Anthony James Veneziano Bio
Anthony James Veneziano (born September 1, 1997) is an American professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the SSG Landers of the KBO League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City Royals, Miami Marlins, and St. Louis Cardinals. Drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 10th round of the 2019 MLB Draft, Veneziano developed into a reliable relief arm during his time in the minors before earning his first major league call-up in September 2023. His professional career has spanned five organizations across five seasons, including stops at the Triple-A level with the Omaha Storm Chasers before establishing himself as a big league reliever.
Early Life and Background
Veneziano grew up in Washington Township, Warren County, New Jersey, attending Warren Hills Regional High School. During his high school career, he established himself as a talented pitcher, which helped him earn an opportunity to continue his baseball career at the collegiate level. His performance in high school laid the foundation for his eventual transition to professional baseball.
After graduating from high school, Veneziano enrolled at Coastal Carolina University, where he played college baseball for the Chanticleers. His collegiate career provided him with valuable experience against higher competition, and he continued to develop his pitching repertoire during this period. In the summer of 2018, Veneziano played for the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League, one of the premier collegiate summer leagues in the United States. This experience against top college players further prepared him for the next phase of his baseball journey.
Path to Professional Baseball
Veneziano entered the 2019 Major League Baseball Draft with a strong collegiate resume and impressive performances in the Cape Cod League. His consistent pitching at Coastal Carolina University attracted attention from major league scouts, and his ability to miss bats made him an attractive prospect for organizations looking for strikeout potential on the mound. The Kansas City Royals identified him as a valuable addition to their farm system.
In the 2019 MLB Draft, the Kansas City Royals selected Veneziano in the 10th round with the 289th overall pick. He signed with the organization shortly after being selected and reported to the Idaho Falls Chukars to begin his professional career. The minor league experience allowed him to adjust to the professional game and begin refining his approach against hitters with more experience.
Anthony James Veneziano Career
Minor League Development (2019–2023)
Veneziano made his professional debut with the Idaho Falls Chukars following the 2019 draft. He was assigned to the Pioneer League, a rookie-level affiliate, where he began learning the nuances of professional baseball. The 2020 season presented unexpected challenges, as the minor league campaign was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, preventing Veneziano from game action that year.
Veneziano returned to game action in 2021 with the Quad Cities River Bandits, a Single-A affiliate of the Royals. He made 22 starts and showcased his potential with a 6–4 record, a 3.75 earned run average, and 127 strikeouts across 93 and two-thirds innings pitched. The performance demonstrated his ability to handle a heavy workload while missing bats at an impressive rate. He earned a promotion to Double-A for the 2022 season.
Kansas City Royals Breakthrough (2023–2024)
Veneziano spent the 2022 season with the Double-A Northwest Arkansas Naturals, making 26 appearances including 25 starts. He posted a 6–9 record with a 5.72 earned run average and 129 strikeouts across those appearances. While his win-loss record did not reflect his talent, his strikeout numbers indicated his ability to generate swings and misses. The following season would prove to be a breakthrough year for the right-hander.
The 2023 campaign began with Veneziano at Northwest Arkansas before he earned a promotion to the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers during the season. In 26 games split between the two affiliates, he compiled a 10–5 record with a 3.55 earned run average and 127 strikeouts in 132 innings pitched. The dominant performance caught the attention of the Royals’ front office, and on September 19, 2023, Veneziano was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time in his career. He made only two appearances during his rookie campaign, pitching two and one-third scoreless innings while recording two strikeouts.
Veneziano began the 2024 season with an option to Triple-A Omaha, but he appeared in two games for the Royals early in the year. He compiled a 4.50 earned run average with two strikeouts across two innings of work. The Kansas City Royals designated Veneziano for assignment on September 1, 2024, ending his tenure with the organization that had drafted and developed him.
Miami Marlins Era (2024–2025)
On September 3, 2024, the Miami Marlins claimed Veneziano off waivers from the Royals. The following day, the Marlins added him to their active roster, replacing George Soriano on the 40-man roster. Veneziano made 10 appearances down the stretch for Miami, showcasing his ability to contribute in high-leverage situations. He posted a 1–0 record with a 3.18 earned run average and 12 strikeouts across 11 and one-third innings pitched during his debut season with the club.
Veneziano returned to Miami for the 2025 season and appeared in 24 games for the Marlins. He recorded a 4.71 earned run average with 20 strikeouts over 21 innings of work. While his ERA increased from his initial stint with the team, he continued to provide the Marlins with innings out of the bullpen. Miami designated Veneziano for assignment following the promotion of Jakob Marsee on August 1, 2025, concluding his time with the organization.
St. Louis Cardinals (2025)
On August 4, 2025, the St. Louis Cardinals claimed Veneziano off waivers from the Marlins. He joined the Cardinals bullpen for the remainder of the season and made two appearances. In his brief time with St. Louis, he recorded a 4.50 earned run average with five strikeouts over four innings of work. On November 6, 2025, the Cardinals removed Veneziano from their 40-man roster. He rejected an outright assignment to the minors and elected free agency, opening a new chapter in his professional career.
International Transition (2025–2026)
On December 15, 2025, Veneziano signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers organization. The opportunity provided him with a chance to compete for a spot in a new farm system. However, he was released on January 10, 2026, in order to pursue an opportunity overseas. On January 19, 2026, Veneziano signed with the SSG Landers of the KBO League, joining the Korean baseball circuit to fill the roster spot vacated by Drew VerHagen, who had failed a physical examination.
Driving Style and Strengths
Throughout his professional career, Veneziano has established himself as a strikeout-oriented pitcher with the ability to generate swings and misses. His minor league numbers consistently showed his capacity to record punchouts, with totals exceeding 120 strikeouts in full seasons at both Single-A and Triple-A levels. He has demonstrated the versatility to work as both a starter and reliever, adapting to different roles depending on organizational needs. His ability to work multiple innings and provide length when needed added value to his profile as a depth arm in bullpen situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
The most significant milestone in Veneziano’s career came on September 19, 2023, when he received his first major league promotion with the Kansas City Royals. Reaching the majors after being drafted five years earlier represented the culmination of years of development through the minor leagues. His debut season included two scoreless appearances, preserving his spotless major league ERA. His 1–0 record with the Miami Marlins in 2024 represented his first major league win, a memorable moment in his professional journey. The transition to the KBO League in January 2026 marked a new chapter, as he joined the growing list of American pitchers seeking opportunities in Asian baseball leagues.
Anthony James Veneziano Career Wins
Veneziano has compiled modest but notable statistics across his time in Major League Baseball. His major league career includes appearances for three different National League clubs, with his most substantial contribution coming during his time with the Miami Marlins in the latter half of the 2024 season.
MLB Highlights
Through the 2025 season, Veneziano has appeared in 38 major league games spanning his time with the Kansas City Royals, Miami Marlins, and St. Louis Cardinals. He has recorded a career win-loss record of 1–0 with a 3.98 earned run average and 40 strikeouts across professional batting appearances. His lone career victory came during his tenure with the Miami Marlins in 2024, when he logged crucial innings out of the bullpen during a stretch run. His most recent major league action came with the St. Louis Cardinals in August and September 2025, where he recorded five strikeouts in four innings of work.
Minor League Achievements
Veneziano’s minor league career has been highlighted by consistent strikeout numbers and winning seasons at the lower levels. His 2021 campaign with the Quad Cities River Bandits saw him post a 6–4 record with 127 strikeouts in just 93 and two-thirds innings, demonstrating his ability to dominate hitters at the Single-A level. The following season at Double-A Northwest Arkansas, he recorded 129 strikeouts across 26 appearances. His 2023 season represented his finest professional year, as he combined to go 10–5 with a 3.55 earned run average and 127 strikeouts between Double-A and Triple-A, earning his first major league promotion.
| Level | Games | Record | ERA | Strikeouts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB Career | 38 | 1–0 | 3.98 | 40 |
| Triple-A (2023) | 26 | 10–5 | 3.55 | 127 |
Anthony James Veneziano Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public records do not contain detailed information about Veneziano’s family background or racing lineage, as he is a professional baseball player rather than a racing athlete. No publicly available sources provide information about his parents, siblings, or family connections to professional sports.
Personal Life
Veneziano maintains a professional approach to his career, focusing on his development as a pitcher at the professional level. He completed his collegiate career at Coastal Carolina University before beginning his professional journey in the Kansas City Royals organization. Beyond his baseball career, public information about his personal relationships, marital status, or family life is not available in verified sources. He currently resides where his team assignments take him during the baseball season.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a year of transition and opportunity for Veneziano within the major leagues. After beginning the year with the Miami Marlins, he served as a middle-relief option for the club throughout the first half of the season. His 24 appearances with Miami produced a 4.71 earned run average with 20 strikeouts over 21 innings, indicating some struggles with command and effectiveness compared to his 2024 performance with the same team. The Marlins utilized him in various bullpen roles, though his workload remained relatively limited.
The trade deadline period brought another change, as the St. Louis Cardinals claimed Veneziano off waivers from the Marlins on August 4. He joined the Cardinals bullpen and made two appearances, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out five batters over four innings. The Cardinals ultimately removed him from their 40-man roster following the season, and he elected free agency rather than accept an outright assignment. The season concluded with Veneziano exploring international options, ultimately signing with the Texas Rangers on a minor league contract in December before his subsequent move to the KBO League.