Cooper Criswell Bio
Cooper Timothy Criswell, born on July 24, 1996, is an American professional baseball pitcher currently in the Major League Baseball (MLB) system. Known for his versatility as both a spot starter and a relief pitcher, Criswell has contributed to several organizations across the league. He grew up in Carrollton, Georgia, and developed his game through both junior college and a top-tier university program before being drafted in 2018.
As of 2026, Criswell is a member of the Seattle Mariners, wearing jersey number 88. Over the course of his career, he has also suited up for the Los Angeles Angels, Tampa Bay Rays, and Boston Red Sox, establishing himself as a reliable depth arm in major league rotations and bullpens.
Early Life and Background
Cooper Timothy Criswell was born on July 24, 1996, in Carrollton, Georgia, where he spent his childhood and formative years. He attended Carrollton High School, where he began developing his skills as a pitcher and laid the groundwork for a future in competitive baseball. His family background includes a strong athletic heritage, with his father Tim Criswell having played college baseball at Georgia Perimeter College before being selected by the San Francisco Giants with the 21st overall pick of the 1983 Major League Baseball draft.
Growing up in a baseball household, Criswell was exposed early to the demands of the sport. His mother, Dawn Criswell, raised him alongside his father in Carrollton, a community where high school baseball carries deep tradition. This environment helped shape his work ethic and his understanding of the game from a young age.
Path to Baseball
Following high school, Criswell began his college baseball career at Southern Union State Community College in Alabama. As a sophomore, he posted an impressive 10–1 win–loss record paired with a 2.54 earned run average (ERA), drawing the attention of four-year programs across the country. His performance in junior college positioned him for a transfer to a major Division I program.
Criswell transferred to the University of North Carolina, where he joined the Tar Heels for a single standout season. In that year, he went 6–2 with a 2.99 ERA and 86 strikeouts across 75+1⁄3 innings pitched. On April 11, 2018, he was named the Golden Spikes Award Gold Standard Performance of the Week by USA Baseball after a 13-strikeout outing against the University of Miami, the highest total ever recorded by a relief pitcher under coach Mike Fox.
Cooper Criswell Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
The Los Angeles Angels selected Criswell in the 13th round of the 2018 Major League Baseball draft, officially launching his professional career. He began his minor league journey the following year with the Inland Empire 66ers of the High-A California League, where he worked to refine his command and adjust to the pace of professional baseball. The 2020 minor league season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, costing Criswell valuable development time.
Los Angeles Angels Era (2021)
Criswell was assigned to the Double-A Rocket City Trash Pandas to start the 2021 season, where he made 12 starts and posted a 6–4 record with a 3.71 ERA and 85 strikeouts. Promoted to the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees on July 31, he went 2–1 with a 3.98 ERA across four starts before the Angels selected his contract on August 27. He made his major league debut that same night, giving up three runs in 1+1⁄3 innings before being optioned back to Salt Lake the following day.
Tampa Bay Rays Era (2022–2023)
On July 16, 2022, Criswell was claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Rays. He was designated for assignment days later and sent to the Triple-A Durham Bulls. Recalled as a COVID-19 replacement player on September 12, he tossed 3+1⁄3 innings against the Toronto Blue Jays, striking out four while allowing one earned run. In 2023, he made 10 appearances for the Rays, posting a 5.73 ERA with 27 strikeouts across 33 innings before being designated for assignment on November 14.
Boston Red Sox Era (2024–2025)
The Boston Red Sox signed Criswell to a one-year, $1 million contract on December 13, 2023. After starting 2024 in Triple-A Worcester, he was recalled on April 13 and made his Red Sox debut against the Angels, pitching four innings with four strikeouts. He earned his first Red Sox win on April 24, throwing five scoreless innings in an 8–0 victory over the Cleveland Guardians. Criswell returned in 2025 on another one-year, $1 million deal, posting a 1–0 record and 3.57 ERA across seven appearances before being designated for assignment on December 4.
Seattle Mariners Era (2026–Present)
After a brief waiver claim by the New York Mets on December 5, 2025, Criswell was designated for assignment on January 21, 2026, and traded two days later to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for cash considerations. He opened his Mariners tenure by earning a three-inning save in an 8–0 win over Cleveland on March 29. Through early June 2026, he had compiled a 10–8 record with a 4.32 ERA and 136 strikeouts.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Criswell’s career highlights is his 13-strikeout performance for North Carolina against the University of Miami in 2018, a single-game record under Tar Heels coach Mike Fox. His major league debut with the Angels on August 27, 2021, and his first Red Sox win on April 24, 2024, both stand as signature moments. More recently, his three-inning save for the Mariners on Opening Day 2026 marked an encouraging start to his new chapter in Seattle.
Cooper Criswell Career Highlights
MLB Highlights
Criswell has spent parts of five major league seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, Tampa Bay Rays, Boston Red Sox, and Seattle Mariners, compiling a career win–loss record of 10–8 with a 4.32 ERA and 136 strikeouts through early June 2026. His most consistent stretch came during the 2024 season with Boston, when injuries to the starting rotation allowed him to remain in the rotation for an extended period. He has demonstrated adaptability, contributing effectively in both starting and relief roles.
Minor League and Collegiate Achievements
At Southern Union State Community College, Criswell went 10–1 with a 2.54 ERA as a sophomore. In his lone season at North Carolina, he finished 6–2 with a 2.99 ERA and 86 strikeouts. His 13-strikeout game against Miami earned him a Golden Spikes Award weekly honor, marking one of the most decorated single performances in his career.
Cooper Criswell Family
Family Background and Baseball Lineage
Criswell was raised in Carrollton, Georgia, by his parents Tim and Dawn Criswell. His father, Tim, played college baseball at Georgia Perimeter College and was selected 21st overall by the San Francisco Giants in the 1983 MLB Draft, giving Cooper a direct connection to the professional game from an early age. This family heritage helped shape his path toward a career in baseball.
Personal Life
On December 10, 2022, Criswell married his wife, Alex. In May 2023, the couple announced that they were expecting their first child, and on November 9, 2023, they welcomed a son, Cash Alexander Criswell. The family has remained a central part of Criswell’s life as he has moved between organizations throughout his professional career.
2025 Season Performance
Criswell agreed to a one-year, $1 million contract with the Boston Red Sox for the 2025 season, returning to the organization where he had established himself the previous year. He began the year in Triple-A Worcester before being called up for a relief appearance against the St. Louis Cardinals. He made seven total appearances for Boston, logging a 1–0 record and a 3.57 ERA with nine strikeouts and one save across 17+2⁄3 innings pitched, though his season ended with a designation for assignment on December 4.
His 2025 performance reflected his growing role as a flexible bullpen asset, with the team utilizing him in high-leverage situations and occasional spot starts. His seven-inning, one-run outing against the Houston Astros on August 1 stood as a turning point, demonstrating his ability to provide length when needed. The Red Sox’s decision to part ways opened the door for his subsequent moves to the New York Mets and ultimately the Seattle Mariners.
