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Aaron Loup
Aaron Loup
Aaron Loup
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Aaron Christopher Loup (born December 19, 1987) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres, Tampa Bay Rays, New York Mets, and Los Angeles Angels.

Key Information

Born in Raceland, Louisiana, Loup played baseball at Hahnville High School and Tulane University, where he led his teams to several state playoff appearances and recorded a five-hit shutout. He was drafted by the Blue Jays out of Tulane in the ninth round of the 2009 draft.

After playing for three years with minor-league affiliates for the Toronto Blue Jays and being chosen for the 2012 Eastern League All-Star Game, Loup was called up to the Blue Jays as a replacement for Luis Pérez and retired all six batters he faced. He was later voted the 2012 Toronto Blue Jays Rookie of the Year by the Toronto chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA). Loup pitched 11⁄3 innings on Opening Day in 2013, and went on to win his first major league game on April 10 against the Detroit Tigers. He recorded his first two major league saves on April 12 and June 2, and led the Blue Jays to a win in an 18-inning game on June 8 after a pair of groundouts.

Loup is a southpaw whose pitching drastically improved after coaches told him to become a sidearm pitcher.[1] His fastball has been noted as particularly effective against both left- and right-handed batters, but he continues to struggle with a changeup.[2] Manager John Gibbons does not view Loup as a long reliever, but rather as a "situational, one-inning guy."[3] He is known for his "relaxed" personality,[4] which has improved after spending time with his teammates.[5]

Early life

[edit]

Loup was born on December 19, 1987, in Raceland, Louisiana. His father and grandfather influenced his baseball interest the most when he was young, and he says that it was "just all baseball all the time", with "a little football".[6] Loup said that when he was 13, "My dad had me in the backyard almost every day—or at least it seemed that way. I was always doing something, whether it was pitching off the mound or hitting in the cage. I wanted to play baseball and knew that I needed to work hard to get there. As a kid, I needed to be reminded of that sometimes."[7] His baseball role models growing up were Greg Maddux, John Smoltz, and Tom Glavine.[8]

Loup played baseball at Hahnville High School, where he led the Hahnville Fighting Tigers to four state playoff appearances.[9] As a sophomore, he threw a complete-game no-hitter against Terrebonne High School.[9] He then attended Tulane University, where he majored in digital design and played for the Tulane Green Wave from freshman year until his junior year, when he was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays.[9][10] As a freshman for the Green Wave, he held a 4.37 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 35 innings.[10] As a sophomore, he held a 5.66 ERA in 472⁄3 innings, as well as pitching a perfect inning of relief on April 26, 2008.[10] After the 2008 season, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Falmouth Commodores of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[11][12] Before being drafted in his junior year, he had thrown 571⁄3 innings.[9]

Professional career

[edit]

Draft

[edit]

The Blue Jays drafted Loup in the ninth round of the 2009 Major League Baseball draft.[9][10] Loup had shown a strong performance playing for the Tulane Green Wave and was the second Green Wave player to be drafted.[9] Loup said of the event, "I had 20 people text message me before I even heard anything and then my phone rang and I got the call. It's exciting. They told me they would call me as soon as the draft was over and we would discuss details, so hopefully everything will shake out."[9]

Minor league career

[edit]

After the draft, Loup played for the Gulf Coast League Blue Jays in 2009.[13] In the 2009 season, he held a 3.86 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 161⁄3 innings.[13] In 2010, he was moved up to the Lansing Lugnuts, one of the Class A affiliates of the Blue Jays, where he held a 4.54 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 731⁄3 innings.[13] On June 22, 2010, Loup was chosen a Mid-Season All-Star.[13] He missed the last two months of the season with an unknown injury and began 2011 on the disabled list.[14] In 2011, he was moved to the Dunedin Blue Jays, the Class A-Advanced Blue Jays affiliate, where he held a 4.66 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 652⁄3 innings.[13]

In 2012, Loup joined the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, the double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays.[15] There, he boasted 36 Eastern League appearances, a 2.84 ERA, and 43 strikeouts in 441⁄3 innings.[15] After his teammate Sam Dyson was promoted to the Blue Jays, Loup was Dyson's replacement for the Minor League Baseball 2012 Eastern League All-Star Game.[15]

Toronto Blue Jays

[edit]

2012–2014

[edit]

Loup began 2012 with the Fisher Cats. In the 2012 season, the Toronto Blue Jays used 32 different pitchers due to frequent injuries, and Loup was among these.[16] He was called up to replace Luis Pérez on July 14[16] after Pérez tore his ulnar collateral ligament.[17] In his debut, Loup retired all six batters he faced.[18]

Loup pitching for the Blue Jays in 2012

On August 3, Loup became the first pitcher in Blue Jays history to bat in an American League game, grounding out to begin the top of the 15th against the Oakland Athletics.[19] Loup closed out the season posting a 0–2 record with a 2.64 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 302⁄3 innings.[20] The Toronto chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) named him the Toronto Blue Jays 2012 Rookie of the Year that November.[21]

Though he was considered one of the front-runners, there was still much competition for one of the limited 2013 bullpen spots as a relief pitcher. His main competition was seen as Brett Cecil and J. A. Happ.[22] John Gibbons said, "How it best fits the team, how it all stacks up down there is really what it's going to come down to. But we're going to go with the best guy, not because guys are out of options."[22] Reportedly, Loup learned that he had acquired one of the bullpen spots when Gibbons walked by his locker and said, "Oh, hey Loup—you made the team."[4]

Loup pitched 11⁄3 innings of relief for the Blue Jays against the Cleveland Indians on Opening Day.[23] On April 10, in a game against the Detroit Tigers, Loup recorded his first career win.[24] On April 12, Loup recorded his first major league save in a game against the Kansas City Royals.[25] He recorded a second major league save in a game against the San Diego Padres on June 2.[26] On April 20, Loup committed a two-run throwing error in the 11th inning against the New York Yankees.[27] During the first two months of the Blue Jays' lackluster 2013 season, Loup and other relief pitchers helped to keep the Blue Jays from more defeats.[28] Loup was the ninth and final pitcher in an 18-inning game against the Texas Rangers on June 8.[29] The game, the longest in Blue Jays history, resulted in a win after he gained a pair of groundouts.[29] In another game against the Rangers on June 14, Loup pitched in the eighth inning and participated in a shutout.[30] He ended the 2013 season with a 4–6 record, 2.47 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 691⁄3 innings.[31]

Loup was one of eight pitchers in the bullpen for the Blue Jays' 2014 opening day.[32] On April 20, he walked three consecutive batters for the first time in his career, and took the loss as the Blue Jays fell to the Cleveland Indians 6–4.[33] On May 3, the Blue Jays announced that Loup would replace Sergio Santos as the team's closer until Casey Janssen returned from injury.[34] After walking as many batters in three months as he had the entire last season, he regained confidence after pitching the last few innings of a game on June 4 that went from a 3–2 lead to an 8–2 win against the Detroit Tigers.[35]

2015–2018

[edit]
Loup during the 2015 season

Loup took the loss in the Blue Jays' second game of the 2015 season. Entering with a 3–1 lead against the New York Yankees in the eighth inning, he loaded the bases without recording an out. All three runners would come in to score and Toronto would lose, 4–3.[36] Loup experienced ineffectiveness throughout the season, posting an ERA over 5.00 into August. After a 3–1 win over the Yankees on August 16, he was optioned to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.[37] He was recalled on September 1.[38] For the season, he was 2-5 and had a 4.46 ERA.[39]

On January 15, 2016, Loup and the Blue Jays avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.05 million contract.[40] Loup began the 2016 season on the disabled list with a left forearm flexor strain. He began a rehab assignment with the Dunedin Blue Jays on May 14.[41] On May 21, he was moved up to the Buffalo Bisons to continue rehabbing the injury.[42] Loup was recalled on August 21.[43] On August 27, he was placed on optional waivers.[44] He accepted a minor league assignment the following day.[45] For the season, he had a 5.02 ERA.[39]

On January 13, 2017, Loup agreed to a one-year, $1.125 million contract for the 2017 season.[46] He finished the season with a 2–3 record and a 3.75 ERA in 70 games, while giving up a career-high 4.5 walks per nine innings.[39]

On January 12, 2018, Loup signed a one-year, $1.8125 million contract.[47] For the 2018 season, he logged 35+2⁄3 innings for the Blue Jays in 50 appearances, with a 4.54 ERA, while giving up a career-high 11.1 hits per nine innings, before being traded to Philadelphia.[39]

Philadelphia Phillies

[edit]

On July 31, 2018, Loup was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for Jacob Waguespack.[48]

San Diego Padres

[edit]

On February 17, 2019, Loup signed a one-year contract with the San Diego Padres.[49] He spent the majority of the season on the injured list following an elbow injury, and appeared in only four early-season games.[50]

Tampa Bay Rays

[edit]
Loup with the Rays in 2020

On February 11, 2020, Loup signed a minor league deal with the Tampa Bay Rays. On July 16, the Rays added him to the 40-man roster after Austin Meadows tested positive for COVID-19.[51] On August 16, Loup achieved a rare feat of being credited with two wins in one day, against the Toronto Blue Jays, his former team. This happened because the first game (which began on August 15) was suspended due to rain and completed a day later, and was followed by the game scheduled for August 16.[52]

In 24 games with the Rays in 2020, Loup posted a 3–2 record with a 2.52 ERA with 22 strikeouts and an 0.840 WHIP across 25 innings. He made his second appearance in the postseason after 2015 as the Rays won the AL East. He pitched a scoreless inning in the deciding game of the American League Wild Card Series against the Blue Jays, and made four scoreless appearances in the American League Champion Series against the Houston Astros, helping the Rays advance to the 2020 World Series.[39]

New York Mets

[edit]

On January 30, 2021, Loup signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the New York Mets.[53] On Opening Day against the Philadelphia Phillies, he forced in a run by hitting Bryce Harper with a pitch while the bases were loaded. Loup was brought in specifically to pitch against his fellow left-hander Harper.[54] As the 2021 season progressed, Loup became one of the most reliable members of the Mets' bullpen, finishing the season with an ERA of 0.95 in 56+2⁄3 innings pitched.

Los Angeles Angels

[edit]

On November 22, 2021, Loup signed a two-year, $17 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels.[55] He made his debut with the team on April 7, 2022, in a game against the Houston Astros, pitching one inning and striking out one in relief of Shohei Ohtani.[56] On November 3, 2023, the Angels declined the $7.5 million team option on his contract, making him a free agent.[57]

Scouting report

[edit]

Defense

[edit]

Due to his non-ideal size as a pitcher, some have seen issues in Loup's stamina and durability.[58] His pitches can also come across as "a bit too hittable."[58] But he is especially effective against left-handed batters.[58] In 2013, Loup was viewed by the Blue Jays' manager John Gibbons as "not necessarily a long guy; he's more a situational, one-inning guy."[3] Despite his shortcomings, Loup has the lowest walk rate among all major league pitchers who have pitched at least seventy innings since 2012, having walked only 2.6% of the batters he has faced.[5] His consistency and endurance have made Loup the Blue Jays' most-used reliever, and he says "I'm one of those guys that if my body would let me, I would pitch every day."[59]

Pitching style

[edit]

Loup is a left-handed pitcher.[2] He struggled at first with pitching until minor league pitching instructor Dane Johnson and Dunedin pitching coach Darold Knowles told him to lower his arm and become more of a sidearm pitcher.[1] Now, as he pitches, he tracks a plane from his ear to his shoulder, which also helped his effectiveness against left-handed batters.[1] His slider and fastball improved drastically, but his changeup continued to struggle, and Loup says he is still a little inconsistent with it.[1] He can throw a low-90s "breaking" fastball that is just as effective against right-handed batters as left-handed ones.[2] John Farrell, a previous Blue Jays manager, said that it was "[Loup's] poise and his presence that allows him to maintain not only composure, but the ability to execute."[2] Blue Jays bullpen coach Pat Hentgen says that Loup "keeps things simple, he doesn't overthink. He stays aggressive. He's got a lot of guts, goes right after hitters and you combine all those things and you're going to have the success that he's had."[5] One reporter compared Loup to Bran Flakes, saying, "[y]ou know exactly what you're going to get from him every time he takes the mound and he's not going to add any excitement to any situation."[60]

Personal life

[edit]

Loup married his high school sweetheart Leigh Ann.[4] They have one child, a daughter named Sophie Harper Loup,[61] born the weekend of August 24, 2013.[62] Loup went on the paternity list for the Blue Jays on August 23, 2013,[63] but was called back on August 26 due to the three-day paternity list limit.[62] Loup and his wife spend the off-season at their Louisiana home.[4] An avid bowhunter, Loup prefers hunting deer with a compound bow.[4] He has also been known to fish and hunt with a gun in the off-season.[22] He is known for having a quiet and reserved personality,[64] but says that he has become "a little more comfortable" with his teammates by spending time and "connecting" with them, which he says contributes to his success.[5]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Aaron Loup

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Aaron Loup (born December 19, 1987) is an American who is a . A left-handed reliever, he played 12 seasons in (MLB) from 2012 to 2023, appearing in 591 games with a career record of 23 wins and 30 losses, a 3.43 (ERA), and 480 strikeouts over 515 . Loup attended , where he played college baseball, and was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the ninth round of the 2009 MLB Draft with the 280th overall pick. He made his MLB debut on July 14, 2012, with the Blue Jays, spending the bulk of his early career there from 2012 to 2018 as a reliable lefty specialist, during which he posted a 3.48 in 369 appearances. Midseason in 2018, he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies, where he finished that year with a 4.50 in 9 outings. In 2019, Loup signed with the San Diego Padres as a , appearing in 4 games with a 0.00 before being released in May; he then signed a minor-league contract with the Brewers but did not appear in the majors that year. Ahead of the 2020 season, he signed a minor-league deal with the , contributing to their pennant-winning team with a 2.52 in 25 over 24 games during the shortened season. He joined the in 2021, enjoying his most successful year with a 6–0 record, 0.95 , and 57 strikeouts in 56.2 across 65 appearances, earning praise as one of the league's top setup men. Loup signed a two-year, $17 million contract with the prior to the 2022 season, where he logged 3.84 and 6.10 ERAs in 2022 and 2023, respectively, before being placed on the with a left strain in 2023 and becoming a on November 3, 2023, following the declination of his club option. He has not appeared in an MLB game since 2023 and remains unsigned as of November 2025.

Early years

Early life

Aaron Loup was born on December 19, 1987, in Raceland, Louisiana. He is the son of Gary and Debbie Loup, with his father having played college baseball at Nicholls State University. Loup grew up in Raceland, a small Cajun town along Bayou Lafourche in Lafourche Parish, where he was exposed to baseball from a young age through the influence of his father and grandfather. He has a brother, Ryan, who played college baseball at Louisiana State University, and a sister, Lauren. In addition to , Loup showed early interest in during his childhood.

Amateur career

Loup attended Hahnville High School in Boutte, , where he was a four-year starter on the varsity team under coaches Mark Sims and Frank Cazeaux. He also lettered in during his high school career. As a for the Hahnville Fighting Tigers, Loup helped lead the team to four state playoff appearances, including tossing a as a . In his junior year of 2005, he served as the and recorded a 9-2 mark with a 1.69 , striking out 61 batters over 57⅔ innings. He earned All-Metro honors and was named the District 4-5A by the Times-Picayune. Following his senior season, Loup was recruited by several colleges and committed to play for , where he joined the program. As a in 2007, Loup appeared in 17 games for Tulane, making two starts while primarily serving as a reliever; he went 2-1 with a 4.37 over 37⅓ innings, recording 36 strikeouts and 17 walks. He tied for second among the team's relievers in wins and struck out a career-high six batters on two occasions, including against on March 11 and at Memphis on May 5. Loup transitioned to a more prominent starting role as a in 2008, making eight starts in 15 appearances and posting a 2-3 record with a 5.66 in 49⅓ innings, allowing a .283 opponent while fanning 39 and walking 25. Notable performances included his first career —a one-hitter on at —and seven scoreless innings with seven strikeouts against Southern Miss on April 5. For his efforts the prior week, which featured just one run allowed over 13 innings in two starts, he was named Conference USA Pitcher of the Week on April 7. In his junior year of 2009, Loup solidified his status as a key starter for the , logging 15 starts in 23 total outings with a 7-6 record, 4.15 , and .265 opponent average across 96⅓ innings; he tallied 74 strikeouts against 33 walks and endured eight no-decisions despite several quality starts. He matched his career-high six strikeouts three times that season and earned All-Tournament Team honors after going 1-0 with a 1.42 in two tournament starts. His strong junior campaign positioned him for eligibility in the MLB Draft.

Professional career

Draft and minor leagues

Loup was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the ninth round, 280th overall, of the out of . He signed a minor league contract with the Blue Jays on June 15, 2009, receiving a . Loup began his professional career that summer with the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Blue Jays, appearing in 13 games primarily in and recording three saves with 19 strikeouts in 16.1 . In 2010, he advanced to Class A in the , where he split time between starting and relieving across 35 appearances, logging 73 strikeouts in 73.1 while adapting to the demands of full-season professional play. By 2011, Loup had fully transitioned to a with the Advanced A of the , making 48 appearances and earning five saves with 56 strikeouts in 65.2 , demonstrating improved consistency that earned him a promotion to Double-A the following year. In 2012, Loup pitched for the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats in the Eastern League, where he posted a strong 2.78 over 37 relief outings with 43 strikeouts in 45.1 innings, limiting opponents to a .258 against and securing his call-up to the major leagues in . Throughout his progression, Loup faced the typical adjustments of increasing competition and velocity at each level, refining his command without major setbacks to reach the majors in his fourth professional season.
YearTeam (Level)W-LERAGIPSO
2009GCL Blue Jays (Rk)2-13.861316.119
2010 (A)3-24.543573.173
2011 (A+)4-34.664865.256
2012 (AA)0-32.783745.143

Toronto Blue Jays

Aaron Loup made his debut with the Blue Jays on July 14, 2012, against the Cleveland Indians at . Entering in the sixth inning in relief of starter Aaron Laffey, Loup pitched two perfect innings, retiring all six batters he faced with no hits, walks, or strikeouts allowed, contributing to an 11-9 victory. In his rookie 2012 season, Loup quickly established himself as a reliable left-handed reliever after his mid-July call-up from Triple-A, appearing in 33 games and posting a 2.64 ERA over 30⅔ innings with a 0-2 record. His performance earned him the Toronto chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America's Blue Jays Rookie of the Year award. Loup's role expanded in 2013 and 2014 as a key setup man in high-leverage situations, where he maintained a sub-3.00 ERA, including a 2.47 mark in 64 appearances (4-6, 69⅓ innings) in 2013 and 3.15 in a career-high 71 outings (4-4, 68⅔ innings) in 2014, often bridging to closer Casey Janssen. Loup's effectiveness waned from 2015 to 2018 amid struggles with command and increased walks, leading to higher and shifts in his usage. In 2015, he appeared in 60 games but recorded a 4.46 in 42⅓ (2-5), followed by a brief 2016 stint limited to 21 games with a 5.02 over 14⅓ before being in August. Returning to the roster in 2017, Loup pitched in 70 games with a 3.75 in 57⅔ (2-3), serving in middle relief. His 2018 season saw 50 appearances and a 4.54 in 35⅔ before the trade deadline. During the 2015 postseason, Loup contributed to Toronto's appearance, pitching 2 innings across the ALDS and with a 4.50 , including a scoreless frame in the ALDS win over the Texas Rangers. That October, Loup took family medical leave during the due to the premature birth of his son Wyatt, who weighed 2 pounds 2 ounces; Loup rejoined the team later in the series, providing emotional resilience amid the roster's playoff push. Over six seasons with the Blue Jays, Loup made 369 relief appearances, compiling a 3.39 , 12-20 record, 6 saves (including 2 in 2013 and 4 in 2014), and 47 holds while stranding 70.5% of inherited runners. Eligible for salary beginning in 2016 after accruing three years of service time, Loup signed one-year contracts avoiding hearings: $1.05 million in 2016, $1.125 million in 2017, and $1.8125 million in 2018. On July 31, 2018, the Blue Jays traded Loup to the Phillies in exchange for right-handed pitching prospect , marking the end of his tenure as Toronto's longest-tenured active player.

Philadelphia Phillies

On July 31, 2018, the Phillies acquired left-handed reliever Aaron Loup from the Blue Jays in exchange for minor league pitcher , adding veteran depth to their ahead of the trade deadline. Loup, who had been a reliable earlier in his career with Toronto, made 9 relief appearances for Philadelphia down the stretch, registering a 4.50 over 4.0 while primarily facing left-handed batters in low-leverage situations. His brief stint contributed to a Phillies that posted one of its strongest late-season ERAs since mid-July, though he encountered some early control issues, such as hitting a batter in his debut outing at . The Phillies finished the 2018 season with an 80-82 record, missing the and ending Loup's time with the club without postseason action. Loup elected free agency on October 29, 2018, after his contract expired. He subsequently signed a one-year, $1.4 million contract with the Padres on February 17, 2019, including a club option for 2020.

San Diego Padres

On February 17, 2019, the Padres signed left-handed reliever Aaron Loup to a one-year contract worth $1.2 million, including a $2 million club option for 2020 and a $200,000 buyout. The deal aimed to bolster the Padres' during a rebuilding phase, positioning Loup as a presence among a young roster featuring emerging talents like Fernando Tatis Jr. and . Expected to serve primarily in middle relief and matchups against left-handed hitters, Loup was projected to provide stability and mentorship to the inexperienced pitching staff. Loup made the Padres' roster and appeared in four games early in the season, all in relief roles. In 3.1 , he posted a 0.00 with five strikeouts, two hits allowed, and one walk, while escaping a notable bases-loaded jam in his debut against the Giants on March 30 by retiring . His brief stint highlighted his sidearm delivery and effectiveness in high-leverage situations before an sidelined him. On April 8, 2019, Loup was placed on the 10-day with a left strain sustained after his fourth appearance, limiting his contributions to the rebuilding . He was transferred to the 60-day on May 24 and did not return for the remainder of the season, missing opportunities to further integrate with the young roster. Following the 2019 season, the Padres declined Loup's $2 million club option on October 28, paying the $200,000 buyout and allowing him to become a on October 31. This paved the way for his signing with the in December 2019.

Tampa Bay Rays

On February 11, 2020, Aaron Loup signed a minor league contract with the that included a non-roster invitation to . The deal guaranteed him $1.65 million if added to the major league roster. Due to a positive test by on July 15, the Rays selected Loup's contract and added him to the 40-man roster the following day, marking his debut with the team during the pandemic-shortened 60-game season. Loup quickly established himself as a reliable left-handed reliever in the Rays' , appearing in 24 games and compiling a 3–2 record with a 2.52 over 25 . He recorded 22 strikeouts while issuing just four walks, contributing to an impressive 0.840 that limited opponents to a .229 against him. His performance provided depth and matchup flexibility to manager Kevin Cash's staff, which emphasized high-leverage situations and ground-ball tendencies in the unique, hub-based schedule disrupted by protocols. Loup's contributions extended into the postseason, where he made nine appearances across the , , Championship Series, and , helping the Rays secure their second AL pennant in franchise history. In the against the , he pitched 3.1 scoreless innings over two games, including a crucial hold in Game 2 where he struck out two batters with runners in scoring position to preserve a one-run lead. Although the Rays fell to the Dodgers in six games, Loup's 2.25 ERA in the underscored his value in high-stakes relief roles amid the condensed schedule. Following the season, Loup became a .

New York Mets

On January 30, 2021, the New York Mets signed Aaron Loup to a one-year, $3 million contract as a free agent following his release from the Tampa Bay Rays organization. Loup quickly became a reliable left-handed reliever in the Mets' bullpen, appearing in 65 games during the 2021 season with a 6-0 record, a 0.95 ERA, and 57 strikeouts over 56⅔ innings pitched. His effectiveness stemmed from an improved command of his pitches, including a sinker that induced ground balls at a high rate, helping to stabilize late-inning situations. Loup's performance played a key role in the Mets' during their midseason contention for an NL Wild Card spot, where he frequently handled high-leverage matchups against left-handed hitters and contributed to several series-clinching efforts. Despite the team's early promise under manager Luis Rojas, injuries and inconsistencies led to a late collapse, finishing 77-85 and out of the . Adapting to Citi Field's dimensions, which favor pitchers with its spacious , Loup posted a .188 opponent at home, leveraging the park's characteristics to limit extra-base hits. He praised the Mets' dynamics as one of the strongest units he had experienced, highlighting the camaraderie and depth that allowed for seamless rotations among relievers like and . Following the 2021 season, Loup entered free agency and signed a two-year, $17 million contract with the on November 22, 2021.

Los Angeles Angels

On November 22, 2021, Aaron Loup signed a two-year contract with the worth $17 million, including $7.5 million for each of the 2022 and 2023 seasons and a $7.5 million club option for 2024. In 2022, Loup served primarily in a middle relief role for the Angels, making 65 appearances and posting a 3.84 with 52 strikeouts over 58.2 . Loup's performance declined sharply in 2023, his final year under the contract, where he appeared in 55 games and recorded a career-worst 6.10 and 1.75 , exacerbated by control issues that saw him issue 20 walks in 48.2 innings. During the season, he dealt with a right strain that sidelined him from to May 21, limiting his availability early in the summer. Later, in September, Loup suffered a left shoulder strain, placing him on the 15-day retroactive to September 20 and ending his season prematurely. On November 3, 2023, the Angels declined Loup's $7.5 million club option for 2024, making him a .

Free agency

On November 6, 2023, the declined Aaron Loup's $7.5 million club option for the 2024 season, allowing the 35-year-old left-handed reliever to become a . Loup remained unsigned throughout the 2024 season and into the 2025 offseason, with no reported major league contracts or deals. As of November 10, 2025, he continues to be listed as an unrestricted without any team affiliation. Several factors likely contributed to his unsigned status, including his age, a challenging 2023 performance marked by a 6.10 and 1.75 over 48.2 innings—his worst statistical season in 12 major league years—and a competitive market for veteran relievers featuring younger or more consistent options. His earlier struggles with the Angels in 2023, which included a injury placing him on the , further highlighted reliability concerns for potential suitors. Over his 12-season MLB career spanning six teams, Loup made 591 appearances, mostly in relief, compiling a 23-30 record with a 3.43 , 480 strikeouts, and 6.1 . While Loup's future remains uncertain, no public announcements have emerged regarding or opportunities in independent leagues, leaving his career standing in limbo as of late 2025.

Scouting report

Pitching style

Aaron Loup, a left-handed , employs a distinctive sidearm delivery that generates through a low release point, positioned on the far first-base side of the rubber, making his pitches particularly challenging for left-handed hitters to track. This contributes to his career groundball rate of 51.9%, allowing him to excel in inducing weak contact and double plays in high-pressure situations. His approach emphasizes command and simplicity, focusing on repeatable rather than complex , which has enabled consistent performance across multiple teams. Loup's primary offering is a sinker, typically clocked at 92 mph, which he throws approximately 62% of the time over his career, serving as the foundation of his repertoire for tunneling with secondary pitches. He pairs it with a cutter at around 84.5 mph (12% usage), functioning as his main breaking pitch against right-handed batters, and a at 80.4 mph (11% usage), specifically deployed to neutralize opposite-handed hitters by generating vertical drop of 3-6 inches and arm-side run of 18-19 inches. A slider, thrown at 78.2 mph, rounds out his mix at about 5% usage, though it was more prominent early in his career as his key out pitch before velocity fluctuations led to refinements. Throughout his career, Loup has evolved his arsenal to adapt to physical changes, starting with heavy sinker reliance (up to 73% in ) and slider emphasis in his Toronto Blue Jays tenure, before incorporating the cutter more frequently from 2017 onward to maintain effectiveness. By 2023, facing velocity declines to 91.2 mph on his sinker, he adjusted by increasing off-speed usage, including a at 4.1%, while maintaining his role in high-leverage setups, such as stranding all inherited runners in the . This adaptability has sustained his viability as a versatile reliever against both lefties (.159 opponent average in peak years) and righties.

Defense

As a left-handed relief pitcher, Aaron Loup has demonstrated solid defensive skills throughout his career, particularly in fielding his position and preventing baserunners from advancing. Over 591 games from 2012 to 2023, he recorded a career fielding of .947, handling 133 total chances with 19 putouts and 107 assists while committing just 7 errors. His (DRS) stands at +6, indicating above-average contributions to his team's defense relative to other pitchers. Loup has been effective at covering first base on grounders and bunts, often converting routine plays into outs, though his errors have occasionally stemmed from mishandled throws or bunt coverage, such as a notable two-run throwing error in the 11th inning against the New York Yankees in 2013. Loup's situational awareness shines in holding runners, bolstered by his quick pickoff moves to first base. He has successfully picked off 11 runners in his career, including a slick play on in 2021 that ended an inning. These efforts have contributed to limiting stolen base opportunities against him, with runners succeeding at a career rate below the league average for relievers in several seasons, aided in part by his groundball-inducing pitching style. Despite no Gold Glove nominations, his overall defensive profile has been a reliable asset in high-leverage situations. In later career years, Loup experienced occasional defensive lapses, particularly in bunt defense and infield coverage. During the 2022 season with the , he was involved in a ninth-inning defensive collapse against the Seattle Mariners that included multiple errors and allowed four unearned runs. Nonetheless, these incidents were outliers in an otherwise steady defensive tenure.

Personal life

Family

Aaron Loup married his high school sweetheart, Leighann Loup (née Williams), after their engagement was announced in October 2010. The couple welcomed their first child, daughter Sophie Harper Loup, in August 2013. In May 2014, Loup marked Leighann's first as a by publicly celebrating her role in their , noting her strength during Sophie's birth while he was on a road trip. Their second child, son Wyatt Aaron Loup, was born three months prematurely, weighing two pounds and two ounces, during the Toronto Blue Jays' ALCS playoff series against the . Loup left the team to be with Leighann and their newborn, who required immediate placement in a , temporarily impacting his playoff availability before he rejoined the roster. On in June 2017, Loup shared reflections on the profound challenges and rewards of fatherhood, expressing deep gratitude for Wyatt's health and resilience following the premature birth. Throughout Loup's career, Leighann has provided essential support by managing family life amid frequent travels, including coordinating logistics during Sophie's birth and maintaining connections via during road trips. As a dedicated enthusiast herself, she has remained a steadfast advocate for his professional pursuits while holding the household together.

Residence and interests

Aaron Loup was born and raised in Raceland, Louisiana, a small town in the southern part of the state. The Loup family maintains residence in Louisiana, where they return during the off-season. During his time with the Blue Jays, Loup engaged in community activities, including hosting a youth baseball clinic at Dixon Grove Junior Middle School in in April 2014. Alongside first-base coach Tim Leiper and team mascot , he coached students in pitching and fielding fundamentals, emphasized the importance of nutrition and fitness, and donated baseball equipment such as bats, helmets, tees, and soft baseballs to the school, along with Blue Jays caps and gloves for participants. Following the decline of his contract option by the in November 2023, Loup has been a , with limited public information available on his current personal pursuits or hobbies outside of .

References

  1. https://www.mlb.com/player/aaron-loup-571901
  2. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/loupaa01.shtml
  3. https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/player/_/id/11033/aaron-loup
  4. https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sidearm.nextgen.sites/tulanegreenwave.com/documents/2014/2/6/2014TulaneBaseballMediaGuide.pdf
  5. https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/blue-jays-pitcher-aaron-loup-first-base-coach-tim-leiper-host-clinic-at-area-school/c-73240162
  6. https://www.explorelouisiana.com/cities/raceland
  7. https://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/tao-of-stieb-aaron-loup-profile/
  8. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=loup--001aar
  9. https://www.mlb.com/news/blue-jays-select-contract-of-loup/c-34861394
  10. https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/stats/_/id/32397/aaron-loup
  11. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/08/blue-jays-designate-aaron-loup-for-assignment.html
  12. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/loupaa01.shtml#postseason_pitching
  13. https://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-loup-has-new-appreciation-for-life-after-birth-of-son/
  14. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/18471978/aaron-loup-toronto-blue-jays-reach-agreement-one-year-1125-million-deal
  15. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/07/blue-jays-trade-aaron-loup-phillies.html
  16. https://www.mlb.com/news/blue-jays-trade-aaron-loup-john-axford-c288203664
  17. https://www.mlb.com/news/blue-jays-trade-aaron-loup-to-phillies-c288202434
  18. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/458626/2018/08/04/young-arms-have-pushed-bolstered-phillies-bullpen-to-another-level-and-best-era-in-baseball-since-july-1/
  19. https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHI/2018.shtml
  20. https://www.mlb.com/news/padres-sign-veteran-reliever-aaron-loup-c304071622
  21. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/02/padres-to-sign-aaron-loup.html
  22. https://eastvillagetimes.com/reliever-aaron-loup-will-play-a-big-role-for-padres-in-2019/
  23. https://www.mlb.com/news/padres-set-2019-opening-day-roster
  24. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=loupaa01&t=p&year=2019
  25. https://www.mlb.com/video/joe-panik-grounds-out-second-baseman-ian-kinsler-to-first-baseman-eric-hosmer
  26. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/10/padres-decline-aaron-loups-option-robbie-erlin-elects-free-agency.html
  27. https://www.mlb.com/news/austin-meadows-tests-positive-for-coronavirus
  28. https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/aaron-loup-player-stats?category=pitching&season=2020
  29. https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rays/2020/07/20/left-handed-reliever-aaron-loup-gives-rays-bullpen-a-different-look/
  30. https://www.mlb.com/news/aaron-loup-world-series-game-2-performance
  31. https://www.statmuse.com/mlb/ask/aaron-loup-career-postseason-stats
  32. https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-mets-sign-lhp-aaron-loup
  33. https://nypost.com/2021/01/27/mets-sign-aaron-loup-after-missing-out-on-top-target/
  34. https://www.amazinavenue.com/2021/10/26/22746431/mets-aaron-loup-2021-bullpen-season-review-new-york
  35. https://sny.tv/articles/deep-dive-on-mets-free-agent-aaron-loup-s-dominant-2021
  36. https://www.mlb.com/news/mets-bullpen-shuts-out-braves-in-game-2
  37. https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYM/2021.shtml
  38. https://nypost.com/2021/09/08/aaron-loup-hopes-to-re-sign-with-mets-after-2021-season/
  39. https://apnews.com/article/mlb-sports-new-york-los-angeles-baseball-bad88dc7e0c37770311d3ca5379b7208
  40. https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-angels-sign-lhp-aaron-loup
  41. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/37702452/angels-activate-aaron-loup-il-part-bullpen-moves
  42. https://www.mlb.com/angels/roster/transactions/2023/09
  43. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/11/angels-decline-options-on-aaron-loup-eduardo-escobar.html
  44. https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/1960798/aaron-loup/fantasy/
  45. https://www.nbcsports.com/mlb/aaron-loup/48805
  46. https://www.mlb.com/news/2023-24-mlb-free-agents-by-position
  47. https://www.rotowire.com/baseball/player/aaron-loup-12617
  48. https://www.statmuse.com/mlb/player/aaron-loup-35091/career-stats
  49. https://www.fangraphs.com/players/aaron-loup/10343/stats?position=P
  50. https://blogs.fangraphs.com/dj-herz-aaron-loup-and-trevor-williams-on-learning-and-developing-their-changeups/
  51. https://www.fangraphs.com/players/aaron-loup/10343/pitch-type-splits?position=P&data=pfx
  52. https://jaysjournal.com/2015/09/29/blue-jays-in-focus-inside-the-rebirth-of-aaron-loups-slider/
  53. https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/aaron-loup-571901
  54. https://www.mlb.com/news/blue-jays-left-hander-aaron-loup-eyes-new-role/c-107510932
  55. https://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/mlb/yankees-benefit-from-11th-inning-error-to-beat-blue-jays-1.1334444
  56. https://www.mlb.com/video/loup-s-slick-move-leads-to-out
  57. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/3511863/2022/08/16/angels-defense-mariners-errors/
  58. https://www.heraldguide.com/lifestyles/love-is-in-the-air-16/
  59. https://www.mlb.com/news/blue-jays-reliever-aaron-loup-celebrates-first-mothers-day-as-a-father/c-74640504
  60. https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/video/loup-celebrates-fatherhood-c1511748783
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