{{short description|American baseball player & coach (born 1977)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}} {{Infobox baseball biography | name = Mike Maroth | image = Mike Maroth.jpg | caption = Maroth with the Detroit Tigers | position = Pitcher | bats = Left | throws = Left | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1977|8|17}} | birth_place = Orlando, Florida, U.S. | debutleague = MLB | debutdate = June 8 | debutyear = 2002 | debutteam = Detroit Tigers | finalleague = MLB | finaldate = September 24 | finalyear = 2007 | finalteam = St. Louis Cardinals | statleague = MLB | stat1label = Win–loss record | stat1value = 50–67 | stat2label = Earned run average | stat2value = 5.05 | stat3label = Strikeouts | stat3value = 443 | teams = * Detroit Tigers ({{mlby|2002}}–{{mlby|2007}}) * St. Louis Cardinals ({{mlby|2007}}) }} '''Michael Warren Maroth''' (born August 17, 1977) is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) starting pitcher and former professional and college pitching coach .<ref>{{cite web |title=Mike Maroth - Assistant Coach - Baseball Coaches |url=https://ucfknights.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/mike-maroth/4574 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218170717/https://ucfknights.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/mike-maroth/4574 |archive-date=2023-02-18 |website=UCF Knights}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Turner |first=Bryson |date=2023-01-05 |title=Former Knight and MLBer Mike Maroth Hired as UCF’s Pitching Coach |url=https://www.blackandgoldbanneret.com/baseball/2023/1/5/23540020/ucf-knights-baseball-mike-maroth-hired-new-pitching-coach-mlb-tigers-braves |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=Black & Gold Banneret |language=en}}</ref> Born in Orlando, Florida, the left-handed Maroth attended the University of Central Florida and made his Major League debut in 2002 for the Detroit Tigers. He lost 21 games in 2003, the only MLB pitcher to lose 20 games since 1980.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Most Recent MLB Pitchers To Lose 20 Games In A Season |url=https://www.statmuse.com/mlb/ask/most-recent-mlb-pitchers-to-lose-20-games-in-a-season |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=StatMuse |language=en}}</ref>
==Playing career==
===Boston Red Sox=== A third-round pick in the 1998 draft, Maroth spent his first two years of professional baseball playing for the Single-A Sarasota Red Sox in the Boston Red Sox organization. He led Sarasota's starting pitchers with 11 wins in 1999.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?id=23de5b55|title=1999 Sarasota Red Sox Statistics|work=Baseball-Reference|accessdate=June 9, 2024}}</ref>
===Detroit Tigers=== Before the 2000 season, Maroth was traded to the Tigers organization for relief pitcher Bryce Florie and worked his way up from the Single-A Lakeland Tigers to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens by 2001. Maroth had a 4.65 earned run average (ERA) with Toledo. At the time of his promotion to the Tigers, he was also tied for second place in wins for the entire International League. Maroth was made a starter for the Tigers on June 8, 2002.<ref>{{cite news|title=Person's best outing helps Phillies top Tigers|work=The News Journal|first=Edward|last=de la Fuente|date=June 9, 2002|page=D9}}</ref>
In 2003, Maroth lost 21 games for the Tigers—the first pitcher to lose 20 or more games in a season since Brian Kingman lost 20 for the Oakland Athletics in 1980. He remains the most recent pitcher to lose 20 or more games in a season as of 2025.<ref name=":1" /> However, he led the Tigers in wins (9) and win–loss percentage (.300) while the team set the American League record of 119 games lost (43–119).<ref>{{cite web |title=2003 Detroit Tigers Batting, Pitching, & Fielding Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/DET/2003.shtml |access-date=May 16, 2014 |website=Baseball-Reference |publisher=}}</ref>
Maroth rebounded to a decent 2004 campaign, going 11–13 with a 4.31 ERA and 108 strikeouts. 2004 also saw Maroth pitch a one-hit complete game shutout against a surging New York Yankees team that July – he lost his no-hit bid in the fourth-inning<ref>{{cite web |title=Maroth fires 1-hitter to blank Yankees |url=http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/5454647 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008012240/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/5454647 |archive-date=October 8, 2012 |website=NBC Sports}}</ref> due to future teammate Gary Sheffield. In light of the Tigers' continually struggling offense, Maroth's 2005 performance was similarly solid; he managed to rack up 14 wins in 28 starts, the second best record on the team and just one loss behind their young ace, Jeremy Bonderman.
In 2006, Maroth assumed the No. 3 role in the starter rotation, behind the veteran Kenny Rogers and Bonderman, and ahead of rookie Justin Verlander and Nate Robertson. After a start against the Kansas City Royals on May 25,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Detroit Tigers at Kansas City Royals Box Score, May 25, 2006 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/KCA/KCA200605250.shtml |website=baseball-reference.com}}</ref> Maroth was placed on the disabled list in early June with bone chips in his left elbow. Late in the 2006 season, Maroth made four relief appearances, posting a 9.53 ERA over 5{{frac|2|3}} innings of work, giving up three home runs. Maroth was left off the postseason roster.
He returned to the starting rotation in the 2007 season. He missed only one start due to illness. With Kenny Rogers on the DL, the rotation consisted of Maroth, Jeremy Bonderman, Justin Verlander, Chad Durbin, and Nate Robertson.<ref>{{cite news|first=Jon Paul|last=Morosi|authorlink=Jon Morosi|title=Rogers, Durbin to start against visiting Chisox|work=Detroit Free Press|date=September 3, 2007|page=4B}}</ref>
===St. Louis Cardinals=== Maroth was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for a player to be named later. Minor league pitcher Chris Lambert, a former first-round pick for the Cardinals in 2004, was sent to the Tigers on August 31, 2007, to complete the deal.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mike Maroth |url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/M/Pmarom001.htm |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=Retrosheet}}</ref> In his first career National League start on June 25 against the New York Mets, Maroth surrendered just one run and two hits in 7{{fraction|1|3}} innings, but did not figure in the decision. However, Maroth was unable to succeed in any role with St. Louis during the rest of the year, going 0–4 with an ERA above 10. He was given his release from the team on October 25, 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071025&content_id=2281992&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071027101707/http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071025&content_id=2281992&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 27, 2007 |title=Cardinals release Maroth |first=Matthew |last=Leach |work=MLB.com |date=October 25, 2007 |access-date=May 16, 2014}}</ref>
===Later career=== On February 8, 2008, the Kansas City Royals signed Maroth to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080208&content_id=2368908&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc |title=Royals ink Maroth to Minors contract |first=Dick |last=Kaegel |work=MLB.com |date=February 8, 2008 |access-date=May 16, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206173015/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080208&content_id=2368908&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc |archive-date=February 6, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Maroth was released on May 2, 2008.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kansas City Royals Transactions: May 2008 |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/transactions/index.jsp?c_id=kc&year=2008&month=5 |work=MLB.com |date=May 31, 2008 |access-date=June 24, 2008}}</ref>
Maroth underwent shoulder surgery in May 2008, expecting to be able to pitch by spring training 2009.<ref>{{cite news|title=Maroth Rehabbing Shoulder in Orlando |url=http://www.marothbaseball.com/news-article40.asp |date=June 16, 2008 |access-date=June 24, 2008 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080827193157/http://www.marothbaseball.com/news-article40.asp |archive-date=August 27, 2008 }}</ref>
On December 30, 2008, Maroth signed a minor league deal with the Toronto Blue Jays.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20081230&content_id=3730228&vkey=pr_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor |title=Jays sign four to Minor League contracts |date=December 30, 2008 |access-date=May 16, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927114130/http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20081230&content_id=3730228&vkey=pr_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor |archive-date=September 27, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Maroth pitched two innings of spring training game on March 3, 2009, the first time he had thrown in a Major League game since 2007. Maroth commented "My arm felt great... Probably felt too great. It’s been a while since I've been able to get out there. Got that adrenaline."<ref>{{cite news |date=March 4, 2009 |title=Ex-Tiger Mike Maroth pitches for first time since '07 |url=http://www.freep.com/article/20090304/SPORTS02/90303097/1050/SPORTS02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090318073440/http://www.freep.com:80/article/20090304/SPORTS02/90303097/1050/SPORTS02 |archive-date=March 18, 2009 |access-date=March 4, 2009 |newspaper=Detroit Free Press}}</ref> After not making the team out of camp, Maroth was released.
On January 8, 2010, Maroth signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins with an invite to spring training. Maroth did not make the team out of spring training and was sent down to the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings. In late May, Maroth had surgery to remove a bone spur from his elbow causing him to be out four to five weeks.
Maroth retired on January 25, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsportsdetroit.com/01/25/11/Former-Tigers-pitcher-Mike-Maroth-to-ret/landing.html?blockID=397746&feedID=3706 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120730234518/http://www.foxsportsdetroit.com/01/25/11/Former-Tigers-pitcher-Mike-Maroth-to-ret/landing.html?blockID=397746&feedID=3706 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 30, 2012 |title=Former Tigers pitcher Mike Maroth to retire }}</ref>
==Coaching career== In September 2011, Maroth was named the pitching coach for the Class A-Advanced Lakeland Flying Tigers.<ref>{{cite web | last=Iott | first=Chris | title=Tigers name former pitcher Mike Maroth pitching coach for Single-A Lakeland | website=mlive | date=2011-09-26 | url=https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2011/09/tigers_name_former_pitcher_mik.html | access-date=2025-11-28}}</ref> In October 2014, after three seasons with Lakeland, it was announced Maroth was named the pitching coach for the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://m.tigers.mlb.com/news/article/100099612/mike-maroth-becomes-pitching-coach-for-toledo-mud-hens | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141101212800/http://m.tigers.mlb.com/news/article/100099612/mike-maroth-becomes-pitching-coach-for-toledo-mud-hens | url-status = dead | archive-date = November 1, 2014 | title = Maroth moves up to coach pitchers at Toledo | publisher = MLB | first = Jason | last = Beck | date = October 29, 2014 | access-date = October 29, 2014 }}</ref>
In September 2015, the Atlanta Braves hired Maroth as their minor league rehab pitching coordinator.<ref>{{cite news|title=Braves announce Mike Maroth as Minor League rehabilitation pitching coordinator|url=http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/151571454|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930023907/http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/151571454|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 30, 2015|access-date=September 29, 2015|work=MLB.com|date=September 25, 2015}}</ref>
Maroth was named as the pitching coach for the Class A-Advanced Florida Fire Frogs in the Atlanta Braves organization for the 2018 season. He was named as the pitching coach for the Braves' Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers for the 2019 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/sports/professional/g-braves/braves-announce-minor-league-staffs-including-a-trio-of-new-coaches-for-gwinnett-stripers/article_c721c74d-c2bd-5f36-8037-03b69be8c0d3.html|title=Braves announce minor league staffs, including a trio of new coaches for Gwinnett Stripers|work=Gwinnett Daily Post|date=January 2, 2019|accessdate=June 9, 2024}}</ref>
Maroth was named as the pitching coach for his alma mater, the UCF Knights, for the 2023 season.<ref name=":0" /> He did not return to UCF in 2024, following the firing of head coach Greg Lovelady.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Baseball 2024 |url=https://ucfknights.com/sports/baseball/roster/season/2024 |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=UCF Knights |language=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-27 |title=UCF dismisses baseball coach Greg Lovelady after 7 seasons |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2023/05/27/ucf-baseball-greg-lovelady-terry-mohajir-knights-ncaa-tournament/ |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=Orlando Sentinel |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Scouting report== Maroth was not an overpowering pitcher, averaging under 85 miles per hour (MPH) on his fastball. He also threw an 82 MPH cutter. His offspeed pitches were a slider, curveball, and changeup.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mike Maroth - Stats - Pitching |url=https://www.fangraphs.com/players/mike-maroth/1508/stats?position=P#pitch-type-velo |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=FanGraphs Baseball |language=en}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
==External links== {{Baseballstats | mlb=400077 | espn=5186|br=m/marotmi01|fangraphs=1508|brm=maroth001mic}} *{{official website|http://www.marothbaseball.com}}
{{Detroit Tigers Opening Day starting pitchers}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Maroth, Mike}} Category:1977 births Category:Living people category:Baseball coaches from Florida Category:Baseball players from Orlando, Florida Category:Detroit Tigers players Category:Gulf Coast Twins players Category:Indios de Mayagüez players Category:Jacksonville Suns players Category:Lakeland Tigers players Category:Lowell Spinners players Category:Major League Baseball pitchers Category:Minor league baseball coaches Category:Memphis Redbirds players Category:Omaha Royals players Category:Rochester Red Wings players Category:St. Louis Cardinals players Category:Toledo Mud Hens players Category:UCF Knights baseball players Category:William R. Boone High School alumni Category:University of Central Florida alumni