Paul Mitchell – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Paul Mitchell really made his mark in Major League Baseball during the mid-1970s. He was a right-handed pitcher who bounced around four different teams across six seasons.

He was born on August 19, 1949, in Worcester, Massachusetts. Mitchell had an impressive amateur career before he jumped into professional baseball, where trades and transitions became a big part of his journey.

Mitchell played in the big leagues from 1975 to 1980, putting together a 32-39 win-loss record with the Baltimore Orioles, Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, and Milwaukee Brewers. He was known for his steady performance and, honestly, some pretty remarkable defense. His perfect 1.000 fielding percentage actually tied him for the all-time major league record among pitchers with at least 500 innings pitched.

This look at Mitchell’s baseball career digs into his path from a promising college prospect to a reliable major league pitcher. We’ll hit on his early development, the big trades that shaped his story, and the impact he had both on and off the field.

His story gives us a glimpse into what pro baseball looked like in the late 1970s. That was the era of expansion, with new teams like the Seattle Mariners joining the league.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Paul Michael Mitchell Jr. was born on August 19, 1949, in Worcester, Massachusetts. He sharpened his baseball skills through high school and college before getting drafted twice by major league teams.

He had some standout performances at Worcester Academy and Old Dominion University. He also played three championship seasons in the Cape Cod Baseball League.

Family Background and Childhood in Worcester

Mitchell came into the world in Worcester, Massachusetts, and grew up right there. The city really shaped his early years and his baseball development.

He got his first taste of organized baseball in Worcester. The city’s strong baseball tradition and youth programs gave him plenty of chances to develop his pitching from a young age.

His family always backed his athletic pursuits. That support in Worcester set the stage as he grew into a skilled pitcher during his teens.

Worcester Academy Baseball Experience

Mitchell went to Worcester Academy, a well-known prep school in his hometown. He graduated in 1968 after making a name for himself as a talented pitcher.

His time at Worcester Academy put him on the radar of pro scouts. The Pittsburgh Pirates picked him in the 18th round of the 1968 MLB draft while he was still in high school.

But Mitchell decided not to go pro right away. Looking back, that was probably a smart move for his long-term growth as a pitcher.

Collegiate Career at Old Dominion University

Instead of signing with Pittsburgh, Mitchell accepted a baseball scholarship to Old Dominion University. That way, he could keep studying and keep working on his pitching.

From 1969 to 1971, Mitchell played summer baseball in the Cape Cod Baseball League for the Falmouth Commodores. That experience really helped him develop.

Mitchell led Falmouth to league championships all three years he played there. He was so dominant that he took home the league’s outstanding pitcher award in both 1969 and 1970.

Cape Cod League Achievements:

  • 1969: Outstanding Pitcher Award, League Championship
  • 1970: Outstanding Pitcher Award, League Championship
  • 1971: League Championship

The Cape Cod League experience let Mitchell test himself against top college players. That level of competition got him ready for pro baseball.

Draft Selections and Path to Professional Baseball

Mitchell’s success in college and summer ball caught the eyes of MLB scouts. The Baltimore Orioles picked him in the first round (7th overall) of the secondary phase of the 1971 draft.

That was a huge jump from his 18th-round selection by Pittsburgh back in 1968. His college performances and Cape Cod League dominance really boosted his draft stock.

The Orioles made a big investment in Mitchell, showing they believed in his potential. That pick started his journey through Baltimore’s minor league system and eventually to the majors.

By choosing college over jumping straight to the pros, Mitchell gave himself more time to grow and face better competition. That extra development paid off in a big way.

Major League Debut and Baltimore Orioles Years

Paul Mitchell broke into the majors with the Baltimore Orioles on July 1, 1975. He’d just put together a 10-1 start at Triple-A Rochester.

His time with Baltimore helped establish him as a promising pitcher. Not long after, he was part of a blockbuster trade involving Reggie Jackson.

MLB Debut with the Orioles

Mitchell made his major league debut on July 1, 1975, at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox. He was 25 years old, and that made him the 13,655th player in major league history.

He worked his way up through the Orioles’ system after being drafted in the first round back in 1971. He spent time with their AA team in Asheville and then two seasons in AAA Rochester before getting the call.

Mitchell’s debut showed flashes of promise but also the tough reality of facing big-league hitters. He pitched 3.1 innings, gave up 5 hits and 5 earned runs, and struck out 2 while walking 2.

Notable Games and Early Performances

Mitchell’s early outings with Baltimore showed he had starter potential. That 10-1 record at Triple-A Rochester before his call-up had really caught the Orioles’ attention.

He faced some stiff competition in the American League East, including teams like the Red Sox, who he faced in his debut.

Those first MLB games gave him a crash course against veteran hitters. They helped prepare him for the ups and downs of a six-year big league career.

Impact on the Baltimore Orioles Organization

Mitchell made enough of an impact in Baltimore to become a key piece in a major trade. Before the 1976 season, the Orioles sent him to Oakland as part of the blockbuster deal that brought Reggie Jackson to Baltimore.

The Orioles clearly saw value in Mitchell’s abilities and potential. Being included in a trade for a superstar like Jackson says a lot about how the team viewed him.

His development in the Baltimore system showed the strength of their player development. The Orioles drafted him out of college and turned him into a major league-ready pitcher.

Trades and Transitions: Athletics, Mariners, and Brewers

Mitchell’s MLB career ended up being defined by a lot of team changes after his start with Baltimore. He went through three more organizations—first Oakland in 1976, then Seattle in 1977, and finally Milwaukee for his last seasons.

Trade to Oakland Athletics and Play with the Team

The Orioles traded Mitchell on April 2, 1976. He went to the Oakland Athletics along with Don Baylor and Mike Torrez, while Baltimore got Reggie Jackson, Ken Holtzman, and Bill Van Bommel.

Jim Henneman of The Sporting News had guessed that Baltimore would be willing to give up young pitchers like Mitchell to get Jackson. The Orioles wanted Jackson’s offense more than their pitching depth.

Paul Mitchell found success in Oakland in 1976. He went 9-7, which ended up being his best win-loss percentage as a starter.

Oakland gave him more regular starts and responsibility than Baltimore had. But in 1977, Mitchell hit a rough patch early on. His performance dropped, and Oakland decided to look for a trade partner.

Seattle Mariners Acquisition and Seasons

The Seattle Mariners picked up Mitchell during the 1977 season. That gave him a fresh start with an expansion team that had just started playing.

Seattle turned out to be the most stable stop for Mitchell. He stayed with the Mariners for nearly three full seasons, from 1977 through 1979.

The Mariners gave him steady starting opportunities, even though the team struggled as a new franchise.

In 1978, Mitchell had his best individual season. He led Seattle pitchers in wins with an 8-14 record. Sure, the record wasn’t great, but the Mariners lost 104 games that year.

Seattle leaned on Mitchell’s experience. He provided leadership to a young pitching staff and logged a lot of innings as the team tried to build something.

Milwaukee Brewers Tenure and Final MLB Games

The Milwaukee Brewers traded for Mitchell in 1979, sending Randy Stein to Seattle in exchange.

Mitchell split the 1979 season between Seattle and Milwaukee, finishing the year with the Brewers and sticking with them through 1980.

His last MLB appearance came on September 21, 1980, against Seattle. That game marked the end of his six-year major league run.

The Brewers let Mitchell go before the 1981 season. During his time with Milwaukee, he mostly pitched in relief, sometimes starting or coming in for middle relief as needed.

Performance and Career Statistics

Paul Mitchell put together a modest but respectable MLB career. He finished with 32 wins and 39 losses, a 4.45 ERA, and 277 strikeouts over 125 games.

He managed to show solid pitching ability, even though all those team changes probably made things tougher for him.

Career Win-Loss Record and ERA

Mitchell ended his MLB days with a 32-39 record and a 4.45 ERA over six seasons. His win-loss numbers reflected the challenge of pitching for teams that were rebuilding, not necessarily his own talent.

He appeared in 125 games from 1975 to 1980, mostly as a starter for four different teams. He racked up 277 strikeouts along the way.

His 4.45 ERA was actually pretty decent for the late 1970s, especially considering the offensive surge during that time. Mitchell proved he belonged in the majors, even if he never played for a title contender.

Pitching Style and Strengths

Mitchell stood 6’1″ and weighed 195 pounds, a good size for a starting pitcher. He threw and batted right-handed, which was pretty standard for pitchers back then.

His best season was probably 1980 with the Brewers, when he posted a 3.53 ERA over 89 innings. That year showed what he could do when he got some stability.

Mitchell learned how to adapt to different teams and leagues. He moved around the American League a lot but still managed competitive statistics despite all the changes.

Year-by-Year MLB Statistical Highlights

Mitchell’s rookie season with Baltimore in 1975 looked promising. He went 3-0 in limited appearances, which suggested he could handle big-league hitters when given the chance.

His 1976 year with Oakland was his most productive. He put up a 9-7 record and a 4.25 ERA in 26 starts, becoming a reliable starter.

The 1977 season started rough for Mitchell. He went 0-3 with a 10.54 ERA in five games for Oakland, which led to his trade to Seattle. He bounced back with a 3-3 record in nine starts for the Mariners.

In 1978, pitching for Seattle, Mitchell logged 168 innings with an 8-14 record and a 4.18 ERA. The record wasn’t pretty, but he showed durability and gave the expansion Mariners a steady arm.

Accolades and Team Contributions

Before reaching the majors, Mitchell led the Southern League in wins in 1972, posting a 16-8 record with Asheville in his first pro season.

He also helped Team USA earn a silver medal in the 1970 Amateur World Series. That international experience gave him a taste of high-level competition before the pros.

Mitchell had strong minor league seasons too, especially with Rochester. In 1974, he went 14-6 with a 2.89 ERA, then followed up with a 10-1 record and a 2.06 ERA in 14 starts the next year before getting called up.

He brought versatility to every team he joined. Mitchell’s ability to fit into new systems made him a valuable piece for clubs looking for reliable pitching depth.

Retirement and Life After Professional Baseball

Paul Mitchell’s baseball career wrapped up after the 1980 season when the Brewers released him. After that, he mostly stayed out of the public eye, so there isn’t much info about what he did after leaving pro sports.

Decision to Retire Following 1980 Season

Mitchell made his final MLB appearance on September 21, 1980, against the Seattle Mariners while playing for Milwaukee. The Brewers let him go before the 1981 season, which ended his six-year major league career.

By the time he turned 31, Mitchell had put together a 32-39 win-loss record with a 4.45 ERA in 162 appearances. He bounced between four teams, which really shows how tough it was for him to find a steady spot as a starter.

Mitchell and professional baseball seemed to part ways by mutual understanding. He’d struggled with consistency, especially in those last seasons, and just couldn’t land another shot in the majors.

Getting released by Milwaukee closed the book on a career that started with a lot of hope but got sidetracked by constant team changes and some rough outings on the mound.

Involvement in Minor Leagues and Post-MLB Activities

Paul Michael Mitchell kept a pretty low profile after leaving professional baseball. While a lot of former players jump into coaching or broadcasting, Mitchell mostly stayed out of the spotlight.

There isn’t much info out there about what he did in minor league baseball or other baseball roles after 1980. That’s pretty different from what most of his peers did, since many stayed connected to the sport.

He did keep ties with the Cape Cod Baseball League, though. In 2002, the league inducted him into the Cape Cod Baseball League Hall of Fame for his standout performances in the summer league from 1969 to 1971.

The league honored him again in 2011, naming him honorary captain of the West Division team at the CCBL All-Star Game at Fenway Park.

Legacy Among Peers and Baseball Historians

Mitchell managed to earn one pretty remarkable distinction that baseball historians still talk about. He holds a share of the all-time major league record for fielding percentage among pitchers with at least 500 innings pitched.

He pulled off a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage, handling 114 chances without a single error over 621.1 innings. That’s 32 putouts and 82 assists, all clean.

Places like Baseball Almanac still keep track of his stats and career highlights. His Cape Cod League years, where he helped Falmouth win three straight championships, are still a big part of his story.

Mitchell’s career kind of sums up what a lot of pro athletes experience—getting to the majors, living the dream, even if you don’t end up as a household name.

Recognition and Legacy

Paul Mitchell’s time in baseball left its mark in some interesting ways, from the record books to the schools he attended. That perfect fielding record is a rare thing in MLB, and his college years still mean something for those programs.

Media Features and Baseball Almanac Records

Mitchell’s name pops up in Baseball Almanac records thanks to that perfect fielding percentage. He shares the all-time major league record for fielding percentage among pitchers with at least 500 innings.

He finished his career with a 1.000 fielding percentage, handling 114 chances without a single error. That includes 32 putouts and 82 assists over 621.1 innings.

You’ll find his name on a short list in several baseball reference sources. Baseball Almanac lists him as one of only five pitchers to ever pull this off. Considering how many chances pitchers get to mess up, that’s actually pretty impressive.

Influence at Worcester Academy and Old Dominion

Mitchell’s achievements left a real impression at both Worcester Academy and Old Dominion University. He graduated from Worcester Academy in 1968, choosing college instead of going straight into pro baseball.

At Old Dominion University, he played on a baseball scholarship. Skipping the Pittsburgh Pirates’ offer in 1968 turned out to be a good move for him.

His college years helped put Old Dominion’s baseball program on the map. These days, the university still talks about Mitchell’s journey from their campus to the big leagues.

Worcester Academy also keeps him on their list of notable baseball alumni. His path from high school to MLB gives current student-athletes something to look up to.

Reputation in MLB History

People tend to remember Mitchell’s MLB career for its steady reliability, not for any wild standout seasons. He went 32-39 over six years, pitching for four different teams, and honestly, that’s the life of a journeyman pitcher.

If you look back, his 1978 season with Seattle really pops. Mitchell actually led all Mariners pitchers in wins, even though the team lost 104 games that year. That was right in the middle of Seattle’s early expansion chaos.

In 1976, the Orioles traded Mitchell and Mike Torrez to Oakland for Reggie Jackson, and that deal still gets talked about. That trade shook up both the Orioles and Athletics rosters during some pretty competitive years.

Mitchell finished with a 4.45 ERA and 277 strikeouts, which puts him right in line with a lot of pitchers from the 1970s. He stuck around on several teams, showing just how much managers valued someone who could reliably chew up innings.

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