Shea Langeliers

Shea Langeliers's Biography

Shea Ryan Langeliers, born November 18, 1997, stands as an impressive addition to the world of professional baseball. As of now, he occupies the demanding and challenging position of a catcher for the Oakland Athletics, one of the renowned teams of Major League Baseball (MLB). Coming off a tremendous MLB debut in 2022, he has managed to secure widespread recognition in the sport, building upon his foundational skills cultivated during his tenure as a college baseball player for the Baylor Bears.

Shea’s passion for baseball was kindled by his father, Steve Langeliers, an avid New York Mets fan. Linking his son’s name with the Mets’ home park, Shea Stadium, was Steve’s unique way of intertwining Shea’s destiny with baseball. Even more so, Steve encouraged Shea to consider the role of a catcher as he believed it offered the best opportunity to succeed in the sport.

Shea’s academic and athletic journey continued in Keller High School, located in Keller, Texas. It was during his sophomore year in high school that he began experimenting with catching, gradually growing comfortable with this highly crucial role in baseball. By 2016, his senior year, Langeliers achieved a commendable batting average of .369 along with six home runs and a significant 31 runs batted in (RBIs). His outstanding performance led the Toronto Blue Jays to draft him in the 34th round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft. However, pursuing his passion for education, Shea decided to attend Baylor University.

Following his decision to attend Baylor University, Shea indulged his passion for the sport as a freshman in 2017 and participated in 55 college baseball games for the Baylor Bears. His impressive .313 batting average, ten home runs, and 38 RBIs helped him secure a unanimous selection to the All-Big 12 Conference Freshman Team, and subsequently an entry to the All-Big 12 Second Team. During this period, he was also prominently participating in the Cape Cod Baseball League for the Chatham Anglers, verifying his status as an All-Star.

Shea had to battle against a wrist injury during the initial run of his sophomore season in 2018. Nevertheless, he exhibited an unparalleled level of resilience and ended up with a .252 average, 11 home runs, and 44 RBIs across 58 games. His performances during the season earned him a spot in the All-Big 12 First Team. He also won the Rawlings/ABCA Division I Gold Glove, becoming only the second player from Baylor’s history to take home this honor.

The following year, Shea managed to retain his spot in the All-Big 12 First Team for the second time, overcoming a three-week absence caused by a broken hand. Shea’s mind-boggling performance in an elimination game of the 2019 NCAA Division I baseball tournament, where he struck three home runs and made 11 RBIs in Baylor’s 24–6 win over Nebraska-Omaha, still remains a highlight of his collegiate career.

By the time Shea’s junior season concluded, he had an esteemed reputation of being one of the top prospects for the 2019 Major League Baseball draft, having achieved a .308 average with ten home runs and 42 RBIs across 44 games. Thus, it didn’t surprise many when the Atlanta Braves selected him as the ninth overall pick.

Following his bright college career, Shea embarked upon his professional journey with a $4 million contract with the Atlanta Braves. He started off with the Rome Braves, where he showcased his potential by maintaining a .255 batting average. However, his progress was intercepted by the COVID-19 pandemic that led to the unfortunate cancellation of the minor league season in 2020.

Undeterred, Shea came back stronger in 2021 and spent the majority of the season with the Mississippi Braves of the Double-A South. While his .258 batting average and his 22 home runs testified his attacking prowess, his 52 RBIs underlined his skill as a team player. For his exceptional season, he was named Atlanta’s Minor League Player of the Year. His impressive stats secured him an opportunity to play in the Arizona Fall League for the Peoria Javelinas after the season.

The year 2022 marked a significant milestone in Shea’s career. He, alongside Cristian Pache, Ryan Cusick, and Joey Estes, was traded to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for Matt Olson. This transition set the stage for his major league debut on August 16, 2022, against the Texas Rangers. The nervous energy of his first night quickly transformed into a victorious frenzy as he bagged his first major league hit, a double, off the initial pitch of his first at-bat.

Following his successful debut, Shea continued his golden run by hitting a three-run home run and a career-high of 8 RBIs against the Texas Rangers in 2024. Alongside his baseball career, he also concluded his major in engineering from Baylor, demonstrating his commitment towards both his passion and academia. Thus, Shea Ryan Langeliers continues to shine in the world of professional baseball, a testament to his father’s faith and his hard work nurtured since his high school days.