{{short description|American baseball player (born 1991)}} {{Infobox baseball biography | name = Tyler Higgins | image = Bs Tyler Higgins 20211112.jpg | image_size = 250px | caption = Higgins with the Orix Buffaloes | team = | number = | position = Pitcher | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1991|4|22}} | birth_place = Flint, Michigan, U.S. | bats = Right | throws = Right | debutleague = NPB | debutdate = June 26 | debutyear = 2020 | debutteam = Orix Buffaloes | finalleague = NPB | finaldate = October 21 | finalyear = 2021 | finalteam = Orix Buffaloes |statleague = NPB |stat1label = Win–loss record |stat1value = 4-5 |stat2label = Earned run average |stat2value = 2.46 |stat3label = Strikeouts |stat3value = 81 | teams = * Orix Buffaloes ({{npby|2020}}–{{npby|2021}}) | highlights = }}

'''Tyler E. Higgins''' (born April 22, 1991) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Orix Buffaloes. He currently serves as the pitching coach for the Clearwater Threshers.

==Playing career== ===Florida/Miami Marlins=== The Florida Marlins chose Higgins in the 23rd round, 703rd overall, in the 2011 Major League Baseball draft. Higgins made his professional debut with the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Marlins. In 2012, Higgins split the year between the GCL Marlins and the High-A Jupiter Hammerheads, pitching to a 2.57 ERA in 23 appearances. He spent the 2013 season in Jupiter, recording a 2-7 record and 4.01 ERA in 45 games. Higgins spent the 2014 season in Double-A with the Jacksonville Suns, registering a 4.97 ERA in 29 innings of work.

In 2015, Higgins split the year between Jacksonville and Jupiter, accumulating a 3.55 ERA with 41 strikeouts in {{fraction|50|2|3}} innings pitched. He spent the entirety of the 2016 season in Jacksonville, pitching to a 3-5 record and 3.45 ERA with 45 strikeouts in 44 appearances. In 2017, Higgins again spent the year in Jacksonville, posting a 3-3 record and 3.43 ERA in {{fraction|60|1|3}} innings pitched across 34 games.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=higgin001tyl|title = Tyler Higgins Minor, Winter, Independent & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History}}</ref> He elected free agency following the season on November 6, 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Minor League Free Agents 2017|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2017/?amphtml|access-date=July 15, 2023|website=baseballamerica.com|date=7 November 2017 |language=en}}</ref>

===New Britain Bees=== On March 27, 2018, Higgins signed with the New Britain Bees of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newbritainherald.com/article/view/article_id/324195/headline/new-britain-bees-resign-hepple-while-adding-higgins-hamburger-to-pitching-staff/section/NBH-New+Britain+Bees|title=New Britain Herald - New Britain Bees re-sign Hepple, while adding Higgins, Hamburger to pitching staff|work=Central Connecticut Communications }}</ref> Higgins pitched to a stellar 1.88 ERA in 14 appearances for New Britain.

===Seattle Mariners=== On June 1, 2018, Higgins' contract was purchased by the Seattle Mariners organization and was assigned to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.atlanticleague.com/archive/newswire/index.html?article_id=1013|title = Bees Pitcher Tyler Higgins' Contract Purchased by Mariners}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/06/mariners-sign-detwiler-diamondbacks-acquire-tyler-ladendorf-reds-acquire-tommy-bergjans.html|title = Minor MLB Transactions: 6/1/18| date=June 2018 }}</ref> In 28 games for Tacoma, he posted a 2.83 ERA with 38 strikeouts. Higgins elected free agency following the season on November 2.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Minor League Free Agents 2018|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2018/|access-date=May 20, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|date=6 November 2018 |language=en}}</ref>

===San Diego Padres=== On December 21, 2018, Higgins signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres organization.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://krod.com/the-kennel-tyler-higgins/|title=The Kennel: Tyler Higgins|date=23 May 2019 }}</ref> He split the season between the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas and the Double-A Amarillo Sod Poodles, recording a 5-1 record and 4.75 ERA between the two clubs. On December 18, 2019, Higgins was released by the Padres.

===Orix Buffaloes=== On December 23, 2019, Higgins signed with the Orix Buffaloes of the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).<ref>{{ cite web | url=https://www.buffaloes.co.jp/news/detail/00003063.html | title=新外国人選手獲得のお知らせ | language=Japanese | work=オリックス・バファローズ オフィシャルサイト | date=December 23, 2019 | accessdate=March 6, 2020 }}</ref> On June 26, 2020, Higgins made his NPB debut. In 41 appearances for Orix, Higgins pitched to a 2.40 ERA with 45 strikeouts. On February 11, 2021, Higgins tested positive for COVID-19.<ref>{{ cite web | url=https://www.buffaloes.co.jp/news/detail/00004210.html | title=ヒギンス投手 新型コロナウイルス陽性判定について | work=オリックスバファローズ オフィシャルサイト | language=ja | date=February 11, 2021 | accessdate=February 14, 2021 }}</ref> Higgins made 49 appearances for Orix in 2021, logging a 2.53 ERA with 36 strikeouts in {{fraction|46|1|3}} innings of work. Higgins became a free agent following the season.

===San Diego Padres (second stint)=== On March 7, 2022, Higgins signed a minor league contract to return to the San Diego Padres organization.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/player/tyler-higgins-572371?stats=career-r-pitching-minors&year=2021|title = Tyler Higgins Stats, Fantasy & News|website = MLB.com}}</ref> In 24 games for the Triple–A El Paso Chihuahuas, he posted a 4.97 ERA with 24 strikeouts across {{fraction|25|1|3}} innings of work. Higgins was released by San Diego on July 12.

===High Point Rockers=== On August 4, 2022, Higgins signed with the High Point Rockers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. In 15 relief appearances for the Rockers, he posted a strong 1.72 ERA with 19 strikeouts and 4 saves across {{fraction|15|2|3}} innings pitched. Higgins became a free agent after the season.

==Coaching career== ===Philadelphia Phillies=== On February 5, 2024, Higgins was hired by the Philadelphia Phillies to serve as the pitching coach for their Triple–A affiliate, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Phillies Announce 2024 IronPigs Coaching Staff|url=https://www.milb.com/lehigh-valley/news/phillies-announce-2024-ironpigs-coaching-staff|access-date=February 10, 2024|website=milb.com|language=en}}</ref> On February 7, 2025, Higgins was named a pitching coach for Philadelphia's Single-A affiliate, the Clearwater Threshers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://x.com/philsplayerdev/status/1887872616347623770?s=46&t=UN5XGiNzRq3-vt33N7zCTw|title=x.com}}</ref>

===Tampa Bay Rays=== In 2026, Higgins was named as pitching coach of the Charleston RiverDogs the Single-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays.

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *{{baseballstats|mlb=572371 |espn=35064 |br= |fangraphs=sa503722 |brm=higgin001tyl}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Higgins, Tyler}} Category:1991 births Category:Living people Category:Amarillo Sod Poodles players Category:21st-century American sportsmen Category:American expatriate baseball players in Japan Category:American expatriate baseball players in Mexico Category:Baseball players from Flint, Michigan Category:El Paso Chihuahuas players Category:Gulf Coast Marlins players Category:Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp players Category:Jacksonville Suns players Category:Jupiter Hammerheads players Category:Lake Elsinore Storm players Category:Naranjeros de Hermosillo players Category:Nippon Professional Baseball pitchers Category:Orix Buffaloes players Category:People from Alma, Michigan Category:New Britain Bees players Category:Tacoma Rainiers players Category:Baseball players from Gratiot County, Michigan