Alec Sawyer Gipson-Long Bio
Alec Sawyer Gipson-Long (born December 12, 1997) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2023 after being drafted by the Minnesota Twins in 2019. Gipson-Long played college baseball at Mercer University and has been known for his development and performance throughout minor leagues before making the leap to MLB.
Early Life and Background
Alec Sawyer Gipson-Long was born on December 12, 1997, in the United States. His passion for baseball developed during his formative years, leading him to pursue collegiate baseball at Mercer University. At Mercer, Gipson-Long honed his pitching skills at the NCAA Division I level, preparing himself for the professional ranks.
Path to Professional Baseball
Gipson-Long’s journey to professional baseball began at Mercer University, where he established himself as a promising pitcher. His collegiate performance attracted attention from MLB scouts, culminating in his selection in the 2019 Major League Baseball draft. The Minnesota Twins selected him in the sixth round with the 179th overall pick, marking the beginning of his professional career.
Alec Sawyer Gipson-Long Career
Minor League Development (2019–2022)
Gipson-Long made his professional debut with the rookie-level Elizabethton Twins in 2019. In 6 starts, he recorded a 5.40 ERA with 23 strikeouts in 18 and one-third innings pitched. The 2020 season was lost due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic, pausing his development trajectory.
He returned to action in 2021, splitting the year between the Single-A Fort Myers Miracle and High-A Cedar Rapids Kernels. In 20 games (19 starts), Gipson-Long registered a cumulative 8–8 record and 4.55 ERA with 134 strikeouts in 97.0 innings of work. He began the 2022 season with Cedar Rapids and was promoted to the Double-A Wichita Wind Surge after posting a 1.99 ERA across 10 starts. In 8 games (7 starts) at Wichita, he struggled to a 7.17 ERA with 35 strikeouts in 37 and two-thirds innings pitched.
Detroit Tigers Breakthrough (2022–2023)
On August 2, 2022, Gipson-Long was traded to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for Michael Fulmer. He spent the remainder of the year with the Double-A Erie SeaWolves, posting a 4.54 ERA with 35 strikeouts in 35 and two-thirds innings of work across 7 starts. This mid-season transition provided a fresh opportunity with a new organization.
Gipson-Long began the 2023 season with Double-A Erie, making 14 appearances (13 starts) and registering a 6–5 record and 3.74 ERA with 76 strikeouts in 65 innings of work. His strong performance earned him a promotion. On September 10, 2023, Gipson-Long was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time, debuting with the Detroit Tigers.
Detroit Tigers Era (2024–Present)
Gipson-Long faced significant challenges during the 2024 season. He began the year on the 15-day injury list with a groin strain. On April 19, 2024, the Tigers announced that Gipson-Long would require Tommy John surgery and would miss the remainder of the 2024 season. He had been rehabbing the groin strain injury when he reported right forearm tightness which was then determined to require the surgery. Gipson-Long underwent an additional surgery, repairing a left hip labral tear, on July 9, 2024.
He returned to action on June 4, 2025, when he was activated from the injured list to make his comeback from surgery. After making five starts in June, Gipson-Long returned to the 10-day injured list with neck stiffness on July 2, 2025. He was activated from the injured list on August 13, 2025, continuing his recovery journey with the Tigers organization.
Pitching Style and Strengths
Gipson-Long has developed as a pitcher through the minor leagues, showcasing the ability to record strikeouts at a consistent rate throughout his minor league career. His development with the Tigers organization has focused on refining his craft as he works toward establishing himself at the major league level.
Notable Events and Milestones
The most significant milestones in Gipson-Long’s career include his MLB debut in September 2023, his trade from the Twins to the Tigers in August 2022, and his successful recovery from Tommy John surgery to return to the mound in June 2025. His journey through the minor leagues included multiple promotions, demonstrating his potential as a professional pitcher.
Alec Sawyer Gipson-Long Career Statistics
Across his minor league career and MLB debut, Gipson-Long has accumulated professional experience at various levels of competition. His minor league statistics show a pitcher capable of recording strikeouts while working to refine his overall game.
Major League Baseball Highlights
Gipson-Long made his MLB debut in 2023 with the Detroit Tigers. Through the 2025 season, he has compiled a 1–2 win-loss record with a 5.44 earned run average and 52 strikeouts across his major league appearances. His debut season provided valuable experience at the highest level of professional baseball.
Minor League Highlights
Throughout his minor league career, Gipson-Long demonstrated his ability to miss bats, particularly during the 2021 season when he recorded 134 strikeouts in 97 innings between Single-A and High-A. His 2022 season with Cedar Rapids saw him post a 1.99 ERA across 10 starts before his promotion to Double-A.
| Level | Wins | Losses | ERA | Strikeouts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB (2023–2025) | 1 | 2 | 5.44 | 52 |
| Minor League (Career) | 14 | 13 | 4.36 | 268 |
Alec Sawyer Gipson-Long Family
Public information regarding Alec Sawyer Gipson-Long’s family background, parents, or family lineage in baseball is not widely available in verified sources. His personal life details remain relatively private as he continues his professional baseball career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represents a significant comeback chapter for Gipson-Long following his 2024 surgeries. After undergoing Tommy John surgery and a left hip labral tear repair, he made his return to the mound on June 4, 2025, when he was activated from the injured list. His initial starts in June showed his determination to work back to full strength.
However, the comeback encountered another hurdle when Gipson-Long returned to the 10-day injured list with neck stiffness on July 2, 2025. He was subsequently activated from the injured list on August 13, 2025, allowing him to continue his season with the Detroit Tigers. The 2025 campaign has been defined by his resilience and determination to overcome adversity following major surgeries.