WASHINGTON – Former Auburn pitcher Gabe Klobosits was called up to the Washington Nationals and made his Major League Baseball debut Friday, throwing 0.2 innings in the team's win against the Cubs.
Klobosits becomes the 56th Auburn baseball alum to play in the big leagues, including the fifth former Tiger and fourth pitcher since Aug. 19, 2020 to make his MLB debut. Klobosits also becomes Auburn head coach Butch Thompson's 18th pitcher to make his MLB debut, including his 12th since 2014.
Klobosits was selected by the Nationals in the 36th round of the 2017 MLB Draft and is one of 17 pitchers to enter professional baseball in Thompson's tenure at Auburn (2016-present).
A native of Katy, Texas, and a transfer from Galveston College, Klobosits spent two seasons in an Auburn uniform. The big right-hander made 38 appearances, including seven starts, and struck out 64 batters in 77.0 career innings.
Klobosits has made 73 relief appearances in four minor league seasons and is 5-3 with a 1.45 ERA to go along with 13 career saves and 10 career holds. He has struck out 107 batters in 105.2 innings and has turned in a .196 average against with a 1.08 WHIP.
After making two relief appearances in MLB Spring Training this season, Klobosits allowed just two earned runs in 24 appearances and 32.0 innings for Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Rochester – good for a 0.56 ERA.
Klobosits was called up to Triple-A on June 29, 2021 and didn't allow an earned run in nine appearances and 12.0 innings. He went 1-1 with three saves in three opportunities and struck out 10 batters while holding opponents to a .182 average against.