JP Sears

John Patrick Sears Jr.

• Bats Right, Throws Left
• Height 5' 11", Weight 180 lb.
• School The Citadel
• High School Wilson Hall High School
• Debut April 13, 2022

• Born February 19, 1996 in Sumter, SC USA

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Biographical Information

Pitcher JP Sears was originally drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 11th round of the 2017 amateur draft out of The Citadel, but before he could pitch in the majors, he was traded to the New York Yankees with Juan Then in return for P Nick Rumbelow on November 18, 2017.

It took him until 2022 to make his first appearance in the majors, which came on April 13th with a scoreless inning of relief against the Toronto Blue Jays. He was on a shuttle between New York and the minors in the first months of that season, pitching 7 games in pinstripes, but spread out over four separate stints. On August 1st, he was traded to the Oakland Athletics along with three other prospects in return for two experienced pitchers in Frankie Montas and Lou Trivino. The A's gave him a chance to start over the final two months of the season and he finished at 6-3, 3.86 in 17 games between the two teams.

In 2023, he spent a full season in Oakland's starting rotation, but found the going rough as he put up a record of 5-14 with a 4.54 DERA in 32 starts and 172 1/3 innings. His lopsided record was largely due to some poor run support as his ERA+ was 93. He struggled a bit with his control, as witnessed by his 16 hit batsmen, a total which led the American League; he also issued 53 walks. In 2024, he made another 32 starts, and while his underlying numbers were better - but not that much - his final record was a lot nicer at 11-13, 4.38. He led the team in wins, innings pitched (180 2/3) and strikeouts (137), while cutting down both his walk rate and home runs allowed. However, his ERA+ was actually worse than the year before, at 90.

In 2025, the A's moved from Oakland to a temporary home in West Sacramento, CA, becoming known simply as The Athletics and he had a very similar first half, going 7-9, 4.95 in 22 starts by the end of July, while pitching 111 innings. On July 31st, he was included in a big trade with the San Diego Padres in which The Athletics also gave up closer Mason Miller in return for four prospects. The biggest name in return was SS Leo De Vries, considered the #3 prospect in baseball at the time, as well as three young pitchers - Henry Baez, Braden Nett and Eduarniel Nunez. He made 5 starts for San Diego, going 2-2, 5.47, for an overall record of 9-11, 5.04 in 27 starts and 135 2/3 innings. He did not appear in the postseason.

Further Reading

• Betelhem Ashame: "Bullpen? Rotation? When Yanks call, Sears answers: After stretching out as starter in stellar Triple-A stint, prospect wins 1st MLB start", mlb.com, May 26, 2022. [1]
• AJ Cassavell: "Padres land closer Mason Miller, LHP Sears from A's for No. 3 prospect De Vries, more", mlb.com, July 31, 2025. [2]

Related Sites

• JP Sears on mlb.com
• The Citadel bio