Chad Girodo

Chad Alan Girodo (born February 6, 1991) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). After being drafted in 2013, he played in the Blue Jays' minor league organization for parts of 4 seasons before being called up to the Major Leagues for the first time on April 22, 2016.

High school & college

Girodo was a four-year letter winner at Hartselle High School, playing mostly as a starting pitcher. In his senior year, he pitched to a 17–1 win–loss record and 0.47 earned run average (ERA) with 136 strikeouts in 105 1⁄₃ innings. Girodo then attended Mississippi State University, where he made 47 appearances over three years with the Bulldogs, mostly in relief.

Professional career

Minor leagues

In the 2013 Major League Baseball draft, Girodo was selected in the 9th round by the Toronto Blue Jays, and assigned to the Class-A Lansing Lugnuts. In 14 appearances that season, he would post a 1–1 record, 4.18 ERA, and 24 strikeouts in 23 2⁄₃ innings.

In 2014, Girodo was assigned to the Advanced-A Dunedin Blue Jays for the entire season. In 47 appearances totalling a career-high 76 2⁄₃ innings, he pitched to a 7–3 record, 2.47 ERA, and 81 strikeouts. Girodo began the 2015 season in Dunedin, where he was a Florida State League mid-season All-Star. He was promoted to the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats in June, and to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons in September. In 45 total appearances in 2015, Girodo would post a stellar 1.34 ERA, 4–2 record, and 58 strikeouts in 60 1⁄₃ innings. During the offseason, he appeared in 7 games for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, recording a 1.80 ERA in 10 innings pitched.

Girodo was invited to Major League spring training on January 12, 2016. He was assigned to minor league camp on March 25. Girodo was assigned to the Buffalo Bisons to open the 2016 minor league season. He made 4 appearances for the team, posting a 2–0 record, 1.35 ERA, and 7 strikeouts in 6 2⁄₃ innings prior to his call-up.

Toronto Blue Jays

On April 22, 2016, Girodo was called up by the Blue Jays. He pitched two scoreless innings in relief that evening against the Oakland Athletics in his Major League debut. After Brett Cecil was placed on the disabled list, Girodo became the main lefty specialist for the Blue Jays. He was optioned back to Buffalo on April 23, and recalled on May 3. Girodo was optioned back to Buffalo at the end of May, and recalled by the Blue Jays on June 15.