Mason Englert

Mason Alexander Englert Bio

Mason Alexander Englert (born November 1, 1999) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball (MLB). The Forney, Texas native has previously played in MLB for the Detroit Tigers. He made his MLB debut in 2023 after being selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 2022 Rule 5 draft. Englert was originally drafted by the Texas Rangers in the fourth round of the 2018 MLB draft.

Early Life and Background

Mason Alexander Englert grew up in Forney, Texas, where he attended Forney High School. During his senior season in 2018, Englert established himself as one of the most dominant high school pitchers in Texas history. He recorded 168 strikeouts over 98 and one-third innings of work, showcasing the power stuff and command that would define his early career.

Englert broke a Texas high school baseball record by throwing 55 and one-third consecutive scoreless innings, a feat that surpassed the previous record held by David Clyde. This remarkable accomplishment drew significant attention from college programs and professional scouts. Following his standout high school career, Englert committed to Texas A&M University to continue his baseball career at the collegiate level.

Path to Professional Baseball

The Texas Rangers selected Englert in the fourth round, with the 119th overall selection, of the 2018 MLB draft. He signed with the Rangers for an over-slot signing bonus of $1 million. After signing, Englert participated in a specialized program the Rangers implemented for their newly drafted high school pitchers. The organization utilized a “de-load” program that emphasized building a foundation mentally and physically while allowing the pitchers to recover from their strenuous senior season and pre-draft showcase circuit.

Shortly after joining the Rangers organization, Englert suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow and underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2019. The injury caused him to miss the entire 2019 season. He did not appear in a game during the 2020 season due to the cancellation of the minor league season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, further delaying his professional development.

Mason Alexander Englert Career

Minor League Development (2018–2022)

Englert began his minor league career following his recovery from Tommy John surgery. He spent the 2021 season with the Down East Wood Ducks of the Low-A East league. He posted a 6-3 record with a 4.25 earned run average and 90 strikeouts over 80 and two-thirds innings, demonstrating his ability to miss bats and pitch effectively at the professional level.

Englert split the 2022 season between the Hickory Crawdads of the High-A South Atlantic League and the Frisco RoughRiders of the Double-A Texas League. He went a combined 8-6 with a 3.64 ERA and 136 strikeouts over 118 and two-thirds innings across both levels. A standout performance came on August 12, 2022, when Englert threw seven innings of a combined no-hitter for Hickory.

Detroit Tigers (2023–2024)

On December 7, 2022, Englert was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the Rule 5 draft. The selection meant he would need to remain on the major league roster or injured list for the entirety of the season to maintain his status. On March 29, 2023, the Tigers announced that Englert had made the Opening Day roster, officially launching his MLB career.

In his rookie campaign, Englert appeared in 31 outings and logged a 4-3 record with a 5.46 ERA and 41 strikeouts across 56 innings of work. He pitched primarily out of the Tigers bullpen until July 24, when he was placed on the injured list with hip tightness. After experiencing a setback during his rehabilitation, Englert remained on the injured list for the remainder of the 2023 season.

Englert began the 2024 season with the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens. He was called up to the major leagues on May 23, 2024. In 12 appearances for Detroit, he posted a 5.40 ERA with 16 strikeouts across 21 and two-thirds innings pitched. The Tigers designated Englert for assignment on February 7, 2025.

Tampa Bay Rays (2025–Present)

On February 12, 2025, Englert was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Drew Sommers. The acquisition added another left-handed arm to the Rays bullpen, a valuable asset in the competitive American League East division. The Rays have a strong track record of developing pitchers and maximizing their potential, providing Englert with an opportunity to contribute to a perennial contender.

Pitching Style and Strengths

Englert features a power-oriented pitching style with a fastball that generates significant swing-and-miss results. His strikeout numbers throughout his minor league career demonstrate his ability to miss bats at an above-average rate. The left-hander has shown the capacity to work multiple innings out of the bullpen, providing flexibility to his team’s pitching staff. His development in the Rangers system emphasized building a strong foundation both mentally and physically, shaping him into a durable arm capable of handling extended workloads.

Notable Achievements and Milestones

Englert’s professional career highlights include his combined no-hitter performance with the Hickory Crawdads in August 2022, which showcased his dominance at the minor league level. His selection by the Detroit Tigers in the Rule 5 draft represented a significant milestone, as it demonstrated that major league organizations viewed him as worthy of protecting on their rosters. The trade to the Tampa Bay Rays in February 2025 marked a new chapter in his career with a franchise known for its player development and winning culture.

Mason Alexander Englert Career Wins

Through June 3, 2026, Englert has accumulated a 5-5 win-loss record in his MLB career spanning his time with the Detroit Tigers and Tampa Bay Rays. He has recorded 117 strikeouts at the major league level with an earned run average of 4.83. His professional career win-loss record in the minor leagues includes a 14-9 combined mark between 2021 and 2022 across three different levels.

Major League Baseball Highlights

Englert’s MLB career began with the Detroit Tigers in 2023, where he earned four wins as a rookie reliever. His 2023 season included 31 appearances from the bullpen before a hip injury ended his campaign. He added one more win during his time with the Tigers in 2024 before being traded to Tampa Bay. His most recent performances have come with the Rays as he continues to establish himself as a major league contributor.

Minor League Highlights

Prior to his MLB career, Englert demonstrated consistent success in the minor leagues. His 2022 season proved particularly impressive, as he combined for eight wins between Hickory and Frisco while posting a 3.64 ERA and 136 strikeouts. The highlight of his minor league career came on August 12, 2022, when he threw seven innings of a combined no-hitter. His 2021 season with Down East saw him win six games while demonstrating the strikeout potential that made him a fourth-round draft pick.

2025 Season Performance

Mason Alexander Englert entered the 2025 season with the Tampa Bay Rays after being acquired from the Detroit Tigers in a February trade. The move to Tampa Bay represented a fresh start with an organization that has consistently competed for postseason berths. His integration into the Rays bullpen provided manager Kevin Cash with another left-handed option in relief.

The 2025 campaign saw Englert continue to develop his craft at the major league level. The Rays pitching staff has historically excelled at maximizing the abilities of their relievers, and Englert benefited from this approach. His experience from previous major league action with the Tigers gave him a foundation to build upon in his new environment.

Looking ahead, Englert positioned himself as a valuable piece of the Rays organization. His ability to pitch multiple innings and generate strikeouts makes him a useful asset in high-leverage situations. The Rays’ commitment to player development suggests that Englert has the opportunity to continue growing as a major league pitcher with a team that consistently contends for championships.