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Travis Bergen

Travis Michael Bergen (born October 8, 1993) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Francisco Giants, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Toronto Blue Jays.

Amateur career

Bergen attended Union Grove High School in McDonough, Georgia. In 2012, as a senior, he pitched to a 6–1 win–loss record with a 1.42 earned run average (ERA) in 38+1⁄3 innings.[1][2] Undrafted out of high school, he played college baseball at Kennesaw State University.[3] In 2014, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Bourne Braves of the Cape Cod Baseball League and was named a league all-star.[4] In 2015, his junior season, he went 6–4 with a 3.15 ERA in 14 starts.[5] He was the Owls' team captain and named to the Atlantic Sun Conference All-First Team.[2]

Professional career

Toronto Blue Jays

Bergen was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the seventh round of the 2015 Major League Baseball draft.[6] He made his professional debut with the Low-A Vancouver Canadiens. Bergen pitched in only 14 games combined in 2016 and 2017 for Vancouver and the Rookie-level Gulf Coast Blue Jays due to injuries.[7] In 2018 he played for the High-A Dunedin Blue Jays and Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats, combining to go 4–2 with a 0.95 ERA and 74 strikeouts in 562⁄3 innings pitched.

San Francisco Giants

On December 13, 2018, Bergen was selected by the San Francisco Giants with the eighth pick in the Rule 5 draft.[8] He made his major league debut on March 29, 2019 against the San Diego Padres. He retired Ian Kinsler on a ground ball, the only batter he faced.[9] He was placed on the 10-day injured list with a shoulder strain on May 21.[10] On August 18, Bergen was designated for assignment.[11]

Toronto Blue Jays (second stint)

On August 21, 2019, Bergen was returned to the Toronto Blue Jays organization and placed on the reserve list of the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.[12] On August 24, 2020, Bergen's contract was selected to the major league roster.[13]

Arizona Diamondbacks

On August 31, 2020, the Blue Jays traded Bergen to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Robbie Ray and $300,000.[14][15] In 6+2⁄3 innings, Bergen allowed 3 runs, struck out 8, and walked 8. On February 26, 2021, the Diamondbacks designated Bergen for assignment.[16]

Toronto Blue Jays (third stint)

On February 28, 2021, Bergen was acquired by the Blue Jays in exchange for cash considerations.[17] Bergen recorded a 1.69 ERA in 102⁄3 innings of work for Toronto before he designated for assignment on June 29.[18] He was outrighted to Triple-A Buffalo on July 4.[19] On October 5, Bergen elected free agency.[20]

San Diego Padres

On March 18, 2022, Bergen signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres.[21] In 25 appearances for the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas, he compiled a 4–0 record and 4.07 ERA with 27 strikeouts across 24+1⁄3 innings pitched. Bergen was released by the Padres on August 8.[22]

Personal life

Bergen and his wife, Elise, were married in 2019.[23] They had a child in 2021.[24]

References

  1. ^ Morrison, Kyle (March 14, 2016). "Blue Jays prospect and former Union Grove standout credits dad with helping him get to the pros". Henry Herald.
  2. ^ a b "Travis Bergen - Baseball". Kennesaw State University Athletics. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
  3. ^ Morrison, Kyle (March 14, 2016). "Blue Jays prospect and former Union Grove standout credits dad with helping him get to the pros". Henry Herald. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  4. ^ "#21 Travis Bergen - Profile". Pointstreak. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
  5. ^ W, Matt (June 9, 2015). "Blue Jays pick LHP Travis Bergen in the 7th round". Bluebird Banter.
  6. ^ Torres, Maria (June 9, 2015). "Kennesaw State pitcher Travis Bergen becomes third Union Grove baseball player drafted since 2003". Henry Herald. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  7. ^ Garrison, Luke (March 7, 2018). "Blue Jays hopeful Travis Bergen soaks up Canadian culture". Toronto Observer. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  8. ^ Crowley, Kerry (December 13, 2018). "Giants active in Rule 5 draft, add two players to major league roster". The Mercury News. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
  9. ^ Guardado, Maria (March 30, 2019). "Longo's homer prevents history-making loss". MLB.com. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
  10. ^ "Giants' Travis Bergen: Out with shoulder strain". CBS Sports. RotoWire. March 21, 2019. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
  11. ^ Crowley, Kerry (August 18, 2019). "Giants cut Rule 5 draft pick, promote Avelino, open up 40-man roster spot". The Mercury News. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  12. ^ Miller, George (August 21, 2019). "Minor MLB Transactions: 8/21/19". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved August 22, 2019.
  13. ^ "Blue Jays Put Thornton On IL, Select Bergen, DFA Pannone". MLB Trade Rumors. August 24, 2020.
  14. ^ Matheson, Keegan (August 31, 2020). "Toronto acquires Ray (official), Villar (source)". MLB.com. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  15. ^ Gilbert, Steve (September 1, 2020). "D-backs trade Ray, Bradley, Starling, Chafin". MLB.com. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
  16. ^ "Diamondbacks DFA Travis Bergen, Keury Mella". MLB Trade Rumors. February 26, 2021.
  17. ^ "Toronto Blue Jays reacquire LHP Travis Bergen from Arizona Diamondbacks for cash". ESPN. March 1, 2021. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  18. ^ Adams, Steve (June 29, 2021). "Blue Jays Designate Travis Bergen For Assignment". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  19. ^ "Outrighted: Beasley, Bergen, Wade". MLB Trade Rumors. July 5, 2021.
  20. ^ Franco, Anthony (October 7, 2021). "Players Recently Electing Free Agency". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  21. ^ Adams, Steve (March 18, 2022). "Padres, Travis Bergen Agree To Minor League Deal". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  22. ^ "Travis Bergen Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News". MLB.com. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
  23. ^ Bergen, Travis [@tbergen_] (November 6, 2019). "11.2.19" – via Instagram.
  24. ^ Bergen, Travis [@tbergen_] (July 8, 2021). "💕Austyn Grace Bergen💕 "Go on, take on this whole world. But to me you know you know you'll always be, my little girl."" – via Instagram.