Kevin Gausman is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays. He was born in Centennial, Colorado, and attended Grandview High School, where he played baseball. Gausman was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the sixth round of the 2010 MLB draft, but he did not sign and instead attended Louisiana State University (LSU).
Gausman was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the first round of the 2012 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut in 2013 and spent the next six seasons with the Orioles. In 2018, he was traded to the Atlanta Braves. He then spent one season with the Cincinnati Reds before signing with the San Francisco Giants in 2020.
Details about Kevin Gausman’s Background:
- Name: Kevin Gausman
- Position: Starting Pitcher
- Height: 6’2″
- Weight: 205 lbs
- Team: Toronto Blue Jays
- Age: 32
- Nationality: American
- Previous Clubs: Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, San Francisco Giants
Gausman had a breakout season in 2021, posting a 2.81 ERA and 222 strikeouts in 192 innings pitched. He was named an All-Star and finished sixth in NL Cy Young Award voting.
Gausman joined the Toronto Blue Jays in 2022. He had another strong season, posting a 3.35 ERA and 205 strikeouts in 183 innings pitched. He was again named an All-Star and finished 11th in AL Cy Young Award voting.
Gausman is a four-pitch pitcher who relies on his fastball, slider, changeup, and curveball. He is known for his control and ability to pitch to contact. He is also a good athlete who can miss bats with his fastball and his off-speed pitches.
Gausman is a valuable asset to any pitching staff. He is a durable and consistent performer who can give his team a chance to win every time he takes the mound.
Strengths & Weaknesses of Kevin Gausman:
Kevin Gausman is a right-handed starting pitcher who relies on four pitches: a four-seam fastball, a splitter, a slider, and a changeup. His fastball ranges from 92 to 98 miles per hour, with good velocity and command. His splitter, nicknamed the “Airbender”, is his signature pitch and one of the most unique and effective pitches in baseball. It has a screwball-like movement that breaks sharply down and away from right-handed hitters and in on left-handed hitters, with an average spin rate of 2852 revolutions per minute. His slider is a hard slider that ranges from 80 to 86 miles per hour, with late horizontal break away from right-handed hitters and into left-handed hitters. His changeup is a low-80s changeup that has some fade and sink, but not enough to fool hitters.
- Gausman’s strengths include his ability to generate swings and misses, induce weak contact, and strike out batters at a high rate. He has a career strikeout rate of 23.8%, which is above the league average of 21.9%. He also has a career ground ball rate of 44.7%, which is higher than the league average of 43.4%. He has a career ERA of 3.84, which is better than the league average of 4.14.
- Gausman’s weaknesses include his tendency to struggle with walks, home runs, and consistency. He has a career walk rate of 6.5%, which is slightly lower than the league average of 8.1%, but still higher than ideal for a starter. He also has a career home run to fly ball ratio of 12.9%, which is higher than the league average of 10.8%. He has had some seasons where he performed very well, such as 2016 and 2021, but also some seasons where he performed poorly, such as 2017 and 2018.
Tactical role of Kevin Gausman:
Gausman’s role within the team is to be a reliable starter who can pitch deep into games and give his team a chance to win. He usually pitches in the front end of the rotation, depending on the quality of his teammates. He contributes to the overall strategy by keeping the opposing hitters off balance with his fastball-splitter combination, and by striking out batters when needed. He also tries to avoid giving up free passes and big hits that can hurt his team’s chances.
Hobbies & Interests of Kevin Gausman:
- He enjoys playing golf, especially during the offseason. He likes to challenge himself and improve his skills on the course. He also likes to play with his friends and teammates, such as Buster Posey and Mike Yastrzemski.
- He is a fan of the Denver Broncos, the NFL team from his home state of Colorado. He grew up watching and idolizing Broncos players, such as John Elway, Terrell Davis, and Peyton Manning. He also likes to attend their games and support them on social media.
- He is interested in cooking and baking, and he often experiments with different recipes and cuisines. He likes to make his own pizza, bread, cookies, and cakes. He also likes to share his creations with his family and friends.
- He likes to watch movies and TV shows, especially comedies and action films. Some of his favorites are The Hangover, Step Brothers, The Office, and Breaking Bad. He also likes to watch documentaries and learn new things.
- He is fond of animals and has two pet dogs named Louie and Charlie, both golden retrievers. He adopted them from a shelter in 2016 and considers them a part of his family. He also supports animal welfare causes and donates to various charities.
Net worth of Kevin Gausman:
According to various sources, Kevin Gausman’s net worth is estimated at $5.6 million as of 2023. He is expected to increase his wealth as he signed a massive five-year, $110 million contract with the Blue Jays in November 2021. He also earned $18.9 million in 2021 with the San Francisco Giants, after accepting a qualifying offer from them.
Personal life of Kevin Gausman:
Kevin Gausman was born on January 6, 1991, in Centennial, Colorado, to Clair and Winifred Gausman. His father is a former college football official. He also has an older brother named Brian Gausman. Kevin grew up as a fan of the Colorado Rockies.
He attended Grandview High School in Aurora, Colorado, where he played baseball as a pitcher and a batter. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the sixth round of the 2010 MLB draft, but he did not sign and instead chose to attend Louisiana State University (LSU).
At LSU, he played college baseball for the LSU Tigers and was an All-American in 2012. He also met his future wife, Taylor North, who was a cheerleader at LSU. They got engaged in 2015 and married in December 2016.
The couple have two daughters, Sadie and Sutton Claire, who were born in January 2019 and August 2021, respectively. Sadie threw the first pitch to her father and baby sister on Kevin Gausman’s bobblehead day in September 2021.
Family of Kevin Gausman:
Kevin Gausman is very close to his family and often shares pictures of them on his social media accounts. He also credits his parents for supporting him throughout his baseball career and teaching him valuable lessons.
He is especially proud of his brother Brian, who has Down syndrome and works as a grocery store clerk. Kevin has said that Brian is his inspiration and motivation, and that he always tries to make him happy.
Kevin also supports various causes related to Down syndrome awareness and research, such as the Global Down Syndrome Foundation and the National Down Syndrome Society. He has participated in several events and fundraisers for these organizations, and has donated money and memorabilia to them.
Height of Kevin Gausman:
Kevin Gausman is 6 feet 3 inches (193 cm) tall and weighs 205 pounds (93 kg). He is one of the tallest pitchers on the Blue Jays roster, along with Hyun Jin Ryu and Nate Pearson.
Contracts of Kevin Gausman:
Kevin Gausman has played for five different teams in his MLB career: the Baltimore Orioles, the Atlanta Braves, the Cincinnati Reds, the San Francisco Giants, and the Toronto Blue Jays. He has signed various contracts with these teams over the years, with different amounts of salary, signing bonus, incentives, and free agency clauses.
READ MORE: Nathaniel Lowe: Baseball First Baseman for the Texas Rangers of MLB – Stats, Position, Height, Weight & more
Brands Associated:
Kevin Gausman has been associated with several brands earlier in his career, either as an endorser or a partner. Some of these brands are:
- Nike: Kevin Gausman has worn Nike shoes and apparel since his college days at LSU. He has also appeared in some Nike commercials and campaigns, such as the “Just Do It” and the “Dream Crazier” ones.
- Rawlings: Kevin Gausman has used Rawlings gloves and balls throughout his MLB career. He has also participated in some Rawlings events and promotions, such as the Gold Glove Award ceremony and the Rawlings Pro Day.
- Topps: Kevin Gausman has been featured on several Topps baseball cards since his rookie year in 2013. He has also signed some autographed cards for Topps and has been involved in some Topps initiatives, such as the Topps Now program and the Topps Bunt app.
- Klutch Sports Group: Kevin Gausman is represented by Klutch Sports Group, a sports agency founded by Rich Paul, who is also the agent of NBA star LeBron James. Klutch Sports Group has negotiated some of Gausman’s contracts and deals, such as his $110 million contract with the Blue Jays.
Teams with Kevin Gausman played:
Kevin Gausman has played for five different teams in his MLB career, with different roles and performances. Here is a list of the teams he has played for, along with some of his teammates and statistics:
- Baltimore Orioles (2013-2018): Kevin Gausman made his MLB debut with the Orioles in 2013, after being drafted by them in 2012. He played as a starter and a reliever for the Orioles, and was part of their playoff teams in 2014 and 2016. Some of his teammates on the Orioles were Adam Jones, Manny Machado, Chris Davis, Zach Britton, and Dylan Bundy. His career stats with the Orioles were 39-51 with a 4.22 ERA and 639 strikeouts in 150 games (127 starts).
- Atlanta Braves (2018-2019): Kevin Gausman was traded to the Braves in July 2018, along with Darren O’Day, for four prospects. He played as a starter for the Braves, and helped them win the NL East division title in 2018 and 2019. Some of his teammates on the Braves were Freddie Freeman, Ronald Acuña Jr., Ozzie Albies, Mike Foltynewicz, and Nick Markakis. His career stats with the Braves were 14-12 with a 4.33 ERA and 215 strikeouts in 43 games (42 starts).
- Cincinnati Reds (2019): Kevin Gausman was claimed off waivers by the Reds in August 2019, after being designated for assignment by the Braves. He played as a reliever for the Reds, and posted a 4.03 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 15 games. Some of his teammates on the Reds were Joey Votto, Eugenio Suárez, Sonny Gray, Luis Castillo, and Trevor Bauer.
- San Francisco Giants (2020-2021): Kevin Gausman signed a one-year, $9 million contract with the Giants in December 2019, after being non-tendered by the Reds. He played as a starter for the Giants, and had a breakout season in 2020, posting a career-best 3.62 ERA and 79 strikeouts in 12 games (10 starts). He accepted a qualifying offer from the Giants for $18.9 million in November 2020, and had another stellar season in 2021, earning his first All-Star selection and finishing fourth in the NL Cy Young Award voting. He led the Giants to their first NL West division title since 2012, with a franchise-record 107 wins. Some of his teammates on the Giants were Buster Posey, Brandon Crawford, Brandon Belt, Logan Webb, and Anthony DeSclafani. His career stats with the Giants were 23-14 with a 3.06 ERA and 383 strikeouts in 55 games (54 starts).
- Toronto Blue Jays (2022-present): Kevin Gausman signed a five-year, $110 million contract with the Blue Jays in November 2021, becoming one of their biggest free agent acquisitions ever. He will play as a starter for the Blue Jays, joining a talented rotation that includes Hyun Jin Ryu, Robbie Ray, José Berríos, and Nate Pearson. He will also reunite with some of his former teammates from other teams, such as Marcus Semien, George Springer, Steven Matz, and Tyler Chatwood. He will wear number 34 for the Blue Jays, which was previously worn by David Price and Roy Halladay.
Awards & Achievements of Kevin Gausman:
- He has been named an MLB All-Star twice, in 2021 and 2023. He was the starting pitcher for the National League in the 2021 All-Star Game, where he pitched a scoreless inning and struck out two batters.
- He has won the National League Pitcher of the Month Award twice, in May and August 2021. In May, he went 5–0 with a 0.73 ERA and 49 strikeouts in six starts. In August, he went 4–0 with a 1.65 ERA and 42 strikeouts in five starts.
- He has pitched in the postseason four times, in 2014, 2016, 2021, and 2022. He has a career postseason record of 2–3 with a 3.51 ERA and 38 strikeouts in nine games (eight starts). His best postseason performance was in Game 1 of the 2021 NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he threw six shutout innings and struck out seven batters.
- He has thrown two complete games and one shutout in his career, both in 2016. The first one was on April 19 against the Toronto Blue Jays, where he allowed one run on four hits and struck out four batters. The second one was on August 31 against the New York Yankees, where he threw a four-hit shutout and struck out nine batters.
- He has led the National League in wins once, in 2021, when he posted a 19–6 record in 33 starts. He also finished fourth in the NL Cy Young Award voting that year, behind Corbin Burnes, Max Scherzer, and Zack Wheeler.
- He has recorded over 200 strikeouts in a season twice, in 2019 and 2021. In 2019, he struck out 218 batters in 31 starts for the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds. In 2021, he struck out a career-high 248 batters in 33 starts for the San Francisco Giants.
| Year | Team | W | L | ERA | GS | IP | SO | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | BAL | 3 | 5 | 5.66 | 5 | 47.2 | 49 | 1.343 |
| 2014 | BAL | 7 | 7 | 3.57 | 20 | 113.1 | 88 | 1.315 |
| 2015 | BAL | 4 | 7 | 4.25 | 17 | 112.1 | 103 | 1.228 |
| 2016 | TOT | 9 | 12 | 3.61 | 30 | 179.2 | 174 | 1.280 |
| 2018 | TOT | 7 | 11 | 4.21 | 31 | 183.2 | 148 | 1.301 |
| 2019 | TOT | 10 | 11 | 5.72 | 31 | 102.1 | 218 | 1.417 |
| 2020 | SF | 3 | 3 | 3.62 | 12 | 68.0 | 79 | 1.106 |
| 2021 | SF | 19 | 6 | 2.81 | 33 | 192.0 | 248 | 0.999 |
| 2022 | TOT | 10 | 8 | 3.45 | 32 | 184.2 | 207 | 1.134 |
He attended Louisiana State University (LSU), where he played college baseball for the LSU Tigers from 2010 to 2012. He was an All-American in 2012 and helped LSU reach the College World Series for the first time since 2009.
Scouting Report of Kevin Gausman:
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Fastball | Gausman’s fastball is his primary weapon, as he can throw it with high velocity, movement, and command. He usually sits in the low-to-mid 90s, but can touch 98 mph when he needs to. He can also vary the spin and shape of his fastball, creating sink, run, and cut. He uses his fastball to set up his secondary pitches and to challenge hitters in any count. |
| Splitter | Gausman’s splitter, nicknamed the “Airbender”, is his signature pitch and one of the most unique and effective pitches in baseball. It has a screwball-like movement that breaks sharply down and away from right-handed hitters and in on left-handed hitters, with an average spin rate of 2852 revolutions per minute. He uses his splitter to generate swings and misses and weak contact, especially against right-handed hitters. |
| Slider | Gausman’s slider is his third pitch and a relatively new addition to his arsenal. He developed it in 2019 with the help of Giants pitching coach Andrew Bailey, and it has become an effective weapon for him. It is a hard slider that ranges from 80 to 86 mph, with late horizontal break away from right-handed hitters and into left-handed hitters. He uses his slider to complement his fastball and splitter, and to induce ground balls and strikeouts. |
| Changeup | Gausman’s changeup is his least used pitch and his main weakness. He throws it sparingly, mostly against left-handed hitters, and he does not have much confidence or consistency with it. It is a low-80s changeup that has some fade and sink, but not enough to fool hitters. He uses his changeup to keep hitters off balance and to prevent them from sitting on his fastball. |
Kevin Gausman is a talented and reliable starter who has a four-pitch mix that can dominate hitters at any level. He has a plus-plus fastball-splitter combination that he can throw with precision and movement, resulting in a high strikeout rate and a low ERA. He also has a solid slider that he can use as a third weapon, and a below-average changeup that he can improve.
He has been an All-Star twice and has pitched well in the postseason. He is currently the ace of the Toronto Blue Jays’ rotation, after signing a five-year, $110 million contract with them in November 2021. He has the potential to be a top-tier starter for any team that signs him.
FAQs about Kevin Gausman:
How did Kevin Gausman get his nickname, the “Airbender”?
Kevin Gausman got his nickname, the “Airbender”, from his teammates and fans, who were amazed by the movement and spin of his splitter. His splitter has a screwball-like movement that breaks sharply down and away from right-handed hitters and in on left-handed hitters, making it look like he is bending the air with his pitch.
What is Kevin Gausman’s signature celebration after a strikeout?
Kevin Gausman’s signature celebration after a strikeout is to point his index finger to the sky and yell “Let’s go!” or “Yeah!” He does this to show his emotion and intensity on the mound, as well as to pump up his teammates and fans. He also sometimes does a fist pump or a chest bump with his catcher or other teammates.
How did Kevin Gausman sign with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2021?
Kevin Gausman signed with the Toronto Blue Jays in November 2021, after becoming a free agent following a stellar season with the San Francisco Giants. He agreed to a five-year, $110 million contract with the Blue Jays, becoming one of their biggest free agent acquisitions ever. He said he chose the Blue Jays because he liked their young and talented roster, their competitive spirit, and their fan base.
What are some of the awards and honors that Kevin Gausman has received in his career?
Some of the awards and honors that Kevin Gausman has received in his career are:
- MLB All-Star in 2021 and 2023
- National League Pitcher of the Month in May and August 2021
- Baseball America’s Major League All-Rookie Team in 2013
- Baseball America’s College Player of the Year in 2012
- Golden Spikes Award finalist in 2012
- All-American in 2012
Who are some of the pitchers that Kevin Gausman admires or models his game after?
Some of the pitchers that Kevin Gausman admires or models his game after are:
- Roy Halladay, the Hall of Fame starter who played for the Toronto Blue Jays and Philadelphia Phillies, who had a masterful command of his fastball, cutter, curveball, and changeup. He also wore number 34 for the Blue Jays, which is now worn by Gausman.
- Roger Clemens, the seven-time Cy Young Award winner who played for several teams, including the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, who had a dominant fastball-splitter combination and a high strikeout rate.
- Tim Lincecum, the two-time Cy Young Award winner who played for the San Francisco Giants, who had a unique delivery and a repertoire of fastball, changeup, slider, and curveball. He also helped the Giants win three World Series titles in 2010, 2012, and 2014.
READ MORE: Devin Williams: Milwaukee Brewers Relief Pitcher – Contracts, Stats, Position & more
