Scott Benjamin-Morton Effross Bio
Scott Benjamin-Morton Effross (born December 28, 1993) is an American professional baseball pitcher who most recently played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees and is currently signed with the Detroit Tigers organization. The Ohio native has also played for the Chicago Cubs during his career. Effross was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 15th round of the 2015 MLB Draft out of Indiana University, where he established himself as a dominant college pitcher. He made his MLB debut with the Cubs in August 2021 and has since appeared in 60 major league games, compiling a career record of 3 wins and 5 losses with an earned run average of 3.59 and 88 strikeouts.
Early Life and Background
Scott Benjamin-Morton Effross was born in Twinsburg, Ohio, on December 28, 1993. He grew up Jewish and was a member of Congregation Shir Shalom, and he has worn a Star of David necklace throughout his pitching career. Effross attended Twinsburg High School and graduated in 2012. During his senior year as a pitcher, he posted an impressive 8-1 win-loss record with a 1.52 earned run average, striking out 60 batters while allowing only 14 walks in 55 innings pitched. He also served as the team first baseman and batted .380 in his senior season.
Effross earned numerous accolades during his high school career. He was named First Team All-Northeast Ohio Conference in both 2011 and 2012. He was selected to the Plain Dealer High School Baseball All-Star team, the Northeast Ohio Baseball Coaches Association All-Star Team, and the All-Ohio Academic Team in 2012. He also earned Mizuno All-Ohio honors in 2012.
Path to Professional Baseball
Following his standout high school career, Effross enrolled at Indiana University, where he played college baseball for the Indiana Hoosiers while majoring in political science. In his freshman season in 2013, he posted a 6-1 record with a 2.44 earned run average, throwing 62 and two-thirds innings in 28 games. That performance ranked as the fourth-most pitching appearances in a single season in school history. He earned Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American honors and was named Second Team All-Big Ten Conference and to the Big Ten All-Freshman team.
During his sophomore year in 2014, Effross continued to dominate with a 5-3 record and an impressive 1.98 earned run average, which ranked as the 10th-best mark in school history among pitchers with at least 50 innings. He led the Big Ten Conference with a school-record 32 appearances and tied for first with 31 games in relief. He also played collegiate summer baseball for the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League, where he was named a league all-star. In his junior season in 2015, Effross went 4-4 with two saves and a 2.35 earned run average, the sixth-best mark in the Big Ten. He finished his college career with 81 pitching appearances, ranking fourth all-time at Indiana University, and was named to the Jewish Sports Review Division I College Baseball All-America team.
Scott Benjamin-Morton Effross Career
Chicago Cubs (2015-2022)
The Chicago Cubs selected Effross in the 15th round, with the 443rd overall selection, of the 2015 MLB Draft. He signed for a signing bonus of $100,000 and began his professional career that same year with the AZL Cubs and the Eugene Emeralds, where he combined to go 0-1 with two saves and a 2.14 earned run average in 12 relief appearances. He steadily climbed through the Cubs minor league system, pitching for the South Bend Cubs and Myrtle Beach Pelicans in 2016, where he went a combined 7-0 with two saves and a 3.23 earned run average in 41 games.
In 2017 with Myrtle Beach, Effross emerged as a strong reliever with nine saves, ranking fourth in the Carolina League, and a 3.40 earned run average in 42 games. He continued his development with the Tennessee Smokies in 2018, though his numbers dipped to a 5.97 earned run average. A significant turning point came in mid-2019 when the Cubs approached Effross about changing his pitching motion to a full sidearm delivery from his previous low three-quarters angle. He credits rehab pitching coordinator Josh Zeid with helping him through this transition, which would become a key factor in his future success.
MLB Breakthrough and Chicago Cubs (2021-2022)
Effross spent the 2021 season split between the Tennessee Smokies and the Iowa Cubs at the Triple-A level, going 7-2 with two saves and a 3.41 earned run average in 31 games. His strong performance earned him his first major league call-up on August 28, 2021. He made his MLB debut on August 29 against the Chicago White Sox, tossing two-thirds of an inning. In his rookie season with the Cubs, Effross appeared in 14 relief games, compiling a 2-1 record with a 3.68 earned run average and 18 strikeouts in 14 and two-thirds innings.
The 2022 season marked Effross’s breakthrough as a high-leverage reliever. Before being traded mid-season, he went 1-4 with 13 holds, one save, and a stellar 2.66 earned run average in 47 relief appearances. He stranded 24 of 28 inherited runners, representing an 85.7 percent rate that ranked third-best in the National League. His ability to induce weak contact placed him in the top 5 percent of major league pitchers in keeping batters to a low barrel percentage and generating a high chase rate.
New York Yankees (2022-2025)
On August 1, 2022, the Cubs traded Effross to the New York Yankees in exchange for pitcher Hayden Wesneski. With the Yankees that season, he quickly made an impact with three saves, three holds, and a 2.14 earned run average in 13 high-leverage relief appearances. Combined with his Cubs numbers, Effross finished 2022 with four saves and 16 holds across both teams. He ranked among the elite major league relievers with at least 50 innings pitched, allowing the lowest percentage of hard-hit balls at 19.0 percent and the lowest barrel percentage at 3.5 percent.
Unfortunately, Effross’s 2022 season ended abruptly when he underwent Tommy John surgery on October 13, 2022, to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. The injury forced him to miss the 2022 playoffs and the entire 2023 season, as recovery from the procedure typically takes at least 12 months. He returned to action in 2024 but faced another setback when he underwent low back surgery in December 2023, causing him to miss significant time early in the season. He was activated from the injured list and optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders on July 14, 2024.
Effross performed well in his minor league rehab assignment, posting a combined 8-1 record with a 2.78 earned run average across 35 and one-third innings for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and the Tampa Tarpons. However, his time with the Yankees in 2024 was limited to just three and one-third innings. In 2025, Effross appeared in 11 games for the Yankees but struggled to an 8.44 earned run average with six strikeouts across 10 and two-thirds innings. On November 21, 2025, the Yankees non-tendered Effross, making him a free agent.
Driving Style and Strengths
Effross features a diverse pitch repertoire headlined by an 80-mile-per-hour sweeping slider that has proven to be his most effective weapon, holding opposing batters to a .149 batting average against the pitch. He also throws a 90-mile-per-hour biting sinker, an 83-mile-per-hour changeup, and a 91-mile-per-hour heavy sinking four-seam fastball. His unique sidearm delivery generates exceptional movement, and his ability to command his secondary pitches gives hitters fits in high-leverage situations. His low release point, among the lowest in baseball at 3.67 feet above the ground compared to the average of 5.82 feet, creates a difficult angle for right-handed hitters.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Effross’s most notable achievements is his remarkable ability to strand inherited runners, posting an 85.7 percent rate during his 2022 season with the Cubs that ranked third in the National League. His 2022 campaign also saw him rank among the elite relievers in preventing hard contact, allowing the lowest percentage of hard-hit balls and pulling balls among qualified relievers. His recovery from Tommy John surgery in 2022 and subsequent return to MLB action in 2024 represents a significant milestone in his career trajectory.
Scott Benjamin-Morton Effross Career Wins
Across his MLB career spanning 2021 through 2025, Scott Effross has compiled a win-loss record of 3-5 with a 3.59 earned run average and 88 strikeouts. His professional career includes time with the Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, and Detroit Tigers organizations.
Major League Baseball Highlights
Effross’s MLB career highlights include his 2022 seasons with both the Cubs and Yankees, where he combined to post four saves and 16 holds while maintaining a 2.54 earned run average in 60 relief appearances. His standout performance came as a setup man and closer for the Cubs, where he recorded 13 holds and one save while ranking among the league leaders in several categories. His 2024 return from injury included strong minor league numbers, and he recorded his first professional win at the Triple-A level that season.
Minor League and College Achievements
In the minor leagues, Effross established himself as a reliable reliever with impressive statistics at every level. He went a combined 7-0 with the South Bend Cubs and Myrtle Beach Pelicans in 2016 and recorded nine saves with Myrtle Beach in 2017. His college career at Indiana University was highlighted by a 2.27 career earned run average, 81 pitching appearances that ranked fourth all-time in school history, and 12 saves that tied for fifth in program history.
Scott Benjamin-Morton Effross Family
Family Background and Heritage
Scott Benjamin-Morton Effross grew up in Twinsburg, Ohio, and is Jewish. Throughout his baseball career, he has proudly worn a Star of David necklace while pitching, a reflection of his faith and heritage. He was an active member of Congregation Shir Shalom in his hometown during his youth.
Personal Life
Effross attended Twinsburg High School and graduated in the class of 2012. He continued his education at Indiana University, where he majored in political science while playing baseball for the Hoosiers. He remains connected to his Ohio roots and continues his baseball career following his time with the New York Yankees organization.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season presented significant challenges for Effross with the New York Yankees. He appeared in just 11 games and struggled to find his rhythm, posting an 8.44 earned run average across 10 and two-thirds innings with only six strikeouts. The difficult season came after he had worked to recover from both Tommy John surgery and a subsequent back surgery that limited his 2024 campaign. Despite his best efforts to contribute at the major league level, he was unable to replicate the success he found earlier in his career as a high-leverage reliever. On November 21, 2025, the Yankees made the decision to non-tender Effross, ending his tenure with the organization. He subsequently signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers on December 17, 2025, giving him an opportunity to restart his career with a new organization and work toward returning to the majors.