Nate Pearson

{{Redirect|Nathan Pearson|the ichthyologist|Nathan Everett Pearson}}

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Nate Pearson

|image = Nate Pearson (cropped).jpg

|caption = Pearson with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2020

|team = Chicago Cubs

|number = 56

|position = Pitcher

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|8|20}}

|birth_place = Odessa, Florida, U.S.

|bats = Right

|throws = Right

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = July 29

|debutyear = 2020

|debutteam = Toronto Blue Jays

|statleague = MLB

|statyear = 2024 season

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 9–5

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 4.75

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 153

|teams =

Toronto Blue Jays ({{mlby|2020}}–{{mlby|2021}}, {{mlby|2023}}–{{mlby|2024}})
Chicago Cubs ({{mlby|2024}}–present)

|awards =

Pitched a combined no-hitter on September 4, 2024

}}

Nathan Alexander Pearson (born August 20, 1996) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Toronto Blue Jays. Pearson made his MLB debut in 2020 with the Blue Jays, and they traded him to the Cubs during the 2024 season.

Amateur career

Pearson attended Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School in Spring Hill, Florida. As a senior he went 9–1 with a 1.75 earned run average (ERA) and 117 strikeouts and hit .318 with nine home runs and 30 runs batted in (RBI).{{cite web |last1=Camunas |first1=Mike |last2=Williams |first2=Nick |title=Hurricanes' Pearson is 3A baseball player of year |url=http://www.tbo.com/sports/preps/hurricanes-pearson-is-3a-baseball-player-of-year-20150602/ |work=The Tampa Tribune |access-date=December 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180204123934/http://tbo.com/sports/preps/hurricanes-pearson-is-3a-baseball-player-of-year-20150602/ |archive-date=February 4, 2018 |date=June 2, 2015 |url-status=dead}} After graduating, Pearson attended Florida International University (FIU) where he played college baseball for the FIU Panthers. He made 19 appearances with one start, going 1–1 with a 2.70 ERA and 33 strikeouts. After one year at FIU, he transferred to the College of Central Florida.{{cite web|url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseballpreps/bishop-mclaughlin-alum-nate-pearsons-mlb-draft-stock-soars/2326358/|title=Bishop McLaughlin alum Nate Pearson's MLB draft stock soars|last=Page|first=Rodney|work=tampabay.com|date=June 7, 2017|access-date=June 28, 2017}} In his first year at Central Florida, he had a 1.56 ERA and 118 strikeouts and was named the JUCO Pitcher of the Year by Perfect Game.{{cite web|url=http://www.gainesville.com/news/20170606/pearson-named-juco-pitcher-of-year|title=Pearson named JUCO Pitcher of the Year|work=gainesville.com|date=June 6, 2017|access-date=June 28, 2017}}

Professional career

=Toronto Blue Jays=

==Minor leagues==

Pearson was considered one of the top prospects for the 2017 Major League Baseball draft.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/milb/prospects/2017|title=MLB.com 2017 Prospect Watch|website=Major League Baseball}}{{cite web|url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/nate-pearson-progressing-draft-nears/#zUY0dopGjz80qsAQ.97|title=Nate Pearson Progressing as Draft Nears|last=Belinsky|first=Hudson|work=baseballamerica.com|date=April 12, 2017|access-date=June 28, 2017}} He was selected 28th overall by the Toronto Blue Jays,{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/236004104/blue-jays-draft-pitcher-nate-pearson-at-no-28/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613065927/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/236004104/blue-jays-draft-pitcher-nate-pearson-at-no-28/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 13, 2017|title=Toronto takes hard-throwing Pearson at 28|last=Chisholm|first=Gregor|work=MLB.com|date=June 13, 2017|access-date=June 28, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-select-shortstop-logan-warmoth-first-round-draft-pick/|title=Blue Jays select Warmoth, Pearson with first-round draft picks|last=Nicholson-Smith|first=Ben|work=Sportsnet|date=June 12, 2017|access-date=June 12, 2017}} and signed on June 28 for a $2.45 million bonus.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-officially-sign-first-round-picks-warmoth-pearson/|title=Blue Jays officially sign first-round picks Warmoth, Pearson|work=Sportsnet|date=June 28, 2017|access-date=June 28, 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2017-draft-signing-and-bonus-tracker-c237042574|title=2017 Draft: Signing and Bonus Tracker|work=MLB.com|access-date=July 5, 2017}} Pearson was assigned to the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Blue Jays, and promoted to the Low–A Vancouver Canadians after making one start.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=pearso000nat|title=Nate Pearson Minor League Statistics & History|work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=August 19, 2017}} Through his first six starts, Pearson did not allow a run, and yielded only four hits and one walk while striking out 16 in 13 total innings.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/milb/news/toronto-blue-jays-prospect-nate-pearson-twirls-three-perfect-innings/c-249362658/t-185364810|title=Canadians' Pearson keeps putting up zeros|last=Leboff|first=Michael|work=MiLB.com|date=August 19, 2017|access-date=August 19, 2017}} He finished the 2017 regular season with a 0.90 ERA, 26 strikeouts, and a 0.60 WHIP in 20 innings pitched. In early September, Pearson was selected by Vancouver as the starter for the first game of their best-of-three Northwest League playoff series against the Spokane Indians.{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/252437290/yankees-estevan-florial-carrying-hot-bat/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906040540/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/252437290/yankees-estevan-florial-carrying-hot-bat/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 6, 2017|title=Pipeline Preview: Florial takes hot bat into FSL playoffs|last=Boor|first=William|work=MLB.com|date=September 5, 2017|access-date=September 5, 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/canadians/news/cs-to-face-spokane-in-playoffs-set-for-tuesday/c-252346760/t-196097408|title=C's to face Spokane in Playoffs set for Tuesday|last=Fai|first=Rob|work=MiLB.com|date=September 4, 2017|access-date=September 5, 2017}} He went four innings against Spokane and struck out 10 batters in a 2–1 win.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/canadians/news/cs-open-post-season-with-2-1-win-over-spokane/c-252973920/t-196097408|title=C's open post-season with 2–1 win over Spokane|last=Fai|first=Rob|work=MiLB.com|date=September 7, 2017|access-date=September 8, 2017}}

Pearson was assigned to the High–A Dunedin Blue Jays to begin the 2018 season, but opened the year on the disabled list with an oblique injury. He made his Florida State League debut on May 7, but left the game after being struck by a line drive in the second inning. The following day, the team announced Pearson had suffered a broken ulna in his right arm.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/top-blue-jays-prospect-nate-pearson-struck-line-drive/|title=Top Blue Jays prospect Nate Pearson struck by line drive|last=Goffenberg|first=David|work=Sportsnet|date=May 8, 2018|access-date=May 8, 2018}} He remained on the disabled list for the rest of the 2018 season, and played for the Surprise Saguaros of the Arizona Fall League during the offseason. Pearson began 2019 with Dunedin, where he posted a 3–0 record, 0.86 ERA, and 35 strikeouts in 21 innings pitched before being promoted to the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats in early May. He made his Double-A debut on May 7, striking out eight over five scoreless innings.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/milb/news/toronto-blue-jays-nate-pearson-plays-up-in-double-a-debut/c-306929394|title=Jays' Pearson plays up in Double-A debut|last=Bumbaca|first=Chris|work=MiLB.com|date=May 8, 2019|access-date=May 8, 2019}} Pearson was named to the 2019 All-Star Futures Game.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2019-futures-game-rosters?t=mlb-pipeline-coverage|title=Here are the 2019 Futures Game rosters|author=Jim Callis|website=MLB.com|date=June 28, 2019|access-date=June 28, 2019}} Pearson was assigned to Triple-A Buffalo on May 3, 2021.{{cite web|url=https://boxscorenews.com/toronto-blue-jays-triplea-buffalo-bisons-set-preliminary-roster-p160552-229.htm|title=Toronto Blue Jays' Triple-A Buffalo Bisons set Preliminary Roster

|website=Boxscore World Sportswire|date=May 3, 2021}}

==Major leagues==

On July 29, 2020, Pearson made his MLB debut against Max Scherzer and the Washington Nationals. The game was played in Washington despite being a home game for the Blue Jays, as the COVID-19 pandemic had forced the Blue Jays into Sahlen Field in Buffalo, which was not ready for use.{{Cite web|title=Blue Jays to play 2020 home games in Buffalo; will reportedly play first two home series on the road|url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/blue-jays-to-play-2020-home-games-in-buffalo-will-reportedly-play-first-two-home-series-on-the-road/|access-date=July 30, 2020|website=CBSSports.com|date=July 24, 2020 |language=en}} He went five innings, giving up two hits and two walks with five strikeouts, and surrendered no runs in his debut, though the Nationals won 4–0.{{Cite web|title=Washington Nationals vs. Toronto Blue Jays Results, Stats, and Recap – July 29, 2020 Gametracker|url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/gametracker/recap/MLB_20200729_WAS@TOR/|access-date=July 30, 2020|website=CBSSports.com|language=en}}{{ cite web | url=https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/nate-pearson-mlb-debut-blue-jays | title=Pearson lives up to hype in dominant debut | work=MLB.com | author=Keegan Matheson | date=July 29, 2020 | access-date=July 30, 2020}} With the 2020 Toronto Blue Jays, Pearson appeared in 5 games, compiling a 1–0 record with 6.00 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 18 innings pitched.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/player/nate-pearson-663878|title = Nate Pearson Stats, Fantasy & News|website = MLB.com}}

Pearson made 12 appearances for Toronto in 2021, posting a 1–1 record and 4.20 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 15.0 innings pitched. On June 6, 2022, Pearson was placed on the 60-day injured list.{{Cite web|title=Blue Jays' Nate Pearson: Transferred to 60-day IL|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/blue-jays-nate-pearson-transferred-to-60-day-il/amp/|access-date=February 8, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} On June 24, Pearson was diagnosed with a lat strain.{{Cite web|title=Blue Jays' Nate Pearson: Diagnosed with lat strain|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/blue-jays-nate-pearson-diagnosed-with-lat-strain/amp/|access-date=March 23, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} He did not appear in the major leagues for Toronto in 2022.

Pearson was optioned to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons to begin the 2023 season,{{Cite web|title=Blue Jays' Nate Pearson: Optioned to Triple-A|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/blue-jays-nate-pearson-optioned-to-triple-a-863323/|access-date=March 25, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=March 25, 2023 |language=en}} and pitched out of the bullpen. In 8{{frac|1|3}} innings, Pearson recorded a 2.16 ERA and 16 strikeouts. On April 24, he was recalled to the major leagues.{{cite web|title=Blue Jays' Nate Pearson: Call-up imminent|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/blue-jays-nate-pearson-call-up-imminent/amp/|access-date=April 24, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} He made 35 appearances for the Blue Jays in 2023, posting a 5–2 record and 4.85 ERA with 43 strikeouts over {{fraction|42|2|3}} innings of work.

Pearson made 41 relief outings for Toronto in 2024, recording a 5.63 ERA with 51 strikeouts and two saves across 40 innings pitched.

= Chicago Cubs =

On July 27, 2024, the Blue Jays traded Pearson to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for Josh Rivera and Yohendrick Piñango.{{Cite web |title=Cubs acquire righty Pearson from Blue Jays |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/nate-pearson-traded-to-cubs |access-date=July 27, 2024 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=July 27, 2024 |title=Chicago Cubs acquire right-hander Nate Pearson in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/07/27/chicago-cubs-nate-pearson-trade-deadline/ |access-date=July 27, 2024 |website=Chicago Tribune |language=en-US}} On September 4, Pearson pitched the 8th inning in a combined no-hitter (also featuring Shota Imanaga and Porter Hodge) against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the 4th of the season.{{cite web | last=Yellon | first=Al | title=Cubs 12, Pirates 0: Shōta Imanaga, Nate Pearson and Porter Hodge combine on a no-hitter | website=Bleed Cubbie Blue | date=September 4, 2024 | url=https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2024/9/4/24236401/cubs-pirates-recap-shota-imanaga-nate-pearson-porter-hodge-mlb-scores | access-date=September 5, 2024}}

References

External links

{{baseballstats|mlb=663878|espn=39646|br=p/pearsna01|fangraphs=sa3005097|brm=pearso000nat|retro=P/Ppearn001}}

[http://cfpatriots.net/sports/bsb/2016-17/bios/pearson_nate_ao7q Central Florida Patriots bio]
[http://www.fiusports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4614 FIU Panthers bio]

{{Succession box|title=No-hit game |before=Blake Snell|years=September 4, 2024
(with Imanaga & Hodge)|after=Most recent}}

Category:1996 births

Category:Living people

Category:American expatriate baseball players in Canada

Category:American expatriate baseball players in the Dominican Republic

Category:Baseball players from Pinellas County, Florida

Category:Buffalo Bisons (minor league) players

Category:Chicago Cubs players

Category:College of Central Florida Patriots baseball players

Category:Dunedin Blue Jays players

Category:FIU Panthers baseball players

Category:Gulf Coast Blue Jays players