Mitch Spence

Mitchell Perry Spence Bio

Mitchell Perry Spence (born May 6, 1998) is an American professional baseball pitcher who currently plays for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played for the Oakland Athletics, where he made his major league debut in 2024. Spence was originally drafted by the New York Yankees in the 10th round of the 2019 MLB Draft before being selected by Oakland in the Rule 5 Draft in December 2023.

Early Life and Background

Spence grew up in Cary, North Carolina, where he attended Green Hope High School. During his time at Green Hope High School, he was a standout baseball player for the Falcons, developing the skills that would eventually carry him to the professional ranks. His performance at the high school level helped him catch the attention of college programs in the Southeast.

After graduating from Green Hope High School, Spence continued his baseball career at the collegiate level. He enrolled at the University of South Carolina Aiken, where he played for the Pacers baseball team. At USC Aiken, Spence established himself as one of the top pitchers in the Peach Belt Conference. He was twice recognized as the Peach Belt Conference Pitcher of the Week, an accomplishment that highlighted his dominance on the mound during his college career.

Path to Major League Baseball

Spence’s strong collegiate performance at USC Aiken made him an attractive prospect for MLB teams entering the 2019 draft. The New York Yankees selected Spence in the 10th round with the 315th overall pick, investing in his potential as a future big league contributor. The Yankees organization provided Spence with his first professional framework, assigning him to their rookie-level affiliate, the Pulaski Yankees, where he began his professional career in 2019. In 16 appearances out of the bullpen for Pulaski, Spence posted a 3.54 earned run average, demonstrating early promise as areliever.

The 2020 minor league season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which meant Spence did not play in any official games that year. This setback did not deter his development, as he returned to action in 2021 with the High-A Hudson Valley Renegades. Spence made a significant transition during that season, appearing in 23 games with 20 starts. He logged a 7-6 record with a 3.94 ERA and recorded 118 strikeouts over 105 innings pitched, showcasing his ability to work as both a starter and reliever.

Mitchell Perry Spence Career

New York Yankees Organization (2019-2023)

Following his strong 2021 season with Hudson Valley, Spence continued his ascent through the Yankees minor league system. In 2022, he split time between the Double-A Somerset Patriots and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Across 27 appearances that year, Spence compiled a 6-7 record with a 4.70 ERA and 127 strikeouts across 130 and one-third innings. His consistent performance at the Double-A and Triple-A levels positioned him as a potential future contributor to the major league club.

The Yankees recognized Spence’s progress by inviting him to spring training as a non-roster player in 2023. He spent that entire season with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, making 29 starts. Spence posted an 8-8 record with a 4.47 ERA and 153 strikeouts in 163 innings pitched. Despite these solid numbers, he was not protected on the Yankees 40-man roster heading into the offseason, which made him available in the Rule 5 Draft.

Oakland Athletics Breakthrough (2024-2025)

On December 6, 2023, the Oakland Athletics selected Spence with the first overall pick of the Rule 5 Draft, acquiring his rights from the Yankees. This selection represented a significant opportunity for Spence, as Rule 5 players must remain on their new team’s major league roster for the entire season or be offered back to their original organization. Spence competed aggressively during spring training in 2024 for a spot in Oakland’s rotation and earned a place on the Opening Day roster.

Spence initially pitched in relief for the Athletics before making his first major league start on May 17, 2024. The team kept him in their starting rotation following that debut. In his rookie campaign, Spence made 35 appearances with 24 starts, compiling an 8-10 record with a 4.58 ERA and 126 strikeouts across 151 and one-third innings. His rookie season established him as a viable major league starter despite the learning curve inherent in his jump from Triple-A.

In 2025, Spence appeared in 32 games with eight starts for Oakland. He registered a 3-6 record with a 5.10 ERA and 66 strikeouts across 84 and two-thirds innings. He also recorded his first career save during the season. On February 10, 2026, the Athletics designated Spence for assignment, signaling a change in the team’s direction with their roster.

Kansas City Royals (2026-Present)

Two days after being designated by Oakland, Spence was traded to the Kansas City Royals on February 12, 2026, in exchange for A.J. Causey. The Royals optioned Spence to their Triple-A affiliate, the Omaha Storm Chasers, to begin the regular season. He made his debut with the organization on March 18, 2026, pitching in relief against the New York Yankees. Throughout the early portion of the season, Spence has been shuttled between the Storm Chasers and the major league club as the Royals have evaluated his role within their pitching staff.

Pitching Style and Strengths

Spence has shown the ability to work effectively as both a starter and reliever throughout his professional career. His collegiate background at USC Aiken and his minor league track record demonstrate his capacity to handle significant workloads, with multiple seasons of over 150 innings pitched at the Triple-A level. His ability to miss bats, evidenced by his strikeout totals at every level, has been a consistent strength throughout his development.

Notable Milestones

Spence’s selection with the first overall pick in the 2023 Rule 5 Draft stands as one of the most significant moments of his career, as this draft position is reserved for the most promising players left unprotected by their organizations. His debut season with Oakland in 2024 proved he belonged at the major league level, and his 2025 campaign showed his versatility by adding a save to his professional resume.

Mitchell Perry Spence Career Statistics

Through June 26, 2026, Spence has compiled an 11-18 win-loss record with a 5.39 earned run average and 198 strikeouts across his MLB career spanning the Oakland Athletics and Kansas City Royals organizations.

Major League Baseball Highlights

Spence’s rookie season with Oakland in 2024 represented his most extended major league action to that point. His 8-10 record and 4.58 ERA across 151 and one-third innings demonstrated his ability to log quality starts at the highest level. His 126 strikeouts that season showed his capacity to miss bats against major league hitters. In 2025, Spence adapted to a hybrid role with the Athletics, making eight starts and 24 relief appearances while recording his first career save.

Minor League Career Notes

Prior to his MLB debut, Spence built a solid foundation in the minor leagues with the Yankees organization. His 2021 season with Hudson Valley Renegades, where he went 7-6 with a 3.94 ERA and 118 strikeouts, represented a breakout performance that accelerated his development timeline. His 2023 season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he posted an 8-8 record with a 4.47 ERA and 153 strikeouts, served as his final tune-up before becoming a major leaguer.

Education

Spence’s baseball journey was shaped significantly by his educational background at two institutions in North Carolina and South Carolina. At Green Hope High School in Cary, North Carolina, he developed as a baseball player and caught the attention of college programs. He continued his academic and athletic career at the University of South Carolina Aiken, where he played for the Pacers and twice earned Peach Belt Conference Pitcher of the Week honors. This collegiate foundation prepared him for the demands of professional baseball.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season represented a transitional year for Spence with the Oakland Athletics. After opening the season in the starting rotation, he was gradually shifted to a bullpen role as the year progressed. His 32 appearances included only eight starts, indicating the team’s effort to manage his workload while keeping him active in a variety of situations. His 3-6 record and 5.10 ERA reflected the challenges of adjusting to major league hitting as a young pitcher.

Spence recorded his first career save during the 2025 season, demonstrating his adaptability to different roles within a pitching staff. The save came during a period when he was working primarily as a reliever, showing his willingness to embrace whatever role the team needed. His 66 strikeouts in 84 and two-thirds innings maintained his strikeout-per-nine-innings rate from his rookie campaign.

As the 2025 season concluded, the Athletics made the decision to move Spence, ultimately trading him to Kansas City in February 2026. This transaction reflected Oakland’s approach to roster construction rather than any shortfall in Spence’s performance. With the Royals, Spence has had the opportunity to compete for a defined role in spring training and regular season play, with the organization evaluating how best to utilize his abilities across their pitching staff structure.