Garrett McDaniels Bio
Garrett Nicholas McDaniels is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. Born on December 15, 1999, he has pitched in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Angels, making his MLB debut during the 2025 season. A former Rule 5 draft selection, McDaniels has worked his way through the Dodgers farm system after returning to the organization in mid-2025.
Early Life and Background
Garrett Nicholas McDaniels was born on December 15, 1999, and grew up in South Carolina. He attended Pee Dee Academy in Mullins, where he developed as a young pitcher and drew attention from college recruiters. His time at the academy laid the foundation for a college career that would eventually carry him to professional baseball.
Coming out of high school, McDaniels committed to Coastal Carolina University, where he played college baseball for the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers. The program gave him his first taste of high-level collegiate competition and helped him refine his approach on the mound.
Path to Baseball
After his stint at Coastal Carolina, McDaniels transferred to the University of Mount Olive to play for the Mount Olive Trojans. His college career was interrupted when he underwent Tommy John surgery, a major procedure for any young pitcher. The rehabilitation period tested his patience and forced him to rebuild his arm strength from the ground up.
Even while recovering from surgery, McDaniels remained on the radar of MLB scouts. His performance in college, combined with his upside as a pitcher, kept him in consideration as a potential professional signing.
Garrett McDaniels Career
Early Career (2022–2023)
While McDaniels was still rehabilitating from Tommy John surgery, the Los Angeles Dodgers signed him to a free agent contract on May 19, 2022. He made his professional debut that year with the rookie-level Arizona Complex League Dodgers, getting his first taste of life inside a major league organization.
McDaniels split the 2023 season between the ACL Dodgers and the Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. Across 18 innings of work, he accumulated a 2.50 ERA with 23 strikeouts and 2 saves, signaling that his arm was healthy and his performance was trending in the right direction.
Los Angeles Angels Breakthrough (2025)
On December 11, 2024, the Los Angeles Angels selected McDaniels from the Dodgers in the Rule 5 draft. He went on to make the Angels’ Opening Day roster, a clear sign that the organization viewed him as a ready contributor at the major league level.
McDaniels made his MLB debut on March 31, 2025, against the St. Louis Cardinals. In 10 appearances for Los Angeles, he recorded a 5.91 ERA with six strikeouts across 10+2⁄3 innings pitched. On June 9, the Angels designated him for assignment, ending his first major league stint.
Los Angeles Dodgers Second Stint (2025–Present)
On June 14, 2025, the Angels returned McDaniels to the Dodgers organization, as required by his Rule 5 status. He was assigned to the Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets, where he posted a 3–1 record with a 3.30 ERA across 25 games. The strong showing at Triple-A demonstrated that his earlier major league struggles did not define his trajectory.
Notable Events and Milestones
McDaniels’ most significant milestone to date is his MLB debut on March 31, 2025, against the St. Louis Cardinals. He became a Rule 5 draft pick, an Opening Day roster member, and a major league pitcher in the span of one offseason. His return to the Dodgers via the Rule 5 return process marked another turning point in a young career defined by perseverance.
Garrett McDaniels Career Wins
McDaniels is still in the early stages of his professional career and has not yet recorded an MLB victory. His wins have come at the minor league level, including five wins during the 2024 season across three affiliates and three additional wins with the Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets in 2025.
Minor League Highlights
During the 2024 season, McDaniels pitched for the Double-A Tulsa Drillers, High-A Great Lakes Loons, and Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. In 33 appearances split between the three affiliates, he posted a cumulative 5–5 record and 3.19 ERA with 84 strikeouts across 73+1⁄3 innings pitched. The volume of work and the strikeout totals underscored his potential as a starting or long-relief option.
Other Performances
McDaniels also produced a 3–1 record with a 3.30 ERA in 25 games for the Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets in 2025. Combined with his 2023 showing at the lower levels, his minor league track record suggests a pitcher capable of missing bats and limiting damage when healthy.
Garrett McDaniels Family
Personal Life
Public information about Garrett Nicholas McDaniels’ family life is limited. He was raised in South Carolina and attended Pee Dee Academy in Mullins before beginning his college baseball journey. Details about his parents, spouse, and children have not been publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a defining year for Garrett Nicholas McDaniels. He opened the year on the Los Angeles Angels’ Opening Day roster and reached the major leagues for the first time on March 31 against the St. Louis Cardinals. Across 10 appearances with the Angels, he posted a 5.91 ERA with six strikeouts in 10+2⁄3 innings before being designated for assignment on June 9.
After being returned to the Dodgers organization on June 14, McDaniels settled in at Triple-A Oklahoma City. With the Comets, he went 3–1 with a 3.30 ERA in 25 games, providing a steadier foundation for his development. The contrast between his major league stint and his Triple-A results highlighted the adjustment curve he continues to navigate.
Looking ahead, McDaniels remains a pitcher with major league experience and a fresh start inside the Dodgers system. His continued work at Triple-A sets the stage for potential future call-ups, depending on the organization’s needs and his performance down the stretch.