JP Sears Bio
John Patrick Sears, known professionally as JP Sears, is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a member of the San Diego Padres organization in Major League Baseball (MLB). A left-handed starter, Sears has built his career on durability and volume, logging more than 170 innings in multiple major league seasons. He has previously pitched in MLB for the New York Yankees and the Oakland Athletics.
Born on February 19, 1996, Sears began his professional journey after being selected in the 2017 MLB Draft. He has since developed into a reliable starting option, known for his work ethic and his steady presence on the mound. His career has taken him across several organizations, and he continues to compete at the highest level of professional baseball.
Early Life and Background
John Patrick Sears grew up in Sumter, South Carolina, where he attended Wilson Hall, a private school known for its strong athletic programs. It was during his time at Wilson Hall that Sears began to develop his skills as a pitcher, drawing attention from college baseball programs for his command and composure on the mound.
Following high school, Sears continued his baseball career at The Citadel, a military college in South Carolina. He played college baseball for The Citadel Bulldogs, where he refined his pitching mechanics and built the foundation that would eventually lead to a professional career. His time at The Citadel helped him grow both as an athlete and as a disciplined competitor.
Path to Professional Baseball
Sears entered professional baseball when he was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 11th round of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft. After signing, he began his minor league career with the Everett AquaSox and the Clinton LumberKings, where he posted a strong 1–2 record with a 0.65 earned run average (ERA) over 27 and two-thirds innings. Those numbers showed early promise and established him as a prospect worth developing.
On November 18, 2017, the Mariners traded Sears and Juan Then to the New York Yankees in exchange for Nick Rumbelow, beginning a new chapter in his development. He spent the 2018 season with the Charleston RiverDogs, going 1–5 with a 2.67 ERA, and later pitched for the Tampa Tarpons in 2019, where he posted a 4–4 record with a 4.07 ERA. He did not play a minor league game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, but he returned strong in 2021, splitting time between the Somerset Patriots and the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders with a 10–2 record and a 3.46 ERA over 25 games.
JP Sears Career
Early Career (2017–2021)
During his early professional years, Sears built a reputation as a hard-working pitcher who could eat up innings. His development through the Yankees minor league system was steady, and he showed consistent improvement year over year. By 2021, his performance had elevated him to the threshold of the major leagues.
The Yankees added Sears to their 40-man roster after the 2021 season, recognizing the progress he had made. His strong 2021 campaign, which included 136 strikeouts over 104 innings, gave the organization confidence that he was ready for the next level.
New York Yankees (2022)
Sears made the Yankees’ Opening Day roster in 2022 and made his major league debut on April 13, 2022. Just a few days later, on April 16, he earned his first major league win, a milestone moment in his young career. However, he was optioned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre shortly after that game as the team managed its pitching staff.
Oakland Athletics (2022–2025)
On August 1, 2022, the Yankees traded Sears, Luis Medina, Ken Waldichuk, and Cooper Bowman to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for Frankie Montas and Lou Trivino. After a brief assignment to the Las Vegas Aviators, Sears was promoted to the major leagues, making his first appearance for the Athletics on August 10, 2022.
In 2023, Sears became a mainstay in the Oakland rotation, leading the team’s pitchers with 32 games started, 172 and one-third innings pitched, and 161 strikeouts, while posting a 5–14 record and a 4.54 ERA. The following year, after a rocky start to 2024, he took a no-hitter into the seventh inning against the Texas Rangers on April 11, ultimately pitching six and one-third scoreless innings in a 1–0 win. He finished 2024 with an 11–13 record, a 4.38 ERA, and 137 strikeouts over 180 and two-thirds innings. In 2025, he made 22 starts for the Athletics, going 7–9 with a 4.95 ERA and 97 strikeouts across 111 innings.
San Diego Padres Era (2025–Present)
On July 31, 2025, the Athletics traded Sears and Mason Miller to the San Diego Padres in a multi-player deal. In his Padres debut on August 4 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Sears allowed five runs on 10 hits while striking out four batters across five innings. He was optioned to the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas shortly afterward. Sears was optioned to Triple-A El Paso to begin the 2026 season.
JP Sears Career Wins and Performance
Through the 2025 MLB season, John Patrick Sears has compiled a win–loss record of 31–41 with a 4.53 ERA and 466 strikeouts across his major league career. His most memorable win came early in his career with the Yankees on April 16, 2022, while his most impressive single performance was a near no-hitter against the Texas Rangers in April 2024. He has been a reliable innings-eater throughout his time in the major leagues.
JP Sears Personal Life
John Patrick Sears, who goes by JP, is an American professional athlete. Limited public information is available about his family and personal life outside of baseball, and he tends to keep those details private from the media.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was a year of transition for John Patrick Sears. He began the year with the Oakland Athletics, making 22 starts and posting a 7–9 record with a 4.95 ERA and 97 strikeouts over 111 innings before the trade deadline. His consistent ability to take the mound every fifth day remained one of his trademarks.
On July 31, 2025, Sears was dealt to the San Diego Padres as part of a major trade that also sent closer Mason Miller to San Diego. His first outing for the Padres came on August 4 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he gave up five runs across five innings. Following that start, he was optioned to the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas. Sears was optioned to Triple-A El Paso to begin the 2026 season, and he will look to rejoin the Padres rotation with continued strong performances in the minors.
