Chris Flexen Bio
Christopher John Flexen, born on July 1, 1994, in Newark, California, is an American professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the Doosan Bears of the KBO League. Flexen has built a career that has taken him across multiple organizations in Major League Baseball, including the New York Mets, Seattle Mariners, Colorado Rockies, Chicago White Sox, and Chicago Cubs. A right-handed pitcher, he is known for his durability as a starter and his ability to log innings at both the major and minor league levels.
Over the course of his career, Flexen has transitioned between starting and relief roles while competing in both the United States and Asia. His professional journey has included stops in various minor league affiliates, a successful stint in the KBO League, and a career-reviving 2021 season with the Seattle Mariners. Flexen remains active in professional baseball, continuing to add to his resume with each passing season.
Early Life and Background
Christopher John Flexen was born and raised in Newark, California, where he attended Newark Memorial High School. During his time in high school, Flexen was a standout multi-sport athlete, serving as the quarterback of the school’s football team and earning a spot on the varsity baseball team as a freshman. His athletic ability in two sports earned him the nickname “Flex,” a moniker that has followed him throughout his baseball career.
Flexen’s performance on the diamond drew the attention of Major League Baseball scouts, and he initially committed to play college baseball for the Arizona State Sun Devils. However, his plans changed when he was selected in the 14th round of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft by the New York Mets. The Mets offered him a $375,000 signing bonus, convincing him to forgo his college commitment and begin his professional career.
Path to Baseball
Following his selection in the 2012 MLB draft, Flexen began his professional career in the Mets’ minor league system. He spent his first two seasons with the Kingsport Mets, posting a 1-3 record with a 5.63 ERA in 2012 before rebounding with an 8-1 record and 2.09 ERA in 2013. In 2014, he advanced to the Savannah Sand Gnats, where he went 3-5 with a 4.83 ERA in 13 starts, but his season was cut short by Tommy John surgery.
Flexen returned to action in 2015, pitching across three levels of the Mets’ system, including Savannah, the Brooklyn Cyclones, and the GCL Mets, posting a combined 2.42 ERA in 12 games. In 2016, he established himself as a prospect with the St. Lucie Mets, going 10-9 with a 3.56 ERA in 25 starts. His performance that year earned him a spot on the Mets’ 40-man roster following the season, setting the stage for his major league debut.
Chris Flexen Career
Early Career (2012–2016)
Flexen’s early professional career was defined by steady progression through the New York Mets’ minor league ranks. After his Tommy John surgery in 2014, he worked his way back to full strength, splitting the 2015 season across three affiliates. His breakthrough came in 2016 with St. Lucie, where his 10-9 record and 3.56 ERA demonstrated both his durability and his potential as a starting pitcher.
The Mets recognized his development by adding him to the 40-man roster after the 2016 season, protecting him from the Rule 5 draft. Flexen began 2017 with St. Lucie and earned a promotion to the Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies on May 31 after posting a 2.13 ERA in three starts. This set the stage for his first taste of major league action later that summer.
New York Mets Debut (2017–2018)
Flexen made his MLB debut on July 27, 2017, against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. In that start, he gave up four runs on five hits, and he became the fifth player in Mets franchise history to allow a home run to the first batter he faced in the majors, surrendering a shot to Manuel Margot on his third pitch. On August 8, 2017, Flexen recorded his first major league victory against the Texas Rangers at Citi Field, pitching 5⅓ innings and striking out four batters.
Going into the 2018 season, MLB.com ranked Flexen as the Mets’ ninth-best prospect. He was promoted to the major league club on May 19, 2018, after starting the year in the Pacific Coast League. However, he struggled in limited action, posting a 12.79 ERA and 3.16 WHIP across just four appearances, including one start. Flexen underwent knee surgery in early August, effectively ending his 2018 campaign.
Doosan Bears First Stint (2020)
After being designated for assignment by the Mets on December 6, 2019, Flexen signed a one-year contract with the Doosan Bears of the KBO League, the reigning Korean Series champions. The move to Asia marked a turning point in his career, as he posted a 3.01 ERA with 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings for the Bears in 2020. His success in Korea helped restore his value and set the stage for a return to Major League Baseball.
Seattle Mariners Era (2021–2023)
On December 9, 2020, Flexen signed a two-year, $4.75 million contract with the Seattle Mariners. He earned a spot in the starting rotation to begin the 2021 season and made his first start on April 3 against the San Francisco Giants, pitching five scoreless innings and earning the win. The 2021 season represented a career revival for Flexen, as he finished in the top 10 among qualified American League pitchers in ERA (3.61), wins (14), ERA+ (111), Fielding Independent Pitching (3.89), and games started (31). He also led all major league pitchers with 141 pickoff attempts at first base, successfully picking off three runners.
In 2022, Flexen transitioned from a starting role to relief work midseason. On August 30, 2022, he recorded his first career save in a 9-3 victory over the Detroit Tigers. He finished the year with an 8-9 record, 3.73 ERA, 95 strikeouts, and two saves in 137⅔ innings across 33 appearances. His 2023 season with Seattle was far less successful, as he posted an 0-4 record and 7.71 ERA in 17 appearances before being designated for assignment on June 27, 2023. He was later traded to the New York Mets on July 3, 2023, alongside Trevor Gott, in exchange for Zach Muckenhirn, but was released by the Mets on July 6 without appearing for the team.
Colorado Rockies (2023)
On July 13, 2023, Flexen signed a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies organization. After two starts for the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes, his contract was selected to the major league roster on July 29. Over 12 starts with Colorado, Flexen posted a 2-4 record with a 6.27 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 60⅓ innings. He declared free agency on November 2, 2023.
Chicago White Sox (2024)
On December 30, 2023, Flexen signed a one-year, $1.75 million contract with the Chicago White Sox. In 33 appearances, including 30 starts during the 2024 campaign, he compiled a 3-15 record and 4.95 ERA with 123 strikeouts across 160 innings pitched. Despite the heavy workload, the results were a step back from his career-best 2021 season in Seattle.
Chicago Cubs (2025)
On February 17, 2025, Flexen signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs and began the year with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, where he posted a 3-0 record and 1.16 ERA with 21 strikeouts across his first five starts. The Cubs selected his contract on April 30, adding him to the active roster. On May 2, Flexen earned a save in his first appearance with the Cubs, pitching three scoreless innings with four strikeouts in a 10-0 win over the Milwaukee Brewers. In 21 appearances for Chicago, he went 5-1 with a 3.09 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 43⅔ innings. He was designated for assignment on July 29 and released after clearing waivers on August 3.
Doosan Bears Second Stint (2025–Present)
On December 18, 2025, Flexen signed a one-year, $1 million contract to return to the Doosan Bears of the KBO League, the same organization where he had previously revived his career in 2020. The move marked a return to a familiar environment and an opportunity to reclaim his form on the international stage.
Driving Style and Strengths
Flexen is recognized for his durability and his ability to eat innings as a starting pitcher, a skill he demonstrated during his career-best 2021 season with Seattle. His pickoff move and willingness to challenge baserunners set him apart, as evidenced by his major league-leading 141 pickoff attempts that year. He has also shown adaptability by transitioning between starting and relief roles throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Flexen’s early career was his MLB debut on July 27, 2017, when he became the fifth player in Mets history to allow a home run to the first batter he faced. His first major league win came on August 8, 2017, against the Texas Rangers at Citi Field. In 2021, his 14-win season and top-10 finishes in multiple pitching categories marked a career high point, while his first career save in 2022 demonstrated his versatility.
Chris Flexen Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Christopher John Flexen was raised in Newark, California, where his athletic talents emerged during his high school years at Newark Memorial High School. His nickname “Flex” originated from his two-sport success as both a quarterback and a varsity baseball player, reflecting the versatility that has continued to define his professional career. Public details about his immediate family remain limited, and he has kept his personal life largely out of the public eye.
2025 Season Performance
Chris Flexen’s 2025 season was defined by movement between organizations and roles. After signing a minor league deal with the Chicago Cubs in February, he opened the year at Triple-A Iowa, where he was nearly untouchable through his first five starts. His promotion to the major league roster in late April led to a productive run out of the Cubs’ bullpen, including a save in his first appearance and a 5-1 record with a 3.09 ERA across 21 outings. However, his tenure with Chicago ended in late July when he was designated for assignment and later released.
In December 2025, Flexen signed a one-year, $1 million contract to return to the Doosan Bears of the KBO League, the organization where he had previously pitched in 2020. The deal provides him with a stable platform to contribute as a starting pitcher in Korea. His familiarity with the KBO and his track record in the league position him well for a strong 2026 campaign in Asia.