Will Klein (baseball) explained

Will Klein
Team:Oakland Athletics
Number:64
Position:Pitcher
Birth Date:28 November 1999
Birth Place:Bloomington, Indiana, U.S.[1]
Bats:Right
Throws:Right
Debutleague:MLB
Debutdate:April 28
Debutyear:2024
Debutteam:Kansas City Royals
Statleague:MLB
Statyear:August 3, 2024
Stat1label:Win–loss record
Stat1value:1–0
Stat2label:Earned run average
Stat2value:6.00
Stat3label:Strikeouts
Stat3value:6
Teams:

William Boone Klein (born November 28, 1999) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Kansas City Royals.

Amateur career

Klein attended Bloomington High School North in Bloomington, Indiana. As a senior in 2017, he pitched only innings after breaking his thumb, but still struck out thirty batters and compiled a 1.98 ERA.[2] Unselected in the 2017 Major League Baseball draft, he enrolled at Eastern Illinois University where he posted a 6.62 ERA over innings as a freshman, a 5.11 ERA over innings as a sophomore, and a 3.33 ERA with 33 strikeouts as a junior in 2020 before the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[3]

Professional career

Kansas City Royals

Klein was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the fifth round with the 135th overall pick of the 2020 Major League Baseball draft.[4] [5] He signed for $200,000.[6]

Klein made his professional debut in 2021 with the Quad Cities River Bandits of the High-A Central.[7] Over 36 relief appearances, he went 7–1 with a 3.20 ERA, 121 strikeouts, and 44 walks over innings pitched.[8] MLB Pipeline named Klein the Royals' Pitching Prospect of the Year following the season's end.[9] He missed the beginning of the 2022 season due to shin splints.[10] He returned to play in mid-May with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals of the Double–A Texas League as a member of their starting rotation, but was later moved to the bullpen.[11] Over thirty games (three starts), he went 1–1 with a 10.51 ERA, 55 strikeouts, and 51 walks over innings.[12] He returned to the Naturals to open the 2023 season.[13] In mid-June, he was promoted to the Omaha Storm Chasers of the Triple-A International League.[14] He was selected to represent the Royals at the 2023 All-Star Futures Game.[15] Over 49 appearances between Northwest Arkansas and Omaha, Klein went 1–5 with a 4.62 ERA, 93 strikeouts, and 39 walks over innings.[16]

On November 14, 2023, the Royals added Klein to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.[17] He was optioned to Triple–A Omaha to begin the 2024 season.[18] On April 25, 2024, Klein was promoted to the major leagues for the first time following an injury to Alec Marsh.[19] In five appearances for Kansas City, he recorded a 6.35 ERA with six strikeouts across innings pitched.[20]

Oakland Athletics

On July 30, 2024, the Royals traded Klein, Mason Barnett, and Jared Dickey to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for Lucas Erceg.[21]

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://www.mlb.com/player/will-klein-694361
  2. Web site: North grad Will Klein drafted in 5th round by Royals. Jim. Gordillo. The Herald-Times.
  3. Web site: Eastern Illinois baseball player Will Klein looks towards MLB draft, projected in first five rounds. MIKE . MONAHAN. JG-TC.com. May 21, 2020 .
  4. Web site: Eastern Illinois University baseball player Will Klein picked in the fifth round, 135th overall by the Kansas City Royals. June 13, 2020 .
  5. Web site: Royals wrap 2020 MLB Draft by selecting 2 college pitchers. June 12, 2020.
  6. News: Will Klein inks with Royals. The Herald-Times .
  7. Web site: Bandits' Klein has been bringing the heat. September 11, 2021 .
  8. Web site: Kansas City Royals prospects: 14 players who could break into big leagues in 2022.
  9. Web site: Fiery Klein KC's Pitching Prospect of the Year. MLB.com.
  10. Web site: Royals' Will Klein: Nursing shin injury. April 4, 2022 .
  11. Web site: Royals' Will Klein: Debuts at Double-A . May 16, 2022 .
  12. Web site: Will Klein Stats, Fantasy & News .
  13. Web site: Where Royals top prospects are starting 2023 season . .
  14. Web site: Will Klein Named to 2023 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game Roster .
  15. Web site: 2023 MLB Futures Game rosters: Orioles' Jackson Holliday, Red Sox's Marcelo Mayer among notable names . June 26, 2023 .
  16. Web site: Will Klein Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News . January 11, 2024 . MiLB.com . en.
  17. Web site: KC Royals protect two players from Rule 5 Draft. Here’s who was added to 40-man roster . . Thompson, Jaylon . November 14, 2023 . August 15, 2024.
  18. Web site: Royals' Will Klein: Optioned to Triple-A. March 10, 2024. cbssports.com. en.
  19. Web site: Royals Place Alec Marsh On Injured List, Recall Will Klein For MLB Debut. April 24, 2024. mlbtraderumors.com. en.
  20. Web site: New Oakland Pitcher Will Klein to Join A's in San Francisco. August 1, 2024. si.com. en.
  21. Web site: Royals' Lucas Erceg: Lands with Kansas City. CBSSports.com.