Michael McRae King Bio
Michael McRae King is an American professional baseball pitcher who currently plays for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2019 with the New York Yankees, where he spent four seasons before being traded to San Diego in December 2023. King has established himself as a versatile pitcher capable of both starting and relieving, compiling a career win-loss record of 36-36 with a 3.29 earned run average and 642 strikeouts through June 2026. He signed a three-year, $75 million contract extension with the Padres in December 2025, securing his future with the franchise through 2028.
Early Life and Background
Michael King was born on May 25, 1995, and grew up in Warwick, Rhode Island. He attended Bishop Hendricken High School, where he excelled as both a pitcher and outfielder for the school’s baseball team. During his junior year in 2012, King helped lead Bishop Hendricken to the Division I state championship, demonstrating the competitive drive that would define his career.
In 2013, King was named the Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year for Rhode Island. That season, he posted remarkable numbers, going 7-0 with a microscopic 0.30 earned run average while recording 67 strikeouts against just seven walks in 47 innings pitched. As an outfielder, he also maintained a impressive .469 batting average, showcasing his two-way talent.
Following his graduation from Bishop Hendricken in 2013, King continued his baseball career at the collegiate level, enrolling at Boston College where he played for the Boston College Eagles. In the summer of 2015, he further developed his skills by playing in the Cape Cod Baseball League for the Hyannis Harbor Hawks, one of the premier summer collegiate leagues in the United States.
Path to Major League Baseball
King entered the 2016 Major League Baseball Draft and was selected by the Miami Marlins in the 12th round, with the 353rd overall pick. He signed with the organization and made his professional debut that same year, beginning his climb through the minor leagues. He started with the Gulf Coast Marlins of the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League before earning promotions to the Batavia Muckdogs of the Low-A New York-Penn League and then to the Greensboro Grasshoppers of the Single-A South Atlantic League.
In his debut professional season across three levels, King went 3-3 with a 4.11 ERA in just over 30 innings pitched. The following year, he spent the entire 2017 season with Greensboro, where he flourished by posting an 11-9 record with a 3.14 ERA in 26 appearances, 25 of which were starts. His strong performance put him on the radar for larger opportunities.
Michael McRae King Career
New York Yankees (2019-2023)
On November 20, 2017, the Miami Marlins traded King to the New York Yankees in exchange for Caleb Smith and Garrett Cooper, sending him to one of baseball’s most storied franchises. He began the 2018 season with the Tampa Tarpons of the High-A Florida State League and earned rapid promotions through the system, appearing with the Trenton Thunder of the Double-A Eastern League and the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders of the Triple-A International League.
The Yankees invited King to spring training as a non-roster player in 2019, but he suffered a stress reaction in his pitching elbow that prevented him from pitching during spring training. Despite the injury setback, the organization promoted him to the major leagues on September 19, 2019. He made his MLB debut on September 27 versus the Texas Rangers, pitching two innings in relief. The 2020 season, shortened to 60 games due to the pandemic, saw King post a 7.76 ERA in 26 and two-thirds innings across nine appearances, including four starts.
The 2021 season marked a turning point in King’s development. He worked extensively with teammate Corey Kluber to improve his slider, and the work paid dividends. On June 4, 2021, during a game against the Boston Red Sox, King pitched an immaculate inning in the fourth frame, recording three strikeouts on just nine pitches. This feat marked the seventh immaculate inning in Yankees history and the first ever in the storied Yankees-Red Sox rivalry. King dealt with injuries later that season, being placed on the injured list in July with a right middle finger contusion and later transferred to the 60-day injured list. He was activated on September 10 and finished the year with a 3.55 ERA in 63 and one-third innings, recording 62 strikeouts and 24 walks.
King opened the 2022 season in the Yankees bullpen and earned his first major league save on April 14. However, his season took a dramatic turn when he suffered an elbow injury during a game against the Baltimore Orioles on July 22. The injury was diagnosed as a fractured right elbow, and he underwent surgery that ended his season prematurely.
In spring training 2023, King approached manager Aaron Boone with the idea of being used as a starting pitcher. He began the season in relief but injuries to Yankees starters created an opportunity. In August 2023, King transitioned to the starting rotation. He finished the season with a 2.75 ERA in 49 appearances overall, including eight starts where he posted a remarkable 1.88 ERA.
San Diego Padres (2024-Present)
On December 6, 2023, the Yankees traded King to the San Diego Padres as part of a major multiplayer deal that sent Juan Soto and Trent Grisham to New York. The Yankees received King along with Drew Thorpe, Randy Vásquez, Jhony Brito, and Kyle Higashioka in exchange for the star outfielder and center fielder.
King made an immediate impact with his new team. During the 2024 campaign, he appeared in 31 games, making 30 starts, and compiled a 13-9 record with a 2.95 earned run average and 201 strikeouts across 173 and two-thirds innings. His 201 strikeouts represented a career-high and demonstrated his ability to handle a heavy workload as a starter.
On April 13, 2025, King pitched the first complete game and complete-game shutout of his career against the Colorado Rockies. He threw 110 pitches, struck out eight batters, and allowed just two hits and one walk in the dominant performance. The shutout capped a three-game sweep in which the Padres held the Rockies scoreless in all three games. The victory also extended the Padres franchise record for home wins to open a season to 10. King was placed on the injured list on May 25 due to inflammation in his throwing shoulder, later transferred to the 60-day injured list on July 7. After returning, he was placed on the injured list again in August due to left knee inflammation, but was activated one month later. Following the season, he declined the mutual option in his contract and became a free agent before re-signing with San Diego on December 18, 2025, on a three-year, $75 million deal.
Driving Style and Strengths
King has developed into a durable starting pitcher with a diverse arsenal headlined by an improved slider that he refined with guidance from veteran Corey Kluber. His ability to pitch effectively both in relief and as a starter provides his team with valuable flexibility. He demonstrates poise in high-leverage situations and has shown the endurance to work deep into games, as evidenced by his 173-plus innings pitched in 2024.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among King’s most memorable moments was his immaculate inning against the Boston Red Sox in June 2021, a feat that stands as a historic moment in the rivalry between baseball’s two most storied franchises. His first career complete-game shutout in April 2025 represented another milestone, while his December 2025 contract extension worth $75 million over three years solidified his status as a core piece of the Padres’ rotation going forward.
Michael McRae King Career Wins
King has accumulated 36 major league wins across his career spanning seven seasons with the Yankees and Padres. His win total includes a career-high 13 victories during the 2024 season with San Diego. He has recorded 642 career strikeouts while maintaining a 3.29 earned run average, demonstrating his ability to miss bats while limiting opposing hitters.
Major League Highlights
His 2024 season with the Padres stands as his most productive, as King went 13-9 with a 2.95 ERA and 201 strikeouts across 173 and two-thirds innings in 30 starts. The 2021 campaign featured his immaculate inning milestone against Boston, one of baseball’s rarest achievements requiring three straight strikeouts on nine pitches. King earned his first major league save in April 2022 before his season ended prematurely due to injury.
Minor League Success
Prior to reaching the majors, King enjoyed success in the minor leagues, including an 11-win season with the Greensboro Grasshoppers in 2017 where he went 11-9 with a 3.14 ERA in 26 appearances. His rapid rise through the Marlins system demonstrated the potential that led to his trade to the Yankees organization.
| Level | Wins | Win-Loss Record | ERA | Strikeouts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB Career | 36 | 36-36 | 3.29 | 642 |
| 2024 (San Diego) | 13 | 13-9 | 2.95 | 201 |
Michael McRae King Family
Family Background and Early Influences
Limited information is publicly available regarding King’s family background. His upbringing in Warwick, Rhode Island, provided him with access to competitive baseball programs, including the opportunity to attend Bishop Hendricken High School, known for producing talented athletes.
Personal Life
King maintains an active presence on social media with verified accounts on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Beyond his baseball career, he has not shared extensive details about his personal life publicly. His focus on baseball development has been evident throughout his career, including his proactive approach to requesting a role change with Yankees manager Aaron Boone.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a mix of brilliance and challenges for King. His April 13 complete-game shutout against the Colorado Rockies showcased his potential as an elite starter, as he dominated over 110 pitches while allowing just two hits and a walk. The performance extended the Padres’ franchise record for consecutive home wins to open a season and demonstrated his ability to pitch complete games when needed. He compiled a record of 13 wins before midseason injuries derailed his momentum.
Injuries plagued King’s 2025 campaign, as he was placed on the injured list twice. First came the shoulder inflammation in late May that eventually required a transfer to the 60-day injured list, costing him several months of action. Upon returning, he experienced knee inflammation in August that required another stint on the injured list. Despite these setbacks, his durability and recovery demonstrated his resilience. The season ended with King declining his mutual option and becoming a free agent, only to quickly re-sign with San Diego on a lucrative three-year, $75 million contract that reflected the organization’s confidence in his abilities and potential.