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Alex Faedo

Alexander Michael Faedo (born November 12, 1995) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a following his designation for assignment by the in November 2025. A right-handed thrower from , Faedo was selected by the Tigers in the first round (18th overall) of the MLB out of the , where he starred as a key member of the Gators' pitching staff. At the , Faedo compiled a 28–6 record over three seasons, ranking third in program history for career wins, and averaged 10.84 strikeouts per nine innings, the second-highest mark in Gators history. He earned honors and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2017 , where he pitched 14.1 scoreless innings across two starts to help secure its first national championship. Faedo also represented the USA Collegiate National Team in , posting a 3–0 record with a 0.56 ERA in 16 innings. Faedo signed with the Tigers for $3.5 million and progressed through their system before making his MLB debut on May 4, 2022. Over three seasons with (2022–2024), he appeared in 64 games (30 starts), recording an 8–13 record with a 4.51 , 157 strikeouts, and 175.2 . On February 3, 2025, the Tigers traded him to the —his hometown team—for Enderson Delgado and cash considerations. However, he missed the 2025 season due to shoulder issues and underwent surgery in August 2025. After being by on November 3, 2025, Faedo cleared waivers and elected free agency three days later.

Amateur career

High school

Alex Faedo was born on November 12, 1995, in , and gained his initial exposure to through strong family influences, including his Landy Faedo, a longtime high school coach, and his uncle Len Faedo, a former shortstop who played for the in the early 1980s. Faedo attended Braulio Alonso High School in Tampa, where he played as a right-handed under his father's guidance as . In his senior year of 2014, Faedo delivered an outstanding performance on the mound, compiling a 0.58 that ranked him among the top pitchers nationally (237th) and in (36th), while earning First Team All-State honors in Class 8A; he was also named Player of the Year twice that season. His high school success attracted MLB attention, resulting in his selection by the Detroit Tigers as the 1,210th overall pick in the 40th round of the 2014 MLB Draft out of Alonso High School. Faedo declined to sign the professional contract, prioritizing his academic and athletic growth by committing to the .

College

Faedo enrolled at the University of Florida in 2015, where he played college baseball for the Florida Gators under head coach Kevin O'Sullivan. As a freshman in 2015, Faedo posted a 6-1 record with a 3.23 ERA and 59 strikeouts over 61.1 innings pitched in 17 appearances, including 12 starts. In his sophomore season of 2016, he emerged as a key starter, achieving a 13-3 record, a 3.18 ERA, and a career-high 133 strikeouts in 104.2 innings across 20 games. That year, Faedo earned First-Team All-American honors from Baseball America and was named to the All-SEC First Team. That summer, he represented the USA Collegiate National Team, going 3–0 with a 0.56 ERA over 16 innings pitched. Faedo's junior year in 2017 marked his most dominant performance, as he compiled a 9-2 record with a 2.26 and a school-record 157 strikeouts—leading the nation—in 123.2 innings over 20 starts. He received Second-Team All-American from the ABCA/Rawlings, was a semifinalist for the , and earned All-SEC First-Team honors. Faedo played a pivotal role in the Gators' run to the , where they won the national championship; he was named Most Outstanding Player of the tournament after allowing just five hits and no runs while striking out 22 batters in 14.1 innings across two starts against . Following the season, the Detroit Tigers selected Faedo in the first round (18th overall) of the 2017 MLB Draft, and he signed for a $3,500,000 bonus.

Professional career

Minor leagues

Following his selection by the Detroit Tigers in the first round (18th overall) of the 2017 MLB Draft out of the University of Florida, Alex Faedo signed with the organization on July 5, 2017, for a $3.5 million signing bonus, slightly above the slot value of $3,214,600. Due to his heavy workload during Florida's College World Series-winning season, where he pitched extensively in the postseason, the Tigers opted not to have him appear in any games that year, instead focusing on rest and development. He was briefly assigned to the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Tigers West but did not play, marking a cautious start to his professional career. Faedo made his professional debut in 2018 with the High-A of the , where he began the season strongly before experiencing issues and command challenges later in the year. In 24 appearances (23 starts) split between Lakeland and the Double-A after a midseason on , he posted a 5-10 record with a 4.02 ERA over 121 , striking out 110 batters while walking 35. His transition to Double-A highlighted his potential as a starter, though inconsistent fastball —sitting 91-93 mph rather than his college peaks—contributed to a higher ERA in Erie (4.95). The following year, 2019, Faedo returned to Erie for a full season at Double-A, improving to a 6-7 record with a 3.90 ERA in 115.1 innings and a career-high 134 strikeouts, ranking third in the Eastern League in that category and solidifying his prospect status despite ongoing arm concerns. Faedo's momentum was halted in 2020 amid the , as he spent the shortened season at the Tigers' alternate training site in without official games. He built there but was shut down in September with a strain, which led to the diagnosis of a torn in his right elbow. On December 19, 2020, he underwent Tommy John surgery to reconstruct the ligament, the Tigers' No. 10 prospect at the time per MLB Pipeline rankings, causing him to miss the entire 2021 season during recovery. The procedure, combined with prior arm fatigue, delayed his path to the majors and dropped him in organizational rankings, emphasizing the risks for a with his college-heavy workload history. Fully recovered by spring 2022, Faedo began the season on a rehab assignment with Lakeland, where he recorded a 1-1 mark and 2.53 ERA over 10.2 innings in three starts. Promoted to Triple-A , he threw 5 scoreless innings in one start before earning a call-up to the majors on May 4, 2022, marking the end of his progression after four years in the system marred by setbacks. His injuries ultimately postponed his big-league arrival by nearly five years post-draft, but his steady climb through the levels—from to Double-A dominance to a brief Triple-A stint—demonstrated and the Tigers' investment in his long-term potential as a piece.

Detroit Tigers

Faedo made his debut with the Detroit Tigers on May 4, 2022, starting the second game of a doubleheader against the at . In 5.0 , he allowed 8 and 2 earned runs while recording 1 strikeout and 1 walk, contributing to a 3-2 Tigers victory. The appearance marked the culmination of his recovery from surgery in 2021, following a strong start in Triple-A earlier that season. During the 2022 season, Faedo made 12 starts for the Tigers, posting a 1-5 record with a 5.53 and 44 strikeouts over 53.2 . His performance showed promise early on, with a 2.91 in his first seven starts, but was hampered by control challenges and an eventual season-ending hip injury in . Despite the difficulties, he demonstrated potential as a starter with his fastball-slider combination. In 2023, Faedo appeared in 15 games for , including 12 starts, recording a 2-5 mark with a 4.45 and 58 strikeouts in 64.2 . Midway through the year, he split time between the majors and Triple-A to refine his command, before returning in August. Late in the season, on September 3, the Tigers transitioned him to a multi-inning role as part of an experiment to leverage his stuff in shorter bursts, a move that yielded encouraging early results in hybrid usage. In 2024, Faedo transitioned to a primary reliever role with the Tigers, appearing in 37 games (6 starts) and posting a 5-3 record with a 3.61 , 55 strikeouts, and 12 holds over 57.1 . His performance provided valuable stability to the Tigers' amid roster challenges. On January 29, 2025, the Tigers designated Faedo for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster. On February 3, 2025, the Tigers traded him to the in exchange for minor-league catcher Enderson Delgado and cash considerations.

Tampa Bay Rays

As a Tampa native and lifelong Rays fan, Faedo expressed significant excitement about returning home to pitch for his childhood team following the February 3, 2025, from the Tigers. During the 2025 offseason and , Faedo encountered right shoulder inflammation. The Rays placed him on the 15-day on March 27, 2025, retroactive to March 24, before transferring him to the 60-day IL to accommodate roster needs. Faedo missed the entire 2025 season due to persistent right shoulder issues, which were ultimately diagnosed as . He underwent for the condition on August 6, 2025, ending his year without a single appearance. The Rays designated Faedo for on November 3, 2025, to clear a roster spot. He cleared waivers and elected free agency on November 6, 2025. Post-surgery recovery timelines for raise uncertainty about Faedo's availability for the start of the 2026 season.

Personal life

Family

Alex Faedo was born to parents Landy Faedo and Kristina Faedo in . His father, Landy Faedo, has been the longtime head baseball coach at Alonso High School and previously served as an assistant coach at . Faedo is the nephew of Lenny Faedo, a former shortstop who was selected by the as the 16th overall pick in the first round of the 1978 MLB Draft and played parts of five seasons in the majors from 1980 and 1982 to 1984. In 2023, Faedo married Kelsey Faedo (née Barrett), with whom he shares a close family life marked by mutual support during his professional transitions. The couple has two children: son , born prior to 2023, and daughter Isabella, born in August 2024. Faedo's immediate family has been present at pivotal moments in his career, including his Major League debut for the Tigers on May 4, 2022, when his parents traveled to to witness the event shortly after receiving the call-up news.

Hometown connections

Alex Faedo was born and raised in , where he developed a deep passion for the as a lifelong fan, frequently attending games at during his youth. His fandom extended to idolizing local Rays players, shaping his aspirations in from an early age. The February 2025 trade from the Detroit Tigers to the Rays carried profound emotional weight for Faedo, whom he described as a "dream come true" and a significant "big change" in his career. This elicited overwhelming from his and , with Faedo noting that "my is really excited" about the opportunity to play close to . His , Kristie, reacted with tears of upon hearing the news, while his father, Landy, shared in the family's excitement, underscoring their strong Tampa roots. Upon the Rays' announcement of the trade, the Tampa community warmly welcomed Faedo as the "hometown kid," with local media highlighting the pride in his return and connections to the area, including his father's coaching ties to Rays manager . This reception emphasized the cultural significance of Faedo pitching for his childhood team. Faedo continues to reside in the Tampa area with his family, allowing him to balance his commitments with life in his hometown. This proximity has provided personal stability amid his professional transitions.

References

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