Shawn Dubin Bio
Shawn Anthony Dubin (born September 6, 1995) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Astros and the Baltimore Orioles, working primarily as a reliever who can also start games. Over his major league career, Dubin has recorded a 3–1 win–loss record with 88 strikeouts and a 4.81 earned run average through the 2025 season.
A late bloomer to the sport, Dubin originally planned to play college soccer before a friend convinced him to try out for his school’s baseball team. His path from a small town in western New York to the majors included stops at several schools, a championship in a collegiate summer league, and a steady climb through the Houston Astros’ farm system.
Early Life and Background
Shawn Anthony Dubin was born on September 6, 1995, in Allegany, New York, a small village in the southwestern corner of the state near the Pennsylvania border. He grew up in a region where high school athletes often compete in multiple sports, and Dubin followed that tradition by playing both soccer and baseball at Allegany-Limestone High School.
Although he was passionate about soccer during his teenage years, Dubin’s path toward organized baseball did not begin in earnest until after high school. He initially enrolled at Jamestown Community College, where he hoped to continue playing college soccer, but he eventually dropped out and took a job at Lowe’s, unsure of what came next. A turning point arrived when a friend persuaded him to try out for the baseball team at SUNY Erie, where he earned a roster spot and reignited his athletic career.
Path to Baseball
After one season at SUNY Erie, Dubin transferred to the University at Buffalo, where he played two seasons for the Bulls before the school’s baseball program was disbanded in 2017. During his college summers, he pitched for the Olean Oilers of the New York Collegiate Baseball League (NYCBL), helping the team win the 2016 NYCBL championship. He later finished his college career at Georgetown College, where he played at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) level.
His development with the Olean Oilers proved to be a strong foundation. Dubin became the first player from that summer team to reach Major League Baseball, a milestone that highlighted how far he had come from a small town with limited baseball exposure. By the time the 2018 MLB Draft arrived, he was ready for the next step.
Shawn Dubin Career
Early Career (2018–2022)
The Houston Astros selected Dubin in the 13th round, with the 402nd overall pick, of the 2018 Major League Baseball draft. He made his professional debut that same year with the Low-A Tri-City ValleyCats, posting a 4.60 ERA in 14 appearances. In 2019, he split the season between the Single-A Quad Cities River Bandits and the High-A Fayetteville Woodpeckers, going 7–5 with a 3.58 ERA and 151 strikeouts across 25 games, 19 of which were starts.
The 2020 minor league season was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but Dubin remained active in the Astros’ 60-man player pool. He returned to action in 2021 with the Triple-A Sugar Land Skeeters, where he worked to a 3.44 ERA with 69 strikeouts in 49⅔ innings. On November 19, 2021, the Astros added him to their 40-man roster, protecting him from the Rule 5 draft.
Houston Astros (2023–2025)
Dubin began the 2023 season with the Triple-A Sugar Land Space Cowboys and struggled to a 7.96 ERA across nine games. On June 18, 2023, he was promoted to the major leagues for the first time, with fifteen friends and family members flying to Houston from western New York to watch him pitch. He made his MLB debut on June 19 against the New York Mets, striking out the first batter he faced, Brandon Nimmo, and pitching two scoreless innings before allowing five runs in his third inning of work. His first major league start came on July 2 against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field, where he allowed one run in four innings.
In 2024, Dubin became a regular in the Astros’ bullpen, appearing in 31 games and posting a 1–1 record with a 4.17 ERA, two saves, and 49 strikeouts in 45⅓ innings. He filled a variety of roles that season, including serving as an opener in two starts and finishing 11 games. He made 23 appearances for Houston in 2025, going 2–0 with a 5.61 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 25⅔ innings before the Astros designated him for assignment on August 23, 2025.
Baltimore Orioles (2025)
On August 26, 2025, the Baltimore Orioles claimed Dubin off waivers, giving him a fresh opportunity in a new organization. In seven appearances for Baltimore, he recorded a 3.38 ERA with seven strikeouts across eight innings of work, showing the swing-and-miss stuff that had defined his minor league career. On November 6, 2025, the Orioles removed him from their 40-man roster and sent him outright to the Triple-A Norfolk Tides. He elected free agency the same day.
Arizona Diamondbacks (2025–2026)
On December 19, 2025, Dubin signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He made two appearances for the Triple-A Reno Aces but struggled to an 0–1 record and an 18.00 ERA, allowing several runs in just two innings. The Diamondbacks released him on April 23, 2026.
Washington Nationals (2026)
On May 1, 2026, Dubin signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals. He made four appearances for the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings, recording a 5.40 ERA with three strikeouts in 3⅓ innings. The Nationals released him on May 15, 2026, returning him to free agency.
Notable Events and Milestones
Dubin’s MLB debut on June 19, 2023, against the New York Mets stands as one of the defining moments of his career, highlighted by striking out Brandon Nimmo to open his major league account. He also made history as the first player from the Olean Oilers to reach the major leagues, a milestone that connected his small-town roots to the highest level of the sport.
Shawn Dubin Career Wins
Across his major league career, Shawn Anthony Dubin has recorded 3 wins and 1 loss through the 2025 season, with 88 strikeouts in his appearances for the Houston Astros and Baltimore Orioles. He has also posted strong strikeout totals throughout the minor leagues, including 151 strikeouts in 2019 and 69 in 2021.
MLB Highlights
Dubin earned his first major league win during the 2024 season with the Houston Astros, working as a multi-inning reliever and opener. He added two more wins in 2025 before being designated for assignment, finishing his Astros tenure with a 3–0 record before joining Baltimore.
Other Wins and Performances
In the minor leagues, Dubin posted a 7–5 record across two levels in 2019 and a 2–0 mark at Triple-A Sugar Land in 2024. He also helped the Olean Oilers capture the 2016 New York Collegiate Baseball League championship, an early career highlight that foreshadowed his professional success.
Shawn Dubin Family
Personal Life
Shawn Anthony Dubin grew up in Allegany, New York, and has continued to maintain ties to western New York throughout his professional career. During his MLB debut in 2023, fifteen friends and family members traveled from the region to watch him pitch for the Houston Astros, reflecting the strong support system behind his journey from small-town athlete to major leaguer.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was one of transition for Shawn Anthony Dubin. He began the year in the Houston Astros’ bullpen and made 23 appearances, going 2–0 with a 5.61 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 25⅔ innings. The Astros designated him for assignment on August 23, ending his tenure with the organization that had drafted him in 2018.
After clearing waivers, Dubin was claimed by the Baltimore Orioles on August 26, 2025. In seven appearances down the stretch, he delivered one of his most effective stretches of the season, posting a 3.38 ERA with seven strikeouts in eight innings. The Orioles removed him from the 40-man roster on November 6, and he elected free agency the same day, closing the book on his first full major league season arc.
