, Acuna highlight Fall Stars Game rosters |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2017-afl-fall-stars-game-rosters-unveiled-c260022728 |access-date=December 10, 2023 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}

After starting 2018 in Double-A, Sheffield was promoted to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders of the Triple-A International League on May 3, 2018.{{Cite web |date=May 3, 2018 |title=Yankees' Justus Sheffield: Advances to Triple-A |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/yankees-justus-sheffield-advances-to-triple-a/ |access-date=December 10, 2023 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}} He was the 12th, 28th, and 40th best prospect in baseball, according to ESPN's, MLB's, and Baseball Prospectus' respective mid-season prospect lists.{{Cite web |last=Norton |first=Tyler |date=July 19, 2018 |title=Justus Sheffield lone Yankees prospect on Keith Law's midseason top 50 |url=https://www.pinstripealley.com/2018/7/19/17593064/yankees-prospects-keith-law-ranking-justus-sheffield-estevan-florial |access-date=December 10, 2023 |website=Pinstripe Alley |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Devin |first=Jake |date=July 22, 2018 |title=Yankees place one in Baseball Prospectus' Midseason Top 50 |url=https://www.pinstripealley.com/2018/7/22/17597970/yankees-prospects-baseball-prospectus-justus-sheffield-farm-system-depth |access-date=December 10, 2023 |website=Pinstripe Alley |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Devin |first=Jake |date=July 30, 2018 |title=Yankees place four on MLB Pipeline's midseason top 100 |url=https://www.pinstripealley.com/2018/7/30/17627462/yankees-prospects-mlb-pipeline-top-100-list-sheffield-loaisiga-abreu-florial |access-date=December 10, 2023 |website=Pinstripe Alley |language=en}} Sheffield was also named to the 2018 All-Star Futures Game.{{Cite web |title=Here are the Futures Game starting lineups |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/starting-lineups-for-the-2018-mlb-futures-game-c285913514 |access-date=December 10, 2023 |website=MLB.com |language=en}} In August, the Yankees converted him into a relief pitcher in preparation for a September call-up to the major leagues.{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/2018/08/how_yankees_began_preparing_justus_sheffield_for_s.html |title=How Yankees began preparing Justus Sheffield for September call-up |date=August 22, 2018 |publisher=NJ.com |access-date=August 22, 2018}}

He made his MLB debut on September 19 against the Boston Red Sox and gave up a single to his first batter, Brock Holt.{{Cite web |title=Yankees 10-1 Red Sox (Sep 19, 2018) Game Recap |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/380919110 |access-date=December 10, 2023 |website=ESPN |language=en}}

=Seattle Mariners=

On November 19, 2018, the Yankees traded Sheffield, Dom Thompson-Williams, and Erik Swanson to the Seattle Mariners for James Paxton.{{Cite web |date=November 19, 2018 |title=Yankees land Paxton, ship top prospect to Seattle |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/25325582/yankees-land-james-paxton-trade-send-top-prospect-mariners |access-date=December 10, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} He was the team's top prospect in 2019, according to MLB.com.{{Cite web |title=Mariners Top Prospects |url=https://www.mlb.com/prospects/2019/mariners |access-date=December 10, 2023 |website=MLB.com |language=en}} Sheffield was called up on April 26, 2019{{Cite web |title=Mariners call up Sheffield to face Rangers |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/justus-sheffield-to-make-mariners-debut |access-date=December 10, 2023 |website=MLB.com |language=en}} and allowed two runs and four walks over three innings of relief.{{Cite web |title=Mariners 5-4 Rangers (Apr 26, 2019) Final Score |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/game/_/gameId/401075123 |access-date=December 10, 2023 |website=ESPN |language=en}} He pitched to a 6.87 ERA in 13 appearances for the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers before the Mariners demoted him to the Double-A Arkansas Travelers. This was enough for Baseball America to drop him from 27th to 83rd on its top 100 prospect list.{{Cite web |last=Glaser |first=Kyle |date=July 10, 2019 |title=Justus Sheffield 2019 Top 100 MLB Prospects Stock Watch |url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/justus-sheffield-2019-top-100-mlb-prospects-stock-watch/ |access-date=December 10, 2023 |website=College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects - Baseball America |language=en-US}} Sheffield rebounded with a 2.18 ERA in 78 innings{{Cite web |last=Gustafson |first=Brandon |date=April 4, 2020 |title=Mariners' Sheffield on how a 'reset' at Double-A led to surge in confidence |url=https://sports.mynorthwest.com/836954/mariners-sheffield-reset-double-a-surge-confidence/ |access-date=December 10, 2023 |website=Seattle Sports |language=en}} and returned to the Mariners on August 23.{{Cite web |last=PR |first=Mariners |date=November 18, 2019 |title=Justus Sheffield Harnesses 'Exceptional Stuff' to Take Step Forward in 2019 |url=https://marinersblog.mlblogs.com/justus-sheffield-harnesses-exceptional-stuff-to-take-step-forward-in-2019-87e12a540f78 |access-date=December 11, 2023 |website=Medium |language=en}} He finished the season with a 5.50 ERA over 36 innings for the Mariners.

File:Justus Sheffield (51268941083) (cropped).jpg

In 2020, Sheffield was included on the Mariners' 60-man player pool during the COVID-19 shortened season.{{Cite web |date=June 28, 2020 |title=Mariners Announce Initial 60-Man Player Pool |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/06/mariners-announce-initial-60-man-player-pool.html |access-date=December 11, 2023 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}} He was part of the team's six-man starting rotation to begin the season, pitching to a 3.58 ERA in 10 starts.{{Cite web |date=June 25, 2020 |title=Mariners Likely To Open With Six-Man Rotation |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/06/mariners-rumors-six-man-rotation.html |access-date=December 11, 2023 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}} In 2021, Sheffield had a 6.48 ERA in 15 starts before hitting the injured list with a forearm strain in July.{{Cite web |last=Kramer |first=Daniel |title=Sheffield goes on IL with left forearm strain |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/justus-sheffield-injured-list-left-forearm-strain |access-date=December 11, 2023 |website=MLB.com |language=en}} He was reinstated on September 1{{Cite web |last=PR |first=Mariners |date=September 1, 2021 |title=Mariners Reinstate Justus Sheffeld from 10-day IL; Recall Kevin Padlo from Triple-A Tacoma |url=https://marinersblog.mlblogs.com/mariners-reinstate-justus-sheffeld-from-10-day-il-recall-kevin-padlo-from-triple-a-tacoma-91c6509beb3 |access-date=December 11, 2023 |website=Medium |language=en}} and pitched of the bullpen.{{Cite web |title=Sheffield's move to 'pen is paying off |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/justus-sheffield-steps-up-in-mariners-bullpen |access-date=December 11, 2023 |website=MLB.com |language=en}} He allowed eight earned runs in 6.2 innings and was demoted before the end of 2021.{{Cite web |title=Justus Sheffield Player Card {{!}} Baseball Prospectus |url=https://www.baseballprospectus.com/player/104902/justus-sheffield/ |access-date=December 11, 2023 |website=www.baseballprospectus.com}}

In 2022, Sheffield made the team out of spring training as a reliever. He made four appearances in April before being sent down to Tacoma. He was twice recalled from Tacoma during the season. His final appearance for the Mariners was a start on October 4, earning a win and allowing four runs in five innings pitched. For the year, he appeared in 6 games, with one start, pitching 11.2 innings in total. He finished with a record of 1-0 and a 3.86 ERA.{{Cite web |title=Justus Sheffield 2022 Pitching Game Logs |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=sheffju01&t=p&year=2022 |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}

Sheffield was designated for assignment on January 19, 2023, to make room for Tommy La Stella on the roster.{{Cite web |last=McTaggart |first=Brian |date=January 19, 2023 |title=Mariners add La Stella on 1-year deal |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/tommy-la-stella-mariners-deal |website=MLB.com}} On January 26, Sheffield cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Tacoma.{{Cite web|title=Mariners' Justus Sheffield: Sent outright to Triple-A|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/mariners-justus-sheffield-sent-outright-to-triple-a/amp/|access-date=January 27, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} In 10 games with Tacoma to begin the year, Sheffield pitched poorly, with a 14.04 ERA and 4 strikeouts in 8.1 innings pitched. He was released by the Mariners organization on April 27.{{Cite web |date=April 27, 2023 |title=Mariners Release Justus Sheffield |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/04/mariners-release-justus-sheffield.html |access-date=December 11, 2023 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}}

=Atlanta Braves=

On May 12, 2023, Sheffield signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves organization.{{cite web|title=Braves' Justus Sheffield: Gets minors deal from Atlanta|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/braves-justus-sheffield-gets-minors-deal-from-atlanta/|access-date=May 12, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=May 12, 2023 |language=en}} He spent the remainder of the season with the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers, also appearing in one game for the Double-A Mississippi Braves. In 13 games (11 starts) for Gwinnett, Sheffield logged a 2–5 record and 6.63 ERA with 56 strikeouts across {{fraction|54|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=May 17, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|language=en}}

=Cincinnati Reds=

On June 7, 2024, Sheffield signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds.{{Cite web |title=Transactions |url=https://www.milb.com/transactions/2024-06-07/p-2 |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=Minor League Baseball |language=en}} In 19 appearances split between the rookie-level Arizona Complex League Reds and Triple-A Louisville Bats, he struggled to a combined 1-7 record and 6.75 ERA with 46 strikeouts across {{fraction|46|2|3}} innings pitched.{{Cite web |title=Justus Sheffield 2024 Minor & Fall Leagues Game Logs & Splits |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=sheffi000jus |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}} Sheffield elected free agency following the season on November 4.{{Cite web|title=Minor League Free Agents 2024|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2024/|access-date=April 19, 2025|website=baseballamerica.com|language=en}}

=Gastonia Ghost Peppers=

On April 18, 2025, Sheffield signed with the Gastonia Ghost Peppers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.{{Cite web|title=Justus Sheffield & Duane Underwood Jr. Sign with Ghost Peppers for 2025|url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/justus-sheffield--duane-underwood-jr-sign-with-ghost-peppers-for-2025/n-6215846|access-date=April 19, 2025|website=oursportscentral.com|language=en}}

Personal life

His brother, Jordan Sheffield, pitched for the Colorado Rockies.{{cite web |last=Rhode |first=Nathan |date=July 26, 2012 |title=High School: High Heat: Sheffields Front Brotherly Staff |url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/high-school/high-heat/2012/2613780.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102231143/http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/high-school/high-heat/2012/2613780.html |archive-date=November 2, 2012 |access-date=January 13, 2015 |website=Baseball America}}{{Cite web |last=Mayo |first=Jonathan |title=Five questions with Indians' Justus Sheffield |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/get-to-know-indians-prospect-justus-sheffield-c166008912 |access-date=December 10, 2023 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}{{cite web|title=Who is Justus Sheffield? Yankees get pitcher in Andrew Miller trade to Indians|url=http://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/2016/07/who_is_justus_sheffield_yankees_get_pitcher_in_and.html|website=nj.com|date=July 31, 2016 |access-date=August 2, 2016}}

Sheffield was arrested on January 12, 2015 and charged with underage drinking and aggravated burglary.{{cite web |last=Seiner |first=Jake |date=January 13, 2015 |title=Cleveland Indians' Justus Sheffield arrested, charged with burglary |url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-106314284 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119075140/http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20150113&content_id=106314284&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_milb&sid=milb |archive-date=January 19, 2015 |access-date=January 13, 2015 |url-status=live |work=Minor League Baseball}} He pleaded guilty at Coffee County Court House in Tullahoma, Tennessee to charges of underage drinking and criminal trespass with a deferred judgment, so that the charges could be expunged from his record in a year.{{cite web|url=http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2015/02/cleveland_indians_justus_sheff.html |title=Cleveland Indians LHP Justus Sheffield pleads guilty to two charges; sentence reduced |date=February 7, 2015 |publisher=cleveland.com |access-date=August 22, 2018}}