Lance Lynn

BIOGRAPHY

Lance Lynn was born May 12, 1987, in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is a pitcher in the MLB.

The Seattle Mariners selected Lynn in the sixth round of the June 2005 MLB draft, but he did not sign. He instead chose to attend the University of Mississippi to play college baseball for the Ole Miss Rebels. In 2007, he set the Ole Miss single-season (146) and career (332) strikeout records. He was named an All-Southeastern Conference second-team pitcher in 2007 and 2008. His overall college record was 22–12 with a 3.95 ERA.

After arriving at Cardinals spring training (ST) in February 2012, Lynn announced he would begin wearing the number 31. When Chris Carpenter went on the disabled list (DL) early in the season, Lynn replaced him in the rotation. He started strong, winning his first six games with an ERA of 1.40. One of his best games came on June 13 against the Chicago White Sox. He completed 7 1⁄3 innings, struck out a career-high 12 batters, and gave up only three hits. That performance lowered his ERA to 2.42. He also became the second player that season to win 10 games behind R.A. Dickey.

Lynn recorded a 9-3 record and 1.99 ERA through 16 starts to begin the 2021 season and was named an All-Star. On July 17, 2021, Lynn agreed to a two-year, $38 million contract extension with Chicago that includes a club option. On August 12, Lynn was the starting pitcher for the first Field of Dreams game in Dyersville, Iowa. Lynn went 5 innings, giving up 4 hits, 4 runs, and 2 walks while striking out 7 batters as the White Sox beat the Yankees 9-8. Overall in 2021, Lynn 28 starts with an ERA of 2.69 and an 11-6 record. He pitched in 157 innings and struck out 176 batters.

Lynn started out the 2022 season on the Injured List after suffering a meniscus tear during spring training. Lynn was activated off the IL on June 13. Lynn made his first start on that same day against the Detroit Tigers. In that game after the 2nd inning, Lynn got into an argument in the dugout with White Sox third base coach Joe McEwing. The argument was after Lynn gave up his third earned run of the game. After his argument with McEwing, Lynn went the next 2.1 innings without giving up a run. In the game, Lynn went 4.1 innings giving up 10 hits and 3 earned runs while striking out 4 batters as the White Sox won 9–5. Overall in 2022, Lynn went 8–7 in 21 starts with an ERA of 3.99 in 121.2 innings while striking out 124 batters.

It was reported that Lance Lynn was traded with Joe Kelly to the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 28, 2023. To finish the season with the Dodgers, Lynn made 11 starts with the team, complying to a 7–2 record with a 4.36 ERA. Overall, combined with both teams he played for in 2023, Lynn made 32 total starts with a 13–11 record, a 5.73 ERA, and an MLB-leading 44 home runs allowed. Following the season, the Dodgers declined the 2024 option on his contract, making him a free agent.

Lynn signed a one-year deal with the St. Louis Cardinals following the 2023 season.