Robbie Erlin

Robert Joseph Erlin (born October 8, 1990) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, Atlanta Braves, and Los Angeles Dodgers, and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.

High school career Erlin attended Scotts Valley High School in Scotts Valley, California, where he played for the school's baseball team. In 2009, his senior year, he was named Santa Cruz County's Player of the Year. He committed to attend California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) on a baseball scholarship.

Professional career

Texas Rangers The Texas Rangers selected Erlin in the third round of the 2009 MLB draft. Erlin signed, bypassing the scholarship with Cal Poly.

Erlin was placed with the Double-A San Antonio Missions to finish the 2011 season, where he had a 1.38 ERA in six starts. and then pitched in the Arizona Fall League. Erlin joined the Tucson Padres of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League for the 2013 season. He shuttled back and forth between Tucson and the Major League team, posting an 8-3 record and 5.07 ERA in 20 games with Tucson in 2013.

In 2015 with El Paso, where he spent most of the season, he was 7-6 with a 5.60 ERA.

Erlin was promoted to the Major Leagues on April 24, 2013, and made two appearances in relief before he was optioned back to Tucson on May 2. Erlin was recalled on June 1 for his first Major League start against the Toronto Blue Jays. Erlin won the first decision of his career in that start as the Padres defeated the Toronto Blue Jays, 4–3. He was optioned back to Tucson on June 2. Erlin was promoted for a third stint on June 26 to take the rotation spot of Clayton Richard, who went to the disabled list. Erlin was roughed up in successive starts in Boston and Washington in July, unable to get through the fifth inning in either start, and was optioned back to Tucson on July 8. Erlin was recalled late in the season to take the rotation spot of Edinson Vólquez. He fared better in his final stint of 2013, not allowing more than two runs in any of his five starts to finish the season. He moved to the starting rotation full-time after Tyson Ross and Jordan Lyles were waived. In 39 appearances (12 starts), he finished 4-7 with an ERA of 4.21 in 109 innings. On July 20, 2020, Erlin had his contract selected to the 40-man roster. Erlin was designated for assignment on August 2.

Atlanta Braves On August 7, 2020, the Atlanta Braves claimed Erlin off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Erlin was designated for assignment by the Braves on September 12, 2020. Erlin was released by the Braves on September 14.

Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters On November 30, 2020, Erlin signed a one-year contract with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball. Erlin made his NPB debut on April 17, 2021, allowing an earned run in two innings of work. He became a free agent following the 2021 season.

Los Angeles Dodgers Erlin signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers on February 14, 2022. He was assigned to the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers and was called up to the major leagues on May 7 as the 27th man for a doubleheader. He pitched two innings for the Dodgers over two games, allowing two runs on two hits He pitched in 21 games for Oklahoma City (14 starts) and was 5–4 with a 7.36 ERA. He returned to Oklahoma City, where he pitched in 17 games (16 starts) and logged a 4–2 record and 5.83 ERA.

Pitching style Erlin has an average fastball in the range, but he is able to contrast it with an effective curveball and above-average changeup. He will also mix in cutters and sliders to give hitters a different look.