| Tyler Higgins | |
| Position: | Pitcher |
| Birth Date: | 22 April 1991 |
| Birth Place: | Flint, Michigan |
| Bats: | Right |
| Throws: | Right |
| Debutleague: | NPB |
| Debutdate: | June 26 |
| Debutyear: | 2020 |
| Debutteam: | Orix Buffaloes |
| Finalleague: | NPB |
| Finaldate: | October 21 |
| Finalyear: | 2021 |
| Finalteam: | Orix Buffaloes |
| Statleague: | NPB |
| Stat1label: | Win–loss record |
| Stat1value: | 4-5 |
| Stat2label: | Earned run average |
| Stat2value: | 2.46 |
| Stat3label: | Strikeouts |
| Stat3value: | 81 |
| Teams: |
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Tyler E. Higgins (born April 22, 1991) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Orix Buffaloes. He currently serves as the pitching coach for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.
The Florida Marlins chose Higgins in the 23rd round, 703rd overall, in the 2011 Major League Baseball draft. Higgins made his professional debut with the GCL Marlins. In 2012, Higgins split the year between the GCL Marlins and the High-A Jupiter Hammerheads, pitching to a 2.57 ERA in 23 appearances. He spent the 2013 season in Jupiter, recording a 2-7 record and 4.01 ERA in 45 games. He spent the 2014 season in Double-A with the Jacksonville Suns, registering a 4.97 ERA in 29.0 innings of work. In 2015, he split the year between Jacksonville and Jupiter, accumulating a 3.55 ERA with 41 strikeouts in 50.2 innings pitched. He spent the entirety of the 2016 season in Jacksonville, pitching to a 3-5 record and 3.45 ERA with 45 strikeouts in 44 appearances. In 2017, Higgins again spent the year in Jacksonville, posting a 3-3 record and 3.43 ERA in 60.1 innings pitched across 34 games.[1] He elected free agency following the season on November 6, 2017.[2]
On March 27, 2018, Higgins signed with the New Britain Bees of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[3] Higgins pitched to a stellar 1.88 ERA in 14 appearances for New Britain.
On June 1, 2018, Higgins' contract was purchased by the Seattle Mariners organization and was assigned to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers.[4] [5] In 28 games for Tacoma, he posted a 2.83 ERA with 38 strikeouts. Higgins elected free agency following the season on November 2.[6]
On December 21, 2018, Higgins signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres organization.[7] He split the season between the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas and the Double-A Amarillo Sod Poodles, recording a 5-1 record and 4.75 ERA between the two clubs. On December 18, 2019, Higgins was released by the Padres.
On December 23, 2019, Higgins signed with the Orix Buffaloes of the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).[8] On June 26, 2020, Higgins made his NPB debut. In 41 appearances for Orix, Higgins pitched to a 2.40 ERA with 45 strikeouts. On February 11, 2021, Higgins tested positive for COVID-19.[9] Higgins made 49 appearances for Orix in 2021, logging a 2.53 ERA with 36 strikeouts in 46.1 innings of work. Higgins became a free agent following the season.
On March 7, 2022, Higgins signed a minor league contract to return to the San Diego Padres organization.[10] In 24 games for the Triple–A El Paso Chihuahuas, he posted a 4.97 ERA with 24 strikeouts across innings of work. Higgins was released by San Diego on July 12.
On August 4, 2022, Higgins signed with the High Point Rockers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. In 15 relief appearances for the Rockers, he posted a strong 1.72 ERA with 19 strikeouts and 4 saves across innings pitched. Higgins became a free agent after the season.
On February 5, 2024, Higgins was hired by the Philadelphia Phillies to serve as the pitching coach for their Triple–A affiliate, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.[11]