Career Timeline of Marcus Stroman: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Marcus Stroman, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Marcus Stroman is a professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the New York Yankees in MLB. He previously played for the Toronto Blue Jays, New York Mets, and Chicago Cubs. Notably, Stroman is one of the shortest pitchers in MLB, standing at 5 feet 7 inches, distinguishing him amongst his peers.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1968: Last Shorter Pitcher Home Run

In 1968, Tom Phoebus of the Baltimore Orioles was the last pitcher listed 5 feet 8 inches or shorter to hit a home run in the majors prior to Stroman in 2017.

1970: Batterymates hit back-to-back home runs

In 1970, it was the last time that the batterymates hit back-to-back home runs prior to Stroman in 2017.

1971: Gary Peters' Pinch Hit

In 1971, Gary Peters had the last extra-base pinch hit by an American League pitcher prior to Stroman in 2017.

June 21, 2003: Mark Hendrickson's Home Run

On June 21, 2003, Mark Hendrickson hit a home run as a Blue Jays pitcher, joining the ranks of pitchers with home runs.

2009: Drafted by the Washington Nationals

In 2009, Marcus Stroman was drafted in the 18th round of the MLB draft by the Washington Nationals but chose not to sign, opting instead to attend Duke University.

2010: Played for Orleans Firebirds

In 2010, Marcus Stroman played collegiate summer baseball for the Orleans Firebirds of the Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL) and was named a league all-star.

2011: Played for Orleans Firebirds

In 2011, Marcus Stroman played collegiate summer baseball for the Orleans Firebirds of the Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL).

August 1, 2012: Promotion to New Hampshire Fisher Cats

On August 1, 2012, the Toronto Blue Jays promoted Marcus Stroman from the Low-A Vancouver Canadians to the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats, furthering his professional baseball career.

2012: Drafted by the Blue Jays

In 2012, Marcus Stroman was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the first round of the MLB draft after attending Duke University and playing college baseball for the Duke Blue Devils.

May 19, 2013: Win After Suspension

On May 19, 2013, having completed his suspension, Marcus Stroman started and pitched five scoreless innings to secure a win for the Fisher Cats.

July 2, 2013: Struck out 13 Batters

On July 2, 2013, Marcus Stroman struck out 13 batters over 6 2/3 innings in a game against the New Britain Rock Cats.

May 3, 2014: Called Up to Blue Jays

On May 3, 2014, Marcus Stroman was called up to the Toronto Blue Jays after Brandon Morrow was placed on the 60-day injured list, marking a step forward in his MLB career.

2014: Assigned to Minor League Camp

In 2014, Marcus Stroman attended the Blue Jays' major league spring training camp and was later assigned to the minor league camp on March 19. He became the Opening Day starting pitcher for the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.

2014: MLB Debut with the Blue Jays

In 2014, Marcus Stroman made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut with the Toronto Blue Jays, marking a significant milestone in his professional baseball career.

2014: Ended 2014 Season

Marcus Stroman finished 2014 with an 11-6 record, 3.65 ERA, 111 strikeouts, and a 1.17 WHIP in 130 2/3 innings pitched. On September 17, he was suspended six games and fined for intentionally throwing at Caleb Joseph, which was later reduced to five games after an appeal.

January 9, 2015: Trademarking "Height Doesn't Measure Heart" and "HDMH"

On January 9, 2015, Marcus Stroman completed the legal process for trademarking "Height Doesn't Measure Heart" and "HDMH".

2015: Postseason Debut

In 2015, Marcus Stroman played his first career postseason game in Game 2 of the American League Division Series against the Texas Rangers. He also started in Game 5 of the same series, contributing to the Blue Jays' victory.

2015: Return from Injury

In 2015, Marcus Stroman returned from an ACL injury and began a rehab assignment in August. He made his Class-A debut with the Lansing Lugnuts on September 2. On September 12, he made his 2015 debut against the New York Yankees. He finished the season with a 4-0 record and a 1.67 ERA.

2015: Increased Reliance on Two-Seam Fastball

Since the 2015 season, Marcus Stroman has relied more on his two-seam fastball, using it about 41-44% of the time.

March 23, 2016: Opening Day Starter

On March 23, 2016, Marcus Stroman was named the Opening Day starter for the Toronto Blue Jays, pitching into the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays and securing a 5-3 win.

December 2016: Announcement to Play for Team USA

In December 2016, Marcus Stroman announced that he would play for the United States national baseball team at the 2017 World Baseball Classic.

2016: Appearance on Mike Stud's Album

In 2016, Marcus Stroman appeared on the remix of the title track of rapper Mike Stud's album These Days.

2016: Wild Card Game Start

In 2016, Marcus Stroman started the Wild Card game against the Baltimore Orioles, pitching six innings and helping the Blue Jays advance to the American League Division Series. He later started Game 3 of the ALCS against the Cleveland Indians.

February 14, 2017: Arbitration Win

On February 14, 2017, Marcus Stroman won his arbitration case and secured a $3.4 million salary for the 2017 season.

May 18, 2017: Home Run

On May 18, 2017, Marcus Stroman hit an opposite field home run off Julio Teherán in the Blue Jays' 9-0 win over the Atlanta Braves, becoming just the second Blue Jays pitcher to hit a home run.

2017: 2017 Season Stats

In 2017, Marcus Stroman finished the season with 13 wins, 164 strikeouts, and a 3.09 ERA in 201 innings. He became the seventh Blue Jays pitcher in the prior 20 years to have consecutive 200-inning seasons and had the highest ground ball percentage among major league pitchers (62.1%).

2017: World Baseball Classic Championship and MVP

In 2017, Marcus Stroman led Team USA to an 8-0 victory in the World Baseball Classic final game against Team Puerto Rico, earning the tournament's MVP award and a spot on the All-World Baseball Classic team.

2017: World Baseball Classic MVP

In 2017, representing the United States, Marcus Stroman was named the World Baseball Classic MVP and was also named to the All-World Baseball Classic Team.

February 15, 2018: Arbitration Case Loss

On February 15, 2018, Marcus Stroman announced via Twitter that he lost his arbitration case and would earn $6.5 million for the season instead of his requested $6.9 million.

March 13, 2019: Opening Day Starter

On March 13, 2019, Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo announced Marcus Stroman as the Opening Day starter.

July 28, 2019: Trade to the New York Mets

On July 28, 2019, the Toronto Blue Jays traded Marcus Stroman, along with cash considerations, to the New York Mets for pitching prospects Anthony Kay and Simeon Woods Richardson.

November 15, 2019: Number Change Announcement

On November 15, 2019, Marcus Stroman announced on Twitter that he would switch to number 0 for the 2020 season and changed his Twitter handle to @STR0.

2019: All-Star and Traded to Mets

In 2019, Marcus Stroman was named an All-Star. Later in 2019, the Toronto Blue Jays traded him to the New York Mets, marking a change in his MLB career.

August 10, 2020: Opt Out of Season

On August 10, 2020, Marcus Stroman announced that he would opt out of the 2020 season.

December 1, 2021: Signed with the Chicago Cubs

On December 1, 2021, Marcus Stroman signed a two-year contract worth $71 million with the Chicago Cubs and became the first Cub to wear number 0.

2021: Accepts Qualifying Offer

In 2021, Marcus Stroman accepted the Mets' qualifying offer worth $18.9 million for the 2021 season on November 11.

2021: Led Mets' Starting Rotation

In 2021, Marcus Stroman led the Mets' starting rotation with 10 wins, 158 strikeouts, and 179 innings pitched.

2022: Signed with the Cubs

Prior to the 2022 season, Marcus Stroman signed a three-year contract with the Chicago Cubs, adding another chapter to his MLB journey.

2023: Opted out of Cubs Contract

At the end of the 2023 season, Marcus Stroman opted out of the third year of his contract with the Chicago Cubs, altering his career trajectory.

2023: Opening Day Start and Pitch Clock Violation

During the 2023 season, Marcus Stroman started for the Cubs on Opening Day and became the first pitcher to be called in violation of the pitch clock.

2023: Represented Puerto Rico at the World Baseball Classic

In 2023, Marcus Stroman represented the Puerto Rico national baseball team at the World Baseball Classic.

2023: All-Star Game and Injury

In 2023, Marcus Stroman was named to the MLB All-Star Game but opted not to play. In August, he was placed on the injured list with a hip inflammation and later diagnosed with a rib cage cartilage fracture, returning to the Cubs in mid-September.

January 17, 2024: Signed with the New York Yankees

On January 17, 2024, Marcus Stroman signed a two-year, $37 million contract with the New York Yankees, including a conditional player option for the 2026 season that will vest at $18 million if Stroman pitches 140 innings in 2025.

2024: Declined Player Option and Became Free Agent

After the 2023 season, Marcus Stroman declined his player option for the 2024 season and became a free agent.

2025: Conditional Player Option Requirements

In 2025, Marcus Stroman must pitch 140 innings for his conditional player option for 2026 to vest at $18 million.

2026: Conditional Player Option

In 2026, Marcus Stroman has a conditional player option with the New York Yankees that will vest at $18 million if Stroman pitches 140 innings in 2025.