Will Vest

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Will Vest

|team = Detroit Tigers

|image = Will Vest (51268072037) (cropped).jpg

|caption = Vest with the Mariners in 2021

|number = 19

|position = Pitcher

|bats = Right

|throws = Right

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|6|6}}

|birth_place = Houston, Texas, U.S.

|debutleague = MLB

|debutteam = Seattle Mariners

|debutdate = April 1

|debutyear = 2021

|statleague = MLB

|statyear = June 15, 2025

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 14–9

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 3.58

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 246

|stat4label = Saves

|stat4value = 17

|teams =

Seattle Mariners ({{mlby|2021}})
Detroit Tigers ({{mlby|2022}}–present)

}}

William Lane Vest (born June 6, 1995) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in MLB for the Seattle Mariners.

Career

=Amateur career=

Vest attended Ridge Point High School in Sienna, Texas. He played for the school's baseball team as a shortstop. He enrolled at Stephen F. Austin State University, where he played college baseball for the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks. Vest became a pitcher in college.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2424657/2021/03/04/electric-factory-will-vest-brings-intriguing-arm-to-mariners-bullpen/|title='Electric factory': Will Vest brings intriguing arm to Mariners bullpen|first=Corey|last=Brock|website=The Athletic}}

=Detroit Tigers=

Vest was drafted in the 12th round, 365th overall, by the Detroit Tigers in the 2017 MLB draft.{{cite web|author=Angel Verdejo Jr. |url=https://www.chron.com/sports/highschool/article/Local-players-picked-on-day-3-of-MLB-draft-11219695.php |title=Local players picked on day 3 of MLB draft |publisher=Chron.com |date=June 14, 2017 |access-date=December 13, 2020}} Vest made his professional debut with the Low-A Connecticut Tigers, posting a 3–1 record and 2.83 ERA in 21 games. He split the 2018 season between the Single-A West Michigan Whitecaps and the High-A Lakeland Flying Tigers, recording a cumulative 4–4 record and 5.18 ERA in 30 appearances. In 2019, Vest split the year between Lakeland, the Double-A Erie SeaWolves, and the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens, pitching to a 3–5 record and 3.27 ERA with 58 strikeouts in 55.0 innings of work in 37 games between the three teams.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=vest--000wil|title = Will Vest College, Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History}}

Vest did not play in a game in 2020, as the minor league season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web|title=2020 Minor League Season Canceled|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/06/2020-minor-league-season-will-be-canceled.html|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=June 30, 2020 |language=en}}

=Seattle Mariners=

On December 10, 2020, the Seattle Mariners selected Vest from the Tigers in the Rule 5 draft.{{cite web | last=Smith | first=Lauren | title=Mariners select pitcher Will Vest from Tigers in Rule 5 Draft | website=Tacoma News Tribune | date=December 10, 2020 | url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/mlb/seattle-mariners/article247754030.html | access-date=September 28, 2023}} He made the Mariners' Opening Day roster.{{cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/mariners-waiting-on-health-status-of-kyle-lewis-domingo-tapia-before-finalizing-opening-day-roster/ |title=Mariners waiting on health status of Kyle Lewis, Domingo Tapia before finalizing opening-day roster |publisher=The Seattle Times |date=March 28, 2021 |accessdate=July 8, 2021}} Vest made the Opening Day roster and made his major league debut in relief on Opening Day.{{cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/mariners-rookie-will-vest-able-to-check-off-one-of-major-goals-in-mlb-debut/ |title=Mariners rookie Will Vest able to check off one of major goals in MLB debut |publisher=The Seattle Times |date=April 2, 2021 |accessdate=July 8, 2021}} On July 12, Vest was designated for assignment by Seattle after recording a 6.17 ERA in 32 relief appearances.{{cite web|title=Mariners Designate Will Vest For Assignment|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/07/mariners-dfa-will-vest-rule-5-pick-tigers.html|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=July 12, 2021 |language=en}}

=Detroit Tigers (second stint)=

Vest cleared waivers and Seattle returned him to the Tigers on July 17, 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2021/07/mariners-return-rule-5-draft-selection-to-tigers.html|title=Mariners return Rule 5 Draft selection to Tigers|date=July 17, 2021}} The Tigers assigned Vest to Toledo.{{cite web|url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2021/08/08/detroit-tigers-will-vest-seattle-mariners-rule-5/5530790001/ |title=The Detroit News |publisher=The Detroit News |date= |accessdate=April 6, 2022}} Vest made the Tigers' Opening Day roster for the 2022 season.{{cite web|author=Michigan |url=https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2022/04/tigers-tell-3-non-roster-relievers-theyve-made-opening-day-roster.html |title=Tigers tell 3 non-roster relievers they've made Opening Day roster |publisher=mlive.com |date= April 5, 2022|accessdate=April 6, 2022}}

On May 13, Vest picked up his first career save in a 4–2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles. He entered a bases-loaded situation with one out in the ninth inning, and struck out both batters he faced.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/will-vest-earns-first-mlb-save-against-orioles?game_pk=662851 |title=Vest earns first save -- and celebration ensues |work=mlb.com |last=Beck |first=Jason |date=May 14, 2022|accessdate=May 17, 2022}} On May 20, Vest was placed on the non-injury (COVID-19) inactive list.{{cite web|url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2022/05/20/detroit-tigers-will-vest-positive-covid-19-aj-hinch/9860445002/ |title=Detroit Tigers reliever Will Vest tests positive for COVID-19; manager A.J. Hinch sits out with non-COVID illness |publisher=freep.com |last=Petzold |first=Evan |date=May 20, 2022|accessdate=June 1, 2022}} He returned to the Tigers on May 31.

The Tigers optioned Vest to Toledo to start the 2023 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2023/03/24/detroit-tigers-will-vest-triple-a-toledo-spring-training-roster-cuts/70046211007/|title=Detroit Tigers option Will Vest to Triple-A Toledo, send Andy Ibañez to minor-league camp|first=Evan |last=Petzold|work=Detroit Free Press|date=March 24, 2023|accessdate=March 25, 2023}} On April 18, 2023, Vest was called up from Toledo to be the 27th man on the roster during a doubleheader against the Cleveland Guardians. He was sent back down to Toledo without appearing in either game.{{Cite web |title=Tigers' Will Vest: Up as 27th man |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/tigers-will-vest-up-as-27th-man/ |access-date=April 20, 2023 |website=CBSSports.com |date=April 18, 2023 |language=en}} Vest returned to the Tigers three days later after another pitcher ended up on the injured list.{{Cite web |title=Detroit Tigers' Trey Wingenter injury the latest setback; Will Vest shines in return |url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2023/04/23/detroit-tigers-mlb-trey-wingenter-will-vest-pitcher/70143290007/ |access-date=April 27, 2023 |website=Detroit Free Press |language=en-US}} On June 26, 2023, Vest had to enter the game in the first inning after starter Matthew Boyd left the game suddenly with elbow discomfort. Vest had to leave the game the following inning with right knee discomfort. He was placed on the injured list the next day along with Boyd.{{cite web | last=McCosky | first=Chris | title='Not again': Tigers pitchers Matt Boyd, Will Vest injured in 7-2 win over Rangers | website=detroitnews.com | date=June 27, 2023 | url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2023/06/26/tigers-starter-boyd-exits-game-after-15-pitches-with-apparent-injury/70359271007/ | access-date=August 23, 2024}}{{Cite web |title=Detroit Tigers send reliever Will Vest to injured list, but he needs further evaluation |url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2023/06/27/detroit-tigers-will-vest-injured-list-knee-weeks/70363083007/ |access-date=June 28, 2023 |website=Detroit Free Press |language=en-US}} In his abbreviated 2023 season, Vest pitched {{frac|48|1|3}} innings, striking out 56 batters and posting a 2.98 ERA.

In 2024, Vest primarily filled middle relief and setup roles for the Tigers. He posted a 2.82 ERA with 63 strikeouts in {{frac|70|1|3}} innings.

On January 9, 2025, the Tigers and Vest agreed to a one-year, $1.4 million contract, avoiding arbitration.{{cite web|last=Rogers |first=Anne |title=Skubal, Tigers agree to $10.15M deal to avoid arbitration |url=https://www.mlb.com/milb/news/tarik-skubal-tigers-2025-contract?lctg=71531038&partnerId=it-20250124-12399812-mlb-1-B&utm_id=it-20250124-12399812-mlb-1-B#:~:text=Skubal%2C%20Tigers%20agree%20to%20%2410.15M%20deal%20to%20avoid%20arbitration,-January%2010th%2C%202025&text=The%20Tigers%20came%20to%20an,numbers%20for%20a%20potential%20hearing. |website=MLB.com |date=January 9, 2025 |access-date=January 30, 2025}}

Pitch selection

Vest throws four-seam and sinking two-seam fastballs, both averaging 95 MPH (153 KPH). The four-seam fastball tops out at 98 MPH (158 KPH). His primary offspeed pitches are a slider that averages 86–87 MPH (138–140 KPH) and a changeup averaging 87 MPH (140 KPH). In 2025, Vest has added velocity to his slider, often throwing it above 90 MPH (145 KPH).{{Cite web |title=Will Vest pitch splits at fangraphs |url=https://www.fangraphs.com/players/will-vest/19769/pitch-type-splits?position=P |access-date=April 29, 2025 |website=fangraphs.com |language=en-US}}