The Yucatán Lions proudly announced the addition of experienced pitcher Shea Spitzbarth as the first reinforcement for their pitching staff for the 2025 LMB season. This move comes through an exchange with the Aguascalientes Rieleros, marking a key acquisition for the team.

Spitzbarth began his professional journey in 2015 with the Los Angeles Dodgers’ minor league system, advancing to AAA with the Oklahoma City Dodgers by 2019. His standout year was in 2016, when he posted an impressive 1.91 ERA in 17 games with the Great Lakes Loons (Class A), covering 28.1 innings pitched.

In the 2019-2020 offseason, Spitzbarth joined the Caribbean league with the Tigres de Licey in LIDOM, recording 5.1 innings pitched, striking out 5 batters, and allowing just 3 runs. By 2021, he was back in AAA with the Pittsburgh Pirates’ affiliate. Over 42 relief appearances and 46.2 innings pitched, he gave up only 15 runs, earning him a call-up to the Pirates’ Major League roster for 5 bullpen outings.

The 2022-23 winter season saw him return to Caribbean baseball with the Indios de Mayaguez in the LBPRC, where he appeared in 9 games. Representing Curacao in the 2023-24 Caribbean Series, Spitzbarth had 4 outings, adding 4 strikeouts to his record.

Most recently, in 2024, he played for the Aguascalientes Rieleros in the Mexican Baseball League (LMB), making 30 relief appearances, striking out 27 opponents, and allowing just 9 earned runs with a solid 2.64 ERA.

Known for his ability to prevent home runs and his calm demeanor on the mound, Spitzbarth boasts a variety of effective pitches, making him a critical addition to the Yucatán Lions’ roster.

As part of the transaction, left-handed pitcher Sam Clay was traded to the Aguascalientes Rieleros.

Player Profile
Name: Shea Spitzbarth
Date of Birth: October 4, 1994
Hometown: Staten Island, NY
Position: Pitcher
Throws/Bats: Right/Right
Key Teams: Pittsburgh Pirates, Tigres de Licey, Estrellas Orientales, Águilas Cibaeñas, Rieleros de Aguascalientes