Tyler Locklear

Locklear grew up in Abingdon, Maryland, northeast of Baltimore. He played high school baseball for Archbishop Curley High School in Baltimore. At Archbishop Curley, Locklear was named a 2018 Under Armour All-American{{Cite web |last=Janes |first=Mike |date=July 19, 2018 |title=Under Armour All-American Game {{!}} Four Seam Images |url=https://fourseamimages.photoshelter.com/gallery/NA13-Tyler-Locklear/G0000bHM2A5iwEpk/C00000nb1NKxHSUA |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=Four Seam Images}} and earned All-State honors after hitting .500 in his senior year.{{Cite web |title=Tyler Locklear - 2022 - Baseball |url=https://vcuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/tyler-locklear/4326 |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=Virginia Commonwealth University |language=en}} Locklear was ranked by Perfect Game as the ninth best prospect in Maryland in 2019.{{Cite web |title=Tyler Locklear Class of 2019 - Player Profile {{!}} Perfect Game USA |url=https://www.perfectgame.org/(S(jhdgz2mp0g5pwz45dt4udlz4))/Players/Playerprofile.aspx?ID=407529 |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=Perfect Game}}

Locklear started for VCU ahead of his freshman season. He appeared in all 15 Rams games in 2020, driving in eight runs and scoring 15 runs. The season prematurely ended in mid-March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, Locklear was redshirted and retained four years of collegiate eligibility.

During his redshirt freshman season, Locklear helped the Rams to a 38–16 record, their best since 2015, an Atlantic 10 regular season and a conference tournament championship, as well as the second seed in the Starkville Regional of the NCAA baseball tournament, their highest seeding in the tournament since 2001. Locklear led the Atlantic 10 in runs (69), RBIs (66), on-base percentage (.515), and walks (46), all marks that rank in the top 10 in VCU history for a single season. Additionally, Locklear hit 16 home runs, a VCU freshman record, the second-most in a season in VCU history, and tied for the conference lead in 2021. Locklear earned three A-10 Rookie of the Week honors.

After his 2021 season, Locklear received many conference and national accolades. He was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team, All-Atlantic 10 team, All-State team, ABCA Atlantic All-Region First Team, and was named a freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball, Baseball America, and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NWCBA). Locklear earned national All-American honors from Collegiate Baseball (third-team), NCBWA (second-team), Baseball America (second-team), and the American Baseball Coaches Association (first-team). He was also named the best college baseball freshman in Virginia,{{cite web |title=Locklear Named VaSID Rookie of the Year, Hibbits First Team All-state |url=https://vcuathletics.com/news/2021/7/27/baseball-locklear-named-vasid-rookie-of-the-year-hibbits-first-team-all-state.aspx |website=VCUAthletics.com |access-date=May 15, 2022 |date=July 27, 2021}} the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year, and the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year.{{cite web |title=Locklear, Mikulski, Miller, Win Major A-10 Awards; 41 Players Selected for Baseball Honors |url=https://atlantic10.com/news/2021/5/26/baseball-vcus-locklear-fordhams-mikulski-la-salles-miller-headline-major-a10base-awards.aspx |website=atlantic10.com |access-date=May 16, 2021 |date=May 26, 2021}}

After the 2021 season, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Orleans Firebirds of the Cape Cod Baseball League. He tied for the league lead in home runs and received the league's 10th Player Award, recognizing his work as a teammate and community member.{{cite web|url=https://baseball.pointstreak.com/player.html?playerid=1476685&seasonid=32825 |title=#28 Tyler Locklear |publisher=pointstreak.com |accessdate=July 16, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.capecodbaseball.org/news/league-news/index.html?article_id=2981 |title=2021 Cape League Awards |publisher=capecodbaseball.org |date= |accessdate=July 16, 2022}}

Ahead of his redshirt sophomore year, Locklear was included on the 55-player preseason watchlist for the Golden Spikes Award.{{cite news|url=https://www.usabaseball.com/golden-spikes-award/news/topic/golden-spikes/usa-baseball-announces-2022-golden-spikes-award-preseason-watch-list|work=USA Baseball|title=USA Baseball Announces 2022 Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List|date=February 15, 2022|accessdate=February 15, 2022}} He was also named a preseason All-American by Collegiate Baseball,{{cite web |title=Collegiate Baseball 2022 All-Americans |url=http://baseballnews.com/collegiate-baseball-2022-all-americans/ |website=Collegiate Baseball |access-date=May 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215035811/http://baseballnews.com/collegiate-baseball-2022-all-americans/ |archive-date=February 15, 2022}} D1Baseball,{{cite web |title=2022 D1Baseball First-Team Preseason All-Americans |url=https://d1baseball.com/season-preview/2022-d1baseball-first-team-preseason-all-americans/ |website=d1baseball.com |date=January 31, 2022 |access-date=May 15, 2022}} and Perfect Game.{{cite web |last1=Cozart |first1=Craig |title=Preseason Collegiate All-Americans |url=https://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=20330 |website=Perfect Game USA |access-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106064500/https://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=20330 |archive-date=January 6, 2022 |date=January 5, 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Floyd |first1=Ella |last2=Wilson |first2=Arrick |title=Redshirt Sophomore Tyler Locklear named Second Team All-American |url=https://commonwealthtimes.org/2022/02/16/redshirt-sophomore-tyler-locklear-named-second-team-all-american/ |website=The Commonwealth Times |access-date=May 15, 2022 |date=February 16, 2022}} In 2022, he slashed .402/.542/.799 with 20 home runs and 78 RBIs, while also being hit by 23 pitches. The Rams repeated as Atlantic 10 champs. Locklear was named the best college baseball player in Virginia and named to the All-American second team and Atlantic All-Region first team by ABCA, the All-American third team by Baseball America, and first team all-conference.

The Seattle Mariners selected Locklear with the 58th overall selection in the 2022 Major League Baseball draft. He signed with the Mariners on July 23 and received a $1.28 million signing bonus.{{Cite web|title=Tyler Locklear Stats, Fantasy & News|url=https://www.milb.com/player/tyler-locklear-682988|access-date=May 25, 2023|website=milb.com|language=en}}{{Cite web |title=2nd Round of the 2022 MLB June Amateur Draft |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/index.fcgi?year_ID=2022&draft_round=2&draft_type=junreg&query_type=year_round |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}} He made his professional debut with rookie–level Arizona Complex League Mariners in 2022. After two games in Arizona, he moved up to the Single-A Modesto Nuts, where he hit .282/.353/.504 in 29 games.{{Cite web |title=Tyler Locklear College, Amateur, Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=lockle000tyl |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}

Locklear began 2023 campaign with the High-A Everett AquaSox{{Cite web |last=Christianson |first=Curtis |date=May 26, 2023 |title=Mariners Prospect Update: Tyler Locklear Leading Everett Offense |url=https://prospectinsider.com/mariners-prospect-update-tyler-locklear-leading-everett-offense/ |url-status= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230526182802/https://prospectinsider.com/mariners-prospect-update-tyler-locklear-leading-everett-offense/ |archive-date=May 26, 2023 |access-date=May 27, 2023 |website=Prospect Insider |language=en-US}} but was hit by a fastball on June 1, breaking a bone in his right hand.{{Cite web |last=Patterson |first=Nick |date=2023-06-12 |title=Locklear injury leaves hole in AquaSox lineup |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/sports/locklear-injury-leaves-hole-in-aquasox-lineup/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241018103611/https://www.heraldnet.com/sports/locklear-injury-leaves-hole-in-aquasox-lineup/ |archive-date=2024-10-18 |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=HeraldNet.com |publisher=Everett Herald |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Bradley |first=Cole |date=October 22, 2023 |title=No. 11 prospect Locklear shows refined approach in Fall League |url=https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/mariners-tyler-locklear-reaches-base-three-times-in-arizona-fall-league?msockid=245d1f4349e6666c2baf0a4e484567c0 |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=MLB.com |language=en}} He returned to Everett in August after playing two games with the ACL Mariners and was promoted to the Double-A Arkansas Travelers on August 24. In 85 games for all three teams, he hit .288/.405/.502 with 13 home runs, 52 RBI, and 12 stolen bases.{{Cite web |title=Tyler Locklear - 2023 Batting Game Logs |url=https://www.fangraphs.com/players/tyler-locklear/31396/game-log?position=1B&gds=&gde=&season=2023&type=-1 |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=FanGraphs Baseball |language=en}} After the regular season, Locklear played for the Peoria Javelinas in the Arizona Fall League, also playing in the 2023 Fall Stars Game.{{Cite web |last=Avallone |first=Michael |date=November 5, 2023 |title=Here are the rosters for the 2023 Fall Stars Game |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/arizona-fall-league-fall-stars-game-rosters-2023 |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=MLB.com |language=en}} Locklear played first base full time in 2023, after playing third base in college and in part of his first professional season. He began the 2024 season with Arkansas and was promoted to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers in late May. In 51 games to start 2024, Locklear hit .293/.404/.520 with nine home runs and 33 RBI.{{Cite web |title=Tyler Locklear - Batting Game Logs |url=https://www.fangraphs.com/players/tyler-locklear/31396/game-log?position=1B&gds=2024-02-01&gde=2024-06-09&season=&type=-1 |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=FanGraphs Baseball |language=en}}

On June 9, 2024, Locklear was selected to the Mariners' 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues.{{cite news |last1=Falkoff |first1=Robert |title=No. 8 prospect Locklear called up for debut; France (heel) hits IL |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/tyler-locklear-called-up-to-mariners-as-ty-france-hits-il-with-injury |access-date=June 25, 2024 |publisher=MLB.com |date=June 9, 2024}}{{cite news |date=June 9, 2024 |title=Mariners' Locklear doubles in MLB debut, as France hits IL |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/40312907/mariners-put-ty-france-injured-list-call-tyler-locklear |access-date=June 25, 2024 |work=ESPN |publisher= |agency=ESPN News Services}} In his major-league debut that day against the Kansas City Royals, Locklear recorded his first major league hit, a double that batted in a run. His double left his bat at 100.1 mph and flew 380 feet.{{Cite web |date=June 9, 2024 |title=Tyler Locklear's first MLB hit |url=https://www.mlb.com/video/tyler-locklear-doubles-1-on-a-sharp-fly-ball-to-right-fielder-hunter-renf |access-date=June 9, 2024 |website=mlb.com |language=en-US}} Locklear became the first Mariner making his MLB debut to have a go-ahead hit in the seventh inning or later since Mike Wilson on May 10, 2011.{{Cite web |last=Falkoff |first=Robert |date=June 9, 2024 |title=Locklear, Rodríguez come up clutch in Mariners' extra-inning win |url=https://www.mlb.com/mariners/news/tyler-locklear-julio-rodriguez-lead-mariners-to-win-vs-royals |access-date=June 9, 2024 |website=mlb.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Mike Wilson 2011 Batting Game Logs |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=wilsomi02&t=b&year=2011 |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}} Locklear scored his first MLB run on the next play, a single by Josh Rojas.{{Cite web |title=Seattle Mariners vs Kansas City Royals Box Score: June 9, 2024 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/KCA/KCA202406090.shtml |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Josh Rojas's RBI single {{!}} 06/09/2024 |url=https://www.mlb.com/video/will-klein-in-play-run-s-to-josh-rojas |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=MLB.com |language=en}} On June 13, Locklear hit his first major league home run off Garrett Crochet of the Chicago White Sox. {{Cite web |date=June 13, 2024 |title=Tyler Locklear's first MLB home run |url=https://www.mlb.com/mariners/video/tyler-locklear-homers-1-on-a-fly-ball-to-left-center-field-mdux7v?t=t136-default-vtp |access-date=June 13, 2024 |website=mlb.com |language=en-US}}

Locklear was optioned back to Tacoma on June 24, as Jorge Polanco came off the injured list.{{Cite web |year=2024 |title=Seattle Mariners Transactions |url=https://www.mlb.com/mariners/roster/transactions/2024/06 |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=MLB.com |language=en}} Locklear spent another week with the Mariners, being recalled on July 23 as Ty France was designated for assignment before returning to Tacoma on July 30 after the Mariners traded for fellow right-handed first baseman Justin Turner.{{Cite web |year=2024 |title=Seattle Mariners Transactions |url=https://www.mlb.com/mariners/roster/transactions/2024/07 |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=MLB.com |language=en}} In 16 games with the Mariners in 2023, Locklear hit .156 with one double and two home runs while striking out in 40 percent of his plate appearances.{{Cite web |title=Tyler Locklear - Stats - Batting |url=https://www.fangraphs.com/players/tyler-locklear/31396/stats?position=1B#standard |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=FanGraphs Baseball |language=en}} He was more productive in the minors, batting .272/.382/.468 with 16 home runs and 9 stolen bases in 112 games with Tacoma and Arkansas.

Locklear was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma to begin the 2025 season.{{Cite web|title=Seattle Mariners Option First Base Candidate, Former Top Prospect, Down to Triple-A|url=https://www.si.com/onsi/minor-league-baseball/news/seattle-mariners-option-first-base-candidate-former-top-prospect-tyler-locklear-down-to-triple-a-tacoma-rainiers|access-date=March 19, 2025|website=si.com|language=en}}

Locklear's father Todd Locklear played college baseball at St. Andrews College.{{Cite web |last=Hanson |first=Scott |date=2022-07-17 |title=Get to know Mariners second-round pick, Tyler Locklear |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/get-to-know-mariners-second-round-pick-tyler-locklear/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241018095943/https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/get-to-know-mariners-second-round-pick-tyler-locklear/#selection-2149.0-2149.12 |archive-date=2024-10-18 |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}} Locklear's uncle Jeff Locklear pitched in the minor leagues in the San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies systems from 1991 to 1995.{{Cite web |title=Jeff Locklear Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=lockle001jef |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}} His cousin Gavin Locklear played wide receiver for the NC State Wolfpack, where he is currently a coach.{{Cite web |title=Gavin Locklear College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/gavin-locklear-1.html |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=2024 Football Coaches |url=https://gopack.com/sports/football/coaches |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=NC State University Athletics |language=en}}

Locklear has a Native American background.{{Cite web |last=Cohen |first=Matt |date=2022-07-21 |title=‘I was honestly speechless’: Archbishop Curley grad Tyler Locklear celebrates rise to second round of MLB draft |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2022/07/21/i-was-honestly-speechless-archbishop-curley-grad-tyler-locklear-celebrates-rise-to-second-round-of-mlb-draft/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241018100403/https://www.baltimoresun.com/2022/07/21/i-was-honestly-speechless-archbishop-curley-grad-tyler-locklear-celebrates-rise-to-second-round-of-mlb-draft/ |archive-date=2024-10-18 |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=Baltimore Sun |language=en-US}}

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Category:2000 births

Category:Living people

Category:All-American college baseball players

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Category:Baseball players from Baltimore

Category:Baseball players from Harford County, Maryland

Category:Everett AquaSox players

Category:Major League Baseball first basemen

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