CLEMSON, S.C. – Seven former Tigers played in the major leagues in 2023, including first-year players Carson Spiers and Weston Wilson. MLB veterans Dominic Leone, Brad Miller, Chris Okey, Spencer Strider and Eli White also saw action in the majors in 2023.
Leone (2010-12) pitched his 10th MLB season and played with three teams in 2023. He started with the New York Mets, then pitched for the Los Angeles Angels and Seattle Mariners. It was his second stint and third MLB season with the Mariners, the team he made his MLB debut with in 2014. He had one save, a 4.67 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 54.0 innings pitched over 51 relief appearances in 2023.
Miller (2009-11) played his 11th MLB season and second with the Texas Rangers in 2023. He totaled a homer, four doubles, six RBIs and eight runs in 27 games in 2023.
Okey (2014-16) played his second MLB season and first with the Los Angeles Angels in 2023. He played two games.
Spiers (2017-20) made his MLB debut with the Cincinnati Reds on Sept. 3 in a start against the Chicago Cubs. He had one save and 12 strikeouts in 13.0 innings pitched over four appearances (two starts) in 2023.
Carson Spiers earns the first strikeout of his MLB career with a 95 MPH fastball ⛽️ pic.twitter.com/61OXOkv0i0
— Bally Sports Cincinnati (@BallySportsCIN) September 3, 2023
Making his first MLB start in Cincinnati, Carson Spiers says what he felt worked for him in his 7-strikeout debut performance. pic.twitter.com/uuAtyadQmB
— Bally Sports Cincinnati (@BallySportsCIN) September 3, 2023
Carson Spiers fooled him so badly he swung at a pitch that hit him. 😂😂😂
— Reds Daily (@RedsDaily4) September 9, 2023
Strider (2018-20) pitched his third MLB season with the Atlanta Braves in 2023. He had a 20-5 record, leading the majors in wins, and had a 3.86 ERA and an MLB-high 281 strikeouts in 186.2 innings pitched over 32 starts. His 13.5 strikeouts-per-nine-innings-pitched mark also led the majors. Strider became the first former Tiger to lead a league in a stat category and the first to be an MLB All-Star since 1994 (Jimmy Key).
✅ @SpencerSTRIDer is a 2023 @MLB All-Star❗️ 👏 🐅 🔥@Braves https://t.co/mIUWFwzGlp pic.twitter.com/MLYZO0J0xe
— Clemson Baseball (@ClemsonBaseball) July 2, 2023
The first @ClemsonBaseball player to make an MLB All-Star Game roster since 1994!
Keep being great, Spencer 👏⚾️ pic.twitter.com/cdBHRIHYRl
— Clemson Athletics (@ClemsonTigers) July 2, 2023
A baker’s dozen (so…