The Art of Change

Change can be difficult for anybody. Adjusting to new locations, routines, and careers is not an easy thing to do. Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp pitcher Kyle Tyler knows this far too well. The right-hander is in the midst of a successful first season in the Miami Marlins organization. As of June 19, Tyler has a 4-2 record for Triple-A Jacksonville with a 2.80 ERA in 45.0 innings of work.

Tyler slid into the Jumbo Shrimp rotation and has found his groove over the last month. While the recent success for Tyler has helped Jacksonville win ball games, it did not start out that way. Originally starting the season at Double-A Pensacola, Tyler was promoted to Jacksonville and began his 2024 season in the bullpen. The righty was a starter during Spring Training and quickly changed to a reliever.

After three appearances out of the bullpen and Jacksonville in need of starting pitching, Tyler was given an opportunity to prove himself as a starter. In his last five starts, Tyler is 3-0 with a 0.96 ERA in 28 innings with 18 strikeouts.

“I’ve always enjoyed being a starter,” said Tyler. “It’s what I’ve done pretty much my entire career, whether it's been from high school, college, first couple of years in pro ball, to now.”

While Tyler has preferred being a starter over reliever, the Oklahoma City native’s focus has been getting into the game whenever he can. However, free agency allowed him to weigh different offers and search for an opportunity to be a starting pitcher.

“Miami was the one that said, ‘We’re going to give you a chance to be a starter at Triple-A,’” Tyler said. “I leapt at the opportunity.”

Despite being a professional baseball player, Tyler did not initially consider baseball as a career. He opted to stay local to his hometown in attending the University of Oklahoma. Tyler followed in the footsteps of both his parents and carried on a tradition of the Tyler family attending that school. Heading into school, Tyler wanted to be a dentist. A family friend, who also was a dentist, wanted to help Tyler achieve this dream. Everything seemed to line up perfectly, until Tyler wanted to change.

“I got into school, and it was ‘Hey, you need to take these eight classes’, and it was chemistry, biology, and I was like ‘I don’t think so,’” said Tyler. “So, I changed the major right after that.”

With dental school off the table, Tyler switched his focus to baseball. The right-hander was drafted in the 20th round of the 2018 draft by the Los Angeles Angels. He rose through the minor league ranks and made his debut with the big-league squad in 2021. Tyler made five appearances down the stretch for a 77-win Angels team, getting his first taste of Major League Baseball.

The following spring, Tyler was designated for assignment by the Angels. For the first time in his career, Tyler was in limbo, not knowing where he was going to play. He was claimed off waivers by the Red Sox three days later. The change of scenery from the West Coast to the Northeast never occurred for Tyler, as for the second time in a week, he was DFA’d. He would only have to wait two more days to learn his new team, the San Diego Padres.

As 2022 Spring Training wrapped up, Tyler was among the final roster decisions for San Diego. Instead of making the 26-man roster, Tyler was DFA’d again. Instead of joining his teammates in either San Diego or El Paso, the Triple-A affiliate of the Padres, Tyler was again sitting around with his wife waiting for the phone to ring.

Tyler’s next team was a familiar one, the Los Angeles Angels. After two weeks of constant questioning and hoping to build off a strong 2021 season, Tyler was back with the team that drafted him. The Angels had other plans. For the fourth time, Tyler was back on waivers after being DFA’d. San Diego claimed him and optioned him to the minors.

“The whole experience, I’m glad had it, so I know what to expect, if and when it happens again… But I kind of wish it didn’t (happen)”, said Tyler.

The stop in San Diego ended up being a rewarding one. Tyler was recalled to the Major Leagues and made his first appearance with the Padres on June 14, 2022. Tyler, facing off against the Chicago Cubs, his favorite team growing up, secured his first professional win at Wrigley Field.

While change is inevitable, one thing for Tyler is certain. When his career comes to a close, staying close to the game of baseball is what he wants to do. Tyler changed his college major to physical therapy and intends on completing his degree when he has to hang up his baseball cleats.

Throughout his entire career, Tyler has been a part of six different organizations, some for only a few days. He has been a minor league free agent three times, constantly adapting to new coaches, teammates, and organizations. And in 2024, already thriving in a new organization with different affiliates in different roles, it is safe to say that Tyler has mastered the “Art of Change.”