Chris Bassitt

Chris Bassitt's Biography

Born on February 22, 1989, in Curtice, Ohio, Christopher Michael Bassitt is an esteemed professional baseball pitcher with an illustrious career in Major League Baseball (MLB). Currently, he exhibits his craft with the Toronto Blue Jays. His professional journey began in 2014 when he debuted with the Chicago White Sox. He subsequently wore the jerseys of the Oakland Athletics (2015-2021) and the New York Mets (2022) before coming to the Blue Jays.

Bassitt’s athletic prowess was evident as early as in high school at Genoa Area High School, Genoa, Ohio, where he played for the school’s baseball and basketball teams. Notably, in his senior year in 2007, Bassitt amassed an impressive 1.56 earned run average (ERA) with 65 strikeouts in 56 innings pitched. Following his impressive high school record, he chose to enroll at the University of Akron where he played for the Akron Zips baseball team.

The talented pitcher’s time at the University of Akron saw him evolve into a formidable player as he shone for the Zips’ baseball team. Remarkably, in 2009, as a redshirt freshman, Bassitt had a 1–2 win–loss record, a 3.52 ERA, and seven saves. His burgeoning talent was increasingly recognized and by 2011, his junior year, he was named to the All-MAC second team, thanks to his 1.42 ERA and his impressive batting average against – a paltry .183.

Christopher Bassitt’s professional journey began in earnest when the Chicago White Sox selected him in the 16th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft, with the 501st overall selection. His first professional appearances were for the Bristol White Sox of the Rookie-level Appalachian League. From there, his journey led him to the Winston-Salem Dash of the High–A Carolina League, where he proved himself as an all-star.

Later, he was promoted to the Birmingham Barons of the Double–A Southern League, recording two wins in the Southern League playoffs. Initially serving as a relief pitcher, he was used as a starting pitcher by the White Sox in 2013 and further improved his profile with an 11–4 win–loss record, a 3.08 ERA, and 138 strikeouts in 26 games started with Birmingham.

After a brief hiatus due to a hand injury, Bassitt bounced back with the Arizona White Sox, before making his major league debut in a start against the Detroit Tigers in August 2014. Following the end of the 2014 season, he was traded to the Oakland Athletics along with other players in exchange for Jeff Samardzija and Michael Ynoa. Giving several memorable performances, he was recalled on June 9, 2018, to the A’s rotation.

Struggling with a leg injury in 2019, Bassitt nevertheless left an indelible mark by finishing the season with a record of 10-5 in 28 games. He particularly shone in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, posting a 5–2 record with a 2.29 ERA in 11 starts. His moment of glory came when he was named the American League Pitcher of the Month for September. The following year, he threw his first career complete game against the Los Angeles Angels.

After a short stint with the New York Mets in 2022, Bassitt was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays, where he signed a hefty three-year, $63 million contract on December 16, 2022. In May 2023, he threw a complete-game shutout, his first with the Blue Jays. He was also nominated for the All-MLB Team that year.

On the mound, Bassitt is known for his diverse pitching arsenal that includes a four-seam and a sinker among other pitch types, and his exceptional deception, as most of his pitches either rise or break significantly.

Early in life, Bassitt honed his athletic instincts by playing basketball, an activity that went beyond mere pastime into a high school achievement. Even while he attracts global attention for his baseball prowess, he remains the pride of his hometown in Curtice, Ohio.