JP SEARS: A Searing Rise To The Bronx

By Shaun Nadkarni | SomersetPatriots.com

Bridgewater, New Jersey - Former Somerset Patriots standout LHP JP Sears made his first MLB start on May 25 as he took the mound at Yankee Stadium against the Baltimore Orioles.

Last month, former Patriot JP Sears made his MLB debut, and tonight he will make his first MLB start for the @Yankees. Congrats @jpsears24!🙌🏻 pic.twitter.com/blSz5H1975

— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) May 25, 2022

The southpaw pitched an impressive five shutout innings and struck out five batters to earn his first career win as a starter.

“I was anxious to get out there and get going,” said Sears. “I just felt blessed with the opportunity and was so excited to get out there in pinstripes.”

Sears was named to the Yankees Opening Day roster in April after a successful Spring Training campaign that included 6.2 frames of work and eight strikeouts. The 26-year-old threw three scoreless innings and fanned three hitters against the Philadelphia Phillies in his final outing of Spring Training to solidify his spot on the Yankees. He has since appeared in three games and has notched a 2-0 record with no runs allowed along with seven strikeouts.

“I am always looking for something to try and improve in and sharpen every time I throw the baseball,” Sears said. “Whether it’s my first or last start of the season, I am thrilled to put on the Yankee uniform in whatever fashion it is and compete and win in front of great fans and with some amazing teammates.”

Before joining the Yankees’ organization, Sears was an 11th round draft choice by the Seattle Mariners in the 2017 draft. After being traded to New York in November of 2017, he climbed his way up the minor league system, eventually being assigned to Double-A Somerset in 2021.

In eight starts and 15 total appearances with the Patriots, Sears posted a 3-2 record with a 4.09 ERA through 50.2 innings and whiffed 71 batters. On June 1, 2021, Sears tossed five shutout innings and added a season high ten strikeouts in a winning effort over the Reading Fightin Phils. For his performance, Sears was named the Northeast Pitcher of the Week.

“I was fortunate to have a great staff around me in Somerset. Daniel Moskos, [manager Julio Mosquera] and the staff challenged me every day to get better and to compete in the zone. Likewise, the great staff of the stadium and fans had expectations of me which required me to show up every day ready to compete and win.”

Sears received a promotion to Triple-A Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre on August 3 2021 where he continued his dominance one step away from “The Bigs.” He was a perfect 7-0 with a 2.87 ERA and 65 strikeouts over 53.1 innings pitched in ten games started for the RailRiders.

He became the ninth Patriot to make his MLB debut after time in Somerset as New York's Double-A affiliate. Sears joins Hoy Park, Luis Gil, Stephen Ridings and Ron Marinaccio as fifth to debut with the Yankees since the start of the 2021 season.