Michael Anthony Clevinger Bio
Michael Anthony Clevinger is an American professional baseball pitcher who made his Major League Baseball debut in 2016. Born on December 21, 1990, in Jacksonville, Florida, Clevinger has played for the Cleveland Indians, San Diego Padres, and Chicago White Sox throughout his MLB career. He is known for his powerful fastball that can reach 99 miles per hour and his diverse pitching repertoire that includes a curveball, slider, and changeup. His nickname among teammates is “Sunshine,” derived from the character Ronnie “Sunshine” Bass in the film Remember the Titans.
Early Life and Background
Clevinger grew up in Jacksonville, Florida, where he attended Wolfson High School. After graduating, he pursued higher education at The Citadel, where he played college baseball. He transferred to Seminole Community College after his freshman season to continue his development as a pitcher. His performance during the 2011 college season earned him recognition, and he played collegiate summer baseball with the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League following that year.
Path to Professional Baseball
Clevinger’s journey to professional baseball began when the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim selected him in the fourth round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft. He began his professional career with the rookie-level Orem Owlz in 2011 before being promoted to the Cedar Rapids Kernels the following year. His early career was interrupted when he underwent elbow reconstruction surgery in 2013, limiting him to only three total games that season. After pitching for two separate minor league organizations within the Angels system in 2014, Clevinger was traded to the Cleveland Indians organization on August 7, 2011, in exchange for Vinnie Pestano.
Michael Anthony Clevinger Career
Cleveland Indians Era (2016–2020)
Clevinger spent the 2015 season with the Double-A Akron RubberDucks, where he posted a 9–8 record with a 2.73 earned run average. The Indians added him to their 40-man roster after the season, signaling their confidence in his potential. He received his first major league call-up on May 18, 2016, and made his debut that evening. After three starts, he returned to the minor leagues and spent the next three months with the Columbus Clippers, where he recorded 11 wins, one loss, and a 3.00 ERA. Clevinger was recalled again on August 4, 2016, and finished his rookie season appearing in 17 games with a 3–3 record.
After injuries to several starters in 2017, Clevinger stepped into the rotation and established himself as a key asset for the Indians. He finished that season with a 12–6 record across 27 games, including 21 starts, and recorded 137 strikeouts in 121 and two-thirds innings. He continued to be a reliable presence in the rotation through the 2019 and 2020 seasons until a protocol violation ended his tenure with the organization.
San Diego Padres Tenure (2020–2022)
On August 31, 2020, the Indians traded Clevinger to the San Diego Padres in a multiplayer deal that sent Greg Allen and Matt Waldron to San Diego in exchange for Austin Hedges, Josh Naylor, Cal Quantrill, and several minor league prospects. Shortly after the trade, Clevinger and the Padres agreed to a two-year contract extension worth $8 million total for the 2021 and 2022 seasons. However, it was announced on the same day that Clevinger would need to undergo Tommy John surgery and miss the entire 2021 season. He was placed on the 60-day injured list on February 18, 2021, as he continued his recovery from the procedure.
Clevinger returned to the mound for the Padres in 2022, working to regain his form after the significant injury setback. His time in San Diego was marked by the challenges of returning from major surgery while trying to reclaim his spot as a reliable starting pitcher in a competitive rotation.
Chicago White Sox Period (2023–2025)
Clevinger signed a one-year contract worth $8 million with the Chicago White Sox on December 4, 2022. He made his first start for the White Sox on April 2 against the Houston Astros, pitched five innings, allowed three hits, walked three batters, and recorded eight strikeouts to earn the win. His season included a June 14 start against the Los Angeles Dodgers where he exited in the fifth inning. He was placed on the injured list two days later with right bicep inflammation. Clevinger finished the 2023 season with a 9–9 record and a 3.77 ERA across 24 starts, recording 110 strikeouts in 131 and one-third innings.
Following the 2023 season, Clevinger became a free agent but returned to Chicago on April 4, 2024, signing another one-year contract worth $3 million. He made four starts for the White Sox that season, posting an 0–1 record with a 6.75 ERA and 15 strikeouts. He was placed on the injured list on May 28 with right elbow inflammation. Further testing revealed a neck injury that required disc replacement surgery, ending his 2024 campaign. Clevinger re-signed with the White Sox organization on February 20, 2025, on a minor league contract and made their Opening Day roster after a strong spring training. He appeared in eight games for Chicago, struggling to an 0–2 record with a 7.94 ERA. The White Sox designated him for assignment on April 16, 2025. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-A Charlotte Knights on April 18 before electing free agency on October 3, 2025.
Pitching Style and Strengths
Clevinger features a fastball that can reach 99 miles per hour, giving hitters fits when he commands it effectively. His pitching repertoire also includes a curveball, slider, and changeup, providing him with multiple weapons to keep batters off balance. His ability to mix speeds and locations has been a hallmark of his effectiveness when healthy.
Notable Events and Milestones
Clevinger’s career has included several notable moments, from his breakout 2017 season with Cleveland to his trade to San Diego in 2020. His Tommy John surgery in 2020 marked a significant turning point, as he missed the entire 2021 season recovering. The 2024 neck injury and subsequent disc replacement surgery represented another major obstacle in his career trajectory.
Michael Anthony Clevinger Career Wins
Throughout his MLB career through the 2025 season, Clevinger has compiled a win-loss record of 60 wins and 44 losses with an earned run average of 3.55 and 822 total strikeouts across his time with the Cleveland Indians, San Diego Padres, and Chicago White Sox.
Career Highlights
Clevinger’s most productive seasons came with the Cleveland Indians, where he went 12–6 in 2017 and established himself as a reliable starting pitcher. His career-high win totals and strikeout numbers were accumulated during his time in Cleveland before his trade to San Diego and subsequent injury challenges.
Statistical Overview
| Series | Wins | Losses | ERA | Strikeouts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major League Baseball (Career) | 60 | 44 | 3.55 | 822 |
Michael Anthony Clevinger Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Clevinger is a devoted father to three daughters. His first daughter was born on May 2, 2016, shortly after his MLB debut. His second daughter was born on March 20, 2017. He has a third daughter whose birth year is not publicly available.
Personal Life
Off the field, Clevinger earned the nickname “Sunshine” from teammates who likened his personality to Ronnie “Sunshine” Bass from the film Remember the Titans. In January 2023, Major League Baseball placed Clevinger under investigation regarding alleged domestic violence and child abuse allegations involving his daughter and her mother. On March 5, 2023, MLB announced the completion of its investigation and stated it would not impose discipline on Clevinger in connection with the allegations.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season proved to be a challenging year for Clevinger as he attempted to work his way back from the neck injury that ended his 2024 campaign. After signing a minor league contract with the White Sox in February and making their Opening Day roster following spring training, Clevinger struggled throughout his time with the major league club. In eight appearances, he compiled an 0–2 record with a 7.94 earned run average and recorded only three strikeouts across five and two-thirds innings pitched. The White Sox designated him for assignment in mid-April, and after clearing waivers, he was sent to Triple-A Charlotte to continue his season. He elected free agency at the conclusion of the 2025 season in October.