Aaron Loup

BIOGRAPHY

Aaron Christopher Loup was born on December 19, 1987, in Raceland, Louisiana. He is a pitcher in the MLB. 

After playing for three years with minor-league affiliates for the Toronto Blue Jays and being chosen for the 2012 Eastern League All-Star Game, Loup was called up to the Blue Jays as a replacement for Luis Pérez and retired all six batters he faced. He was later voted the 2012 Toronto Blue Jays Rookie of the Year by the Toronto chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA). Loup pitched 11⁄3 innings on Opening Day in 2013, and went on to win his first major league game on April 10 against the Detroit Tigers. He recorded his first two major league saves on April 12 and June 2, and led the Blue Jays to a win in an 18-inning game on June 8 after a pair of groundouts.

Loup is a southpaw whose pitching drastically improved after coaches told him to become a sidearm pitcher. His fastball has been noted as particularly effective against both left- and right-handed batters, but he continues to struggle with a changeup. Manager John Gibbons does not view Loup as a long reliever, but rather as a "situational, one-inning guy." He is known for his "relaxed" personality, which has improved after spending time with his teammates.

On January 30, 2021, Loup signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the Mets. On Opening Day with the Mets, while playing the Phillies, Loup forced in a run by hitting Bryce Harper with a pitch while the bases were loaded. Loup was brought in specifically to pitch against his fellow left-hander Harper. As the 2021 season progressed, Loup became one of the most reliable members of the Mets' bullpen, finishing the season with an ERA of 0.95 in 56+2⁄3 innings pitched.

On November 22, 2021, Loup signed a two-year, $17 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels. He made his debut with the team on April 7, 2022, in a game against the Houston Astros, pitching one inning and striking out one in relief of Shohei Ohtani.