He resides in Jupiter, Fla., with his wife, Sarah, and their daughter, Marcia, who was born on Oct. 21, 2022...His uncle, Dusty Rogers, pitched five seasons in the Reds system from 1984-88...Michael is the son of Tom and Karen Wacha, and he is their second child...his sister, Brette, was named after Brett Favre (Michael’s parents are huge Iowa and Green Bay Packers fans)...Brette played basketball at Southern Arkansas University (2016-19)...His younger brother, Lucas, played football at the University of Wyoming (2012-15), signed with the Dallas Cowboys as a non-drafted free agent in 2017 and later played for Hamilton in the Canadian Football League (2018) and Tampa Bay in the XFL (2019)...Michael graduated from Pleasant Grove (Texas) HS in 2009...was a two-time All-State selection...Attended Texas A&M University from 2010-12, went 27-7 with a 2.40 ERA, including a win in his sophomore season at No. 6 Florida State in the Tallahassee Super Regional to send the Aggies to the College World Series...Went 1-0 with a 0.79 ERA (1 ER in 11.1 IP) as a member of the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team in 2011.
2024
Wacha completed his 12th season in the Majors in 2024 with Kansas City, and recorded 166.2 innings to mark the second-highest total of his career, trailing only his 181.1 innings in 2015 with St. Louis...His 3.35 ERA (62 ER in 166.2 IP) in 2024 ranked 10th in the American League and his 3.30 ERA over the last three seasons (since 2022) ranks 20th out of 106 pitchers who recorded at least 300.0 innings...Wacha went 1-4 with a 5.50 ERA (23 ER in 37.2 IP) in his first seven starts…but in 22 starts from May 9 through the end of the season, he went 12-4 with a 2.72 ERA (39 ER in 129.0 IP)…his ERA during that time ranked third in the American League and his .750 win pct. was tied for second...Went 7-0 during an 11-start stretch from June 27-Aug. 28, during which he had a 2.86 ERA (21 ER in 66.0 IP) and the Royals went 9-2 in those games...Allowed three earned runs or fewer in 16 straight starts from May 9-Aug. 23, matching the single-season club record set by Bret Saberhagen, who had 16 straight such starts during his 1989 Cy Young Award-winning season...Ranked third in the Majors with a 32.2% usage rate on his changeup (min. 2,500 pitches), trailing Tyler Anderson (37.1%) and Christopher Sánchez (35.7%)...Started Games 1 and 4 of the 2024 ALDS vs. the Yankees, and went 0-1 with five runs in 8.2 innings.
2023
Wacha eclipsed the 10-year threshold for service time in July 2023, as announced by the MLB Players Association, alongside RHP Sonny Gray and OF Christian Yelich...in total, there were 30 players to reach the 10-year milestone last season...Wacha went 14-4 with a 3.22 ERA (48 ER in 134.1 IP) across 24 starts in his lone season with San Diego...his ERA fell two points shy of his full-season career-best mark of 3.20, done in 2014 and 2018 with St. Louis...Reached the 20-plus start plateau (24) for the seventh time in his career and amassed double-digit wins (14) for the fourth time in his career...The Padres went 16-8 in games that he started, and his .774 winning percentage (14-4) ranked fourth in the Majors and second in the NL (min. 15 decisions), behind only Atlanta’s Spencer Strider (.800, 20-5)...Earned his first career Pitcher of the Month Award for May after going 3-0 with a 0.84 ERA (3 ER in 32.0 IP), allowing just 16 hits with seven walks and 26 strikeouts while holding opposing batters to a .147 average... during the month of May, he led the Majors in ERA, WHIP (0.72), AVG against and opposing OPS (.405)...He struck out a career-high 11 batters vs. Kansas City on May 15, a game in which he took a no-hitter into the eighth inning before surrendering a leadoff single to Michael Massey...Had a pair of starts skipped in June before being placed on the 15-day IL with right shoulder inflammation on July 4, returning Aug. 15...Wacha’s eight scoreless starts of at least 5.0 innings were tied for the third most in the Majors, trailing only NL Cy Young winner and teammate Blake Snell (13), Toronto’s duo of Chris Bassitt (9) and Kevin Gausman (9), and Seattle’s Luis Castillo (9).
2022
Went 11-2 with a 3.32 ERA (47 ER, 127.1 IP) in his first season with the Red Sox, his 10th in the majors....Had a 2.61 ERA through 20 starts before allowing 14 runs over 13.1 IP in his final three outings. ...On April 17 vs. MIN, started at Fenway Park for the first time with the Red Sox...tossed 5.0 scoreless innings but did not factor into the decision (H, 2 BB, 5 SO)....Placed on the 15-Day Injured List from May 8-19 due to left intercostal irritation....Allowed two hits-or-fewer and four hits-or-fewer in each of his first six starts....Placed on the 15-day Injured List on July 8 (retro to July 5) due to right shoulder inflammation...made two rehab starts before being reinstated on Aug. 14....In his 1st rehab start on Aug. 4 with Triple-A Worcester vs. Durham, tossed the first 4.2 IP (BB, 8 SO) of the WooSox’s combined no-hitter, the first no-hitter in franchise history....Reinstated from the IL on Aug. 14...threw 7.0 scoreless innings with a season-high nine SO that night vs. NYY as the Red Sox won 3-0 to clinch a series victory....Also on Aug. 14, retired each of his first 14 batters faced on just 47 pitches before a two-out single in the fifth inning by Miguel Andújar...threw just nine pitches in the first inning, seven in the second, nine in the third, and 14 in the fourth....Posted a 1.12 WHIP, the 2nd-best of his career behind his rookie season in 2013 (1.10 in 64.2 IP with STL). ...Made five scoreless starts...the Sox were 16-7 in his starts...led Red Sox starters in ERA (min. five starts)....Tossed 5.0+ innings in 17 starts (6.0+ innings in 10)....Was 5-1 with a 2.59 ERA (16 ER, 55.2 IP) in 10 starts at Fenway Park...allowed two runs or fewer in each of his first seven home starts (1.14 ERA, 5 ER/39.1 IP)....Held left-handed hitters to a .188 AVG/.597 OPS (37-for.197)...opponents had a .189 AVG/.549 OPS with RISP (17-for-90)....Won 10+ games for the 3rd time in his career (also 17 in 2015 and 12 in 2017 with STL). ...Made 20+ starts for the 6th time in his career, his third time in the last three 162-game seasons.
2021
Spent the entire season with TB after signing with the club as a free agent in December 2020...Over 29 appearances (23 starts), went 3-5 with a 5.05 ERA (70 ER/124.2 IP)...In his 23 starts, posted a 4.53 ERA (54 ER/107.1 IP)...Posted a 2.88 ERA (11 ER/34.1 IP) in his final seven outings...Recorded a sub-4.00 ERA in April (3.86), July (3.60), and September/October (3.00)...Led the majors with four outings in which he threw 5.0+ IP, allowed 0 runs and surrendered one or 0 hits...Delivered first-pitch strikes to a career-high 68.8% of batters faced, the fourth-most in the majors (min. 100.0 IP) behind Julio Urías (71.0), Michael Pineda (69.6), and John Means (69.3)...Threw his changeup on 29.4% of his pitches, the 7th-highest rate in the majors (min. 1,500 pitches)...His 68 SO with the pitch ranked fourth in MLB and second in the AL behind Lucas Giolito (90 SO)...Recorded a season-high nine SO three times: 4/16 at NYY (6.0 IP), 7/28 vs. NYY (5.0 IP), and 8/20 vs. CWS (5.0 IP)...Allowed one hit (single) with nine SO over 6.0 scoreless IP on 4/16 at NYY...Became the 10th visiting pitcher all-time to allow one hit or fewer and record 9+ SO over 6.0+ IP against NYY, and the 1st since Chris Sale on 6/30/18.
2020
Limited to eight appearances (seven starts) with the Mets due to a stint on the injured list (right shoulder strain)...Recorded a career-high 9.79 SO/9 IP ratio… according to FanGraphs, his swing-and-miss rate of 11.3 pct. was his highest since 2013 (11.4) and he generated swings on a career-high 34.3 pct. of pitches outside the strike zone...64.9 pct. (24 of 37) of his strikeouts came on the changeup…29.2 pct. of his pitches were changeups, the highest rate of his career...On Sep 23 vs. TB, went a season-high 6 IP in his final start of the season…yielded a go-ahead, 2-run homer to Randy Arozarena with 1 out in the 6th inning and the Rays went on to win the game, 8-5, clinching the third AL East title in franchise history, following 2010 and 2008.
2019
Had a 5.54 ERA (47 earned runs/76.1 innings) in the first half that included a short stint on the IL...Posted a 3.58 ERA (20 earned runs/50.1 innings) after the All-Star break in 13 games (10 starts)... Suffered from a 1.85 HR/9 ratio that was more than double his career rate entering the season (0.86)...Allowed career-highs in opponent batting, on-base and slugging (.290/.362/.503)... Produced the highest walk rate (3.91 BB/9) and lowest strikeout rate (7.39 K/9) of his career.
2018
Made 15 starts in an injury-shortened season, his lowest start total since 2014 (19)...Exited in the 4th inning of his 15th start of the season at PHI (6/20) with a left oblique injury, placing him on the disabled list for the remainder of the 2018 season...At the time of his injury, was ranked T-2nd in the National League in wins and winning percentage, and 10th in ERA...Was 3-0 with a 1.82 ERA on four days rest in six starts, holding the opposition to .214/.271/.310...Opposing left-handed batters hit .217 (34-157) with five doubles and three home runs, while right-handers batted .225 (34-151) with six doubles and six home runs...Was 5-1 at home, T-2nd-most home wins of any Cardinals pitcher and T-3rd highest home winning percentage (.833) of any pitcher with six decisions in the N.L....Posted an eight-game win streak (4/7-6/9), ranked T-2nd longest in the N.L. in 2018...Took a no-hitter into the 9th on 6/3 vs. PIT, before Pirates' pinch-hitter Colin Moran singled to lead off the 9th inning on the 111th pitch (season high)...It was 2nd time in his career to take a no-hitter into the 9th (lost no-hitter with 2 outs in the 9th on 9/24/13 vs. WSH)...Posted his 50th career win vs. PHI (5/19), as the Cardinals used a season-high 15 hits & hit three home runs in a 12-4 win facing Jake Arrieta...Became the 11th-youngest Cardinals pitcher to reach the 50-win milestone (since 1900)...Went 4-0 in April for 2nd time in his career; also in 2015 en route to a 17-7 season. His 14-4 career record in April ranks as the highest winning percentage (.778) of any active pitcher in the month of April (min. 18 decisions)...Recorded strikeout No. 600 (Michael Conforto, swinging) in the 1st inning of his 4/25 start vs. NYM...became the 5th youngest pitcher in Cardinals history to reach milestone...Had 2 sacrifice bunts, 2 runs scored & 1 RBI on 4/25 vs. NYM. Became only the 3rd Cardinals pitcher to post that stat line and first since Kent Bottenfield (8/7/1998 vs. CHI).
2017
Matched single-season career-high (2015) with 30 starts (165.2 IP) while reaching double-digit wins (12) for the second time in his career. Also established a career best 158 strikeouts, 2nd-most on the club ... Was one of 12 N.L. pitchers to record a complete game shutout (7/18), scattering three hits, striking out eight and allowing one walk in the 119-pitch (80 strikes) performance vs. the Mets at Citi Field. It marked his 40th career win, first career 9.0 inning effort and first professional shutout (last was in college at Texas A&M, 4/13/12 at Kansas) ... His 7/18 shutout was the Cardinals first complete game shutout on the road since Shelby Miller at Toronto (6/7/14) ... Was one of six N.L. pitchers to record at least two scoreless starts of at least 8.0 innings: 9/10 vs. PIT (8.0 IP) & 7/18 at NYM (9.0 IP). Carlos Martinez led with three ... Pitched at least 6.0 frames in 18 outings with 15 quality starts (STL was 12-6): 11-3, 2.61 ERA (113.2 IP) 102 strikeouts ... Allowed only 17 home runs, ranking 3rd-fewest among National League pitchers with 0.92 HR/9 IP ... His career-high 48.6 ground ball percentage ranked 9th among National League pitchers. Induced 18 ground ball double plays and ranked 7th in the N.L. in GIDP/9.0 (0.98) ... Sported the 9th-lowest ERA (1.95) in team wins (12-0, 15 starts) among N.L. starting pitchers, but had the 7th-highest ERA (6.87) in losses (0-9, 15 starts) ... Limited the oppostion to a .248 average (34-for-137) with runners in scoring position, 16th-lowest in the N.L ... Recorded career-best 1.20 ERA (30.0 IP/4 ER) and .200 Opp. AVG (22-110) in the first inning (T1st among qualified NL starting pitchers with Colorado's Tyler Anderson). Recorded a 4.64 ERA afterwards (135.2 IP/70 ER) ... Had more success at home, ranking T7th among National League pitchers in wins (8) and 14th in ERA (3.41) ... Was one of 12 qualifying N.L. pitchers to record a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage (33 total chances) ... Opposing basestealers were successful on 14 of 17 attempts (.824) while on the mound, 6th-highest success rate among qualified N.L. pitchers ... Opened season pitching at least 6.0 innings in initial seven starts (4/8-5/19): 2-1, 2.74 ERA, 39 strikeouts, five quality starts ... Collected a win in his 2017 season debut vs. CIN (4/8), allowing one run on three hits with six strikeouts over 6.0 IP, a 10-4 Cardinals win ... Excelled over an eight-start stretch from 6/21-8/8, going 6-1 with a 2.39 ERA (52.2 IP) ... Matched a career high by winning four straight starts (6/26- 7/18): 1.01 ERA, 26.2 IP, 3 ER, 31 strikeouts, 5 walks ... Ranked among N.L. leaders in July wins (4, T1st), WHIP (0.83, 2nd), average against (.186, 4th), ERA (1.93, 6th), and strikeouts (37, T6th) ... Hurled a 2-1 win vs. WSH (7/1) on his 26th birthday, becoming the 21st Cardinals starting pitcher to win on their birthday. Pitched 6.0 shutout innings, striking out 9 with 4 hits and one walk ... Fanned Washington's Ryan Zimmerman looking for his 500th career strikeout (7/1). Tied Steve Carlton (106 career games) as the 2nd-fastest Cardinals pitcher to 500 career strikeouts behind Lance Lynn (101 career games) ... Struck out 8 or more batters in three consecutive starts (7/1- 7/18) for the first time in his career...he and Carlos Martínez (5) were the only Cardinals with three straight games of 8 or more strikeouts ... Pitched 8.0 scoreless frames (third time in career) in St. Louis' 7-0 win vs. PIT (9/10)...scattered five hits and only one Pirate reached second base. He also added a sacrifice fly - the first of his career.
2016
Made 27 appearances (24 starts) over an injury-shortened season...Was the starting pitcher for the Cardinals Home Opening Day game vs. MIL (4/11) firing 6.0 scoreless innings in a win...Pitched at least 6.0 innings in 14 of 24 starts, with 13 quality starts (5-5, 2.97 ERA). St. Louis was 14-10 in his starts...Threw a season-high 8.0 innings vs. PHI (5/3), allowing one run on a solo home run to Ryan Howard in a 1-0 loss...Took a loss in two starts in which he allowed only one run on a solo home run: 5/3 vs. PHI & 6/17 vs. TEX (R. Odor)...Struck out a season-high nine batters at ARI (4/28), a seven-inning performance allowing three runs in a 3-0 loss...Led Major League pitchers with a 1.37 putout per 9.0 IP ratio. Recorded 21 putouts in 138.0 innings pitched, finishing T3rd among MLB pitchers in putouts (21)...Earned the win in start at SD (4/23), his second career start in which did not strike out a batter (Last: at TB, 6/11/14)...Allowed 20 runs over a three-start (12.0 IP) period (5/13-5/24). Became the first Cardinals pitcher since Mike Maroth to allow six or more runs in three consecutive starts (7/14-8/1/2007)...Suffered a career-high seven-game losing streak (4/28-6/17) over 10 starts (5 quality), with a 5.22 ERA (34 ER/58.2 IP)...Snapped his career-long losing streak with his first win since 4/23 in his start at CHI (6/22), a 7-2 win to complete a threegame sweep of the Cubs. Threw 6.2 innings allowing two runs on three hits...Won his last five decisions dating back to 6/22, tied for team-leading win streak, finished the season T3rd-longest active...Missed 32 games after being placed on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder inflammation (8/9); activated on 9/14...Made three September relief outings after being activated from the D.L. (15.88 ERA, 5.2 IP, 10 ER, 4 K)...Surrendered seven runs on nine hits over 2.2 innings in relief vs. CIN (9/26), the most runs and hits allowed in relief by a Cardinals pitcher since Jake Westbook allowed nine runs on 13 hits over 4.2 IP vs. LAD (8/7/13).
2015
Made a career-high 30 starts in 2015 (previous high was 19). Became the 21st different Cardinals pitcher (28th instance) to start 30 or more game at age 24 or under…Led all Cardinals pitchers and ranked 5th in the National League with 17 wins…Ranked among National League leaders in wins (17, 5th), winning percentage (.708, 3rd), ERA (3.38, T16th), opponent BA (.236, 9th) and WHIP (1.21, 17th)…Led all N.L. pitchers with a 5.96 run support average. Posted a 16-0 record (Cardinals 17-1) when he received 3 runs of support or more…Established career highs in wins (17), starts (30), appearances (30), innings pitched (181.1) and strikeouts (153)…One of 15 pitchers in Cardinals history, 24 or younger, with 17 wins in a season, and first since Joe Magrane (18) in 1989…Was a manager's selection to the National League All-Star team, his first selection. Did not appear in the game…Started the season 7-0 with the Cardinals winning his first nine starts…Ranked T2nd in the N.L. with 10 road wins (Jake Arrieta, 13), becoming the 46th Cardinals pitcher with 10 or more road wins and the first Cards pitcher with 10 road wins under age 25 since Lynn McGlothen (1974).. Did not allow more than two earned runs in six starts from July 27-Aug. 28, posting a 4-0 record with an 0.92 ERA (2nd in MLB during span)…Was 3-0 with a 1.13 ERA over five August starts (32.0 IP/4 ER) ranking 3rd in the N.L. in August ERA; Is a career 4-0 with a 1.70 ERA in six career Aug. starts (12 app.) with 51 strikeouts in 47.2 innings…Was the first Cardinals starter since Chirs Carpenter (12-0) & Matt Morris (8-0) in 2005 to start a season 6-0 on the road…Earned his 25th career win (16th in 2015) at CIN (9/13), allowing two runs on three hits in a 9-2 Cardinals victory…Posted a season-high, and matched his career high, with 10 strikeouts in a 4-3 loss at COL (6/9)…Earned four milestone wins on the road: Career win No. 25 at CIN (9/13), No. 20 at CWS (7/21), No. 15 at NYM (5/19) and No.10 at CIN (4/11)…Tied for the Cardinals lead among pitchers with eight hits and four RBI. Recorded his first career stolen base at SD (8/23)…Skipped a turn in the rotation between starts 8/28 at SF and 9/8 vs. CHI and took the loss (8-5) after tying a career-high allowing six runs on six hits in 4.0 innings, including two home runs accounting for five of the runs…Had a 7.88 ERA over five starts in September, and a 6.86 ERA in nine September starts the past two seasons after posting a 1.72 ERA in September 2013…Known for his starts involving weather delays. He had eight weather-related delays in games that he started in 2015, totaling 7 hours, 15 minutes.
2014
Began the season on Opening Day roster for the first time & made a single-season high 19 starts in injury-shortened season...Was placed on the disabled list after 15 starts on June 23 (retroactive to June 18) with right shoulder stress reaction and missed 68 games. Activated from the 60-day D.L. on September 4 and made four more starts...Pitched 6.0+ innings in 12 of his 19 starts, and four of his starts went into extra innings with three lasting 12 innings...At the time he was placed on the D.L., ranked 12th in NL in ERA (2.79) & 6th in opp. BA (.222)...Was 5-0 with a 2.44 ERA in nine starts (55.0 IP) at Busch Stadium in 2014. Eight of the nine starts were quality starts...Was winless on the road, going 0-6, 4.01 in 2014 and has a 2-6, 4.09 ERA career mark on the road...Endured six weather delays totaling 6-hours 30-minutes during his 2014 starts...Made four starts in September after returning from D.L., going 0-1 with a 5.40 over 16.2 innings with 11 strikeouts...Earned the win in St. Louis' home opener on 4/7 vs. CIN. Allowed the Reds one run over 6.0 IP on 7 hits, as STL won 5-3...Struck out a career-high 10 batters at NYM (4/23) including the first nine batters of the game, becoming just the 4th Cardinal (Gibson, Carlton, Vuckovich) to strike out 10 batters in 4.0 IP and the first since Pete Vuckovich (6/3/79 vs. LAD)...Had not allowed more than 3 runs in any of his first 13 starts, prior to his 6/11 start. The last pitcher to allow 3 runs or less in 13 or more consecutive starts to begin a season was Pirates' James McDonald in 2012 (14 straight starts)...Threw 2.0 scoreless innings in a Texas League (AA) rehab start with Springfield vs. Tulsa on 8/31. Pitched to catcher Tony Cruz and allowed one hit, hurling 34 pitches (24 strikes)...Received a no decision in his final start of 2014 at ARI (9/26), tossing 5.0+ innings allowing two runs on five hits and retired 10 straight batters (10-of-last-11), in a game Cardinals won 7-6 in 10 innings...Was on the postseason roster for both the National League Division Series and N.L. Championship Series...did not make an appearance in the Division Series...was used once out of the bullpen in the NLCS and surrendered the series-ending three-run home run to Travis Ishikawa in the bottom of the 9th inning in Game 5 at SF (10/16)...it was his first game action since Sept. 26 at ARI (20 days).
2013
The rookie pitcher made nine starts for St. Louis and appeared in 15 games in his 2nd season in pro ball... Was purchased on 5/30 and made his Major League debut that night vs. KC. Did not get a decision in a game that featured 5:32 in rain delays. Allowed just one run on two hits in 7.0 IP with six strikeouts... In his final regular season start vs. WSH (9/24), threw 8.2 innings of no-hit ball, before allowing an infield single to Ryan Zimmerman. Walked two and struck out a season high nine batters in the win (2-0)... Went 2-1, 2.15 ERA in 10 appearances at home (6 starts) and 2-0, 4.34 in five road games (3 starts)... Record was 2-1, 2.65 ERA in six home starts and 1-0, 3.24 ERA in three road starts... Had a 23.2 IP scoreless streak from 8/22-9/14, spanning six outings (3 starts, 3 relief apps.), 2nd longest on team in 2013... Recorded 65 strikeouts in 64.1 Major League innings... Became the third Cardinals pitcher to make his Major League debut in a start during 2013 season, joining left-handed pitchers John Gast and Tyler Lyons... Became the fastest Cardinal pitcher to debut following his draft since Chris Carpenter (drafted in 1987 and debuted 5/14/88)... After purchase on 5/30 stayed with the big league club until an option to Memphis on 6/13. Was then recalled twice more (8/10-29 and 9/3-end of season)... Earned his 1st MLB win 6/11 at NYM, 9-2; allowed two runs in 6.0 IP... Struck out seven batters over 4.0 innings of relief vs. CIN (8/28)... Posted a 9-2 win vs. PIT on 9/8, working 7.0 scoreless innings to extend his shutout streak to 19.2 IP...had a two-RBI single in 5th inning of that win... Began the season at Memphis (AAA) and was 5-3, 2.65 ERA in 15 starts. Walked just 19 and had 73 K's (3.8 K/BB ratio)... Threw seven quality starts and yielded three runs or less in 14 of 15 starts at Memphis... Earned first professional win at Oklahoma City (4/13), tossing 5.0 IP allowing two runs... Was 3-0 with a 1.86 ERA in five April starts covering 29.0 innings... Struck out a season-high nine batters over 5.1 innings in a loss at Iowa (7/2)... Made five postseason starts posting a 4-1 record with a 2.64 ERA, not losing until Game 6 of the World Series...became the 11th rookie pitcher to start a postseason game for the Cardinals...set the MLB rookie postseason record with 33 strikeouts...the 33 strikeouts in a single postseason ranks 3rd in Cardinals history behind Bob Gibson (35, 1968) and Adam Wainwright (34, 2013)...became the first American-born rookie pitcher to win four games in a single postseason...his four wins in a single postseason makes him one of 18 instances in MLB history, tying teammate Chris Carpenter (2011) as the only two Cardinals pitchers to win four games in a single postseason...his 30.2 innings ranks him second all-time for innings by a rookie pitcher in the postseason (Valenzuela, 40.2, 1981)...threw 7.1 no-hit innings in his postseason debut at PIT (10/7) before Pedro Alvarez hit a solo home run to break up the no-hitter and shutout, but earned the critical Game 4 NLDS win while striking out a career-high nine...struck out eight in Game 2 of NLCS vs. LA (10/12), scattering five hits over 6.2 innings for the win...threw 7.0 scoreless innings of two-hit ball in NLCS Game 6 vs. LA (10/18) to clinch N.L. pennant...earned his first World Series win in Game 2 at BOS (10/24), tossing 6.0 innings and allowing two runs on three hits with six strikeouts...his loss in Game 6 of World Series was his shortest start of the season (3.2 IP), regular or postseason.
2012
Made professional debut on July 11 at the Gulf Coast League (SS-R) level and ascended to Springfield (AA) by August 19...appeared in 11 games over the three levels, totaling 21.0 innings and striking out 40 batters for an outstanding 17.1 strikeouts/9 IP ratio. Tallied a 10:1 strikeout to walk ratio...struck out three or more batters in 10 of 11 relief appearances...oppposing batters hit .158 (3-19) with one RBI and seven strikeouts with runners on base...appeared in three games at Gulf Coast League. Struck out three batters in 2.0 IP in pro debut vs. GCL Astros (7/11)...was promoted to Palm Beach on 7/30 and struck out five batters over 2.0 IP in his first appearance. Completed his stay in the Florida State League with 16 strikeouts over 8.0 innings in four appearances, allowing just one hit to 26 total batters faced...made the jump to Springfield on 8/19 and finished the season with the Texas League Champions...struck out 17 batters over 8.0 innings in Springfield, allowing one run on three hits...fanned six batters over 3.0 innings in his Double-A debut vs. Corpus Christi (8/19)... made two appearances in the Texas League playoffs and struck out five batters over 2.0 scoreless innings, permitting just two hits...rated as the sixth-best prospect in the Cardinals organization by Baseball America. Rated as the "Best Change Up" in the Cardinals organization by Baseball America's "Best Tools" survey.
