Cam Booser

Cameron Joseph Booser

• Bats left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 3", Weight 225 lb.
• School Central Arizona College, Lewis-Clark State College, Oregon State University
• High School Fife High School
• Debut April 19, 2024

• Born May 4, 1992 in Seattle, WA USA

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Biographical Information

Pitcher Cam Booser did not have a straightforward path to the majors. He attended three separate post-secondary institutions, including at Oregon State University, where he pitched just 11 innings in 2011 after sitting out his freshman season due to Tommy John surgery. He had also been seriously injured while playing football in high school, and decided to move the Central Arizona College in 2012, hoping to get a better opportunity there. He went undrafted in 2013, and signed as a free agent with the Minnesota Twins, but things did not go smoothly there either. He had more pitching-related injuries, then was hit by a car while rehabbing from a shoulder injury, resulting in broken bone in his back, and afterwards was suspended for using marijuana in 2015. The Twins released him in 2017 and it looked to all the world like his career was over, having peaked in the Class A Florida State League. At one point, the Twins had also tried to convert him to an outfielder, although he never actually played the position in a game. He went to work in carpentry in his home town of Seattle, WA, his specialty being acoustical ceilings.

However, he continued to throw on the side while coaching youth baseball, and realizing in 2021 that he could reach 96 mph while being pain-free, he gave professional baseball another go, signing with the Chicago Dogs of the independent American Association. He went 1-2, 1.93 in 21 games as a reliever that season, earning a look with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2022. However, results were mixed, as he was 1-1, 6.48 in 19 games for the Amarillo Sod Poodles of the Texas League and he finished the season back in the indy leagues, with the Lancaster Barnstormers of the Atlantic League. He was 1-0, 4.63 there and earned another look from a major league team, this time the Boston Red Sox, who signed him on February 6, 2023. That turned out to be the break he needed. He went 4-3, 4.99 in 48 games in relief for the Worcester Red Sox of the AAA International League, striking out 66 batters in 57 2/3 innings.

After starting 2024 back in Worcester and going 2-0, 2.70 in 4 games, he got the call to Boston on April 19th when the Red Sox selected his contract after Joe Jacques was designated for assignment. He made his major league debut the same day, giving up one run whole pitching the 9th inning of an 8-1 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates, having finally reached the Show at age 31 - the oldest player to make his debut since Tommy Fine in 1947 (excluding players who had come over from Japan). His first strikeout victim was none other than former MVP Andrew McCutchen.

Further Reading

• Sam Connon: "Boston Red Sox Call Up 31-Year-Old Reliever Cam Booser to Make MLB Debut", "Fan Nation", Sports Illustrated.com, April 19, 2024. [1]
• Jack Crouse: "From carpenter to MLB hurler: Booser's wild journey to debut", mlb.com, April 19, 2024. [2]

Related Sites

• Cam Booser on mlb.com