Amateur career

Spence attended Green Hope High School in Cary, North Carolina, and played on the school's baseball team.^[1] He enrolled at the University of South Carolina Aiken, where he played college baseball for the Pacers. Spence was twice named the Peach Belt Conference's pitcher of the week.^[2][3]

New York Yankees

The New York Yankees drafted Spence in the 10th round, with the 315th overall selection, of the 2019 Major League Baseball draft.^[4] He made his professional debut with the rookie–level Pulaski Yankees, posting a 3.54 ERA in 16 games out of the bullpen. Spence did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.^[5]

Spence returned to action in 2021 with the High–A Hudson Valley Renegades. He made 23 appearances (20 starts) and logged a 7–6 record and 3.94 ERA with 118 strikeouts in 105 innings pitched.^[6] He split the 2022 season between the Double–A Somerset Patriots and Triple–A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Pitching in 27 contests, Spence registered a 6–7 record and 4.70 ERA with 127 strikeouts across 130+1⁄3 innings of work.^[7]

The Yankees invited Spence to spring training as a non-roster player in 2023.^[8] He spent the year with Triple–A Scranton, making 29 starts and posting an 8–8 record and 4.47 ERA with 153 strikeouts across 163 innings pitched.^[9]

Oakland Athletics

On December 6, 2023, the Oakland Athletics selected Spence with the first overall pick of the Rule 5 draft.^[10] After competing in spring training in 2024 for a roster spot with the Athletics,^[11] Spence made their Opening Day roster.^[12]