Tayler Scott Bio
Tayler James Scott (born 1 June 1992) is a South African professional baseball pitcher. A native of Johannesburg, he is recognized as the first South African-born pitcher to play in Major League Baseball (MLB) and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). Over a professional career that began in 2011, Scott has appeared in MLB for the Seattle Mariners, Baltimore Orioles, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, Oakland Athletics, Houston Astros, and Arizona Diamondbacks.
He has also pitched in Japan for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp and, more recently, signed with the Algodoneros de Unión Laguna of the Mexican League. Through the 2025 MLB season, he had compiled an 8–6 win–loss record, a 5.51 earned run average (ERA), and 139 strikeouts across his major-league appearances.
Early Life and Background
Tayler James Scott was born on 1 June 1992 in Johannesburg, South Africa, and raised there during his earliest years. Growing up in a country where baseball occupies a small corner of the sporting landscape, he developed his interest in the game in his hometown before seeking a stronger competitive environment abroad.
When he was 16, Scott moved to the United States to attend high school and continue playing baseball. He enrolled at Notre Dame Prep High School in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he sharpened his skills on the mound and attracted the attention of Major League scouts. Following his prep career, he initially committed to play college baseball at Arizona, a decision that reflected his growing reputation as a promising pitching prospect.
Path to Professional Baseball
Scott’s path to the professional ranks bypassed college when the Chicago Cubs selected him in the fifth round of the 2011 MLB Draft. He was assigned to the Cubs’ minor-league system, beginning with the AZL Cubs and working his way up the developmental ladder. Across five seasons in the organization, he appeared for the Boise Hawks, Kane County Cougars, Daytona Cubs, Myrtle Beach Pelicans, and Tennessee Smokies, gaining experience against progressively older competition.
After the Cubs released him on 30 March 2016, Scott signed with the Sioux City Explorers of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball. In 17 relief appearances for the Explorers, he posted a 1.88 ERA and struck out 32 batters in 28 and 2/3 innings, performance that helped him re-enter affiliated baseball. On 6 July 2016, he signed a minor-league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers, working through the Double-A Biloxi Shuckers and the Arizona Fall League’s Salt River Rafters.
Tayler Scott Career
Early Career (2011–2018)
Scott spent the 2017 season split between the Brewers’ Double-A affiliate and the Texas Rangers organization after being traded to Texas on 31 July 2017 in exchange for pitcher Jeremy Jeffress. He pitched for the Round Rock Express that year and returned to Round Rock for the entirety of 2018, appearing in 44 contests and registering a 5–5 record with a 3.26 ERA and 52 strikeouts in 60 and 2/3 innings at the Triple-A level. Following the 2018 campaign, he elected free agency on 2 November.
MLB Debut with the Seattle Mariners (2019)
On 24 January 2019, Scott signed a minor-league contract with the Seattle Mariners and opened the year with the Tacoma Rainiers. The Mariners called him up to the major leagues on 7 June 2019, and he made his MLB debut on 8 June against the Los Angeles Angels. In that outing, he pitched 2 and 2/3 innings and became the first South African pitcher in MLB history, with his first major-league strikeout coming against Wilfredo Tovar.
Baltimore Orioles and Hiroshima Toyo Carp (2019–2021)
On 25 June 2019, the Baltimore Orioles claimed Scott off waivers. He struggled to an 18.69 ERA in eight appearances for Baltimore, though he was more effective at Triple-A Norfolk, where he produced a 0.56 ERA with 21 strikeouts across 13 outings. On 1 December 2019, Scott signed a one-year contract with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of NPB, becoming the first South African pitcher to play in Japan. He posted a 15.75 ERA in seven games for Hiroshima in 2020 and did not appear in a regular-season game for the Carp in 2021 before becoming a free agent.
San Diego Padres and Philadelphia Phillies (2022)
Scott signed a minor-league deal with the San Diego Padres organization on 7 March 2022 and had his contract selected on 3 July. In eight appearances for the Padres, he went 0–1 with a 6.75 ERA and 13 strikeouts in 12 innings. After being designated for assignment, he was claimed off waivers by the Philadelphia Phillies on 14 September and finished the year in the Phillies’ system.
Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, and Oakland Athletics (2023)
On 7 January 2023, Scott signed a minor-league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He allowed just two earned runs in 16 and 2/3 innings at Triple-A Oklahoma City before being called up on 22 May. Across six games for the Dodgers, he posted a 9.00 ERA before being designated for assignment on 17 June. Traded to the Boston Red Sox for cash considerations, he was added to Boston’s active roster on 4 July and later claimed by the Oakland Athletics on 19 July. In eight games for Oakland, he registered a 3.38 ERA with seven strikeouts in eight innings.
Houston Astros Era (2024–2025)
On 12 December 2023, Scott signed a minor-league contract with the Houston Astros and made Houston’s Opening Day roster in 2024. He earned his first major-league win on 2 May 2024, throwing 1 and 1/3 scoreless innings against the Cleveland Guardians in an 8–2 victory. He went on to appear in 68 and 2/3 innings for the Astros, producing a 2.23 ERA with 71 strikeouts before a thoracic spine strain sent him to the 15-day injured list on 21 September. He made 17 appearances for the Astros in 2025, going 1–2 with a 5.40 ERA, before being designated for assignment on 14 May 2025 and electing free agency after clearing waivers.
Arizona Diamondbacks and Return to Houston (2025)
On 31 May 2025, Scott signed a minor-league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks and was added to the active roster on 10 June. He made nine appearances for Arizona, posting a 9.00 ERA with seven strikeouts in nine innings before being designated for assignment on 28 June. On 4 July 2025, he returned to the Houston Astros organization on a minor-league deal, was added to the active roster on 18 August, and was designated for assignment the following day. He elected free agency on 6 October.
Notable Events and Milestones
Scott’s most prominent milestones include becoming the first South African pitcher in MLB history on 8 June 2019 and the first in NPB history when he joined the Hiroshima Toyo Carp in 2020. His first MLB win came on 2 May 2024 with the Astros, and his 2024 season produced a strong 2.23 ERA across 68 and 2/3 innings of work for Houston.
Tayler Scott Career Wins
Scott’s first major-league victory came on 2 May 2024, when he delivered 1 and 1/3 scoreless innings for the Houston Astros against the Cleveland Guardians. Through the 2025 season, he had recorded eight MLB wins, with his most extensive major-league workload occurring in 2024 as a key member of the Astros’ bullpen.
Tayler Scott Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Scott was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, and moved to the United States at age 16 to pursue baseball, a path shaped by his own dedication rather than a documented family sports lineage.
2025 Season Performance
Scott’s 2025 season was defined by a series of moves between organizations. He began the year with the Houston Astros, making 17 appearances and posting a 1–2 record with a 5.40 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 16 and 2/3 innings before being designated for assignment on 14 May. He cleared waivers and elected free agency on 21 May, rejecting an outright assignment to Triple-A Sugar Land.
On 31 May, Scott signed a minor-league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks and joined the active roster on 10 June. Across nine appearances for Arizona, he struggled to a 9.00 ERA with seven strikeouts in nine innings, and the Diamondbacks designated him for assignment on 28 June. He returned to the Houston Astros organization on 4 July on a minor-league contract, was added to the active roster on 18 August, and was designated for assignment the following day after allowing five runs in 1 and 1/3 innings against the Detroit Tigers. He elected free agency on 6 October, closing out a turbulent but resilient year on the mound.
