Caleb Baragar
Caleb Baragar is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He pitched in college baseball for Jackson College and Indiana University. Baragar was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the ninth round of the 2016 MLB draft, and made his Major League Baseball debut for them in 2020. He also played in the Chinese Professional Baseball League for the Rakuten Monkeys.
Amateur career
Bargar attended Jenison High School, where he threw two no-hitters. He pitched his first two collegiate seasons for Jackson College in 2013 and 2014. He transferred to Indiana University for his final two years, in 2015 and 2016.During his 2014 offseason, Baragar played collegiate summer baseball for the Kalamazoo Growlers of the Northwoods League.
Professional career
San Francisco Giants
Baragar was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the ninth round of the 2016 MLB draft. He split his first professional season between the rookie-level Arizona League Giants and High-A San Jose Giants. Baragar spent the 2017 season with the Single-A Augusta GreenJackets, posting a 5-7 record and 4.63 ERA with 81 strikeouts in innings pitched across 22 starts.Baragar split the 2018 campaign between Augusta, San Jose, and the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats; in 26 appearances for the three affiliates, he compiled a 3-4 record and 4.06 ERA with 85 strikeouts over 82 innings of work. He split the 2019 season between San Jose, the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels, and Sacramento. In 28 appearances for the three affiliates, Baragar accumulated a 5-6 record and 3.57 ERA with 135 strikeouts over 141 innings of work; he was also named a Eastern League Mid-Season All-Star.
Baragar was invited to spring training for the Giants in 2020. He subsequently made the Giants' Opening Day roster and his contract was selected to the 40-man roster. Baragar made his MLB debut on July 25, 2020, earning the win after pitching two scoreless innings in relief against the Los Angeles Dodgers. In 24 appearances for the Giants during his rookie campaign, Baragar logged a 5–1 record with a 4.03 ERA with 19 strikeouts across innings pitched. He was second in the NL in win–loss percentage.
In the 2021 regular season with the Giants, he was 2–1 with two saves and a 1.57 ERA. He pitched in 25 games, pitching 23 innings in relief. With Triple–A Sacramento, Baragar was 3–3 with an 8.46 ERA, pitching innings in 22 games. He was designated for assignment on March 14, 2022, to create room on the roster for free agent signing Carlos Rodon.
Arizona Diamondbacks
On March 21, 2022, Baragar was claimed off of waivers by the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was designated for assignment on April 5, following the promotion of Óliver Pérez. On April 10, Baragar was outrighted to the Triple-A Reno Aces. In 43 games for Reno, he posted a 5.51 ERA with 50 strikeouts in innings of work. He elected free agency following the season on November 10.Cleveland Guardians
On December 22, 2022, Baragar signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Guardians. The deal includes an invitation to the Guardians' 2023 major league spring training camp. In 23 games for the Triple–A Columbus Clippers, he struggled to a 6.54 ERA with 41 strikeouts and 2 saves across innings pitched. On August 3, 2023, Baragar was released by the Guardians organization.Lancaster Stormers
On April 15, 2024, Baragar signed with the Lancaster Stormers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He appeared in 3 games, all starts, and pitched to a 2.25 ERA with 18 strikeouts.Minnesota Twins
On May 10, 2024, Baragar’s contract was purchased by the Minnesota Twins organization. In 16 games for the Triple–A St. Paul Saints, he logged a 2–3 record and 5.96 ERA with 26 strikeouts across innings pitched. Baragar was released by the Twins organization on September 12.Toros de Tijuana
On February 11, 2025, Baragar signed with the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos of the Mexican League. He was released by the Tecolotes prior to the start of the season on April 14.On April 29, 2025, Baragar signed with the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League. In 11 starts for Tijuana, Baragar pitched to a 5-0 record and 3.59 ERA with 44 strikeouts across innings pitched.