Justin Topa

Justin Robert Topa (born March 7, 1991) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in the Pittsburgh Pirates and Texas Rangers organizations.

Justin Topa
Milwaukee Brewers – No. 56
Pitcher
Born: (1991-03-07) March 7, 1991
Binghamton, New York
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 1, 2020, for the Milwaukee Brewers
MLB statistics
(through 2020 season)
Win–loss record0-1
Earned run average2.35
Strikeouts12
Teams

Amateur career

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.[1]

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.

Career

Pittsburgh Pirates

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.[2] Topa was released by the Pirates organization on April 1, 2017.[3]

Rockland Boulders

In May 2017, Topa signed with the Rockland Boulders of the Can-Am League.[4] He pitched in 20 games for Rockland, carrying a 3.50 ERA with 80 strikeouts over 110.2 innings pitched for the team. He began the 2018 season with Rockland as well an appeared in 4 games with the club, pitching to a 4.43 ERA with 15 strikeouts over 20.1 innings with the club.[5]

Texas Rangers

On June 17, 2018, Topa signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers organization.[6] He spent the majority of the season with the Frisco RoughRiders and also appeared with the Down East Wood Ducks before he elected free agency on November 2, 2018.

Milwaukee Brewers

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.[7]

Topa was called up to the majors for the first time on August 31, 2020[8] 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.

References
  1. "Justin Topa - 2013 Baseball - LIU Brooklyn". brooklyn.liuathletics.com. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  2. "Justin Topa Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com.
  3. Prospects, Pirates (March 29, 2017). "Pittsburgh Pirates Release Jason Creasy and Justin Topa". www.chatsports.com.
  4. "Justin Topa - Can-Am League - player". Pointstreak Sports Technologies.
  5. "Justin Topa College, Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com.
  6. "CV's Justin Topa keeping MLB dream alive in Texas". June 22, 2018.
  7. "MLB's Brewers Add Baseball Alum Topa to 60-Man Roster". Long Island University.
  8. Rosiak, Todd (August 31, 2020). "Brewers promote right-handers Trey Supak and Justin Topa from Appleton". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
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