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Thomas Ryan Pressly (born December 15, 1988) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins, Houston Astros, and Chicago Cubs. He has also played for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic (WBC).

Key Information

A two-time American League (AL) All-Star, Pressly was selected to the 2022 All-MLB Team in conjunction with winning his first World Series championship as a member of the Astros. That season, he became the first pitcher to finish two no-hit games, including just the second no-hitter in World Series history. In 2019, he set the MLB record for consecutive scoreless appearances with 40.

From Dallas, Texas, Pressly was selected by the Boston Red Sox from high school in the 11th round of the 2007 MLB draft. After five seasons in the minor leagues, he was chosen by the Minnesota Twins in the 2012 Rule 5 draft, and made his MLB debut in 2013. The Twins traded Pressly to Houston in 2018. In Game 4 of the 2022 World Series, he became the first MLB relief pitcher to contribute to two combined no-hitters and just the second pitcher overall[a][1] In each season as a member of the Astros, Pressly contributed in the postseason, including in six consecutive American League Championship Series (ALCS) and three World Series. His fourteen postseason saves[b] rank fifth in MLB history.[2]

Early life and amateur career

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Ryan Pressly was born in Dallas and raised in Irving, Texas. His grandfather, Tito Nicholas, was a personal friend of Tom Landry, the former coach of the Dallas Cowboys. Pressly trained in baseball from a young age, and was coached by retired Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher Steve Busby.[3] Pressly grew up a fan of the Texas Rangers.[4]

Pressly attended American Heritage Academy in Carrollton, Texas, for his first three years of high school. He starred as a pitcher and shortstop for the school's baseball team, leading the conference in 23 different offensive categories.[5] In addition to baseball, Pressly played American football as a defensive back. During a football game, he tore the anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament in his left knee when he was tackled following an interception. His knee required surgery, ending his football career and jeopardizing his baseball career.[3][5]

As American Heritage considered ending its baseball program, Pressly transferred to Edward S. Marcus High School in Flower Mound, Texas, for his senior year.[5][6] Pressly committed to attend Texas Tech University after receiving a scholarship to play college baseball for the Red Raiders team.[5]

Professional career

[edit]

Boston Red Sox (2007–2012)

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The Boston Red Sox selected Pressly in the 11th round, 354th overall, of the 2007 MLB draft.[6] He signed with Boston for a $100,000 bonus rather than attend college.[5][7] Initially working as a starting pitcher in the Red Sox' in minor league system, he converted to a relief pitcher in 2012. In his first season as a relief pitcher for the Portland Sea Dogs of the Class AA Eastern League, he compiled a 2.93 earned run average (ERA) with 21 strikeouts in 27+2⁄3 innings pitched (IP).[8]

Minnesota Twins (2013–2018)

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After the 2012 season, the Minnesota Twins selected Pressly from the Red Sox in the Rule 5 draft.[8] Pressly made the Twins' Opening Day roster.[9][10] He made his major league debut on April 4, pitching a scoreless inning, in which he struck out Torii Hunter.[11] Pressly appeared in 49 games, going 3–3 with 3.87 ERA and 49 strikeouts in 76+2⁄3 innings of work.

In 2014, Pressly began the season with the Rochester Red Wings, the Twins Triple-A affiliate, before being called up on July 23. He made 25 relief appearances, going 2–0 with a 2.86 ERA. To start the 2015 season, Pressly once again began with Rochester, before being recalled on April 28. On July 4, Pressly suffered a lat muscle strain, putting him on the 15-day disabled list, and after suffering a setback during rehab on August 17, Pressly was ruled out for the remainder of the year. On the season, Pressly made 27 appearances, going 3–2 with a 2.93 ERA.[citation needed]

In 2016, Pressly was primarily used as a middle reliever and setup man. On July 31, Pressly recorded his first major league save in a 6–4 win against the Chicago White Sox. For the year, Pressly appeared in 72 games (4th-most in the AL), compiling a 6–7 record with a 3.70 ERA with 67 strikeouts in 75+1⁄3 innings. In 2017, Pressly remained a middle reliever and setup man. However, through the first 3 months of the season, he struggled, going 1–2 with a 9.50 ERA in just 18 innings. Due to his struggles, Pressly was optioned to the minors on June 6, and was recalled on June 29. After his recall from the minors, Pressly returned to his prior form, compiling a 1–1 with a 2.75 ERA with 35 strikeouts in 39+1⁄3 innings. For the season, he was 2–3 with a 4.70 ERA in 57 relief appearances.[citation needed]

During the 2018 season, the Twins continued to maintain Pressly in the role of middle reliever and setup man. He made 51 appearances, finishing with a 1–1 record with a 3.40 ERA with 69 strikeouts in 47+2⁄3 innings for the Twins.

Houston Astros

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2018–2019

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The Twins traded Pressly to the Houston Astros for minor leaguers Jorge Alcalá and Gilberto Celestino on July 27, 2018.[12] In 26 regular season games pitched with the Astros, Pressly posted a 0.77 ERA and walked only three batters. Houston's focus on analytics was largely credited for his post-trade success.[13] The Astros analytics department had noted that Pressly had elite spin rates on his curveball and slider, and recommended that he throw them more often.[3] His 2018 totals between the Twins and Astros included an American League (AL)-leading 77 appearances, 11 games finished, two saves, 2–1 W–L record, and careers bests 2.54 ERA and 2.47 Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP). He crossed the 100-strikeout threshold (101) for the first time, netting a career-high ratio of 12.8 strikeouts per 9 innings pitched (K/9).[14]

In the 2018 postseason, his first, Pressly made two appearances in the American League Division Series (ALDS) versus the Cleveland Indians and three more in the American League Championship Series (ALCS) versus the Red Sox. He tossed 5 innings, faced 20 batters, and allowed one run on one hit, with three walks, .259 on-base plus slugging (OPS) against, and struck out 7. He collected 3 holds as the Red Sox ended the Astros' season in the ALCS in five games.[15]

Before the 2019 season, Pressly signed a two-year contract extension with the Astros worth $17.5 million.[16] On May 17, Pressly broke Craig Kimbrel's major league record with his 39th consecutive scoreless appearance, dating back to August 10, 2018.[17] The streak reached 40 games before he allowed a run on May 24.[18] For the 2019 season, Pressly was 2–3 with three saves and a 2.32 ERA in 55 relief appearances in which he pitched 54+1⁄3 innings and struck out 72 batters (11.9 per 9 innings), and tied for the major league lead in holds (31).[19] In the 2019 postseason, Pressly made 10 total appearances, including two in the ALDS (Tampa Bay Rays), four in the ALCS (New York Yankees), and four more in the World Series (Washington Nationals), going 1–0 with 1 hold. He struggled, allowing 7 earned in runs in 5+2⁄3 innings (11.12 ERA), .429/.484/.464/.948 OPS against, .546 batting average on balls in play (BABIP), and struck out 6 of 32 batters. Conversely, seven of the ten outings were scoreless, he surrendered 0 home runs and just a 2.88 FIP rate.[15]

2020–2021

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In 2020 as a full-time closer for the first time, Pressly was 1–3 with 12 saves (3rd in the AL) and a 3.43 ERA, in 21 innings in which he struck out 29 batters (12.4 per 9 innings) over 23 relief appearances.[14]

In 2021,[20] Pressly was selected for the second time in his Astros tenure to the All-Star Game, played at Coors Field. When his selection was announced, he had not allowed an earned run in 12 consecutive appearances, leading to a 1.54 ERA over 35 innings and a 4–1 record. He tied for first in the AL in save percentage (93.3%), and among relief pitchers in the AL, was third in ERA, fourth in WHIP (0.83) and he had tied for fifth in with 14 saves.[21] On September 23, Pressley completed a scoreless ninth in his 60th appearance of the season to seal a 9–5 victory versus the Los Angeles Angels, concluding the final condition for his contract for 2022 to fully vest, guaranteeing him a $10 million salary. Since being acquired by Houston at the 2018 trade deadline, Pressly had produced a 2.19 ERA, 0.924 WHIP, and saved 42 games in 160+1⁄3 innings. He had converted 25 of 27 save chances on the season.[20]

In 2021, Pressly went 5–3 with 26 saves, 0.969 WHIP, and a 2.25 ERA over 64 appearances and 64 innings, striking out 81 batters.[14] He produced the lowest walk and home run rates of his career.[22]

2022

[edit]
2022 regular season: Combined no-hitter, consecutive batters retired streak

Pressly and the Astros agreed to terms on a new two-year contract extension on April 5, 2022. With $30 million guaranteed, it covered the 2023 and 2024 seasons, with an option for 2025.[22] Due to a case of knee inflammation, he was placed on the 10-day injured list on April 16.[23] On May 29, Pressly earned a save after inducing a ground ball hit by Luis Torrens for a game-ending, bases-loaded double play to preserve a 2–1 win versus the Seattle Mariners.[24]

On June 5, Pressly was ejected in the ninth inning after throwing inside to Michael A. Taylor of the Kansas City Royals.[25] On June 23, Pressly gave up four runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to the New York Yankees, including the go-ahead run delivered by Aaron Judge's walk-off single.[26] On June 25, Pressly closed out a combined no-hitter versus the Yankees by earning the save in a 3–0 win. Led by starter Cristian Javier's seven innings, Héctor Neris also pitched in the eighth inning. It was the 14th no-hitter in Astros history, and first at Yankee Stadium since 2003, also an Astros' combined no-hitter.[c][27]

On July 3, Pressly earned the win (2–2) by closing out a walk-off 4–2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels in which Astros pitchers struck out 20 batters to establish a franchise record in a nine inning contest.[28] Starter Framber Valdez (first six innings), Neris (7th), and Rafael Montero (8th) all preceded Pressly, who, in the ninth, struck out the side.[d][29] On July 17 versus the Oakland Athletics, Pressly again struck out the side in the ninth inning to tie the Astros' franchise record with 27 consecutive batters retired by a reliever, first achieved by Dave Giusti in 1965. Pressly's streak occurred over eight straight outings.[30] Presley then retired the Mariners in order in the ninth on July 24 to pass Giusti. In the July 28 game, Presley retired the first two batters in the ninth to reach 32 before surrendering a single to J. P. Crawford, which tied teammate Justin Verlander (2019) for most batters retired in a row among all pitchers in Astros history.[31]

On August 25, the Astros placed Pressly on the 10-day injury due to neck spasms.[32] On September 9, the Astros activated him from the injured list. That day, he surrendered a solo home run in the ninth inning to Taylor Ward before closing a 4–3 win over the Angels for the save.[33] In the season finale versus Philadelphia Philles on October 5, Pressly secured his 33rd save, extending a career-high. It was his 76th save as an Astro, tying him with Fred Gladding for fourth place.[e][34]

In 2022, he was 2–2 with 33 saves and a 2.98 ERA in 48+1⁄3 innings with 65 strikeouts in 50 games.[14]

2022 postseason: World Series championship and combined no-hitter

Closing out Game 4 of the 2022 World Series, Pressly secured the final three outs of a 5–0 combined no-hitter of the Phillies. Like the no-hit contest in New York, Javier was the starting pitcher. Bryan Abreu and Rafael Montero both preceded Pressly. He and Javier became the first to contribute in multiple combined no-hitters in the major leagues, with Pressly being the first reliever to do so. The third no-hitter in MLB postseason history, it was the second in World Series play, following Don Larsen's perfect game in 1956.[f][35]

Pressly was critical in the Astros’ victory in the 2022 World Series, closing out five of six games, as he allowed just two hits, one walk, and no earned runs in 5+2⁄3 innings. This impressive run included a 5-out save in Game 5, and the final three outs in Game 6 as the Astros clinched the title.[36] In Game 5, he entered with a 3–2 lead in the eighth, one out and runners on first and third. He struck out Brandon Marsh on three pitches—all sliders—and induced a sharply-hit Kyle Schwarber groundout that first baseman Trey Mancini smothered. Per Baseball-Reference.com, the Marsh strikeout rendered 9.2% championship win probability added (cWPA), the most on any single out over the prior six World Series.[37] For his World Series performance, Pressly led all players in the 2022 edition with a 33.87% cWPA.[38] In total, Pressly went 6-for-6 in postseason saves (while allowing no earned runs) to become the 16th reliever with six postseason saves in one postseason.

2023

[edit]

Pressly successfully converted 28 consecutive save opportunities—including the postseason—until May 29, 2023, an eventual 7–5 loss to the Twins.[39] On July 21, Pressly pitched a clean ninth inning to close out a 6–4 win over Oakland for the 100th regular-season save of his career, and 99th as Astro.[40] Pressly converted his 100th save as a member of the Astros on July 25 versus the Texas Rangers to become him the fourth pitcher to do so, joining Baseball Hall of Fame member Billy Wagner (225), Dave Smith (199), and Brad Lidge (123).[41]

In Game 1 of the American League Division Series (ALDS), Pressly closed out a 6–4 Astros win over the Twins to earn his 12th career postseason save, moving him into fifth place all-time on the postseason saves list.[g][42]

On October 20, Pressly's multi-inning effort in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series (ALCS) in a win over the Rangers resulted in his 14th career postseason save—and 14th straight converted. At the time, he had converted the second-most consecutive postseason saves, trailing only Mariano Rivera (23). Over 46 appearances, Pressly had also posted a 2.22 ERA, 3–0 W–L, .195 batting average against (BAA), and 32 percent strikeout rate.[43]

2024

[edit]

As a consequence of signing free agent reliever Josh Hader prior to the 2024 season, the Astros reassigned Pressly as a primary setup reliever and made Hader closer.[44] On June 16, Pressly entered the eighth inning inheriting a no-hit bid by starter Ronel Blanco; after getting two Detroit Tigers out, he allowed a single to Wenceel Pérez for the first hit of the game.[45] He collected his 45th appearance of the season on August 2 to activate a vesting option for 2025, tossing one scoreless inning in a 3–2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.[46]

In 2024, Pressly made 59 regular season appearances, producing a 2–3 record, 3.49 ERA, 4 saves, and 58 strikeouts over 56+2⁄3 innings.[14] He ranked sixth in the AL in holds with 25.[47] In the AL Wild Card Series (WCS) versus Detroit, he was 0–1 with 3 earned runs surrendered in 2⁄3 inning[14] and took the loss in Game 2 as the Astros were swept. A wild pitch in the top of the 8th inning allowed Kerry Carpenter to score and tie the contest 2–2, accounting for Pressly's first career blown save in the postseason after having converted each of his first 14 opportunities.[48]

Chicago Cubs

[edit]

On January 28, 2025, the Astros traded Pressly with $5.5 million in cash considerations to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for Juan Bello.[49] In 44 appearances for Chicago, he compiled a 2-3 record and 4.35 ERA with 28 strikeouts and five saves across 41+1⁄3 innings pitched. On July 31, Pressly was designated for assignment by the Cubs.[50] He was released by the team the following day.[51]

International career

[edit]

On November 10, 2022, Pressly committed to play for the United States in the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC).[52] He tossed three scoreless innings in the 2023 WBC, and registered three saves, tying for the tournament lead.[53] Team USA finished as silver medallists, sustaining a defeat to Japan in the final, 3–2.[54]

Personal life

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Pressly's wife, Kat (née Rogers), is a former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader. They married on December 31, 2019, in Houston.[3][55] Their son, Wyatt, was born in August 2021, and their daughter, Hunter Lee, was born in July 2022.[56]

Pressly is an avid outdoorsman and hunter.[53]

During the 2023–24 offseason, Pressly served as a guest bartender for Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen on the Bravo network. He was invited to join the show following a discovery that he and his wife were fans of Bravo's The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City.[53]

See also

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References

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

Ryan Pressly

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Ryan Pressly is an American born on December 15, 1988, in , , known for his tenure as a dominant closer and in (MLB), including two selections and a championship. Standing at 6 feet 2 inches and weighing 207 pounds, Pressly bats and throws right-handed, and as of November 2025, he is a following his release by the Cubs. Drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 11th round of the 2007 MLB Draft out of Marcus High School in , Pressly spent his initial professional years in the Red Sox system before being selected by the in the 2012 . He made his MLB debut with the Twins on April 4, 2013, and established himself as a reliable reliever over five seasons there, appearing in 221 games with a 3.81 , recording 67 strikeouts in 72 games during 2017. In July 2018, the Twins traded him to the Houston Astros in exchange for pitchers Jorge Alcala and Gilberto Celestino, a move that marked the turning point in his career. With the Astros from 2018 to 2024, Pressly evolved into one of baseball's premier bullpen arms, serving primarily as a and closer with exceptional command and a devastating slider. His standout 2019 season earned him his first selection, where he posted a 2.32 over 58.1 with 13 saves and 79 strikeouts. He repeated as an in 2021, finishing with a 2.25 and 24 saves, while contributing to the Astros' victory over the Philadelphia Phillies, where he appeared in five games with two saves. Over his Astros tenure, Pressly appeared in 342 games, amassing a 2.81 , 111 saves, and 411 strikeouts in 366.0 . In January 2025, the Astros traded Pressly to the Chicago Cubs for pitcher Juan Bello and $5.5 million in cash considerations, as part of a salary relief move, with the Cubs assuming $8.5 million of his $14 million contract. He appeared in 44 games for the Cubs that season, recording 5 saves and a 4.35 ERA with 28 strikeouts in 41.1 innings before being on July 31, 2025, and subsequently released on August 1. As of November 2025, Pressly remains an unsigned , with reports indicating he is mulling retirement while drawing interest from the . No further signings have been reported otherwise, leaving Pressly, at age 36, available with a career record of 37-39, 3.33 ERA, 117 saves, and 721 strikeouts in 667 appearances across 11 MLB seasons.

Early years

Early life

Ryan Pressly was born on December 15, 1988, in , . His family background included a notable connection to sports history through his late maternal grandfather, Tito Nicholas, who developed a personal friendship with , the legendary former of the , during their time together in flight school in . Pressly attended American Heritage Academy, a in , for his freshman, sophomore, and junior years. He later transferred to in , to complete his senior year. From a young age, Pressly showed an early interest in sports, participating in both football and during his high school years. A injury sustained while playing football ultimately led him to focus exclusively on .

Amateur career

Pressly began his high school athletic career at American Heritage Academy, a in , where he participated in both and football. In , he played as a right-handed and , including time at , while in football he competed as a and free safety. His football career was derailed during his junior year when he suffered a severe injury, tearing his left ACL, MCL, and LCL after a hit in a game; he underwent and shifted his focus exclusively to thereafter. With American Heritage Academy considering the discontinuation of its program, Pressly transferred to in , for his senior year to continue developing as a . At Marcus, he earned a commitment to play at . Instead of attending Texas Tech, Pressly was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 11th round (354th overall) of the out of Marcus High School. He signed with the organization for a $100,000 bonus, forgoing his college opportunity to begin his professional career.

Professional career

Boston Red Sox organization (2007–2012)

Pressly signed with the Boston Red Sox as an 11th-round pick in the 2007 MLB Draft, receiving a $100,000 , but did not appear in any games that year due to a late signing. He made his professional debut in 2008 with the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Red Sox, where he posted a 1-4 record with a 3.79 ERA over 10 games (9 starts) and 40.1 , recording 34 strikeouts while allowing 41 hits and 21 walks. In 2009, Pressly advanced to the Short-Season A , improving significantly as a starter with a 6-4 record, 3.17 , and 64 strikeouts in 59.2 across 13 (11 starts), including an impressive 0.84 over his first four outings (21.1 IP, 2 ER). Pressly continued starting duties in 2010 with the , going 5-7 with a 3.72 in 26 (24 starts) and 113.2 , striking out 96 batters while issuing 43 walks, showcasing his development as a durable mid-rotation prospect. Pressly spent 2011 at High-A Salem Red Sox, maintaining his starting role with a 6-11 record and 4.50 in 26 starts over 130 , accumulating 72 strikeouts against 53 walks. In 2012, he began the year back at Salem, struggling as a starter with a 5-3 record and 6.28 in 20 games (12 starts) and 76 , fanning 61 but allowing 86 and 26 walks. Midseason, the Red Sox transitioned him to a role, promoting him to Double-A , where he posted a 2-2 record and 2.93 in 14 appearances over 27.2 , with 21 strikeouts and 10 walks. Later that August, he moved up to Triple-A , posting a 3.38 in five outings (10.2 IP, 8 K, 4 BB). Despite his late-season success in relief, the Red Sox did not add Pressly to their 40-man roster following the 2012 season, leaving him unprotected for the Rule 5 Draft. On December 6, 2012, the Minnesota Twins selected him in the major league phase of the Rule 5 Draft.

Minnesota Twins (2013–2018)

Following the 2012 season, the Minnesota Twins selected Pressly from the Boston Red Sox organization with the fourth overall pick in the Major League phase of the Rule 5 Draft on December 6, 2012. As a Rule 5 pick, Pressly was required to remain on the Twins' active major league roster for the entire 2013 season or be offered back to the Red Sox. Pressly made his MLB debut on April 4, 2013, against the Detroit Tigers at , entering in relief during the ninth inning of an 8-2 Twins victory and retiring the side in order. In his rookie season, he transitioned directly to a relief role, appearing in 49 games without a single start, posting a 3-3 record with a 3.87 over 76.2 and 49 strikeouts. Pressly continued primarily as a middle reliever through 2014 and 2015, logging 25 appearances in 2014 (2-0, 2.86 in 28.1 IP) and 27 in 2015 (3-2, 2.93 in 27.2 IP), often handling multi-inning outings to build experience in high-leverage situations. Pressly's performance peaked in 2016, when he established himself as a reliable middle reliever for the Twins, making a career-high 72 appearances with a 6-7 record, 3.70 ERA, and 67 strikeouts over 75.1 innings. That season marked a personal best in innings pitched at the major league level, showcasing his durability and effectiveness in bridging early bullpen roles, as he limited opponents to a .266 batting average while contributing to the Twins' relief corps amid a challenging year for the team. In 2017, he appeared in 57 games (2-3, 4.70 ERA in 61.1 IP), and through the first half of 2018, he made 51 outings (1-1, 3.40 ERA in 47.2 IP with 69 strikeouts), rebounding with improved command and velocity. On July 27, 2018, the Twins traded Pressly to the Houston Astros in exchange for minor league prospects Gilberto Celestino and right-handed Jorge Alcala. Over his full tenure with from 2013 to 2018, Pressly compiled a 17-16 record with a 3.71 in 281 appearances, spanning 317 and 282 strikeouts.

Houston Astros (2018–2024)

On July 27, 2018, the Houston Astros acquired Pressly from the in exchange for prospects Alcala and Gilberto Celestino. In his first season with the Astros, Pressly appeared in 26 games, posting a 0.77 over 23.1 with 32 strikeouts and two saves, providing immediate stability to the after the midseason trade. In 2019, Pressly established himself as a dominant setup reliever, appearing in 55 games with a 2.32 , three saves, and 72 strikeouts across 54.1 . During this season, he set a Major League Baseball record with 40 consecutive scoreless appearances from April 5 to May 24, spanning 44.2 without allowing an earned run. Pressly transitioned to a full-time closer role starting in 2020, recording 12 saves in 23 appearances with a 3.43 over 21 and 29 strikeouts. In 2021, he solidified the position with 26 saves in 64 outings, a 2.25 , and 81 strikeouts in 64 , while contributing significantly in the postseason with four saves across 10 appearances. The 2022 season marked Pressly's most prolific as closer, with 33 saves—a franchise single-season record—in 50 games, alongside a 2.98 and 65 strikeouts in 48.1 innings. He closed out two combined no-hitters: the regular-season effort against the New York Yankees on June 25, where he pitched a scoreless ninth inning, and Game 4 of the against the Philadelphia Phillies on November 2, securing the in the ninth. In 2023, Pressly continued as the Astros' primary closer, earning 31 saves in 65 appearances with a 3.58 ERA over 65.1 innings and 74 strikeouts; he also participated in the for Team USA, recording three saves in three scoreless outings. Pressly shifted to a setup role in 2024 following the Astros' acquisition of , making 59 appearances with four saves, a 3.49 ERA, and 58 strikeouts in 56.2 innings. Over his Astros tenure from 2018 to 2024, Pressly amassed 111 saves—ranking fourth in franchise history—and played a pivotal role in the team's sustained contention, including multiple deep postseason runs. He was traded to the Cubs on January 28, 2025, for pitcher Juan Bello and cash considerations.

Chicago Cubs (2025)

On January 28, 2025, the Chicago Cubs acquired Ryan Pressly from the Houston Astros in exchange for reliever Juan Bello, with the Astros agreeing to cover $5.5 million of Pressly's $14 million salary for the season. The trade addressed the Cubs' need for experienced relief pitching following injuries and inconsistencies in their during the 2024 season, positioning Pressly as a key and occasional closer to stabilize late-inning situations. During the 2025 season, Pressly appeared in 44 games for the Cubs, primarily in roles, where he recorded a 2-3 record, 5 saves, and a 4.35 over 41.1 , allowing 46 hits and 28 s. His performance marked a noticeable decline from prior years, evidenced by a career-low 15.4% rate—his lowest since 2014—and reduced on his , which lost ride and began resembling a cutter, limiting his effectiveness against hitters. Despite early encouragement from outings, Pressly struggled in high-leverage spots, contributing to blown saves and prompting the Cubs to adjust their hierarchy amid ongoing roster evaluations. The Cubs designated Pressly for assignment and released him on , 2025, making him a as they reshuffled their relief corps to pursue postseason contention in the NL Central. This move reflected broader team strategies to prioritize younger arms and address Pressly's diminished output, which had become a liability in the competitive late-season environment.

International career

Pressly made his international debut representing Team USA in the , having been selected for the roster in February 2023. As a key reliever, he appeared in three games during the tournament, pitching three scoreless innings with two strikeouts and one save. These performances contributed to Team USA's run to the final, where they earned the after a 3-2 loss to . Pressly has not participated in any other international competitions.

Playing style

Pitch arsenal

Ryan Pressly's pitch arsenal primarily consists of a , , , sinker, and . His averages 93.4 mph with spin rates around 2,574 RPM, providing a foundation for tunneling with his breaking pitches. The , thrown at an average of 88.8 mph and featuring elite spin rates up to 2,706 RPM, serves as one of his signature offerings, generating significant horizontal and vertical break for swing-and-miss potential. Complementing this is his , averaging 81.4 mph with exceptionally high spin rates reaching 3,240 RPM, which creates sharp downward movement and has historically produced whiff rates exceeding 35%. Pressly employs a sinker at approximately 93 mph for added variety against left-handed batters and a at 89 mph, though the latter is used sparingly at around 6% of his pitches. The and stand out as Pressly's most effective pitches for inducing swings and misses, with the slider often achieving whiff rates over 35% and the curveball similarly potent due to its gyroscopic spin and depth. Over his career, particularly during his tenure with the Houston Astros, Pressly's velocity and pitch movement have evolved through targeted refinements, including increased spin efficiency and optimized release points. This progression was supported by the Astros' advanced pitch design initiatives, utilizing tools like Rapsodo and to analyze and enhance spin axis, movement profiles, and overall arsenal cohesion.

Development and adjustments

Upon entering with the in 2013, Pressly shifted from a starting role in the —where he made 82 starts across 109 appearances—to a dedicated position, appearing exclusively out of the in all 49 of his rookie-year outings. This transition enabled him to harness shorter outings for greater intensity, resulting in a 2–3 mph increase in his from an initial average of 93–94 mph to 95–96 mph by 2016. Following his mid-2018 trade to the Astros, the team's department collaborated with Pressly to optimize his breaking pitches through targeted grip adjustments, enhancing spin efficiency and movement profiles for improved deception against hitters. Specifically, refinements to his grip emphasized greater vertical break while maintaining high spin rates exceeding 3,200 RPM, allowing for more consistent command and tunneling with his . These changes elevated his overall pitch arsenal effectiveness, contributing to a strikeout rate improvement from 7.8 K/9 during his Twins tenure (2013–2018) to a peak of 12.0 K/9 in his early Astros years (2018–2020). In response to a velocity decline to 93.8 mph during the 2024 season with , Pressly adapted by reducing his usage from around 40% in prior peak seasons (e.g., 2021) to 33%, prioritizing his and to leverage their movement advantages and sustain swing-and-miss potential. This strategic shift carried into 2025 with the Chicago Cubs, where his accounted for 37% of pitches amid a partial recovery to 94 mph averages in select outings, helping mitigate the dip's impact on his performance. As of November 2025, following his release by the Cubs, no further adjustments to his playing style have been reported.

Awards and honors

All-Star and All-MLB selections

Pressly earned two selections to the during his time with the Astros, in 2019 and 2021. In 2019, Pressly's first nod came after a strong first half in which he posted a 1.36 over 39.2 innings in 39 appearances, securing 3 saves while holding opponents to a .167 against. Selected as a reserve through player and media voting, he did not appear in the at . Pressly's second All-Star selection in 2021 highlighted his emergence as a reliable late-inning option, entering the break with a 1.46 across 36.2 innings in 36 outings, where he converted 16 saves. Chosen again as a reserve, he opted not to participate in the at due to family reasons. His selection reflected his role in stabilizing the Astros' amid a competitive AL West race. In 2022, Pressly received All-MLB Second Team honors as a , voted by MLB.com's panel for his regular-season contributions. He finished the year with 33 saves and a 2.98 in 47 1/3 innings over 50 appearances, limiting hitters to a .181 average while striking out 65 batters—key metrics in his recognition among the league's top relievers.

World Series and records

Pressly contributed significantly to the Houston Astros' success in the 2022 postseason, culminating in a championship victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in six games. As a key reliever, he appeared in five games during the , posting a 0.00 over 5.0 innings while securing two saves, including the final out in to clinch the title. His performance helped anchor the Astros' during their championship run, which featured dominant pitching throughout the playoffs. Throughout his career, Pressly has recorded 14 postseason saves, ranking fifth all-time in Major League Baseball history behind Mariano Rivera (42), Kenley Jansen (20), Brad Lidge (18), and Dennis Eckersley (15). This total includes a perfect 14-for-14 saves streak to open his playoff career, the longest such streak in MLB postseason history. His reliability in high-leverage situations has been a hallmark of his playoff contributions. One of Pressly's most notable achievements came in , when he set the MLB record for the most consecutive scoreless appearances by a reliever with 40 straight outings spanning 39.0 from August 15, 2018, to May 24, . This streak surpassed Craig Kimbrel's previous mark of 38 appearances and highlighted Pressly's command and effectiveness during a dominant stretch with the Astros. In 2022, Pressly became the first pitcher in MLB history to finish two combined no-hitters in a single season. On June 25, he closed out a against the New York Yankees, pitching a perfect ninth inning after and combined for the first eight frames in a 2-0 victory. Later, in Game 4 of the on November 2, he sealed another combined versus the Phillies, working a scoreless ninth to preserve a 5-0 win and tie the series at two games apiece; this marked only the second in history. These feats underscored his role in preserving historic pitching performances. Over his career, Pressly has made 47 postseason appearances, compiling a 3-1 record with a 2.78 , 60 strikeouts, and those 14 saves in 45.1 innings. His postseason effectiveness, particularly in save situations, has established him as one of the premier relievers in playoff scenarios.

Personal life

Family

Ryan Pressly married Katherine "Kat" Rogers, a former cheerleader, on December 31, 2019, in a romantic outdoor ceremony in . The couple welcomed their first child, son Wyatt Cole Pressly, in August 2021. Their daughter, Hunter Lee Pressly, was born on July 20, 2022, at . In January 2025, following Pressly's trade to the Cubs, the family relocated to ; Kat described it as "the most difficult decision we have made as a family" but later expressed embracing the move. Pressly and his wife balance family life with the demands of his MLB career by relying on a supportive network of other players' spouses during road trips and extended absences. Kat Pressly has described the unique challenges of the lifestyle, noting that the wives "lean on each other" when their husbands are away, especially amid the "Astros " of recent years. Fatherhood has motivated Pressly, with his wife stating it "gives him more to play for" and provides essential downtime when family is present.

Other pursuits

Pressly is an avid fan of the Bravo reality series of Salt Lake City, a interest he shares with his wife, Kat. During the 2022–23 offseason, he made a public appearance on Bravo's Watch What Happens Live with , serving as a guest bartender; the invitation stemmed from the discovery of his fandom for of Salt Lake City.

References

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