Robert Dugger

1. Amateur Career

Dugger's pre-professional baseball journey began at Tomball High School in Tomball, Texas. As a senior in 2013, he played a pivotal role in leading Tomball to a Texas UIL 4A State Championship. In the championship game, he delivered a complete game, allowing only one run and striking out six batters. Offensively, he contributed significantly by going 3-4 at the plate, which included a three-run inside-the-park home run. His exceptional performance earned him a spot on the 4A All-State Baseball Team that same year, highlighting his impact on the team's success and the local community.

After graduating high school, Dugger was not immediately drafted by a professional team. He chose to enroll at Cisco Junior College, where he continued his baseball career. During his two years at Cisco, he recorded earned run averages (ERAs) of 5.40 and 4.37. Following his sophomore year, he transferred to Texas Tech University. In his junior year at Texas Tech, Dugger demonstrated improved performance, achieving a 6-1 record with a 2.67 ERA over 60 2/3 relief innings. His collegiate efforts positioned him for the next step in his career, leading to his selection by the Seattle Mariners in the 18th round (537th overall) of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft.

2. Professional Career

Robert Dugger's professional baseball career has spanned multiple teams across Major League Baseball's minor and major leagues, as well as an international league stint.

2.1. Seattle Mariners (first stint)

After signing with the Seattle Mariners, Dugger was assigned to the Everett AquaSox and subsequently reassigned to the Arizona League Mariners. He also made two appearances for the Tacoma Rainiers, the Mariners' Triple-A affiliate. Across these three teams in his inaugural professional season, he posted a 2-1 record with a 4.62 ERA over 12 games, including six starts. In 2017, Dugger began the season with the Clinton LumberKings, where he distinguished himself with a 4-1 record, a 2.00 ERA, and a 0.99 WHIP in 22 games (nine starts), earning him a selection as a Midwest League All-Star. In July, he was promoted to the Modesto Nuts, where he concluded the season with a 2-5 record and a 3.94 ERA over nine starts.

2.2. Miami Marlins

On December 7, 2017, Dugger was part of a significant trade, being sent to the Miami Marlins alongside Nick Neidert and Christopher Torres in exchange for Dee Gordon and international slot money. He began the 2018 season with the A+ Jupiter Hammerheads, where his strong performance earned him Florida State League All-Star honors. In May, he was promoted to the AA Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. Across both clubs, he compiled a 10-7 record with a 3.40 ERA over 25 starts. Dugger returned to the Jumbo Shrimp to start the 2019 season, again earning Southern League All-Star recognition, before being promoted to the Triple-A New Orleans Baby Cakes in June.

His continued progress led to his major league contract selection by the Marlins on August 5, 2019, marking his first promotion to the major leagues. He made his MLB debut on the same day against the New York Mets, pitching five innings and allowing six runs, resulting in a loss. For the 2019 MLB season, he made seven appearances (all starts), finishing with an 0-4 record and a 5.77 ERA. In the abbreviated 2020 season, Dugger appeared in four games, including one start, posting an 0-2 record with a 12.66 ERA.

2.3. Seattle Mariners (second stint)

On December 7, 2020, Dugger was reacquired by the Seattle Mariners after being claimed off waivers. However, his second stint with the Mariners was short-lived as he was designated for assignment on February 19, 2021, following the official signing of Ken Giles. He was then outrighted to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers on February 23. Despite this, he was selected to the active 40-man roster on April 15, 2021, ahead of a doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles. In 12 games for the Mariners in 2021, Dugger recorded a 7.36 ERA with 19 strikeouts. On August 22, he was again designated for assignment by the Mariners. Two days later, on August 24, Dugger cleared waivers and was assigned outright to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers.

2.4. Tampa Bay Rays

On March 24, 2022, Dugger signed a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays. He was assigned to the Triple-A Durham Bulls to begin the season. On May 1, he was selected to the Rays' active roster and made an appearance, allowing three runs on eight hits while striking out seven batters over 5 1/3 innings. The following day, he was designated for assignment.

2.5. Cincinnati Reds

Dugger's transient career continued as he was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Reds on May 4, 2022. This marked the beginning of multiple transactions involving the Reds. On May 9, he was designated for assignment, and on May 10, he cleared waivers and was outrighted to the Triple-A Louisville Bats. However, just two days later, on May 12, Dugger was re-selected to the active roster. He did not make an appearance for the Reds during this brief call-up and was designated for assignment once more on May 14. On May 16, he again cleared waivers and returned to Louisville.

On July 7, the Reds selected Dugger's contract for a third time, but he was designated for assignment the very next day and sent outright to Triple-A. His contract was selected for a fourth time on August 5 to make a start against the Milwaukee Brewers. On October 4, Dugger was once more designated for assignment. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Louisville on October 6, but he chose to reject the outright assignment and elected free agency on the same day.

2.6. Texas Rangers

On March 29, 2023, Dugger signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers organization. He spent the entire year with their Triple-A affiliate, the Round Rock Express. During his time there, he registered a 7-10 record with a 4.31 ERA, accumulating 143 strikeouts over 146 1/3 innings pitched. Despite his consistent work, he did not receive a major league call-up that year. Following the season, on November 6, he became a free agent.

2.7. SSG Landers

On November 27, 2023, Dugger ventured into international baseball, signing with the SSG Landers of the KBO League in South Korea. He was brought in as a replacement for Kirk McCarty. However, his tenure with the Landers proved challenging. In six starts, he accumulated an 0-3 record with a high 12.71 ERA over 22 2/3 innings pitched. A particularly difficult outing occurred on April 6 against the NC Dinos, where he allowed 14 runs in three innings, tying a KBO League record for most runs allowed in a single game. Due to his struggles, Dugger was released by SSG on April 27 and was replaced by Drew Anderson. He became a free agent again on May 4.

Year	Team	G	GS	L	ERA	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	WP
2019	MIA	7	7	4	5.77	34 1/3	33	26	22	1	5	25	2
2020	MIA	4	1	2	12.66	10 2/3	21	16	15	0	0	4	1
2021	SEA	12	4	2	7.36	25 2/3	34	24	21	0	1	19	1
2022	TB	1	0	0	5.06	5 1/3	8	3	3	0	0	7	1
2022	CIN	3	1	1	6.75	10 2/3	11	8	8	0	0	12	1
MLB Total (4 years)		27	13	9	7.17	86 2/3	107	77	69	1	6	67	6

3.2. Uniform Numbers

Robert Dugger has worn several uniform numbers during his professional career with different teams:

64 (2019-2020 with Miami Marlins, and 2022 with Tampa Bay Rays and Cincinnati Reds)
30 (2021 with Seattle Mariners)
76 (2022 with Cincinnati Reds)
33 (2024 with SSG Landers)