Scott Atchison

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name=Scott Atchison

|image=Scott Atchison on April 1, 2012.jpg

|image_size=250

|caption=Atchison (center) with the Mets in 2013

|team=

|number=

|position=Pitcher

|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1976|3|29}}

|birth_place=Denton, Texas, U.S.

|bats=Right

|throws=Right

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate=July 31

|debutyear=2004

|debutteam=Seattle Mariners

|debut2league=NPB

|debut2date=

|debut2year=2008

|debut2team=Hanshin Tigers

|finalleague=NPB

|finaldate=

|finalyear=2009

|finalteam=Hanshin Tigers

|final2league = MLB

|final2date=June 22

|final2year=2015

|final2team=Cleveland Indians

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label=Win–loss record

|stat1value=17–11

|stat2label=Earned run average

|stat2value=3.63

|stat3label=Strikeouts

|stat3value=253

|stat2league=NPB

|stat21label=Win–loss record

|stat21value=12–9

|stat22label=Earned run average

|stat22value=2.77

|stat23label=Strikeouts

|stat23value=166

|teams=

As player

Seattle Mariners ({{mlby|2004}}–{{mlby|2005}})
San Francisco Giants ({{mlby|2007}})
Hanshin Tigers ({{npby|2008}}–{{npby|2009}})
Boston Red Sox ({{mlby|2010}}–{{mlby|2012}})
New York Mets ({{mlby|2013}})
Cleveland Indians ({{mlby|2014}}–{{mlby|2015}})

As coach

Cleveland Indians ({{mlby|2018}}–{{mlby|2019}})

}}

Scott Barham Atchison (born March 29, 1976) is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher who played for the Seattle Mariners, San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets and Cleveland Indians between 2004 and 2015. He also played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hanshin Tigers and later served as the bullpen coach for the Cleveland Indians for the 2018 and 2019 seasons.

Amateur career

Atchison graduated from McCullough High School in The Woodlands, Texas. He was originally drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 36th round of the {{Baseball year|1994}} amateur draft but chose to attend Texas Christian University, where he received his degree in general studies. In 1996, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League.{{cite web|url=http://capecodbaseball.org.ismmedia.com/ISM3/std-content/repos/Top/2012website/archives/Current%20Year/All_Time_MLB_CCBL_Alumni.pdf |title=Major League Baseball Players From the Cape Cod League |publisher=capecodbaseball.org |access-date=September 25, 2019}}

Professional career

=Seattle Mariners=

Atchison was drafted again by the Mariners in the 49th round of the {{Baseball year|1998}} amateur draft and signed with the team in May {{Baseball year|1999}}. He spent five years playing for minor league affiliates of the Mariners and made his debut in the Majors on July 31, 2004. He spent the 2004 and {{Baseball year|2005}} seasons splitting his time between the Mariners and the Mariners' minor league affiliates, appearing in 31 games over two years. In {{Baseball year|2006}}, he played the entire season in the minors.

=San Francisco Giants=

In {{Baseball year|2007}}, he signed with the San Francisco Giants and appeared in 22 games. At the end of the season, he refused an assignment from the Giants to the Fresno Grizzlies and became a free agent.{{cite web |url=http://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Twins-Rays-in-6-player-trade-3300345.php |title=Twins, Rays in 6-player trade |date=November 29, 2007|publisher=San Francisco Chronicle|access-date=August 19, 2014}}

=Hanshin Tigers=

File:HT-Scott-Atchison.jpg in {{Npby|2008}}]]

He signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox on December 7, 2007, but was released and signed a contract with the NPB's Hanshin Tigers on December 20.{{cite news|title=Tigers acquire veteran Atchison|url=http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/sb20071220j1.html|access-date=August 20, 2014|date=December 20, 2007}}{{dead link|date=September 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} In January 2008, it was announced that the Red Sox had sold Atchison's contract to the Hanshin Tigers.{{cite news|last1=Gonzalez|first1=Alden|last2=Browne|first2=Ian|title=Red Sox ink one-year deal with Atchison|url=http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091207&content_id=7766752&vkey=news_bos&c_id=bos|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140820233345/http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091207&content_id=7766752&vkey=news_bos&c_id=bos|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 20, 2014|access-date=August 20, 2014|work=MLB.com|date=December 7, 2009}}

=Boston Red Sox=

On December 7, 2009, Atchison signed a one-year, incentive laden contract with the Red Sox.{{cite news|title=Red Sox add right-hander Scott Atchison|url=http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2009/12/07/red_sox_add_right_hander_scott_atchison/|access-date=August 19, 2014|agency=Associated Press|publisher=Boston Globe|date=December 7, 2009}} Atchison was recalled by the Red Sox on May 5, 2011. On May 20, 2011, Atchison notched his 1st ever career save against the Cubs. On July 15, 2012, the Red Sox placed him on the 15-day disabled list because of a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, retroactive to July 14.{{cite news|title=Red Sox activate RHP Scott Atchison from 60-day DL|url=http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120912&content_id=38313602&vkey=pr_bos&c_id=bos|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120925035007/http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120912&content_id=38313602&vkey=pr_bos&c_id=bos|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 25, 2012|access-date=August 19, 2014|work=MLB.com|date=September 12, 2012}} On August 16 he was transferred to the 60-day disabled list to make roster space for newly acquired pitcher, Pedro Beato.{{cite news|title=Red Sox acquire right-handed pitcher Pedro Beato from the New York Mets to complete the Kelly Shoppach trade|url=http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120816&content_id=36803728&vkey=pr_bos&c_id=bos|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140820182352/http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120816&content_id=36803728&vkey=pr_bos&c_id=bos|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 20, 2014|access-date=August 19, 2014|work=MLB.com|date=August 16, 2012}} Atchison returned to the active roster on September 12.{{cite news|last1=Morais|first1=Didier|title=Red Sox Shut Down Franklin Morales After Big Season, Activate Scott Atchison|url=http://nesn.com/2012/09/red-sox-shut-down-franklin-morales-after-big-season-activate-scott-atchison/|access-date=August 19, 2014|publisher=NESN|date=September 12, 2012}}

On November 30, 2012, Atchison was non-tendered, and became a free agent.{{cite news|last1=Browne|first1=Ian|title=Red Sox non-tender Sweeney, Atchison, Hill|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121130&content_id=40480422&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb|access-date=August 19, 2014|work=MLB.com|date=November 30, 2012}}

=New York Mets=

On January 29, 2013, Atchison signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets.{{cite news|last1=Abraham|first1=Peter|title=Mets sign ex-Red Sox reliever Scott Atchison|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2013/01/29/mets-sign-red-sox-reliever-scott-atchison/U3etfz3Sa4DwC0BpD2kbYI/story.html|access-date=August 19, 2014|publisher=Boston Globe|date=January 29, 2013}} On June 18, 2013, Atchison was activated from the disabled list to help out the bullpen.{{cite web|title=Mets Place Infielder Justin Turner On DL, Activate Reliever Scott Atchison|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/06/18/mets-place-infielder-justin-turner-on-dl-activate-reliever-scott-atchison/|publisher=CBS News New York|access-date=19 June 2013|date=2013-06-18}} He became a free agent on December 2, 2013, after being non-tendered.{{cite news|last1=Ackert|first1=Kristie|title=Mets non-tender Scott Atchison, Omar Quintanilla; others could follow before deadline|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/mets-non-tender-atchison-quintanilla-article-1.1535073|access-date=August 19, 2014|work=New York Daily News|date=December 2, 2013}}{{cite news|last1=DiComo|first1=Anthony|title=Mets non-tender Valdespin, Turner, Hefner|url=http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/article/nym/mets-non-tender-jordany-valdespin-justin-turner-jeremy-hefner?ymd=20131201&content_id=64296688&vkey=news_nym|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140319081944/http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/article/nym/mets-non-tender-jordany-valdespin-justin-turner-jeremy-hefner?ymd=20131201&content_id=64296688&vkey=news_nym|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 19, 2014|access-date=August 19, 2014|work=MLB.com|date=December 2, 2013}}

=Cleveland Indians=

Atchison signed a minor league deal with the Cleveland Indians on January 6, 2014.{{cite news|last1=Bastian|first1=Jordan|title=Tribe inks Atchison, Francoeur to Minors pacts|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/cle/indians-sign-veteran-reliever-scott-atchison-outfielder-jeff-francoeur-to-minor-league-contracts?ymd=20140106&content_id=66353738&vkey=news_cle|access-date=August 19, 2014|work=MLB.com|date=January 6, 2014}} He signed a one-year extension with a team option on August 19, 2014.{{cite news|last1=Bastian|first1=Jordan|title=Indians bringing back Atchison in 2015|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/mlb/indians-sign-reliever-scott-atchison-to-2015-contract?ymd=20140819&content_id=90381896&vkey=news_mlb|access-date=August 19, 2014|work=MLB.com|date=August 19, 2014}}

With the Indians in 2014, Atchison finished 6–0 with a 2.75 ERA. He pitched in 70 games.

Atchison was designated for assignment on June 23, 2015.{{cite news|last1=Bastian|first1=Jordan|title=Indians designate Atchison, recall Adams|url=http://m.indians.mlb.com/news/article/132411082/indians-designate-scott-atchison-recall-austin-adams|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150624023931/http://m.indians.mlb.com/news/article/132411082/indians-designate-scott-atchison-recall-austin-adams|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 24, 2015|access-date=June 23, 2015|date=June 23, 2015}} He was released by the Indians on June 28, 2015.{{cite web|title=Indians promote RHP Toru Murata from Columbus|url=http://m.indians.mlb.com/news/article/133443898/murata-added-atchison-released|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701054638/http://m.indians.mlb.com/news/article/133443898/murata-added-atchison-released|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 1, 2015|access-date=June 28, 2015}}

=Minnesota Twins=

On July 4, 2015, Atchison signed a minor league deal with the Twins.{{Cite web | url=http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/07/04/the-twins-signed-scott-atchison-to-a-minor-league-deal/ |title = The Twins signed Scott Atchison to a minor league deal|date = 2015-07-05}} He was released on July 15, 2015.

Coaching career

After serving for two years as the Cleveland Indians' advance scout coordinator, Atchison was hired by the Indians as their bullpen coach on November 2, 2017.{{cite news|title=Indians name Scott Atchison bullpen coach|url=http://m.indians.mlb.com/news/article/260509392/indians-name-scott-atchison-bullpen-coach/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107005028/http://m.indians.mlb.com/news/article/260509392/indians-name-scott-atchison-bullpen-coach/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 7, 2017|publisher=Indians.com|date=November 2, 2017}}

Atchison was fired by the Indians on October 2, 2019.{{cite news |last1=Hoynes |first1=Paul |title=Cleveland Indians quick hits: Corey Kluber's option exercised, Scott Atchison fired and more |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Scott_Atchison&action=edit&editintro=Template:BLP_editintro |publisher=Cleveland.com |date=October 2, 2019}}

Pitching style

Atchison threw a four-seam fastball in the 90-94 mph range, a slider in the mid-high 80's, and a curveball in the high 70's. On very rare occasions, a changeup to left-handed hitters.{{cite news|title=Player Card: Scott Atchison|url=http://www.brooksbaseball.net/landing.php?player=425786|access-date=August 19, 2014|publisher=Brooks Baseball}}

Personal life

Atchison is married to Sarah.{{cite news|last1=Drellich|first1=Evan|title=Family the focus for Red Sox reliever Atchison|url=http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111123&content_id=26033104&vkey=news_bos&c_id=bos|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313055603/http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111123&content_id=26033104&vkey=news_bos&c_id=bos|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 13, 2014|access-date=August 20, 2014|work=MLB.com|date=November 23, 2011}} Their daughter Callie was born on October 23, 2007{{cite news|title=McCullough grad Scott Atchison still fighting for MLB spot|url=http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/courier/sports/mccullough-grad-scott-atchison-still-fighting-for-mlb-spot/article_e1840b61-b62b-5750-9996-3734e5bf4920.html?TNNoMobile|access-date=August 20, 2014|agency=Associated Press|publisher=ASP Westward|date=March 6, 2011}} with TAR syndrome.{{cite news|last1=Ackert|first1=Kristie|title=NY Mets pitcher Scott Atchison's daughter, Callie, battles rare genetic disorder, an inspiration to Atchison|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/score-mets-atchinson-daughter-life-relief-article-1.1316137|access-date=August 20, 2014|work=New York Daily News|date=April 13, 2013}}