Reliever Stefan Crichton informed the Diamondbacks last week that he’s decided to retire, manager Torey Lovullo told reporters this afternoon (link via Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic). The right-hander had been in camp with the D-Backs as a non-roster invitee to Spring Training.
Crichton, 31 this week, pitched in parts of four major league campaigns. Drafted by the Orioles in the 23rd round in 2013 out of TCU, he reached the majors with Baltimore four years later. Crichton pitched in eight games for the O’s in 2017. Designated for assignment just before Opening Day the following year, he was dealt to the D-Backs. He lost most of the 2018 campaign to shoulder issues but reached the majors with Arizona again the next season.
In each season between 2019-21, Crichton would make between 26 and 31 MLB appearances for the Snakes. He posted a 3.56 ERA with a 26.8% strikeout rate in the first year and managed a 2.42 ERA (albeit with a diminished 21.1% strikeout percentage) during the 2020 abbreviated schedule. Crichton was tagged for over seven earned runs per nine innings in 2021, however, and he lost his spot on the 40-man roster that June. He returned briefly later in the season as a COVID-19 substitute but didn’t reclaim a permanent spot on the roster.
The 2022 campaign will go down as Crichton’s final as a professional player. He was limited to four minor league appearances late in the year after rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. While he could’ve vied for a bullpen depth role this spring, the Houston native has elected to move on to his post-playing endeavors. “He came in and just explained to me that it was time for him to turn the page and take the next part of his journey away from baseball. It was something he had felt in his heart for a long time,” Lovullo told reporters of Crichton’s decision.
Crichton steps away after 93 big league outings. He pitched to a 4.79 ERA through 92 innings, striking out 81 hitters against 33 walks. Crichton held 11 leads and tallied nine saves. MLBTR wishes him the best in his future endeavors.
See you in Cooperstown, Stefan.
Jealous or just foolish? He had a major league career, something most professional baseball players don’t. Why take a shot at him?
I guess Bligh Madris is our only active leap year day baby left
Uh…Who?
Someone who made it to the majors and not a leech of a human in a comment section.
Takes one to know one
I wonder if he’s related to Michael.
Did he Andromeda Strain something???…..sorry.
Maybe he forgot how to throw that little white…Sphere?
Or maybe he couldn’t keep the ball in the Jurassic Park that is the Dbacks stadium???
Hopefully he doesn’t have to go to the…..ER.
Thankful for Jurassic Park.
Is there a pension advantage to retiring over being released?
To access full benefits yes
Never heard of him
Congratulations
But, he was a major leaguer for four seasons.
No comma needed after a conjunction.
Thank you for your service, Ben.
Had the privilege of seeing him pitch in 2019. I wonder what could have came from his career if not for injuries. Enjoy the next chapter and congrats on making it to the Big Leagues, something all of us could only dream of.
He had his best season pitching at Jurassic Park.
Arizona is considered jurassic park?
Retired to spend time with the family since he GETS SHELLED.