Justin Topa

BIOGRAPHY

Justin Topa was born on March 7, 1991, in Binghamton, New York. He is a pitcher in the MLB.

Topa was a four-year letter winner at Chenango Valley High School where he led his team to the Section 4 Class-B Championships in 2008 and 2009. He was named to the All-Conference team and third-team All-State squad as a pitcher while also earning All-Division as a second baseman. He was also a member of the golf, hockey and basketball teams.

Topa attended LIU Brooklyn where he finished his college baseball career with 20 wins, 200 strikeouts and 13 complete games. He was named NEC Rookie of the week three times, Louisville Slugger Player of the Week, Northeast Pitcher of the Week, and ECAC Co-Pitcher of the week honors during the 2010 season.

Topa was drafted in the 17th round, 509th overall, of the 2013 Major League Baseball Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates. He signed with the team on June 13, 2013, and made his professional debut with the Jamestown Jammers of the NY-Penn League on June 18, 2013 in relief at the Mahoning Valley Scrappers pitching one inning, allowing one hit, and striking out one. Topa finished the season with a 5-2 win-loss record and 2.19 earned run average (ERA). Topa spent 2014 with the West Virginia Power, before receiving a promotion in 2015 to the Bradenton Marauders, with whom he would play for through the 2016 season. Topa was released by the Pirates organization on April 1, 2017.

On March 28, 2019, Topa signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers organization. He spent the majority of the season with the Biloxi Shuckers and also played for the Carolina Mudcats. On July 28, 2020, the Brewers added Topa to their 60-man player pool.

Topa was called up to the majors for the first time on August 31, 2020 and made his debut that night against the Detroit Tigers. Topa relieved starting pitcher Josh Lindblom and pitched two innings allowing two runs on two hits while striking out two.

On January 7, 2023, the Brewers traded Topa to the Seattle Mariners for minor league pitcher Joseph Hernandez. Topa was optioned to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers to begin the 2023 season.