Alex Cobb is an American professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the Cleveland Guardians. Drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2006, he debuted in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Rays in 2011. He has also played for the Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Angels, and San Francisco Giants.
Alexander Miller Cobb was born on October 7, 1987.
Alex Cobb's mother, a nurse practitioner, passed away in December 2005 at the age of 49 due to a stroke.
After being drafted, Alex Cobb began his journey in the Tampa Bay Rays farm system in 2006.
Alex Cobb graduated from Vero Beach High School in 2006, where he excelled in baseball. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the same year.
Alex Cobb was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the fourth round of the 2006 MLB draft.
Alex Cobb played for the Hudson Valley Renegades, a Tampa Bay Rays affiliate, in 2007.
Alex Cobb played for the Columbus Catfish in 2008 and was named a mid-season SAL All Star.
In 2009, Alex Cobb played for the Charlotte Stone Crabs, a Tampa Bay Rays affiliate.
Alex Cobb had a successful season with the Double-A Montgomery Biscuits in 2010, posting impressive statistics and showcasing his potential.
Alex Cobb's time in the minor leagues came to an end in 2010.
Alex Cobb was called up to the majors and made his debut with the Tampa Bay Rays on May 1, 2011.
Alex Cobb made his MLB debut with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2011.
Alex Cobb pitched his first career complete-game shutout against the Oakland Athletics on August 23, 2012.
On May 10, 2013, Alex Cobb had an unusual inning where he struck out four batters but also gave up a run due to a stolen base, a balk, and another stolen base. This was the first time in recorded baseball history that a pitcher struck out four batters and allowed a run in the same inning.
Alex Cobb was hit in the head by a line drive during a game against the Kansas City Royals on June 15, 2013. The injury resulted in a concussion and a cut on his ear, sidelining him for two months.
Alex Cobb was named the American League Player of the Week for the week ending September 22, 2013.
Alex Cobb proposed to his girlfriend, Kelly Reynolds, in February 2014 at Discovery Cove in Orlando.
In 2014, Alex Cobb endorsed a protective cap insert designed to prevent head injuries in baseball. He also had a strong season on the mound, posting impressive statistics.
Alex Cobb was diagnosed with a partial tear of the UCL in his right elbow on May 5, 2015. He underwent Tommy John surgery, which ended his season.
Alex Cobb and Kelly Reynolds were married in 2016.
Alex Cobb returned to the mound in 2016 after recovering from Tommy John surgery. Due to the surgery, he had to make significant changes to his pitching style, abandoning his split-finger fastball.
During the 2017 season, Alex Cobb played for the Tampa Bay Rays. He started strong, leading to trade rumors. Despite some struggles, he finished strong, showcasing his potential and consistency on the mound.
Alex Cobb concluded the 2017 season with a 12-10 record, a 3.66 ERA, and 177 innings pitched over 29 starts. He showcased impressive stats, including a low whiff percentage and an impressive range factor. His performance earned him the Paul C. Smith Champion Award, recognizing his professionalism both on and off the field.
Alex Cobb's first stint with the Tampa Bay Rays ended in 2017.
On March 20, 2018, Alex Cobb signed a four-year, $57 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles.
Alex Cobb began playing for the Baltimore Orioles in 2018.
Alex Cobb's 2018 season ended prematurely due to a blister injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the year.
The Baltimore Orioles announced Alex Cobb as their Opening Day starter for the 2019 season on March 13, 2019.
Alex Cobb and his wife Kelly welcomed their first daughter in March 2019.
In 2019, Alex Cobb's season was severely hampered by injuries, limiting him to only 12.1 innings pitched across three starts, during which he struggled with a 10.95 ERA and an 0-2 record.
Alex Cobb and his wife, Kelly, welcomed their second daughter in July 2020.
Alex Cobb finished the 2020 season with the Baltimore Orioles, recording a 2-5 record, a 4.30 ERA, and 38 strikeouts in 52.1 innings pitched over 10 starts. His performance was notably impacted by a high rate of hard-hit balls allowed.
Alex Cobb's time with the Baltimore Orioles ended in 2020.
On February 2, 2021, the Baltimore Orioles traded Alex Cobb to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for second baseman Jahmai Jones.
The San Francisco Giants signed Alex Cobb to a two-year, $20 million contract on November 30, 2021, with a club option for a third year worth $10 million.
During the 2021 season, Alex Cobb played for the Los Angeles Angels, achieving an 8-3 record and a 3.76 ERA with 98 strikeouts in 93.1 innings pitched across 18 starts.
In 2021, Alex Cobb primarily relied on a sinker and a four-seam fastball, averaging around 93 mph, along with a splitter in the high 80s and a knuckle curve in the low 80s. He frequently utilized his splitter, especially when ahead in the count.
Alex Cobb played for the Los Angeles Angels in 2021.
Alex Cobb began playing for the San Francisco Giants in 2022.
In 2022, Alex Cobb played for the San Francisco Giants and ended the season with a 7-8 record, a 3.73 ERA, and 151 strikeouts in 149.2 innings pitched across 23 starts.
On August 29, 2023, Alex Cobb pitched a near no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds, carrying the no-hit bid into the ninth inning before it was broken up with two outs.
On November 5, 2023, the San Francisco Giants exercised Alex Cobb's $10 million club option, securing his services for the 2024 season.
Alex Cobb's time with the San Francisco Giants ended in 2023.
As Alex Cobb was rehabbing from surgery at the start of the 2024 season, he developed shoulder inflammation in his pitching arm, leading to his placement on the 60-day injured list on April 20, 2024.
On July 30, 2024, the San Francisco Giants traded Alex Cobb to the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for minor league pitcher Jacob Bresnahan and a player to be named later.
Alex Cobb concluded the 2023 season with a 7-7 record, a 3.87 ERA, and 131 strikeouts in 151.1 innings pitched over 28 starts for the San Francisco Giants.