Mitch Talbot

Mitchell R. Talbot (born October 17, 1983) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Indians, the KBO League for the Samsung Lions and Hanwha Eagles and in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) for the Lamigo Monkeys.

College
The youngest of six siblings, Talbot graduated from Canyon View High School in Cedar City, Utah and was a member of the Salt Lake Tribune's All-State second team during his senior season.

Houston Astros
Talbot was drafted by the Houston Astros in the second round (70th overall) in the 2002 Major League Baseball draft out of high school. He did not sign immediately and as a result did not begin his professional career until 2003.

In 2005, Talbot was rated to have the best changeup in the Astros' organization by Baseball America. He pitched for Single-A Salem and went 8-11 with a 4.34 ERA. Talbot was the Carolina League Pitcher of the Week for the week of July 25 to 31.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays
On July 12, 2006, during the All-Star break, Talbot, along with shortstop Ben Zobrist were traded to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for outfielder Aubrey Huff. Pitching for two Double-A teams (Corpus Christi and Montgomery), he went a combined 10-7 with a 2.76 ERA. Talbot earned the Devil Rays Minor League pitcher of August after he went 2-1 with a 1.96 ERA and led all of Double-A baseball with 47 strikeouts. He was a member of the Montgomery Biscuits during their 2006 league championship season and was named minorleaguebasell.com's best Double-A playoff performer.

In 2007, Talbot began the year for the Devil Rays' Triple-A team, the Durham Bulls. Talbot was called up to the majors on July 1,. Talbot made his Major League debut on September 15, in relief of Scott Kazmir, and pitched 3 innings, giving up 4 earned runs and striking out two batters while walking three against the Boston Red Sox. Talbot made his first Major League start against the Baltimore Orioles on September 23, 2008, during the second game of a double header and did not figure in the decision. He allowed three earned runs on six hits while walking three and striking out two over 4$1⁄3$ innings.

Cleveland Indians
On December 21, 2009, he was traded to the Cleveland Indians as a player to be named later in the Kelly Shoppach trade.

Talbot was designated for assignment on July 31, 2011, to make room on the 40-man roster for Ubaldo Jiménez. He accepted his assignment and was sent to the Triple-A Columbus Clippers on August 5, 2011.

Talbot was placed on the Indians' roster again on September 24, 2011. He was outrighted to Triple-A Columbus again on October 18. He elected free agency on October 20.

Samsung Lions
On December 1, 2011, Talbot signed with the Samsung Lions of the KBO League. In 25 starts for Samsung, Talbot compiled a 14–3 record and 3.97 ERA with 68 strikeouts across $138 1⁄3$ innings pitched. He became a free agent following the 2012 season.

Miami Marlins
On January 23, 2013, Talbot signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins. He made three rehab assignments split between the rookie–level Gulf Coast League Marlins and Triple–A New Orleans Zephyrs. Talbot was released by the Marlins organization on August 5.

New York Mets
On August 20, 2013, Talbot signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets organization and was assigned to the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s. He became a free agent on November 4.

Long Island Ducks
On June 30, 2014, Talbot signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. In 9 games (7 starts) across 37 innings he went 3-2 with a 4.14 ERA and 26 strikeouts.

Lamigo Monkeys
On August 25, 2014, he signed with the Lamigo Monkeys of the Chinese Professional Baseball League. He became a free agent following the season.

Hanwa Eagles
On December 5, 2014, Talbot signed with the Hanwa Eagles in South Korea of the Korea Baseball Organization for the 2015 season. He became a free agent following the season.

Rieleros de Aguascalientes
On April 8, 2016, Talbot signed with the Rieleros de Aguascalientes of the Mexican Baseball League. He never appeared in a game before signing in Taiwan.

Lamigo Monkeys
On June 10, 2016, Talbot announced that he would return to Lamigo Monkeys. He became a free agent following the 2016 season.

Sugar Land Skeeters
On May 20, 2017, Talbot signed with the Sugar Land Skeeters of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball In 2017 he appeared in 21 games (19 starts) across 110 innings he went 9-3 with a 3.03 ERA and 108 strikeouts. He re-signed with the team in early 2018 where in 5 starts 28 innings he went 3-1 with a 1.93 ERA and 19 strikeouts.

Cleveland Indians (second stint)
On May 23, 2018, Talbot's contract was purchased by the Cleveland Indians organization. In 18 games (17 starts) for the Triple–A Columbus Clippers, he logged a 4–5 record and 2.52 ERA with 64 strikeouts across $103 2⁄3$ innings pitched. Talbot elected free agency following the season on November 2.

Sugar Land Skeeters (second stint)
On March 6, 2019, Talbot signed with the Sugar Land Skeeters of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. In 7 starts 34.1 innings he went 1-3 with a 3.93 ERA and 28 strikeouts.

Cleveland Indians (third stint)
On June 5, 2019, Talbot's contract was purchased from the Skeeters by the Cleveland Indians. He was assigned to the Columbus Clippers, the Indians' Triple-A affiliate. Talbot elected free agency on November 4, 2019.