Chandler Shepherd

James Chandler Shepherd (born August 25, 1992) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) debut for the Baltimore Orioles in 2019.

College career Shepherd attended Lawrence County High School in Louisa, Kentucky. He played six total seasons of high school baseball while also participating in football, basketball, track and golf throughout high school. He was a three-year player at the University of Kentucky from 2012 to 2014. As a junior, Shepherd was sidelined by a forearm laceration that forced him to miss three weeks,

In his senior year, Shepherd rated among the 2014 Baseball America Preseason NCAA Top-100 Players (No. 70). He then made 16 pitching appearances, ending with a 5–5 record and a 3.66 ERA in innings, including nine starts and one saved game. Shepherd started his professional career in 2014 with the Low-A Lowell Spinners, where he was 4–3 with a 4.05 ERA in 16 games, working mostly as a long reliever in innings. From May 2 to June 29, he had a scoreless-inning streak between the two stints. Shepherd finished 2016 with a 2–3 record and a 2.81 ERA. With Pawtucket during 2018, Shepherd appeared in 25 games (all starts), compiling a 7–10 record with 3.89 ERA and 107 strikeouts in innings pitched. He was designated for assignment when Sandy León went on paternity leave and the Red Sox added Oscar Hernández to its roster on May 17.

Chicago Cubs Shepherd was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Cubs and assigned to the Double-A Tennessee Smokies one day later on May 18, 2019. His stint with the Cubs organization lasted only four days without playing for the Smokies because the Cubs' attempt to sneak him through waivers to transfer him off the 40-man roster was not successful.

Baltimore Orioles Shepherd's five-day odyssey ended when he was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles and optioned to the Triple-A Norfolk Tides on May 22, 2019. After his first promotion to the majors on July 30 lasted only one day, he returned to the Orioles on August 13 and made his MLB debut that night by allowing a run while pitching the last four innings in an 8–3 away loss to the New York Yankees. After three starts in five appearances with a 6.63 ERA and 1.526 WHIP, he was outrighted off the Orioles' 40-man roster on September 30.

He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. On August 14, 2020, Shepherd was selected to the active roster. He was designated for assignment on August 16 without appearing in a game. Shepherd was released by the Orioles on September 20.

Minnesota Twins On February 8, 2021, Shepherd signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins organization. Shepherd made 26 appearances (17 starts) for the Triple-A St. Paul Saints, posting a 9–6 record and 5.33 ERA with 68 strikeouts in innings pitched. He elected free agency following the season on November 7.

Acereros de Monclova On May 9, 2022, Shepherd signed with the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League.