Sean McManus Guenther (born December 29, 1995) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Miami Marlins.

Sean Guenther
Guenther with the Batavia Muckdogs in 2017
Detroit Tigers – No. 73
Pitcher
Born: (1995-12-29) December 29, 1995 (age 28)
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
MLB debut
August 4, 2021, for the Miami Marlins
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Win–loss record3–1
Earned run average5.01
Strikeouts27
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams

Amateur career

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A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Guenther attended Marist School in Brookhaven, Georgia. He graduated from high school in 2014. Guenther committed to play baseball for the Fighting Irish baseball team of the University of Notre Dame. In his freshman season, Guenther was named a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American and named on the ACC All-Freshman team as well as leading the Irish with five saves. In 2015, Guenther posted a 1–3 record with a 2.72 ERA and a 1.295 WHIP in his freshman season. In his Sophomore season, Guenther posted a 3–5 record, 4.62 ERA, and a 1.369 WHIP with 11 starts and 15 total appearances in 2016.[1] After the 2016 season, Guenther played collegiate summer baseball for the Orleans Firebirds of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[2][3] In his junior year, Guenther posted a 2–6 record, a 2.64 ERA, 1.328 WHIP, and seven saves. After his junior year, Guenther was drafted by the Miami Marlins in the seventh round (209th overall) of the 2017 MLB draft.[4][5]

Professional career

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Miami Marlins

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To begin his professional baseball career, Guenther was assigned to the Gulf Coast League Marlins of the Gulf Coast League in 2017. In three starts and four total games with the GCL Marlins, Guenther only allowed one run, five hits, and eleven strikeouts in 11 innings. Guenther was quickly promoted to the Batavia Muckdogs of the New York-Penn League. In 40 innings with the Muckdogs, Guenther posted a 1–4 record with thirty-three strikeouts and a 3.83 ERA. For the 2018 season, Guenther was assigned to the Jupiter Hammerheads of the Florida State League. Early struggles with the Hammerheads had Guenther demoted to the Greensboro Grasshoppers of the Single A South Atlantic League.[6] Guenther also appeared in a rehab game with the GCL Marlins in 2018.[7] In 2019, Guenther appeared with the Clinton LumberKings of the Midwest League and with the Jupiter Hammerheads. Guenther did not appear with a team in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

To begin the 2021 season, Guenther was assigned to the Pensacola Blue Wahoos of Double-A South. In 17.2 innings with Pensacola, Guenther posted a 1–0 record with a 1.02 ERA and 28 strikeouts.[8] On June 8, Guenther was promoted to the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp of Triple-A East.[9] On August 4, Guenther was called up by the Marlins and made his debut 2 days later.

On April 7, 2022, Guenther underwent Tommy John surgery, ending his 2022 season before it began.[10]

Detroit Tigers

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On November 2, 2022, Guenther was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Tigers.[11] On November 15, he was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to the Triple–A Toledo Mud Hens.[12]

Guenther began the 2024 campaign with Toledo, recording a 3.86 ERA with 46 strikeouts and 3 saves across 44+13 innings pitched. On August 1, 2024, the Tigers selected Guenther's contract, adding him to their active roster.[13] He made his season debut later that day against the Kansas City Royals, coming in with two outs in the 8th inning in relief of Brenan Hanifee. Guenther finished the 8th inning and continued into the 9th, ultimately giving up 1 hit, 1 earned run, and 0 walks over 1+13 innings.[14]

References

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  1. ^ "Sean Guenther Profile". University of Notre Dame. July 9, 2018. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  2. ^ McFarland, Shawn. "Cape League spotlight: Sean Guenther, Orleans". Cape Cod Times. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  3. ^ "#12 Sean Guenther". pointstreak.com. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  4. ^ "6–4–3 DP Baseball alum, Sean Guenther, selected by Miami Marlins in 2017 MLB draft". 6-4-3 DP.net. 6–4–3 DP Athletics. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  5. ^ Pourtout, E. Marcell. "Professional Pitch – Guenther, Madden lead group of local athletes in MLB draft". mdjonline.com. The Neighbor. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  6. ^ Kraczkowski, Kevin (December 29, 2019). "Marlins Prospects: Welcome to Sean Guenther's Guenshow". Marlins Maniac. Fansided. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  7. ^ "Sean Guenther Stats, Fantasy & News".
  8. ^ Kraczkowski, Kevin (June 4, 2021). "Earning Their Stripes: 6/3/21". Fish Stripes.com. SB Nation. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  9. ^ Kraczkowski, Kevin (June 13, 2021). "Earning Their Stripes: June 12, 2021". Fish Stripes.com. SB Nation. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  10. ^ "Marlins' Sean Guenther Undergoes Tommy John Surgery".
  11. ^ "Tigers Claim Sean Guenther From Marlins".
  12. ^ "Tigers add 5 youngsters to the roster; veteran reliever among those cut". mlive.com. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  13. ^ "Tigers Select Brenan Hanifee, Sean Guenther". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  14. ^ "Royals 7-1 Tigers (Aug 1, 2024) Box Score". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on August 2, 2024. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
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