Griffin Canning Biography
Griffin Alexander Canning is an American professional baseball pitcher who has played in Major League Baseball for the Los Angeles Angels, New York Mets, and San Diego Padres. He made his MLB debut in 2019 with the Angels and won a Gold Glove Award in 2020. Canning was selected by the Angels in the second round of the 2017 MLB Draft out of UCLA, where he established himself as one of the top college pitchers in the country.
Early Life and Background
Griffin Alexander Canning was born on May 11, 1996, in Rancho Santa Margarita, California. He attended Santa Margarita Catholic High School in his hometown, where he starred as a pitcher for the Eagles baseball team. During his senior year, Canning posted an 11-3 win-loss record with a 1.51 earned run average and 123 strikeouts, earning recognition as the Orange County Register Pitcher of the Year.
In his final high school game, Canning led Santa Margarita Catholic to the 2014 California Interscholastic Federation SS Division I Championship, recording 11 strikeouts while allowing only two hits. He was selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 38th round of the 2015 MLB Draft but chose not to sign and instead pursued college baseball at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Amateur Career
Canning played three seasons for the UCLA Bruins from 2015 to 2017. As a freshman, he appeared in 15 games with 11 starts, going 7-1 with a 2.97 ERA and 66 strikeouts. He became UCLA’s number one starting pitcher as a sophomore, making 15 starts and posting a 5-8 record with a 3.70 ERA and 95 strikeouts.
As a junior in 2017, Canning served as UCLA’s ace and delivered his best collegiate season. He made 17 starts, going 7-4 with a 2.34 ERA and 140 strikeouts, establishing himself as one of the top pitching prospects in the country heading into the 2017 MLB Draft.
Professional Career
Los Angeles Angels (2019-2024)
The Los Angeles Angels selected Canning with the 47th overall pick in the second round of the 2017 MLB Draft and signed him for a $1,459,200 signing bonus. He did not pitch professionally that season and began his career in 2018 with the Inland Empire 66ers of the High-A California League. After eight and two-thirds scoreless innings, he was promoted to the Double-A Mobile BayBears and later to Triple-A Salt Lake Bees in June. In 25 starts across three levels, he went 4-3 with a 3.65 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP.
Canning earned his spot on the Angels roster and made his MLB debut on April 30, 2019, against the Toronto Blue Jays, recording six strikeouts over four and one-third innings. He finished his rookie season with a 5-6 record and a 4.58 ERA despite being shut down in August due to elbow inflammation. In 2020, Canning went 2-3 with a 3.99 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 11 starts, earning his first Gold Glove Award for his defensive excellence.
The 2021 season saw Canning post a 5-4 record with a 5.60 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 13 starts before being optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake in July. He was later placed on the injured list for the remainder of the season with a low back stress fracture. Canning missed the entire 2022 season while recovering from elbow surgery and multiple setbacks during his rehabilitation. He re-signed with the Angels in January 2023 and made 32 appearances in 2024, compiling a 6-13 record and 5.19 ERA with 130 strikeouts across 171+2/3 innings pitched. The Angels traded Canning to the Atlanta Braves on October 31, 2024, in exchange for Jorge Soler, but the Braves non-tendered him on November 22, making him a free agent.
New York Mets (2025)
Canning signed with the New York Mets on December 19, 2024, agreeing to a one-year contract worth $4.25 million. He opened the 2025 season as a reliable presence in the Mets rotation. In 16 starts for New York, he posted a 7-3 record with a 3.77 ERA and 70 strikeouts across 76+1/3 innings pitched. His season ended abruptly when he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during a 4-0 victory over the Atlanta Braves on June 26, 2025, requiring season-ending surgery.
San Diego Padres (2026-Present)
On February 17, 2026, Canning signed a one-year contract with the San Diego Padres, valued at $1 million with a mutual option for the 2027 season. He became the 47th overall selection in the 2017 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Angels in the second round.
Career Wins
Through mid-June 2026, Griffin Canning has appeared in 136 major league games with 127 starts, accumulating a 33-42 win-loss record, a 4.78 earned run average, and 594 strikeouts across his MLB career.
Gold Glove Award (2020)
His most significant career achievement came in 2020, when Canning was awarded the Gold Glove Award. That season, he tied for the American League lead among pitchers with three defensive runs saved and committed only one error out of 16 total chances, demonstrating exceptional fielding prowess at the pitcher’s mound.
Family
Family Background
Griffin Canning was born on May 11, 1996, in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, and attended Santa Margarita Catholic High School in his hometown before advancing to play collegiately at the University of California, Los Angeles.
2025 Season Performance
Griffin Canning began the 2025 season with the New York Mets as an integral part of their starting rotation. He delivered consistent performances through the first half of the season, posting a 7-3 record with a 3.77 ERA in 16 starts. His ability to work deep into games and limit opposing hitters made him a valuable asset for the Mets’ staff.
His momentum came to an abrupt halt on June 26, 2025, when he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during a start against the Atlanta Braves. The injury required season-ending surgery and ended his 2025 campaign prematurely. Despite the setback, Canning demonstrated his resilience and determination throughout his recovery process, positioning himself for future opportunities in professional baseball.