Dillon Tate Bio
Dillon Michael Tate is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball for the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays. Tate played college baseball at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he developed his skills before being drafted. The Texas Rangers selected him in the first round of the 2015 MLB draft, and he made his MLB debut with the Baltimore Orioles in 2019.
Early Life and Background
Dillon Tate was born on May 1, 1994. He attended Claremont High School in Claremont, California, where he graduated in 2012. During his freshman year, he made the school’s baseball team but received limited playing time. To enhance his skills, he trained at the Major League Baseball Urban Youth Academy in Compton, California. Tate was not selected in the MLB draft out of high school, which led him to pursue a collegiate career.
After high school, Dillon Tate enrolled at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he played for the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos. The Gauchos and the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles were the only Division I programs to offer him a scholarship. As a freshman, he appeared in four games, pitching three innings with a 9.00 earned run average. Over the summer, he significantly improved his physique through weight training, gaining weight and strength. By his sophomore year, he became the Gauchos’ closer, finishing the season with a 1.45 ERA and 12 saves. In his junior year, he transitioned to a starting pitcher role, achieving an 8–5 win-loss record with a 2.26 ERA and 111 strikeouts in over 103 innings pitched.
Path to Baseball
Dillon Tate was considered one of the top prospects for the 2015 MLB draft, leading to his selection by the Texas Rangers with the fourth overall pick. He signed with the Rangers on June 12, 2015, earning a $4.2 million signing bonus. Tate made his professional debut with the Spokane Indians in the Low-A Northwest League and was later promoted to the Hickory Crawdads in the Single-A South Atlantic League in 2016. Despite facing challenges, including time on the disabled list due to a strained hamstring, he managed to pitch 65 innings with a 5.12 ERA and 55 strikeouts during his time with Hickory.
On August 1, 2016, the Texas Rangers traded Dillon Tate to the New York Yankees in exchange for Carlos Beltrán. He was assigned to the Single-A Charleston RiverDogs, where he worked on improving his mechanics. In 2017, he made nine starts for the Tampa Yankees, posting a 2.62 ERA, before being promoted to the Trenton Thunder in the Double-A Eastern League.
Dillon Tate Career
Early Career (2019-2022)
Dillon Tate made his MLB debut with the Baltimore Orioles on July 29, 2019, allowing three runs over two innings pitched. He finished his rookie season with a 6.43 ERA across 16 appearances. In 2020, he pitched in 12 games for the Orioles, improving his performance with a 3.24 ERA and 14 strikeouts.
In 2021, Tate appeared in 62 games for the Orioles, registering an 0-6 record and a 4.39 ERA with 49 strikeouts in over 67 innings. He had a breakout year in 2022, appearing in 67 games, achieving a 4-4 record, and posting a 3.05 ERA with 60 strikeouts and five saves in 73 innings pitched.
Breakthrough (2023-2025)
On January 13, 2023, Dillon Tate agreed to a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Orioles, avoiding salary arbitration. However, he suffered a flexor strain in late November, which sidelined him for the beginning of the season. In 2024, he made 29 appearances for the Orioles, recording a 4.59 ERA with 23 strikeouts across over 33 innings pitched. He was designated for assignment on August 28, 2024, following the acquisition of another player.
On September 1, 2024, Tate was claimed off waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays. He made four appearances for Toronto, logging a 5.40 ERA with four strikeouts. After being non-tendered on November 22, 2024, he became a free agent. On March 12, 2025, he re-signed with the Blue Jays on a one-year, $1.4 million contract and was optioned to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons to start the season.
Notable Works and Milestones
Throughout his career, Dillon Tate has shown promise as a pitcher, with significant improvements in his performance over the years. His notable achievements include a career year in 2022 and his consistent appearances in MLB games since his debut.
Dillon Tate Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Dillon Tate has not received any major award nominations.
Dillon Tate Awards Won
Dillon Tate has not won any major awards during his professional baseball career.
Dillon Tate Family
Information regarding Dillon Tate’s family is not publicly available.
Personal Life
Details about Dillon Tate’s personal life, including marital status and children, are not publicly disclosed.