Mitch Spence Bio
Mitchell Perry Spence, known professionally as Mitch Spence, is an American professional baseball pitcher who plays for the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB). Born on May 6, 1998, he made his MLB debut in 2024 after years of climbing through the minor leagues. A right-handed pitcher, Spence is recognized for his workmanlike approach, durability, and ability to log innings as both a starter and a reliever.
Selected in the 2019 MLB draft by the New York Yankees, Spence spent several seasons in the Yankees’ farm system before being taken with the first overall pick in the 2023 Rule 5 draft by the Oakland Athletics. His transition to the Athletics gave him the opportunity to reach the major leagues, where he earned a spot on the Opening Day roster and a regular turn in the starting rotation during his rookie year.
Early Life and Background
Mitch Spence grew up in Cary, North Carolina, where he attended Green Hope High School. He played for the school’s baseball team, developing into a reliable pitcher with a strong arm and an understanding of the strike zone. His time on the high school diamond gave him the foundation to continue playing the sport at the collegiate level.
After graduating, Spence enrolled at the University of South Carolina Aiken, where he played college baseball for the Pacers. During his college career, he was twice named the Peach Belt Conference’s pitcher of the week, a recognition that highlighted his consistency and ability to dominate opposing hitters on a regular basis. His performance at South Carolina Aiken helped him attract the attention of Major League Baseball scouts.
Path to Professional Baseball
Spence’s path to professional baseball began in earnest when the New York Yankees selected him in the 10th round, with the 315th overall pick, of the 2019 Major League Baseball draft. He made his professional debut that same year with the rookie-level Pulaski Yankees, where he posted a 3.54 ERA across 16 relief appearances. The strong start in his first pro season gave the Yankees confidence that he could develop into a useful big-league arm.
The 2020 minor league season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, preventing Spence from playing in any official games that year. When he returned to the mound in 2021 with the High-A Hudson Valley Renegades, he transitioned into a starting role. Across 23 appearances and 20 starts, he logged a 7-6 record and a 3.94 ERA, striking out 118 batters in 105 innings of work.
Mitch Spence Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Spence’s early professional years were spent within the Yankees’ minor league system, where he steadily built his reputation as a durable and strike-throwing pitcher. After his debut season with Pulaski, his development was paused by the cancellation of the 2020 minor league season. He returned stronger in 2021, helping the Hudson Valley Renegades while showing the stamina needed to handle a starting pitcher’s workload.
Minor League Progression (2022–2023)
In 2022, Spence split the year between the Double-A Somerset Patriots and the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. He appeared in 27 contests, posting a 6-7 record and a 4.70 ERA with 127 strikeouts over more than 130 innings pitched. The following year, the Yankees invited him to spring training as a non-roster player, and he spent the regular season at Triple-A Scranton. There, he made 29 starts, finishing 8-8 with a 4.47 ERA and 153 strikeouts across 163 innings.
Oakland Athletics Era (2023–Present)
On December 6, 2023, the Oakland Athletics selected Spence with the first overall pick of the Rule 5 draft, giving them the rights to his contract. He competed for a spot in spring training the following year and earned a place on Oakland’s Opening Day roster. After initially pitching in relief, he made his first major league start on May 17, 2024, and the Athletics kept him in the starting rotation for the remainder of the season.
In 35 appearances and 24 starts during his rookie campaign with Oakland, Spence compiled an 8-10 record and a 4.58 ERA while striking out 126 batters across 151 and one-third innings. The heavy workload was a clear sign that the Athletics viewed him as a long-term piece of their pitching staff.
Driving Style and Strengths
Spence is regarded as a durable, innings-eating pitcher who relies on command and the ability to keep his team in games. He has shown he can handle both starting and relief duties, which provides his team with valuable flexibility. His experience logging high strikeout totals in the minor leagues has translated to the major leagues, where he continues to miss bats while working deep into outings.
Notable Events and Milestones
Spence’s most significant milestone came when he made his MLB debut in 2024 with the Oakland Athletics, a moment that capped years of work in the minor leagues. He also distinguished himself as the first overall selection in the 2023 Rule 5 draft. His first major league start on May 17, 2024, and his retention in the Athletics’ rotation for the balance of his rookie season underscored the organization’s confidence in his ability to compete at the highest level.
Mitch Spence Career Wins
Spence’s most notable individual win to date came during his rookie season in 2024, when he logged eight victories in 24 starts for the Oakland Athletics. While he has not yet recorded a major league postseason win, his continued development suggests that further accomplishments are within reach as he matures as a starting pitcher.
MLB Highlights
Spence recorded his first major league victory in 2024 as a member of the Oakland Athletics, capping a journey that began when he was drafted in 2019. His rookie season featured 24 starts and 35 total appearances, marking a significant step forward in his career. As his experience grows, additional wins and milestones are likely to follow.
Minor League Achievements
Before reaching the majors, Spence built a steady resume in the minor leagues, including a 7-6 record at High-A Hudson Valley in 2021, a 6-7 mark across Double-A and Triple-A in 2022, and an 8-8 finish at Triple-A Scranton in 2023. He twice earned Peach Belt Conference pitcher of the week honors during his college career at the University of South Carolina Aiken.
Mitch Spence Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public details about Mitch Spence’s immediate family are limited. He grew up in Cary, North Carolina, and attended Green Hope High School, where he developed his baseball skills before continuing his career in college and professional baseball.
Personal Life
Spence’s personal life is kept largely private, and he has not publicly shared extensive details about his relationships or family. His focus has remained on his professional career as a pitcher at the highest level of the sport.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into 2025, Mitch Spence enters his first full season of major league experience as a member of the Oakland Athletics’ starting rotation. The 2024 campaign provided him with 24 starts and 151 and one-third innings of work, giving him a foundation to build on. The Athletics’ decision to keep him in the rotation throughout his rookie year suggests a long-term commitment to his development.
During spring training, Spence is expected to compete for a defined role within the Oakland pitching staff, with the potential to take on more responsibility as a veteran presence. His track record of durability, including a 163-inning season in Triple-A in 2023 and 151 and one-third innings in the majors in 2024, suggests he can handle a heavy workload. Continued improvement in command and efficiency will be key areas of focus as he looks to lower his ERA and increase his win total.
As the Athletics continue to shape their roster around young talent, Spence’s growth will be an important storyline to watch. His progression from a 10th-round draft pick to a regular major league starter underscores the patience and perseverance required to succeed in professional baseball. The 2025 season represents an opportunity for him to establish himself as a reliable presence in Oakland’s rotation for years to come.