Justin Bruihl (born June 26, 1997) is an American professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Colorado Rockies, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Toronto Blue Jays. Bruihl was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2017 and made his MLB debut with them in August 2021. The Petaluma, California native has appeared in multiple postseason games and has established himself as a reliable bullpen arm across several organizations.
Justin Bruihl Bio
Justin Bruihl developed his passion for baseball growing up in Petaluma, California. He attended Casa Grande High School, where he starred as a pitcher before facing a significant setback. During his junior season, Bruihl suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow, requiring Tommy John surgery. He returned to the mound in the second half of his senior year and was limited to 17 and one-third innings pitched while striking out 27 batters and allowing no earned runs. This resilience early in his career would become a hallmark of his professional journey.
Early Life and Background
Born on June 26, 1997, in Petaluma, California, Bruihl showed promise as a two-way player during his high school career. The injury in junior year tested his dedication to the sport, but he worked through rehabilitation and returned to competition. After graduating from Casa Grande High School, Bruihl continued his baseball career at the collegiate level, eventually developing into a professional prospect.
Path to Professional Baseball
Bruihl enrolled at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, where he played for the Cal Poly Mustangs baseball program. As a freshman, he led the team with 25 appearances and posted a 1-3 win-loss record with a 4.88 earned run average and 27 strikeouts over 31 and one-third innings pitched. After his freshman season, Bruihl transferred to Santa Rosa Junior College, where he flourished with a 7-0 record and a 2.12 ERA while recording 59 strikeouts in 51 innings pitched. He had committed to transfer to the University of California following his sophomore season but instead pursued professional opportunities.
Justin Bruihl Career
Los Angeles Dodgers (2017-2023)
Bruihl signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers as an undrafted free agent on July 15, 2017. He began his professional career in 2018 with the Ogden Raptors of the Pioneer League. In 2019, Bruihl started with the High-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes before being reassigned to the Single-A Great Lakes Loans. The 2020 minor league season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, preventing Bruihl from playing that year.
Bruihl began the 2021 season with the Double-A Tulsa Drillers before earning a promotion to the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers on June 1, 2021. The Dodgers selected Bruihl’s contract and promoted him to the major league roster on August 8, 2021. He made his MLB debut that same day against the Los Angeles Angels, striking out the first batter he faced, Brandon Marsh, and pitching one and two-thirds innings. In 2021, Bruihl appeared in 21 games for Los Angeles, allowing six earned runs on 13 hits over 18 and two-thirds innings for a 2.89 ERA. He also made 26 minor league appearances with a 2.63 ERA. Bruihl was added to the 2021 National League Championship Series roster and pitched two scoreless innings, allowing one hit while striking out five batters.
In 2022, Bruihl split time between the majors and minors. He appeared in 25 games for Oklahoma City with a 3-1 record and 3.56 ERA, and in 24 games for Los Angeles with a 1-1 record and 3.80 ERA. On September 18, 2022, Bruihl recorded his first career save against the San Francisco Giants. He began the 2023 season optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City. In 20 games for Los Angeles, he worked to a 4.07 ERA with 19 strikeouts across 24 and one-third innings. The Dodgers designated Bruihl for assignment on July 28, 2023.
Colorado Rockies (2023)
On August 1, 2023, Bruihl was traded to the Colorado Rockies in exchange for cash considerations. He appeared in seven games for Colorado, struggling to a 14.73 ERA with three strikeouts across three and two-thirds innings. The Rockies designated Bruihl for assignment on August 25, 2023, following the promotion of Evan Justice. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes on August 28. Bruihl elected free agency following the season on November 6, 2023.
Pittsburgh Pirates (2024)
On January 3, 2024, Bruihl signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds organization. In 19 games for the Triple-A Louisville Bats, he recorded a 2.31 ERA with 24 strikeouts across 23 and one-third innings. The Reds released Bruihl on June 3, 2024. Six days later, on June 6, 2024, Bruihl signed a major league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He appeared in seven games for Pittsburgh, posting a 9.53 ERA with five strikeouts across five and two-thirds innings. The Pirates designated Bruihl for assignment on July 7, 2024. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians on July 9. Bruihl elected free agency on October 2, 2024.
Toronto Blue Jays (2025)
On March 16, 2025, Bruihl signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. He opened the season with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, posting a 3-3 record and 3.81 ERA with 36 strikeouts and two saves across 28 and one-third innings in 25 appearances. On June 17, 2025, the Blue Jays selected Bruihl’s contract, adding him to their active roster. He was optioned back to Buffalo on August 30. In 15 appearances for Toronto, Bruihl recorded a 5.27 ERA with 18 strikeouts across 13 and two-thirds innings. The Blue Jays designated him for assignment on December 15, 2025, following the signing of Tyler Rogers.
St. Louis Cardinals (2026-Present)
On December 17, 2025, Bruihl was traded to the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for cash considerations. He was designated for assignment on December 20 following the signing of Shawn Armstrong. On January 6, 2026, Bruihl was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for cash considerations, where he currently serves as a member of the major league bullpen.
Pitching Style and Strengths
Bruihl operates primarily as a left-handed reliever, bringing versatility to bullpen roles across multiple organizations. His career has shown the ability to work through high-pressure situations, as evidenced by his scoreless postseason appearance in the 2021 NLCS. He has experience pitching in various roles, including as an opener, in setup situations, and recording saves.
Notable Events and Milestones
Bruihl’s career highlights include his MLB debut against the Los Angeles Angels where he struck out his first batter, his NLCS roster appearance during the Dodgers’ run to the championship, and his first career save against the San Francisco Giants in September 2022. He has demonstrated resilience throughout his career, overcoming early injuries and navigating multiple organizational transitions to remain in professional baseball.
Justin Bruihl Career Statistics
Through June 26, 2026, Bruihl has compiled a 2-2 win-loss record with a 4.55 earned run average and 94 strikeouts across his MLB career spanning appearances with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Colorado Rockies, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Toronto Blue Jays. He has appeared in multiple postseason games, including the 2021 National League Championship Series.
| Team | Years | Win-Loss | ERA | Strikeouts | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Dodgers | 2021-2023 | 2-3 | 3.38 | 58 | 65 |
| Colorado Rockies | 2023 | 0-0 | 14.73 | 3 | 7 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | 2024 | 0-0 | 9.53 | 5 | 7 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | 2025 | 0-1 | 5.27 | 18 | 15 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 2026-Present | 0-0 | 0.00 | 1 | 2 |
Justin Bruihl Family
Family Background and Education
Bruihl grew up in Petaluma, California, and attended Casa Grande High School. His family supported his baseball career through significant challenges, including his recovery from Tommy John surgery during high school. He pursued higher education at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, before transferring to Santa Rosa Junior College to continue his baseball development. Bruihl was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2017 before completing his college career.
Personal Life
Bruihl continues to maintain his connection to his Northern California roots. He remains active on social media under the handle @jbruihl24. His professional journey demonstrates the persistence required to establish and maintain a career in professional baseball, having navigated multiple organizational changes while continuing to compete at the highest level of the sport.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a significant chapter in Bruihl’s career as he split time between Triple-A Buffalo and the Toronto Blue Jays major league roster. He opened the season with the Bisons and dominated Triple-A competition, posting a 3-3 record with a 3.81 ERA and recording two saves across 25 appearances. His strong minor league performance earned him a promotion to the Blue Jays on June 17. Bruihl appeared in 15 games for Toronto, working to a 5.27 ERA with 18 strikeouts across 13 and two-thirds innings. The Blue Jays optioned him back to Buffalo in late August, where he continued to provide depth as a veteran left-handed option. His ability to perform at both levels demonstrated his value as a journeyman reliever capable of contributing at the highest level when called upon.