Matt Swarmer
{{Short description|American baseball player (born 1993)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name = Matt Swarmer
|image = Matt Swarmer (51225786468) (cropped).jpg
|caption = Swarmer with the Iowa Cubs in 2021
|team = Lancaster Stormers
|number =
|position = Pitcher
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1993|9|25}}
|birth_place = Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.
|bats = Right
|throws = Right
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate = May 30
|debutyear = 2022
|debutteam = Chicago Cubs
|statleague = MLB
|statyear = 2022 season
|stat1label = Win–loss record
|stat1value = 2–3
|stat2label = Earned run average
|stat2value = 5.03
|stat3label = Strikeouts
|stat3value = 36
|teams =
- Chicago Cubs ({{mlby|2022}})
}}
Matthew Lee Swarmer (born September 25, 1993) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Lancaster Stormers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago Cubs.
Amateur career
Swarmer attended Governor Mifflin Senior High School and played four years of college baseball at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania.{{cite web|last=Smith |first=Brian |url=https://www.readingeagle.com/2022/05/29/matt-swarmer-gov-mifflin-and-kutztown-university-product-to-make-major-league-debut-with-cubs/ |title=Matt Swarmer, Gov. Mifflin and Kutztown University product, to make major league debut with Cubs |publisher=Readingeagle.com |date= May 30, 2022|accessdate=May 30, 2022}} After his senior year at Kutztown, he was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 19th round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft.{{Cite web|url=https://kubears.com/news/2016/6/11/baseball-matt-swarmer-drafted-by-chicago-cubs-in-19th-round-of-mlb-draft.aspx|title=Matt Swarmer Drafted by Chicago Cubs in 19th Round of MLB Draft|website=Kutztown University Athletics|date=June 11, 2016 }}
Professional career
=Chicago Cubs=
Swarmer made his professional debut in 2016 with the Arizona League Cubs and worked his way through the minor league system with the Eugene Emeralds, Myrtle Beach Pelicans, South Bend Cubs, and Tennessee Smokies before reaching the Triple-A Iowa Cubs for the first time in 2017. In 2018, Swarmer split the season between Myrtle Beach and Tennessee, and was named the Cubs' Minor League Pitcher of the Year after starting 24 games and going 9–8 with a 3.22 ERA over {{fraction|128|2|3}} innings.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/cubs-name-matt-swarmer-minor-league-pitcher-of-the-year-295073304 |title=Cubs Name Matt Swarmer Minor League Pitcher Of The Year |publisher=MiLB.com |date=September 18, 2018 |accessdate=May 30, 2022}}
In 2019, Swarmer made 27 appearances (25 starts) for Iowa, posting a 10-11 record and 5.65 ERA with 137 strikeouts in {{fraction|151|1|3}} innings pitched. Swarmer 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}} He pitched in 24 games (starting 20) for Triple-A Iowa in 2021, logging a 3-8 record and 4.79 ERA with 120 strikeouts in {{fraction|112|2|3}} innings of work. Swarmer returned to Iowa to open the 2022 season.{{cite web | url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/baseball/iowa-cubs/2022/04/05/iowa-cubs-roster-chicago-cubs-minor-league-baseball-milb-brennen-davis-matt-dermody-principal-park/9468644002/ | title=Breaking down the 2022 Iowa Cubs opening day roster | website=The Des Moines Register }}
On May 30, 2022, the Cubs selected Swarmer's contract and promoted him to the major leagues for the first time.{{cite web | url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/cubs-matt-swarmer-contract-selected-starting-monday/ | title=Cubs' Matt Swarmer: Contract selected, starting Monday | date=May 30, 2022 }} He made his MLB debut that day as the starting pitcher in game one of a doubleheader versus the Milwaukee Brewers.{{cite web | url=https://sports.yahoo.com/cubs-promoting-matt-swarmer-mlb-001253357.html | title=Cubs promoting Matt Swarmer for MLB debut in Brewers doubleheader }} He threw six innings and gave up four runs (only one earned) while striking out six batters in a 7-6 loss.{{cite web | url=https://www.mlb.com/news/matt-swarmer-strikes-out-six-in-major-league-debut | title='It was awesome': Swarmer's debut caps long road to Majors | website=MLB.com }} On June 5, Swarmer earned his first career win, tossing six innings of one-run ball against the St. Louis Cardinals. He also became the first Cubs rookie since Gene Lillard in 1939 to throw six-plus innings and allow one or fewer runs in each of his first two big-league games.{{Cite web|title=Cubs' Swarmer adds historic feat, 1st win to good debut|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/cubs/cubs-matt-swarmer-adds-1st-win-historic-feat-impressive-debut?amp|access-date=2023-02-08|website=nbcsports.com|language=en}}
On June 11, 2022, Swarmer tied a major-league record by allowing six solo home runs in a single game during an 8-0 loss to The Yankees.{{Cite web|title=Cubs' Matt Swarmer ties MLB record by allowing six solo home runs in loss to Yankees|url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/cubs-matt-swarmer-ties-mlb-record-by-allowing-six-solo-home-runs-in-loss-to-yankees/|access-date=2023-02-16|website=cbssports.com|date=June 12, 2022 |language=en}} Swarmer also became the first Cubs pitcher to allow six homers in a game since Tom Lee in 1884. Swarmer had previously set another franchise record in 2019 with the Iowa Cubs, allowing 36 home runs in his 27 outings.{{Cite web|title=Cubs' Matt Swarmer allows six home runs vs. Yankees, setting franchise mark|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2022/6/11/23164265/cubs-matt-swarmer-allows-six-home-runs-vs-yankees-setting-franchise-mark|access-date=2023-02-16|website=chicago.suntimes.com|date=June 12, 2022 |language=en}} He was designated for assignment by the Cubs on July 16.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/07/cubs-select-steven-brault-designate-matt-swarmer-for-assignment.html|last=Zencka|first=TC|title=Cubs Select Steven Brault, Designate Matt Swarmer For Assignment|date=16 July 2022|website=MLBTradeRumors.com|accessdate=16 July 2022}} He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Iowa on July 21.{{Cite web|title=Cubs' Matt Swarmer: Clears waivers|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/cubs-matt-swarmer-clears-waivers/|access-date=2023-02-26|website=cbssports.com|date=July 21, 2022 |language=en}} Swarmer elected free agency following the season on November 10.{{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=December 30, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 13, 2022 |language=en}}
=Atlanta Braves=
On February 25, 2023, Swarmer signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves organization.{{Cite web|title=Braves' Matt Swarmer: Gets opportunity with Atlanta|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/braves-matt-swarmer-gets-opportunity-with-atlanta/amp/|access-date=2023-02-27|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} In 19 games for the Triple–A Gwinnett Stripers, he struggled to an 8.07 ERA with 30 strikeouts in {{fraction|32|1|3}} innings pitched. On July 27, Swarmer was released by Atlanta.{{cite web | url=https://www.milb.com/transactions/2023-07-27/p-1 | title=Transactions }}
=Lancaster Barnstormers=
On August 10, 2023, Swarmer signed with the Lancaster Barnstormers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.{{Cite web|title=Barnstormers Sign Swarmer; Stashak Contract Purchased by Giants|url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/barnstormers-sign-swarmer-stashak-contract-purchased-by-giants/n-6000639|access-date=August 10, 2023|website=oursportscentral.com|date=August 10, 2023 |language=en}} In 7 starts for Lancaster, he posted a 4–1 record and 3.69 ERA with 52 strikeouts across 39.0 innings of work. With Lancaster, Swarmer won the Atlantic League championship.{{Cite web|title=Lancaster Barnstormers clinch second consecutive Atlantic League Championship|url=https://local21news.com/sports/content/lancaster-barnstormers-second-time-consecutive-atlantic-league-champions-baseball-brent-teller-mvp-lancaster-county-pennsylvania|access-date=October 20, 2023|website=local21news.com|language=en}} He became a free agent following the 2023 season.
=Algodoneros de Unión Laguna=
On May 9, 2024, Swarmer signed with the Algodoneros de Unión Laguna of the Mexican League.{{Cite web|title=LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 9 de mayo de 2024|url=https://www.milb.com/mexican/news/lmb-movimientos-en-listas-de-reserva-8-de-mayo-de-2024-x5904|access-date=May 10, 2024|website=milb.com|language=en}} In 3 games for the Algodoneros, he struggled to a 13.50 ERA with 3 strikeouts across {{fraction|2|2|3}} innings. On May 22, Swarmer was released by Unión Laguna.{{Cite web|title=LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 21 y 22 de mayo de 2024|url=https://www.milb.com/mexican/news/lmb-movimientos-en-listas-de-reserva-21-y-22-de-mayo-de-2024|access-date=May 23, 2024|website=milb.com|language=en}}
=Lancaster Stormers (second stint)=
On June 17, 2024, Swarmer signed with the Lancaster Stormers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.{{cite web | url=https://baseball.pointstreak.com/transactions.html?leagueid=174&seasonid=33927 | title=Atlantic League of Professional Baseball Clubs - transactions }} In 16 starts for Lancaster, he posted a 5-4 record and 3.80 ERA with 99 strikeouts across {{fraction|87|2|3}} innings pitched. Swarmer became a free agent following the season.
On March 15, 2025, Swarmer re-signed with Lancaster.{{Cite web|title=Strikeout King Swarmer Returns|url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/strikeout-king-swarmer-returns/n-6200819|access-date=March 16, 2025|website=oursportscentral.com|language=en}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{baseballstats|mlb=664161|espn=42767|br=s/swarmma01|fangraphs=19705|brm=swarme000mat|retro=S/Pswarm001}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Swarmer, Matt}}
Category:Algodoneros de Unión Laguna players
Category:Arizona League Cubs players
Category:Baseball players from Berks County, Pennsylvania
Category:Eugene Emeralds players
Category:Gwinnett Stripers players
Category:Kutztown Golden Bears baseball players
Category:Lancaster Barnstormers players
Category:Major League Baseball pitchers
Category:Myrtle Beach Pelicans players