Mitch Spence Bio
Mitchell Perry Spence (born May 6, 1998) is an American professional baseball pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2024 and has pitched for the Oakland Athletics and the Kansas City Royals. A former draft pick of the New York Yankees, Spence was selected first overall in the 2023 Rule 5 draft by Oakland, beginning his major league career as a starting pitcher. He currently plays for the Kansas City Royals.
Early Life and Background
Spence attended Green Hope High School in Cary, North Carolina, where he played on the school’s baseball team. Growing up in the Research Triangle region, he developed his pitching skills in a competitive amateur environment before moving on to the college ranks. His high school years laid the foundation for the arm strength and command that would later define his professional career.
After high school, Spence enrolled at the University of South Carolina Aiken, where he played college baseball for the Pacers. During his time with the program, he was twice named the Peach Belt Conference’s pitcher of the week, an early sign of his consistency on the mound. His performance at the Division II level helped raise his profile ahead of the MLB draft.
Path to Baseball
Spence’s college success at South Carolina Aiken attracted the attention of major league scouts. Following his junior season, he entered the 2019 MLB draft and was selected by the New York Yankees in the 10th round, with the 315th overall pick. The selection marked the official start of his professional career and a transition to the demanding minor league system.
He made his professional debut that summer with the rookie-level Pulaski Yankees, working as a reliever and posting a 3.54 ERA across 16 appearances. The early showing gave the Yankees organization confidence in his pitch repertoire and strike-throwing ability, setting the stage for a steady climb through the minor league ladder.
Mitch Spence Career
Early Career (2019–2022)
Spence did not play in 2020 after the minor league season was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He returned to action in 2021 with the High-A Hudson Valley Renegades, making 23 appearances, including 20 starts, and posting a 7–6 record with a 3.94 ERA and 118 strikeouts in 105 innings. The workload signaled his development into a starting pitcher.
In 2022, he split the season between the Double-A Somerset Patriots and the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Across 27 contests, Spence logged a 6–7 record with a 4.70 ERA and 127 strikeouts in just over 130 innings. The year provided valuable experience against more advanced hitters as he inched closer to the major leagues.
New York Yankees Prospect Years (2019–2023)
Spence spent the 2023 season with Triple-A Scranton after attending spring training with the Yankees as a non-roster invitee. He made 29 starts and finished the year with an 8–8 record, a 4.47 ERA, and 153 strikeouts across 163 innings. The heavy workload demonstrated his durability and cemented his status as one of the organization’s upper-level arms.
Despite the productive minor league résumé, Spence was left unprotected by New York following the 2023 season. The Yankees’ decision opened the door for another organization to claim him in the Rule 5 draft.
Oakland Athletics Era (2024–2025)
On December 6, 2023, the Oakland Athletics selected Spence with the first overall pick of the Rule 5 draft. He competed for a roster spot during spring training in 2024 and ultimately made Oakland’s Opening Day roster. After working out of the bullpen early in the year, Spence made his first major league start on May 17, 2024, and remained in the starting rotation for the rest of his rookie campaign.
In 35 appearances and 24 starts with Oakland in 2024, he compiled an 8–10 record with a 4.58 ERA and 126 strikeouts in just over 151 innings. The innings total reflected the Athletics’ reliance on him as a rotation piece. In 2025, Spence’s role shifted, as he made 32 appearances with only eight starts, posting a 3–6 record, a 5.10 ERA, 66 strikeouts, and one save in just under 85 innings. On February 10, 2026, Oakland designated him for assignment.
Kansas City Royals Era (2026–Present)
Two days after being designated for assignment, Spence was traded to the Kansas City Royals on February 12, 2026, in exchange for A.J. Causey. The move gave him a fresh opportunity within a new organization. To begin the regular season, the Royals optioned him to the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers.
Through the early portion of the 2026 season, Spence has contributed to the Kansas City pitching staff. According to updated MLB statistics, he has registered an 11–17 win–loss record, a 5.05 earned run average, and 196 strikeouts. His transition to the Royals marks the latest chapter in a career that has spanned multiple organizations and roles.
Driving Style and Strengths
Spence works primarily as a starter, relying on command and the ability to log innings. His minor league track record shows a pitcher who can handle a heavy workload, including 163 innings in a single Triple-A season. He has adapted to relief duties when needed, recording a save with Oakland in 2025, which speaks to his versatility on the mound.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Spence’s career came on December 6, 2023, when he was the first overall selection of the Rule 5 draft. His major league debut with Oakland in 2024 and his first MLB start on May 17 of that year also stand out as key milestones, followed by his trade to Kansas City in February 2026.
Mitch Spence Career Wins
Spence has accumulated his major league wins primarily as a member of the Oakland Athletics. His first full season in 2024 produced eight victories, and he added three more in a reduced starting role in 2025. With the Kansas City Royals, he has continued to add to his win total, bringing his overall MLB win total into double digits.
MLB Highlights
Spence’s most productive major league season came in his rookie year of 2024, when he won eight games for the Oakland Athletics. The following year he added three more victories while working in a hybrid relief and starting role. His career win total has continued to grow during his time with the Kansas City Royals in 2026.
Minor League Performances
Before reaching the majors, Spence posted strong numbers in the Yankees’ farm system, including a 7–6 record with Hudson Valley in 2021 and an 8–8 mark with Scranton in 2023. His consistent innings-eating presence in the minors helped position him for a major league opportunity.
Mitch Spence Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Spence grew up in Cary, North Carolina, and attended Green Hope High School, where he was part of the baseball program. His path through college baseball at the University of South Carolina Aiken reflects a steady development within an established family support system, though specific details about his parents and siblings have not been publicly confirmed.
Personal Life
Spence has kept much of his personal life private, and no public information about a spouse or children is widely available. He continues to focus on his professional baseball career as a pitcher in the major leagues.
2025 Season Performance
During the 2025 season with the Oakland Athletics, Mitch Spence appeared in 32 games, including eight starts, and posted a 3–6 record with a 5.10 earned run average. He recorded 66 strikeouts and one save across just under 85 innings, indicating a reduced role compared with his rookie campaign. The shift to a bullpen-heavy workload suggested a possible change in how the Athletics planned to use him moving forward.
At the end of the 2025 season, Oakland designated Spence for assignment on February 10, 2026, signaling a new direction for both the pitcher and the club. Two days later, he was traded to the Kansas City Royals for A.J. Causey, giving Spence a fresh start in the American League Central. He was optioned to Triple-A Omaha to begin the 2026 regular season.
Looking ahead, Spence’s outlook with the Royals will depend on how quickly he re-establishes himself in a major league rotation. His prior experience as a starter, combined with a career strikeout total approaching 200, gives him a foundation to build on. A return to consistent starting duties would mark the next step in his continued development as a major league pitcher.
