{{short description|American baseball player (born 1986)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2015}} {{Infobox baseball biography | name = Chris Schwinden | image = DSC 0233 Chris Schwinden.jpg | caption = Schwinden with the New York Mets | width = | team = | number = | position = Pitcher | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1986|9|22}} | birth_place = Visalia, California, U.S. | bats = Right | throws = Right | debutleague = MLB | debutdate = September 8 | debutyear = 2011 | debutteam = New York Mets | finalleague = MLB | finaldate = May 30 | finalyear = 2012 | finalteam = New York Mets | statleague = MLB | stat1label = Win–loss record | stat1value = 0–3 | stat2label = Earned run average | stat2value = 6.98 | stat3label = Strikeouts | stat3value = 18 | teams = * New York Mets ({{mlby|2011}}–{{mlby|2012}}) }} '''Christopher Anthony Schwinden''' (born September 22, 1986) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in parts of two seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Mets.
==Professional career== Schwinden was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 43rd round of the 2004 Major League Baseball draft out of Golden West High School in Visalia, California, however he did not sign and attended and played baseball at Lewis–Clark State College (Idaho) in 2007; he then attended Fresno Pacific University in 2008.
===New York Mets=== Schwinden was drafted by the New York Mets in the 22nd round, with the 674th overall selection, of the 2008 Major League Baseball draft.<ref>[http://fpuathletics.com/news/2008/6/6/57951862.aspx?path=baseball Two for three in the MLB]</ref>
He was called up to the majors for the first time on September 5, 2011, after a stellar season for the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons. Schwinden began the season with the Double-A Binghamton Mets but made the most of a spot start on April 17 to secure a spot in the Triple-A rotation. From there, he led the Bisons in starts (26), innings pitched ({{fraction|145|2|3}}), ERA (3.95), and strikeouts (134) while tying for the team lead with eight wins and being named to the Triple-A All-Star team.<ref>[http://www.fpuathletics.com/news/2011/9/5/BB_0905114237.aspx Schwinden Gets Big League Call]</ref> Schwinden's 134 strikeouts were the third-most in a single season by a Bisons pitcher in the modern era.<ref>[http://www.fresnobee.com/2011/09/05/2526092/ex-sunbird-called-up-to-majors.html Ex-Sunbird called up to majors by Mets]{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
On April 26, 2012, Schwinden was recalled to the Mets to replace Robert Carson on the roster and Mike Pelfrey in the rotation. Schwinden had gone 2–2 with a 2.05 ERA and a complete game in 4 starts with Buffalo.<ref>[http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/story/18845830/pelfreys-misfortune-puts-schwinden-in-rotation Pelfrey's misfortune puts Schwinden in rotation]</ref> In three appearances (two starts) for the Mets, he struggled to an 0-1 record and 12.46 ERA with one strikeout across {{fraction|8|2|3}} innings pitched. Schwinden was designated for assignment by the Mets on June 1.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mets Designate Chris Schwinden For Assignment|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/06/chris-schwinden-on-waivers.html|access-date=July 7, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=June 2012 |language=en}}</ref>
===Toronto Blue Jays=== On June 2, 2012, Schwinden was claimed off waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Blue Jays Claim Chris Schwinden, DFA Farquhar|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/06/blue-jays-claim-schwinden-dfa-farquhar.html|access-date=July 7, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=June 2, 2012 |language=en}}</ref> He made one start for the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s, taking the loss after allowing eight runs on eight hits with two strikeouts over three innings.
===Cleveland Indians=== On June 6, 2012, Schwinden was claimed off of waivers by the Cleveland Indians.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Indians Claim Chris Schwinden Off Waivers|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/06/indians-claim-chris-schwinden-off-waivers.html|access-date=July 7, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=June 6, 2012 |language=en}}</ref> He was subsequently assigned to the Triple-A Columbus Clippers of the International League, for whom he made three starts, in which he logged a 1-2 record and 5.87 ERA with five strikeouts across {{fraction|15|1|3}} innings pitched. On June 27, the Indians designated Schwinden for assignment following the acquisition of Vinny Rottino.<ref name="indians DFA">{{cite web | title=Indians claim INF/OF Vinny Rottino off outright waivers from the New York Mets | url=http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120627&content_id=34022742&vkey=pr_cle&c_id=cle | publisher=Major League Baseball | accessdate=June 27, 2012 | archive-date=August 19, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819082738/http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120627&content_id=34022742&vkey=pr_cle&c_id=cle | url-status=dead }}</ref>
===New York Yankees=== On June 29, 2012, Schwinden was claimed off waivers by the New York Yankees.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Yankees Claim Schwinden, Designate Farquhar|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/06/yankees-claim-schwinden-designate-farquhar.html|access-date=July 7, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=June 29, 2012 |language=en}}</ref> He made one start for the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, taking the loss after allowing four runs on eight hits with two strikeouts over four innings pitched. Schwinden was designated for assignment by the Yankees following the acquisition of Darnell McDonald on July 4.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Yankees Claim McDonald, Designate Schwinden|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/07/yankees-claim-darnell-mcdonald.html|access-date=July 7, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=July 4, 2012 |language=en}}</ref>
===New York Mets (second stint)=== On July 5, 2012, Schwinden was claimed off waivers by the New York Mets.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mets Claim Chris Schwinden|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/07/mets-claim-chris-schwinden.html|access-date=July 7, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=July 5, 2012 |language=en}}</ref> On July 10, Schwinden was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.<ref>{{Cite web|title=NL East Notes: Sheets, Bourn, Schwinden|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/07/nl-east-notes-bourn-schwinden.html|access-date=July 7, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=July 10, 2012 |language=en}}</ref>
Schwinden spent the entirety of the 2013 campaign in Triple-A, now with the Las Vegas 51s. In 29 appearances (28 starts) for Las Vegas, he compiled a 6-9 record and 5.78 ERA with 89 strikeouts across {{fraction|146|1|3}} innings pitched. Schwinden was released by the Mets organization on March 24, 2014.
===Texas Rangers=== On May 17, 2014, Schwinden signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Minor Moves: Moore, Sosa, Schwinden, Liddi|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/05/minor-moves-moore-sosa-schwinden.html|access-date=July 7, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=May 15, 2014 |language=en}}</ref> In three starts for the Triple-A Round Rock Express, he struggled to a 1-2 record and 11.25 ERA with 11 strikeouts over 12 innings of work. Schwinden was released by the Rangers organization on June 9.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Minor Moves: Tomko, Burres, Aceves, Paxton|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/06/minor-moves-clarke-smith-schwinden.html|access-date=July 7, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=June 9, 2014 |language=en}}</ref>
===Lancaster Barnstormers=== Schwinden spent the majority of the 2014 season with the Lancaster Barnstormers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He was named the Atlantic League Pitcher of the Year after throwing sixteen quality starts and winning nine of his first twelve starts en route to an Atlantic League championship.<ref>{{cite web|date=October 29, 2014|title=SCHWINDEN NAMED ATLANTIC LEAGUE PITCHER OF THE YEAR|url=http://lancasterbarnstormers.com/news.cfm?newsID=1535|publisher=Lancaster Barnstormers|accessdate=April 22, 2015}}</ref> Schwinden left baseball on a high note as he retired following the 2014 season.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Wilson|first1=Burt|date=January 16, 2015|title=Hobson building Barnstormers' roster|url=http://lancasteronline.com/sports/barnstormers/hobson-building-barnstormers-roster/article_06959036-9c11-11e4-8a1d-ef9fba302585.html|website=LancasterOnline|accessdate=April 23, 2015}}</ref> In 25 starts for Lancaster, he had logged a 2.57 ERA with 105 strikeouts across {{fraction|164|2|3}} innings pitched.
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{baseballstats |mlb=452737 |espn= |br=s/schwich01 |fangraphs=sa291767 |brm=schwin001chr}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Schwinden, Chris}} Category:1986 births Category:Living people Category:New York Mets players Category:Lewis–Clark State Warriors baseball players Category:Fresno Pacific Sunbirds baseball players Category:Brooklyn Cyclones players Category:21st-century American sportsmen Category:Savannah Sand Gnats players Category:St. Lucie Mets players Category:Binghamton Mets players Category:Buffalo Bisons (minor league) players Category:Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees players Category:Columbus Clippers players Category:Las Vegas 51s players Category:Lancaster Barnstormers players Category:Major League Baseball pitchers Category:Baseball players from Visalia, California Category:Alaska Goldpanners of Fairbanks players