Will Vest

Vest attended Ridge Point High School in Sienna, Texas. He played for the school's baseball team as a shortstop. He enrolled at Stephen F. Austin State University, where he played college baseball for the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks. Vest became a pitcher in college.[1]

Vest was drafted in the 12th round, 365th overall, by the Detroit Tigers in the 2017 MLB draft.[2] Vest made his professional debut with the Low-A Connecticut Tigers, posting a 3-1 record and 2.83 ERA in 21 games. He split the 2018 season between the Single-A West Michigan Whitecaps and the High-A Lakeland Flying Tigers, recording a cumulative 4-4 record and 5.18 ERA in 30 appearances. In 2019, Vest split the year between Lakeland, the Double-A Erie SeaWolves, and the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens, pitching to a 3-5 record and 3.27 ERA with 58 strikeouts in 55.0 innings of work in 37 games between the three teams.[3]

Vest did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[4]

On December 10, 2020, the Seattle Mariners selected Vest from the Tigers in the Rule 5 draft.[5] He made the Mariners' Opening Day roster.[6] Vest made the Opening Day roster and made his major league debut in relief on Opening Day.[7] On July 12, Vest was designated for assignment by Seattle after recording a 6.17 ERA in 32 relief appearances.[8]

Vest cleared waivers and Seattle returned him to the Tigers on July 17, 2021.[9] The Tigers assigned Vest to Toledo.[10] Vest made the Tigers' Opening Day roster for the 2022 season.[11]