Andrew Saalfrank

Andrew Saalfrank
Arizona Diamondbacks – No. 27
Pitcher
Born: (1997-08-18) August 18, 1997
Fort Wayne, Indiana, U.S.
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
MLB debut
September 5, 2023, for the Arizona Diamondbacks
MLB statistics
(through 2025 season)
Win–loss record2–1
Earned run average1.79
Strikeouts25
Stats at Baseball Reference 
Teams

Andrew Jacob Saalfrank (born August 18, 1997) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2023.

Amateur career

A native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Saalfrank graduated from Heritage Junior/Senior High School.[1] He enrolled at Indiana University Bloomington, where he played college baseball for the Indiana Hoosiers. In 2018, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Bourne Braves of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[2]

Professional career

The Arizona Diamondbacks selected Saalfrank in the sixth round, with the 182nd overall selection, of the 2019 Major League Baseball draft.[3] Saalfrank made his professional debut with the rookie–level Arizona League Diamondbacks and was promoted to the Low–A Hillsboro Hops following that appearance. In 7 games (5 starts) for Hillsboro, he recorded a 3.86 ERA with 21 strikeouts in 11+2⁄3 innings pitched.[4]

Saalfrank underwent Tommy John surgery prior to the 2021 season and missed the entire year as a result.[5] He returned to action in 2022, splitting the season between High–A Hillsboro and the Double–A Amarillo Sod Poodles. In 38 total relief appearances, he registered a 3.52 ERA with 70 strikeouts in 53+2⁄3 innings pitched.[6]

In 2023, Saalfrank split time between Amarillo and the Triple–A Reno Aces. In 44 combined appearances, he logged an 8–2 record and 2.53 ERA with 93 strikeouts and 2 saves in 64.0 innings of work.[7] On September 4, 2023, Saalfrank was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[8] In 10 appearances during his rookie campaign, he did not cede an earned run, striking out six in 10+1⁄3 innings.

Saalfrank was optioned to Triple–A Reno to begin the 2024 season.[9] He made only two appearances for Arizona, surrendering four runs on four hits with no strikeouts in one inning pitched. On June 4, 2024, MLB suspended Saalfrank for one year for violating the league's gambling policy.[10]

On June 5, 2025, Saalfrank was activated from the restricted list and optioned to the rookie-level Arizona Complex League Diamondbacks.[11] On August 20, Saalfrank recorded his first career win, tossing 2⁄3 scoreless innings against the Cleveland Guardians.[12] He made 28 appearances for the Diamondbacks during the regular season, compiling a 2–1 record and 1.24 ERA with 19 strikeouts and three saves over 29 innings of work.

On February 9, 2026, it was announced that Saalfrank had undergone season-ending shoulder surgery.[13]

References

  1. ^ Prince, Justin (September 6, 2023). "Heritage grad Saalfrank makes MLB debut with Diamondbacks". FOX 55 Fort Wayne. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
  2. ^ "Andrew Saalfrank". pointstreak.com. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
  3. ^ "Diamondbacks call up Andrew Saalfrank, option Slade Cecconi". ESPN.com. September 4, 2023. Retrieved September 5, 2023 – via Reuters.
  4. ^ "Andrew Saalfrank Stats & Scouting Report". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  5. ^ "Saalfrank continues to climb ladder of pro baseball". wzbd.com. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  6. ^ "Andrew Saalfrank - Stats - Pitching". fangraphs.com. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  7. ^ "Diamondbacks' Andrew Saalfrank: Added to roster". cbssports.com. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  8. ^ McDonald, Darragh (September 4, 2023). "Diamondbacks Select Andrew Saalfrank". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved December 27, 2025.
  9. ^ "Diamondbacks release Elvis Andrus; Andrew Saalfrank, Pavin Smith optioned to Triple-A Reno". arizonasports.com. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  10. ^ Feinsand, Mark (June 4, 2024). "Major League Baseball announces sports betting violation suspensions". MLB.com. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  11. ^ Adams, Steve (June 5, 2025). "D-backs DFA Scott McGough, Reinstate Andrew Saalfrank". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
  12. ^ "Diamondbacks 3-2 Guardians (Aug 20, 2025) Final Score". espn.com. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
  13. ^ "D-backs' Andrew Saalfrank Undergoes Shoulder Surgery, Will Miss 2026 Season". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
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