Michael Wacha

BIOGRAPHY

Michael Wacha was born July 1, 1991, in Iowa City, Iowa. He is a pitcher in the MLB.

Wacha was selected by the Cardinals in the first round of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft from out of Texas A&M. With just one year in the minor leagues, he made his MLB debut on May 30, 2013. Following a strong regular season, Wacha earned the 2013 National League Championship Series Most Valuable Player Award, after yielding one run and eight hits in his first 21 postseason innings pitched.

Wacha was guaranteed a regular post in the rotation at the outset of the 2014 season, and his first two starts came against the Reds. Receiving one win and one no-decision, he furthered a strong start against them. His first career 22+2⁄3 innings pitched against them included just 13 hits and five walks allowed with 20 strikeouts and a 0.40 earned run average.

The Cardinals won each of Wacha's first nine starts of 2015 while he credited as the winner in seven of them. With an earned run average of 1.87, he became the first Cardinal to start with a 7–0 record since Matt Morris started 8–0 in 2005. He was selected to his first All-Star Game, played at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. The Cardinals skipped 10 days between two August starts over concerns about his shoulder. To that point, he was 15–4 with a 2.69 earned run average and 1.12 walks plus hits per inning pitched.

In 2017, Wacha stayed healthy the entire season and tied a career high in starts with 30. He finished the season with a 12–9 record and 4.13 earned run average, recording a 3.41 earned run average at home and 4.97 on the road.

On June 3, 2018, against the Pirates, Wacha took a no-hitter through eight innings until giving up a lead-off single by Colin Moran in the ninth inning. Nevertheless, the Cardinals won 5–0. On June 21, Wacha was placed on the 10-day disabled list due to a left oblique strain, and did not pitch the remainder of the year. For the 2018 season, Wacha made 15 starts, going 8–2 with a 3.20 earned run average.

On November 27, 2021, Wacha signed a one-year contract with the Boston Red Sox, reportedly worth $7 million. He began the season as a starter in Boston's pitching rotation. He was on the injured list due to intercostal irritation from May 8 until May 20. On June 6, Wacha tossed a complete game shutout against the Los Angeles Angels. He only walked one batter, while striking out six batters on 105 pitches. It was also the second complete game and shutout of his career. It was the 10th complete game 1–0 shutout in Red Sox franchise history, and the first since June 7, 2007, when Curt Schilling did so against the Oakland A's. Wacha was placed on the injured list on July 8 due to right shoulder inflammation. On August 4, while on a rehabilitation assignment with the Worcester Red Sox, Wacha pitched 4+2⁄3 innings without allowing a hit against the Durham Bulls; A. J. Politi and Chase Shugart completed the combined no-hitter. Wacha returned to Boston's active roster on August 14. In 23 starts with Boston, Wacha posted an 11–2 record with 3.32 ERA while striking out 104 batters in 127+1⁄3 innings.

On February 16, 2023, Wacha signed a one-year contract with the San Diego Padres.

Wacha signed a 2-year deal with the Kansas City Royals following the 2023 season.