Lance McCullers, Starting Pitcher, Houston Astros, #43
Date of Birth: 10/2/1993
Birthplace: Tampa, Florida
Lance McCullers, Jr., starting pitcher for the Houston Astros, is the son of former major league pitcher Lance McCullers. The senior McCullers played from 1985 through 1992 for the San Diego Padres, New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers, and Texas Rangers.
McCullers, Jr. was drafted by the Astros in 2012. He pitched in their minor league system from 2012 through 2014. His minor league statistics during that time include 227.2 innings pitched, a 9-15 win-loss record, and 261 strikeouts to 117 walks in 58 games.
McCullers joined the Astros for 22 games in 2015. He finished the season with a 6-7 record, 129 strikeouts to 43 walks, and a 3.22 ERA in 125.2 innings. He pitched his first major league complete game on June 3rd. In the postseason, he pitched 6.1 innings in one game and he gave up 2 hits, including a home run, and 2 runs.
McCullers spent part of the 2016 season on the DL. He finished the season with a 3.22 ERA, 6 wins to 5 losses, and 106 strikeouts to 45 walks in 81.0 innings in 14 games with the Astros.
McCullers pitched in just 22 games in 2017 and he finished the season with a 4.25 ERA. He had 7 wins and 4 losses and 132 strikeouts to 40 walks in 118.2 innings. He pitched better in the postseason, giving up 13 hits, including a home run, and 6 runs in 20.2 innings in 5 games. He got the save in Game 7 of the American League Championship series by pitching 4.0 innings and giving up just 1 hit. In that game, he struck out 6 batters and walked one.
McCullers spent time on the DL in 2018 with right elbow discomfort. He pitched in 25 games and he had 10 wins and 6 losses, 142 strikeouts to 40 walks, and a 3.86 ERA in 128.1 innings. In the postseason, he pitched 5.0 innings in 5 games and he gave up 4 hits and 1 earned run. He struck out 4 batters and walked 2 and he had an ERA of 1.80.
McCullers had Tommy John surgery in November, 2018. He was on the DL for the entire 2019 season.
McCullers pitched in 11 games in 2020. He finished the season with 3 wins and 3 losses, 56 strikeouts to 20 walks, and a 3.93 ERA in 55.0 innings.
McCullers spent time on the IL in 2021 with right shoulder soreness. He finished the season with 13 wins and 5 losses, 185 strikeouts to 76 walks, and a 3.16 ERA in 162.1 innings in 28 games. In the postseason, he gave up 9 hits, 1 home run, and 1 run in 10.2 innings in 2 games. He struck out 9 batters and walked 3.
Career pitching statistics for McCullers through 2021 include:
- 122 games played
- 671.0 innings pitched
- 45-30 win-loss record
- 750 strikeouts to 274 walks
- 3.57 ERA
Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Lance McCullers
ESPN - Lance McCullers
Baseball Reference - Lance McCullers