Shawn is a North Carolina native to the core…He lettered in baseball (four years) and cross country (two years) at West Craven High School in Vanceboro and although he was a star on the track, he shined brighter on the mound…Prior to going pro, Shawn was a true student athlete at East Carolina University…While majoring in exercise physiology, Armstrong was a two-time Conference USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll recipient and three-time East Carolina Director of Athletics Honor Roll recipient...Shawn and his wife, Sarah, welcomed their son, Declan Cutter, on March 31, 2021...Shawn and Sarah co-own a private coaching company called Arm-Strong Performance, which offers custom training programs, workout equipment and branded merchandise...Selected by Cleveland in the 18th round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft out of East Carolina University…Previously selected by the Astros in the 33rd round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft out of West Craven (N.C.) High School but did not sign...Entered the 2008 season ranked by Baseball America as North Carolina’s top high school pitcher…Earned Rawlings and Louisville Slugger preseason All-American honors…Underwent right labrum surgery in high school, resulting in a medical redshirt at East Carolina in 2009.
2023
Began the season on the 15-day injured list before being transferred to the 60-day IL on April 17 due to neck tightness...As activated on June 3 and made his season debut the following afternoon at Boston (2.0IP, BB, 3SO)…Stayed on the Rays active roster for the remainder of the season...Posted a 1.38 ERA (52.0IP, 8ER), the lowest mark of his career (min. 15.0IP)…Minimum 40.0 IP, it was the second-lowest ERA in the AL behind BOS Chris Martin (1.05)...Minimum 50.0 IP, his 1.38 ERA was third lowest in Rays history behind Fernando Rodney (0.60, 2012) and Joaquin Benoit (1.34, 2010)...Made six starts totaling 12.0 scoreless innings, posting a 1.00 WHIP and .205 (9-for-44) opponent average…Joined Collin McHugh (7, 2021) as the only Rays pitchers to make five-plus starts in a season and without allowing a run in those outings…The Rays went 5-1 when he started...Held right-handed batters to a .170/.239/.250 (17- for-100) line compared to .209/.255/.297 (19-for91) vs. left-handed hitters...Recorded a career-high 12 multi-inning appearances, surpassing his nine such outings in 2022…Produced a 0.36 ERA (25.0IP, 1ER) in those games...In 22 appearances (three GS) at night, pitched to a 0.56 ERA (32.1IP, 2ER)…In 17 outings (3GS) during the day, posted a 2.75 ERA (19.2IP, 6ER)...On June 6 vs. PHI, started and matched a career-high with 3.0 IP (four times, last: 9/4/22 vs. NYY)…Also matched a career-high with five SO (2x, last: 4/13/17 vs. CWS)...Did not yield a home run across 39.2 IP (28G) from June 22–Sept. 19, posting a 0.68 ERA (39.2IP, 3ER) while limiting opponents to a .163 (23-for141) average during that span...Did not allow an ER over 19.1 innings (15G) from Aug. 9–Sept. 19, striking out 20 batters against two walks while posting a 0.62 WHIP during that stretch…The 15 straight outings without an ER was the longest streak of his career...Postseason: Tossed a scoreless seventh inning in Game 2 of the Rays AL Wild Card Series vs. Texas, retiring three of his four BF with one strikeout.
2022
Made 50 apps (three starts) between the Marlins and Rays…signed by the Marlins on March 15 and made his third career Opening Day active roster, joining 2017 (with CLE) and 2020 (with BAL)...Designated for assignment by the Marlins when rosters reduced on May 2…signed a minor league contract with the Rays on May 10…selected to the active roster on May 31 and remained with the Rays through the end of the season...Set career highs with 61.2 IP and 66 SO…his 50 apps were the 2nd-most of his career behind 2019 (55)…made the first 3 starts of his career...Pitched to a 3.07 ERA (29.1-IP, 10-ER) in his 20 apps from Aug 7 through the end of the season...Yielded a combined one run in his three starts, going 3 IP, 3 IP and 1.2 IP in them…his only run allowed as a starter was a leadoff homer to Aaron Judge...Prior to his selection, went 0-0 with a 2.57 ERA (7-IP, 2-ER) and 10 SO in seven apps for the Bulls...On June 16 at NYY, yielded a walk-off homer to Anthony Rizzo and suffered his first loss since April 12, 2019 vs. HOU (with SEA)…marked the first time in his career he allowed a walk-off hit...On July 28 at BAL, allowed a two-run, inside-the-park homer to Trey Mancini in the eighth inning on a fly ball lost in the sun by right fielder Josh Lowe…it marked the first inside-the-park homer allowed in his career, the 11th allowed in franchise history and first since Chris Archer on March 29, 2018 vs. BOS (Eduardo Núñez)…it marked the first time in club history that a Rays reliever allowed an inside-the-park homer...On Aug 22 vs. LAA, recorded the sixth save of his career and first since Aug 4, 2019 vs. TOR (with BAL)…pitched a perfect 9th inning on nine pitches (all strikes) against the 8-9-1 hitters, leaving Mike Trout in the on-deck circle in a 2-1 win...On Aug 30 at MIA, made his first career start after replacing a scratched Shane McClanahan to start the bottom of the 1st inning…went a career-high-tying 3 IP and the 48 pitches were one shy of his career high from April 13, 2017 vs. CHW (with CLE)…faced the minimum through two IP and had the 3rd inning end after a second straight single resulted in an out at third base...POSTSEASON: Pitched in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series at CLE, going 1.1 scoreless innings… pitched the 11th inning and struck out his only batter faced in the 12th to preserve a 0-0 game.
2021
Pitched in 31 total games between Baltimore and Tampa Bay in 2021. He finished the season 1-0 with a 6.75 ERA...Began the season with the Orioles. Pitched 20.0 innings in 20 games. Struck out 22 but allowed 19 earned runs (8.55 ERA). Designated for assignment on June 4 and went to Triple-A Norfolk...Traded to the Rays for cash on July 30. Had his contract selected on Aug. 17. Pitched in 11 games (16.0 innings) and struck out 22. Went 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA. Designated for assignment on Sept. 12. Finished the season in Triple-A Durham.
2020
First batters went 0-for-14 (.000) against him, with only one first batter reaching on an error; was one of four pitchers in the majors not to allow a hit to a first batter faced (min. 10 at-bats)...Stranded 84.6 percent of his inherited runners (11-of-13)...Posted a career-low 0.80 WHIP...His .170 opponent batting average ranked as the fifth-lowest among O’s pitchers (min. 40 opponent at-bats)...Struck out at least one batter in 10 of his 14 outings, including multiple batters in four of the 14...Allowed just one hit (1-for-16) with no outs, while allowing five hits with one out (5-for-18), and three hits with two outs (3-for-19)...Threw his cutter 46.0% (88.7 MPH) of the time this season, the highest percentage of his career; threw his fastball 43.0% (93.7 MPH) and curveball 11.0% (82.0 MPH)...Committed his first career error on 8/1 vs. TB...Worked 2.0 innings in his season debut on 7/29 vs. NYY; was his 15th career appearance working at least 2.0 innings...Spent time on the 10-day Injured List (left SI joint inflammation) from 8/29-9/22; his third career stint on the IL/DL...Appeared on his second career Opening Day roster (2017, 2020).
2019
Claimed off waivers by the Orioles from the Seattle Mariners on 4/28...Made his Orioles debut on 5/1 at CWS (G1)...Made 51 appearances after joining the Orioles on 4/28; the third-most appearances on the team after that date...Posted a 5.13 ERA (31 ER/54.1 IP) in 51 games with the Orioles...Had a 1.50 ERA (3 ER/18.0 IP) in his first 17 games with Baltimore...Earned his first win of the season on his birthday, on 9/11 vs. LAD (1.2 IP, H, K); was the second win of his career (4/5/17 at TEX, while with CLE)...Recorded four saves (5/27 vs. DET, 7/3 at TB, 7/30 at SD, and 8/4 vs. TOR); entered the season with one career save...Held left-handed hitters to a .209 (18-for-86) average; lefties are a career .205 (35-for-171) with three home runs off of him...Tossed a season-high 2.0 innings eight different times...Allowed a career-high six hits on 8/18 at BOS (1.1 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 HR)...Posted a 6.52 ERA (21 ER/29.0 IP) in 28 road games, while allowing an opponents batting average of .320 (40-for-125)...Placed on the 10-day injured list (right forearm strain) on 8/23; reinstated prior to the game on 9/1 at KC...Made four appearances for Seattle, posting a 14.73 ERA (6 ER/3.2 IP)
2018
The Totals - Was 0-1 with 1 save and a 1.23 ERA (2 ER, 14.2 IP) with 15 strikeouts and 3 walks in 14 games with the Mariners…selected from Triple-A Tacoma on Aug. 28...Save Me - Recorded his first career save on Sept. 30 vs. Texas...Stingy - Did not allow a run in 13 of his 14 outings with Seattle...Rainiers Land - Was 15-for-17 in save opportunities with a 1.77 ERA (11 ER, 56.0 IP) in 49 games with Triple-A Tacoma…struck out 82 and walked 26…midseason Triple-A All-Star.
2017
The Totals- Was 1-0 with a 4.38ERA (12 ER, 24.2 IP) in 21 reliefgames with Cleveland... Split- Split the season between AAA Columbus and Cleveland....Up & Down- Had nine stints withCleveland, including making Opening Day roster…longest stints were16 days, May 16-31, and final month...The First- First Major League win in season debut, April 5 at Texas...Reinforcement- Was "26th man" in doubleheader at New York-AL on August 30...Minors- Was 1-1 with 10 saves and 3.07 ERA (10 ER, 29.1 IP) in 28 relief outings for Columbus... No Hits For You- Limited right-handed Triple-A hitters to .190 (11x58) batting average...Leader- Was T6th in International League with 10 saves...Punchouts- Struck out 11.0 batters per 9.0 innings with AAA Columbus...Strong Finish- Posted 2.91 ERA 7 ER, 21.2 IP) over final 18 games (April 13-end of season).
2016
The 2016 Triple-A All-Star selection spent most of the season in AAA Columbus around five stints at the Major League level...Was with the Indians May 31, August 3, August 19, August 29-30 and September 6 thru the end of the season ...Went 3-1 w/9 saves (10 chances) & a 1.84 ERA in 47 relief outings (49.0IP, 27H, 10ER, 0HR, 29BB, 72SO, .160 avg) for Columbus and did not allow a run over his last 19 games at AAA from July 3-August 26 (20.0IP, 8H, 27K)... Made two scoreless appearances for Class-A Lake County in September after being optioned from Cleveland on August 31 to allow for immediate September recall following the conclusion of the Minor League schedule...With Columbus limited left-handed batters to a .122 (10-82) average against while right-handed batters hit .195 (17-87)... Did not allow a home runs over 49.0 Triple-A innings...Batters hit .188 (16-85) with runners on base and .182 (10-55) with runners in scoring position...With Cleveland he did not allow a run in 7 of his 10 relief appearances and worked a season-high 2.0 scoreless innings on August 3 vs. Minnesota (also on Sept. 27 at DET)....Appeared in 7 games in September, posting an ERA of 2.57 (9.2IP, 7H, 2R/ER, 3BB, 5SO, .240 avg) to conclude the season...Major Leaguer hitters batted .188 (3-16) off him with runners on and were 1-for-11 with RISP.
2015
Spent most of the season at AAA Columbus around his first two stints in the Major Leagues, going 1-2 with a 2.36 ERA and 16 saves in 46 relief appearances (49.2IP, 37H, 13ER, 0HR, 26BB, 80K, .206 avg.)...At the time of his final September 1 promotion to Cleveland he was tied for 5th in the International League in games and 4th in saves among IL relief pitchers (named to the midseason Int'l League all-star team)....Over last 26 AAA outings posted ERA of 1.19 from 6/8-8/30 (30.1IP, 18H, 4ER, 50K) and did not allow a run over his last 5 outings (4.2IP, 2H, 11K) with Columbus...Limited Triple-A hitters to a .206 (37-180) average against and did not allow a home run in 49.2IP...Left-handed batters hit just .179 (12-67) with just two extra base hits and righties batted .221 (25-113)...Batters hit .244 (22-90) with runners on base...Recorded a monthly ERA under 1.87 in June, July and August and was named to the IL All-Star team...Did not allow a run over 14 straight appearances (17.0IP) from June 10-July 19...Worked exactly 2.0IP in 7 outings in AAA and at least 1.0IP in 36 of 46 games (scoreless outings in 36 of 46 outings)...Led Indians Minor League relief pitchers in strikeouts (his 152 over 2014-15 also were tops) and his 14.5 SO per 9.0IP were second among all Minor League relief pitchers with at least 45.0IP...Recalled for the first time on August 8 (Cody Anderson DL) and Sept. 1 from Columbus...Worked two scoreless appearances from August 8-14 (2.2IP, 0H, 0R, 1BB, 4K), making Major League debut on August 8 with a scoreless inning vs. Minnesota...During his Sept./Oct. stint he worked in 6 games (3.38 ERA, 5.1IP, 5H, 2R/ER, 7K) and overall worked scoreless outings in 6 of his 8 Major League appearances, limiting batters to a .179 avg against.
2014
Spent most of the season at Double-A Akron, going 6-2 with a 2.12 ERA in 44 games (51.0IP , 39H, 12E R, 68K , .211 AVG ) and was named to the Eastern League Midseason All-Star team...Posted 12 straight scoreless outings from April 11-May 13 (13.2IP , 6H, 0R, 4BB, 19K )...Posted scoreless outings in his last six appearances (6.1IP , 2H, 0R, 11K ) before being promoted to Columbus on August 18...Allowed runs over his first two outings with Columbus, but followed that up with three 1.0-inning scoreless outings to end regular season and two scoreless playoff appearances for the Clippers (3.0IP , 2H, 0R, 5K )...Combined on the year Minor League hitters batted .213 (43-202) off him with right-handed batters hitting just .179 (21-117)...Added to the 40-man roster on November 20.
2013
Limited to 33 games, mainly at Akron, due to a broken left hand...On the DL from 4/ 20-6/ 29...After the season went 1-0 w/a 1.59 ERA in 10 Arizona F all League outings (11.1IP , 6H, 2E R, 16K ).
2012
Combined to go 2-3 w/ a 1.60 E RA in 45 relief appearances between Lake County, Carolina and Akron (67.2IP , 44H, 12ER, 37BB, 78K)...Was named a Carolina League Midseason All-Star...Enjoyed five (5.2IP) scoreless innings in the Arizona Fall League.
