Scott Effross Bio
Scott Benjamin-Morton Effross, born on December 28, 1993, is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago Cubs and the New York Yankees, building a reputation as a reliable relief pitcher. Effross played college baseball for Indiana University before being selected by the Cubs in the 15th round of the 2015 MLB Draft. He made his MLB debut with Chicago in 2021 and remained active at the major league level through the 2025 season.
Early Life and Background
Scott Benjamin-Morton Effross was born on December 28, 1993, in Twinsburg, Ohio. He grew up in a Jewish household and was a member of Congregation Shir Shalom. Effross is known to wear a Star of David necklace while pitching, a personal tradition that has become a recognizable part of his on-field presence.
Effross attended Twinsburg High School, graduating in 2012. He starred on the school baseball team, where he served as both a pitcher and a first baseman. In his senior year, he posted an 8–1 win–loss record with a 1.52 earned run average, striking out 60 batters against only 14 walks in 55 innings. He also batted .380 as a senior and earned several honors, including First Team All-Northeast Ohio Conference in 2011 and 2012, Mizuno All-Ohio recognition, and a spot on the All-Ohio Academic Team in 2012.
Path to Professional Baseball
After high school, Effross enrolled at Indiana University, where he majored in political science and played college baseball for the Indiana Hoosiers. As a freshman in 2013, he was 6–1 with a 2.44 ERA in 28 appearances, ranking fourth in school history for pitching appearances in a season. His five saves tied for tenth in school history, and he was named a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American, Second Team All-Big Ten Conference, and a member of the Big Ten All-Freshman team.
In his sophomore year, Effross went 5–3 with a 1.98 ERA and set a school record with 32 appearances. He also played collegiate summer baseball for the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League, where he was named a league all-star. As a junior in 2015, he was 4–4 with a 2.35 ERA and was recognized by the Jewish Sports Review on their Division I College Baseball All-America team. He finished his college career ranked fourth all-time at Indiana with 81 pitching appearances and tied for fifth with 12 saves.
Scott Effross Career
Early Career (2015–2020)
The Chicago Cubs drafted Effross in the 15th round, with the 443rd overall selection, of the 2015 MLB Draft, and he signed for a $100,000 bonus. He began his professional career that year with the AZL Cubs of the Rookie Arizona League and the Eugene Emeralds of the Low–A Northwest League, going 0–1 with two saves and a 2.14 ERA across 12 relief appearances. Over the next several seasons, he climbed through the minor leagues with the South Bend Cubs, Myrtle Beach Pelicans, and Tennessee Smokies, showing steady development as a reliever.
In 2019, the Cubs asked Effross to change his pitching motion to a full sidearm delivery, a transition he credits to rehab pitching coordinator Josh Zeid. The adjustment paid dividends, and he finished the year with a 4.33 ERA across 28 appearances while also pitching for the Mesa Solar Sox of the Arizona Fall League, where he posted a 1.80 ERA in eight relief outings.
Chicago Cubs (2021–2022)
Effross was called up to the majors for the first time on August 28, 2021, and made his MLB debut on August 29 against the Chicago White Sox, pitching two-thirds of an inning. In his rookie season, he was 2–1 with a 3.68 ERA in 14 relief appearances covering 14⅔ innings, recording 18 strikeouts against just one walk and posting a 0.955 WHIP.
In 2022, before being traded, Effross was 1–4 with 13 holds, one save, and a 2.66 ERA across 47 games. He excelled at stranding inherited runners, converting 24 of 28 opportunities for an 85.7 percent rate, the third-best in the National League at the time. He was traded to the New York Yankees on August 1, 2022, in a deal that sent pitcher Hayden Wesneski to the Cubs.
New York Yankees (2022–2025)
With the Yankees in 2022, Effross was 0–0 with three saves, three holds, and a 2.14 ERA in 13 relief appearances spanning 12⅔ innings. Combined between the Cubs and Yankees that year, he was 1–4 with four saves, 16 holds, and a 2.54 ERA in 60 relief appearances. He ranked among the top major league relievers with 50 or more innings in lowest hard-hit ball percentage and called-strike percentage. However, on October 13, 2022, Effross underwent Tommy John surgery to repair a torn UCL ligament in his right elbow, causing him to miss the 2022 playoffs and the entire 2023 season.
On February 14, 2024, it was announced that Effross would miss additional months following December low back surgery, and he was placed on the 60–day injured list. He was activated and optioned to the Triple–A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders on July 14, 2024. In the minor leagues that year, he was 8–1 with a 2.55 ERA across 29 relief appearances covering 35⅓ innings, while pitching only 3⅓ innings for the Yankees. In 2025, he made 11 appearances for New York but struggled to an 8.44 ERA, and on November 21, 2025, he was non-tendered and became a free agent.
Driving Style and Strengths
Effross relies primarily on an 80-mile-per-hour sweeping slider and a 90-mile-per-hour biting sinker, complemented by a less frequent changeup and a four-seam fastball. After transitioning to a full sidearm delivery in 2019, he developed into a high-leverage reliever who excels at inducing weak contact, generating chase swings, and limiting hard-hit balls. His low release point and ability to strand inherited runners have been defining features of his bullpen profile.
Notable Events and Milestones
Effross made his MLB debut on August 29, 2021, against the Chicago White Sox, marking the culmination of a six-year journey through the minor leagues. His midseason 2022 trade to the Yankees was a career milestone, as was his standout combined 2.54 ERA that year. Unfortunately, his Tommy John surgery in October 2022 and subsequent back surgery in 2023 derailed what had been a rising trajectory, and his 2025 non-tender status brought his Yankees tenure to a close.
Scott Effross Career Stats
MLB Highlights
Across his MLB career, Effross has recorded a combined 3–5 record with five saves and numerous holds in relief appearances for the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees. His most effective season came in 2022, when he combined for a 2.54 ERA in 60 relief appearances between the two clubs. In 2021, he was 2–1 with a 3.68 ERA, and in 2025, he posted an 8.44 ERA in 11 appearances before becoming a free agent.
Minor League Performances
In the minor leagues, Effross was a 2015 15th-round draft pick who steadily climbed through the Cubs system. He was recognized as a Carolina League all-star-caliber reliever in 2017 and earned Arizona Fall League recognition in 2019. In 2024, after returning from injury, he was 8–1 with a 2.55 ERA in Triple–A.
Scott Effross Family
Family Background and Heritage
Scott Benjamin-Morton Effross was raised in a Jewish household in Twinsburg, Ohio. He has been a member of Congregation Shir Shalom and is known for wearing a Star of David necklace while pitching. He is a proud representative of Jewish heritage in Major League Baseball.
Personal Life
Effross maintains a private personal life away from the baseball field. No public information is available regarding a spouse, partner, or children at this time.
2025 Season Performance
Scott Effross entered the 2025 season looking to rebuild his value following multiple injury setbacks. He made 11 appearances for the New York Yankees but struggled to find consistency, posting an 8.44 ERA across 10⅔ innings with six strikeouts. His performance fell short of expectations as he attempted to reclaim a high-leverage bullpen role.
On November 21, 2025, the Yankees decided not to tender him a contract for the following season, making him a free agent. With his recent health history now behind him, Effross is positioned to explore opportunities with other MLB clubs seeking bullpen depth and a proven track record from his 2022 peak.