George Klassen
| George Klassen | |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles Angels – No. 58 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: January 26, 2002 West Bend, Wisconsin, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 5, 2026, for the Los Angeles Angels | |
| MLB statistics (through April 11, 2026) | |
| Win–loss record | 0–1 |
| Earned run average | 11.57 |
| Strikeouts | 6 |
| Teams | |
| |
George Edward Klassen (born January 26, 2002) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2026.
Amateur career
Klassen attended Port Washington High School in Port Washington, Wisconsin. In 2019 season as a junior, he recorded 56 strikeouts in 22 innings pitched, allowing only 10 hits. As a two way player, he batted .362 with 25 hits. He also played for the GRB Rays and Midwest Reds Scout Team, posting a 5-2 with 39 strikeouts in 38 innings pitched over 3 seasons. At the 2020 Major League Baseball draft class, he was ranked No. 259 overall player by Baseball America. Furthermore, Perfect Game USA ranked him as No. 1 pitcher and No. 2 overall player in the state.[1]
Klassen played college baseball at the University of Minnesota.[2] He missed his freshman year at Minnesota in 2021 after undergoing Tommy John Surgery.[3] In 2022, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Lakeshore Chinooks of the Northwoods League.[4] In his sophomore 2023 season, he had 5.72 ERA with 49 strikeouts in 56.2 innings pitched across 14 games, including 13 starts.[5][6]
Professional career
Philadelphia Phillies
Klassen was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the sixth round of the 2023 Major League Baseball draft.[7] He made his professional debut in 2024 with the Single-A Clearwater Threshers. Over the first 2 months of the season, he posted a 0.71 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 57 strikeouts across 38.0 innings pitched.[8] On June 11, Klassen was promoted to the High-A Jersey Shore Blue Claws.[9] At High-A, he made 5 starts, posting a 4.22 ERA with 1.17 WHIP and 32 strikeouts in 21.1 innings pitched.[10]
Los Angeles Angels
On July 27, 2024, the Phillies traded Klassen and Samuel Aldegheri to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for Carlos Estévez.[11][12] In 2024, he played in four teams, posting a 3.10 ERA with 135 strikeouts and 46 walks in 93 innings pitched.[13] Klassen started 2025 with Double-A Rocket City Trash Pandas. He was named the Angels’ representative in the 2025 All-Star Futures Game on July 12.[14] He was promoted to the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees on September 16. Between the two levels, he had a combined ERA of 5.22 with a 4-12 record, 134 strikeouts and 47 walks in 108.2 innings pitched over 25 starts.[15][16]
On April 5, 2026, the Angels promoted Klassen to the major leagues, and he pitched 2+2⁄3 innings later that night in a debut against the Seattle Mariners.[17] After pitching another two innings on April 11, Klassen bruised his right index finger and his ERA stood at 13.50, resulting in his return to Salt Lake.[18]
References
- ^ "Rounding the Bases with George Klassen". University of Minnesota Athletics. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
- ^ Tribune, Rachel Blount Star (April 20, 2023). "Gophers pitcher George Klassen is a work in progress — with a 100-mph fastball". Star Tribune.
- ^ Tribune, Star Tribune staff Star (July 13, 2023). "Here are the Minnesotans and Gophers taken in the 2023 MLB draft". Star Tribune.
- ^ "Former Lakeshore Chinook George Klassen Debuts with the Angels". Northwoods League. April 6, 2026. Retrieved April 6, 2026.
- ^ Matson, Jake. "Blueclaws welcome Threshers' Aidan Miller, George Klassen to the Jersey Shore". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
- ^ "Phillies complete Day Two of 2023 MLB Draft selections". MLB.com. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
- ^ "Phillies like big arm from Port". Ozaukee Press. July 12, 2023.
- ^ "Phillies' George Klassen: Moves up to High-A". CBS Sports. 2024-06-10. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
- ^ Coffey, Alex (June 11, 2024). "Phillies prospect update: Aidan Miller, George Klassen continue to 'check the boxes,' earn promotions". The Philadelphia Inquirer. The Philadelphia Inquirer, LLC. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
- ^ "Carlos Estévez trade: Phillies acquire closer from Angels in exchange for pitching prospects". CBS Sports. 2024-07-27. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
- ^ Passan, Jeff (July 27, 2024). "Phillies land Angels closer Carlos Estevez for two prospects". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
- ^ Zolecki, Todd (July 27, 2024). "Phils acquire reliever Estévez from Angels for pair of top pitching prospects". Retrieved July 28, 2024.
- ^ "Klassen provides glimpse of Halos' future in Spring Breakout". MLB.com. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
- ^ "Klassen to represent Angels in Futures Game". MLB.com. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
- ^ Harris, Chris. "Six Trash Pandas promoted to Salt Lake for Triple-A's final week". MiLB.com. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
- ^ "Six Trash Pandas players promoted to Salt Lake Bees for Triple-A finale". rocketcitynow.com. 2025-09-17. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
- ^ Bollinger, Rhett; Hollmon, Courtney (April 5, 2026). "Angels walk it off in extras after Klassen's Major League debut". MLB.com. Retrieved April 12, 2026.
- ^ "Angels option right-hander George Klassen to Triple-A". ESPN.com. Associated Press. April 12, 2026. Retrieved April 12, 2026.
External links
- Career statistics from Baseball Reference (Minors)