Cole Young Sulser (born March 12, 1990) is an American professional

baseball Baseball is a bat-and-ball games, bat-and-ball sport played between two team sport, teams of nine players each, taking turns batting (baseball), batting and Fielding (baseball), fielding. The game occurs over the course of several Pitch ...

pitcher In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("Pitch (baseball), pitches") the Baseball (ball), baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of out (baseball), retiring a batter (baseball), batter, ...

for the

Tampa Bay Rays The Tampa Bay Rays are an American professional baseball team based in the Tampa Bay area. The Rays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East Division. They are one of two major ...

Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...

(MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the

Baltimore Orioles The Baltimore Orioles (also known as the O's) are an American professional baseball team based in Baltimore. The Orioles compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East Division. As one of the America ...

Miami Marlins The Miami Marlins are an American professional baseball team based in Miami. The Marlins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League East, East Division. The ...

Arizona Diamondbacks The Arizona Diamondbacks are an American professional baseball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. The Diamondbacks compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West Division. The franchise was established ...

, and

New York Mets The New York Mets are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of Queens. The Mets compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National ...

. He made his MLB debut in 2019 with the Rays.

Amateur career

Sulser graduated from Ramona High School in

Ramona, California Ramona is a census-designated place (CDP) in San Diego County, California. The population was 21,468 at the 2020 census, up from 20,292 at the 2010 census. The name ''Ramona'' also refers to an unincorporated community of San Diego (with so ...

, in 2008, where he played baseball all four years. Undrafted out of high school, he attended

Dartmouth College Dartmouth College ( ) is a Private university, private Ivy League research university in Hanover, New Hampshire, United States. Established in 1769 by Eleazar Wheelock, Dartmouth is one of the nine colonial colleges chartered before the America ...

. He earned two

bachelor's degree A bachelor's degree (from Medieval Latin ''baccalaureus'') or baccalaureate (from Modern Latin ''baccalaureatus'') is an undergraduate degree awarded by colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study lasting three to six years ...

s at Dartmouth: in engineering sciences with public policy and mechanical engineering. Sulser played

college baseball College baseball is baseball that is played by Student athlete, student-athletes at institutions of higher education. In the United States, college baseball is sanctioned mainly by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA); in Japan, ...

for the

Dartmouth Big Green The Dartmouth College Big Green are the varsity and club College athletics in the United States, athletic teams representing Dartmouth College, an American university located in Hanover, New Hampshire. Dartmouth's teams compete at the National ...

. As a sophomore, Sulser set a Big Green record posting an 8–0

win–loss record Win–loss may refer to: * Win–loss analytics, analysis of the reasons why a visitor to a website was or wasn't persuaded to engage in a desired action * Win–loss record, also winning percentage * Win–loss record (pitching), the number of ...

, a Big Green single-season record for wins, and led the

Ivy League The Ivy League is an American collegiate List of NCAA conferences, athletic conference of eight Private university, private Research university, research universities in the Northeastern United States. It participates in the National Collegia ...

strikeout In baseball or softball, a strikeout (or strike-out) occurs when a batter accumulates three strikes during a time at bat. It means the batter is out, unless the third strike is not caught by the catcher and the batter reaches first base safe ...

s. He was named to the All-Ivy League team in 2011, his junior year, but injured an elbow ligament and underwent

Tommy John surgery Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, sometimes referred to as Tommy John surgery is a surgical graft procedure where the ulnar collateral ligament in the medial elbow is replaced with either a tendon from elsewhere in the patient's body, ...

. Though he missed his entire senior year, his teammates chose him as their

captain Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader or highest rank officer of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police depa ...

. Sulser was granted a

redshirt Redshirt, Red Shirt, or Redshirts may refer to: Sports * Redshirt (college sports) Redshirt, in United States college athletics, is a delay or suspension of an athlete's participation in order to lengthen their period of eligibility. Typically ...

for the 2012 season, a rarity in the

, and he pitched for Dartmouth in 2013, again being named co-captain and making the All-Ivy League team. His 20 wins over his career were the second-most in Dartmouth history.

Professional career

Cleveland Indians

The

Cleveland Indians The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland. The Guardians compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. Since , the team ...

selected Sulser in the 25th round of the

2013 MLB draft The 2013 Major League Baseball draft was held from June 6 through June 8, 2013. The first two rounds were broadcast from Studio 42 of the MLB Network in Secaucus, New Jersey. Each team received one selection per round, going in reverse order of t ...

. Sulser played for the

Mahoning Valley Scrappers The Mahoning Valley Scrappers are a collegiate summer baseball team of the MLB Draft League. They are located in Niles, Ohio, a city in the valley of the Mahoning River, and play their home games at Eastwood Field. From 1999 to 2020, they were ...

of the Low–A

New York-Penn League New or NEW may refer to: Music * New, singer of K-pop group The Boyz * ''New'' (album), by Paul McCartney, 2013 ** "New" (Paul McCartney song), 2013 * ''New'' (EP), by Regurgitator, 1995 * "New" (Daya song), 2017 * "New" (No Doubt song), 1 ...

in 2013, going 3–2 with a 1.83

earned run average In baseball statistics, earned run average (ERA) is the average of earned runs allowed by a pitcher per nine innings pitched (i.e. the traditional length of a game). It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number ...

(ERA) in 54

innings pitched In baseball, the statistic innings pitched (IP) is the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of Batter (baseball), batters and baserunners that have been put out while the pitcher is on the Baseball field#Pitcher's mou ...

. He split the 2014 season between the

Carolina Mudcats The Carolina Mudcats are a Minor League Baseball team of the Carolina League and the Single-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. They are located in Zebulon, North Carolina, a suburb of Raleigh, North Carolina, Raleigh, and play their home games ...

of the High–A

Carolina League The Carolina League is a Minor League Baseball league which has operated along the Atlantic Coast of the United States since 1945. Having been classified at various levels throughout its existence, it operated at Class A-Advanced from 1990 unti ...

and the

Akron RubberDucks The Akron RubberDucks are a Minor League Baseball team based in Akron, Ohio. The team, which plays in the Eastern League (1938–present), Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians. They play in Canal Park (Akron, Ohio) ...

of the Double–A Eastern League, going a combined 4–14 with a 5.43 ERA over 136 innings. Sulser had his second Tommy John surgery in 2015, and missed the entire season. Sulser split the 2016 season between the

Lynchburg Hillcats The Lynchburg Hillcats are a Minor League Baseball team in Lynchburg, Virginia that plays in the Carolina League and is the Single-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians. They were a farm team of the Atlanta Braves from 2011 to 2014, the Cincinn ...

of the Carolina League, Akron, and the

Columbus Clippers The Columbus Clippers are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League (IL) and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians. They are located in Columbus, Ohio, and are named for speedy Merchant ship, merch ...

of the Triple–A

International League The International League (IL) is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the United States. Along with the Pacific Coast League, it is one of two leagues playing at the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A level, which is one grade below Major ...

, going a combined 2–5 with a 4.34 ERA in 63 innings. Sulser split the 2017 season between Akron and Columbus, going 3–1 with a 2.70 ERA in 63 innings. In winter baseball after the season, Sulser played for the

Estrellas Orientales Estrellas Orientales (English: Eastern Stars), also known as Estrellas de Oriente, is a baseball team in the Dominican Winter League. Based in San Pedro de Macorís, the team has historically struggled, winning championships only in 1936, 1954, ...

of the

Dominican Winter League The Dominican Republic Professional Baseball League ( or LIDOM) is a professional baseball Winter league baseball, winter league consisting of six teams spread across the Dominican Republic; it is the highest level of professional baseball played ...

. In 2018, he again split the season between Akron and Columbus, going 8–4 with a 3.86 ERA in innings with 95 strikeouts.

Tampa Bay Rays

On December 13, 2018, Cleveland traded Sulser to the

in a three–team trade in which the Rays also acquired Yandy Díaz for

Jake Bauers Jakob Christopher Bauers (born October 6, 1995) is an American professional baseball first baseman, outfielder, and designated hitter for the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Tampa Bay Rays ...

, and the

Seattle Mariners The Seattle Mariners are an American professional baseball team based in Seattle. The Mariners compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League West, West Division. The team joined the American ...

acquired

Edwin Encarnación Edwin Elpidio Encarnación Rivera (born January 7, 1983) is a Dominican former professional baseball designated hitter, third baseman and first baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds, Toronto Blue Jays, Cleve ...

from the Indians for

Carlos Santana Carlos Humberto Santana Barragán (; born July 20, 1947) is an American guitarist, best known as a founding member of the Rock music, rock band Santana (band), Santana. Born and raised in Mexico where he developed his musical background, he r ...

. Sulser spent the 2019 minor league season with the

Durham Bulls The Durham Bulls are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. They are located in Durham, North Carolina, and play their home games at Durham Bulls Athletic Park, which opened ...

of the International League, going 6–3 with a 3.27 ERA in 66 innings with 89 strikeouts. The Rays selected Sulser's contract and promoted him to the major leagues on September 2, 2019. He made his major league debut with Tampa Bay on September 6 against the Toronto Blue Jays. He was

designated for assignment Designated for assignment (DFA) is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball (MLB). A player who is designated for assignment is immediately removed from the team's 40-man roster, after which the team must, within seven days, return the pla ...

when the Rays activated Yandy Díaz from the 60-day

injured list In Major League Baseball (MLB), the injured list (IL) is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players. Before the 2019 season, it was known as the disabled list (DL). General guidelines ...

on September 29.

Baltimore Orioles

Sulser was claimed off waivers by the

two days later on October 1, replacing Chandler Shepherd who had been outrighted the previous day. In 2020 for the Orioles, Sulser pitched to a 5.56 ERA with 19 strikeouts and a 1–5 record over 19 appearances. Sulser had a breakout season in 2021 as he went 5–4 with eight saves, a 2.70 ERA and 73 strikeouts in innings.

Miami Marlins

On April 3, 2022, the Orioles traded Sulser along with Tanner Scott to the

in exchange for a draft pick, two minor leaguers, Antonio Velez and Kevin Guerrero, and a

player to be named later In Major League Baseball, a player to be named later (PTBNL) is an unnamed player involved in exchange or "trade" of players between teams. The terms of a trade are not finalized until a later date, most often following the conclusion of the seaso ...

. (On June 3, Baltimore acquired minor league RHP Yaqui Rivera from Miami as the player to be named later).

Arizona Diamondbacks

On November 8, 2022, Sulser was claimed off waivers by the

. On November 18, he signed a contract for 2023, avoiding arbitration. On April 9, 2023, Sulser was placed on the 60-day injured list with a right shoulder strain. He was reinstated from the IL on July 30. In 4 games for the Diamondbacks, he allowed 4 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks with 4 strikeouts in innings pitched. On August 1, Sulser was

by Arizona.

Tampa Bay Rays (second stint)

On August 5, 2023, Sulser was claimed off waivers by the

. In 12 games for the Triple–A

, he posted a 3.86 ERA with 19 strikeouts in innings pitched. Following the season on November 4, Sulser was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Triple–A Durham. He elected free agency on November 6.

New York Mets

On November 20, 2023, Sulser signed a minor league contract with the

organization. On April 8, 2024, after one appearance for the Triple–A

Syracuse Mets The Syracuse Mets are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets. They are located in Syracuse, New York, and play their home games at NBT Bank Stadium, which ope ...

, Sulser had his contract selected to the major league roster. In four appearances for the Mets, he struggled to a 9.64 ERA with 7 strikeouts over innings pitched. On July 22, Sulser was designated for assignment by the Mets.

Tampa Bay Rays (third stint)

On July 26, 2024, the Mets traded Sulser to the

in exchange for cash considerations. He made 6 scoreless appearances for the Rays down the stretch, striking out 8 batters in innings pitched. Sulser was optioned to the Triple-A

to begin the 2025 season.

Personal life

Sulser grew up in Santa Ysabel, California, located in the San Diego mountains. However he attended elementary, middle and high school in Ramona, where his mother was a teacher. Sulser started playing baseball at age four and played Ramona Pony Baseball until age 14. He also played on several local travel teams. He attended Ramona High School where he played baseball, was ASB President and served as a peer mentor. His father worked as a general building contractor as well as helped coach many of Sulser's youth teams. His younger brother, Beau Sulser, also plays professional baseball, after a college career at Dartmouth. Sulser's younger sister, Tiffany, serves in the

United States Coast Guard The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is the maritime security, search and rescue, and Admiralty law, law enforcement military branch, service branch of the armed forces of the United States. It is one of the country's eight Uniformed services ...

. He is married to model and actress, Dana Sulser which he met in 2016 while playing in Double A for the Akron Rubber Ducks with the Cleveland Indians organization. In 2020, the two co wrote and illustrated a children's book called "Benny The Pitcher."

References

External links

Dartmouth Big Green bio
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sulser, Cole 1990 births Living people Akron RubberDucks players American expatriate baseball players in the Dominican Republic Arizona Complex League Diamondbacks players Arizona Diamondbacks players Baltimore Orioles players Baseball players from San Diego County, California Carolina Mudcats players Columbus Clippers players Dartmouth Big Green baseball players Durham Bulls players Estrellas Orientales players Jupiter Hammerheads players Lynchburg Hillcats players Mahoning Valley Scrappers players Major League Baseball pitchers Miami Marlins players New York Mets players People from Ramona, San Diego County, California Reno Aces players Syracuse Mets players Tampa Bay Rays players