P.J. Conlon

Patrick Joshua Conlon

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 5' 11", Weight 192 lb.
• School University of San Diego
• High School El Dorado High School (Placentia)
• Debut May 7, 2018
• Final Game July 10, 2018

• Born November 11, 1993 in Belfast, Northern Ireland

BR page

Biographical Information

Pitcher P.J. Conlon is the first major league player to be born in Northern Ireland, having been born in Belfast in 1993; 19th Century player Irish McIlveen was also born in Belfast, but in 1880, well before the creation of Northern Ireland. Conlon moved to California with his family at the age of two but did not receive his American citizenship until high school.

P.J. made his major league debut starting for the New York Mets against the Cincinnati Reds on May 7, 2018. The Mets had drafted him in the 13th round in 2015 and he had been the team's Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2016, when he went 12-2, 1.65 between the Columbia Fireflies and St. Lucie Mets. After going 8-9, 3.38 for the Binghamton Rumble Ponies in 2017, he went to spring training with the Mets in 2018. He was 1-2, 6.75 in 5 starts for the Las Vegas 51s when he was called up to take the place of an injured Jacob deGrom. In his debut, he gave up 3 runs in 3 2/3 innings and was not involved in the decision as the Mets won, 7-6. He made only two more appearances, finishing his big league career with an 8.22 ERA in 7 2/3 innings. He spent four days with the Los Angeles Dodgers as a waiver claim in '18, returning to the Mets and being given his release at his request from the minors in 2019.

Further Reading

• Anthony DiComo: "Ireland native Conlon has debut 'you dream about': First Irish native to play in MLB since 1945, thrills family, friends in stands", mlb.com, May 7, 2018. [1]
• Colm Phelan: "On the Ball: Belfast lad P.J. Conlon set to become the first Irishman in over 70 years to play Major League Baseball", The Irish Sun, May 7, 2018. [2]

Related Sites

• P.J. Conlon on mlb.com
• University of San Diego bio