Position: LHP
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 245 lbs
Bats/Throws: L/L
Born: 04/05/2001
Country: Australia
Signed: Int’l Free Agent, 2018 (Mariners)
How Acquired: Minor League Free Agent
Bonus: N/A
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: Eligible
Minor League Free Agency: 2024
Options Left: 3
Overview
Seattle signed Townsend out of Australia in 2018. He made slow progress through their system and was still in High Class A in 2024 when the Mariners released him. In fact, he’s pitched very little as a pro, including just 50 innings through 2022. He’s generally had high K rates and fairly high walk rates. His fastball can reach 93 mph and he throws a slow breaking ball with a lot of horizontal movement. The Pirates signed him as a minor league free agent in August 2024.
2018-22
Townsend didn’t pitch in 2018, appeared in just two games in 2019 and five more in 2021. All but one of these appearances were at the rookie level. He didn’t pitch in the pandemic year.
In 2022, Townsend made 20 appearances total, nearly all in relief, including 13 in Low A and four in High A. He had trouble with walks, allowing 18 in 29.1 IP, but he also struck out 37. He missed nearly two months due to injury.
2023-24
Townsend spent 2023 in the high-offense, Low A California League. He put up solid numbers, including a 1.27 WHIP, 3.9 BB/9 and 10.3 K/9. The next year, Seattle sent him to High A, where he had a 2.45 ERA in 29.1 IP, all in relief. His other numbers slipped a little, though, including a 5.2 BB/9.
Seattle released Townsend in early August and the Pirates signed him about two weeks later. He joined Altoona late in the season, in time to make five relief appearances. Over nine innings, he gave up just four hits and two walks, striking out six.
Townsend is eligible for minor league free agency in 2024.
Stats
Transactions
June 19, 2018: Signed by the Seattle Mariners as an international free agent.
August 5, 2023: Released by the Seattle Mariners.
August 21, 2024: Signed as a minor league free agent by the Pittsburgh Pirates.