Adrian David Houser Bio
Adrian David Houser is an American professional baseball pitcher who currently plays for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball. Born on February 2, 1993, Houser has built a reputation as a versatile right-handed pitcher throughout his MLB career. He has previously played for the Milwaukee Brewers, New York Mets, Chicago White Sox, and Tampa Bay Rays. Houser’s journey to the majors included being drafted by the Houston Astros in 2011 and eventually becoming a reliable starter and reliever at the highest level of professional baseball.
Early Life and Background
Adrian David Houser grew up in Locust Grove, Oklahoma, where he attended Locust Grove High School. During his high school years, Houser established himself as a talented baseball player, which led him to commit to continuing his athletic and academic career at the University of Oklahoma. At Oklahoma, Houser played for the Oklahoma Sooners baseball team, one of the premier college baseball programs in the United States. His performance at the collegiate level caught the attention of professional scouts and set the stage for his transition to minor league baseball.
Path to Professional Baseball
Houser’s professional baseball career began when the Houston Astros selected him in the second round of the 2011 MLB draft with the 69th overall selection. He signed with the Astros three days after being drafted and was assigned to the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Astros. In his first professional season, Houser went 1-2 with a 4.03 earned run average and 25 strikeouts across six games. The Astros then promoted him to the Greeneville Astros of the Appalachian League, where he continued his development. Between both Rookie League teams, Houser posted a combined 2-4 record with a 4.31 earned run average and 44 strikeouts in 48 innings pitched.
Throughout his early minor league career, Houser steadily progressed through the Astros system. He spent the 2012 season entirely with Greeneville, going 3-4 with a 4.19 earned run average in 11 starts. In 2013, he moved up to the Tri-City ValleyCats and posted a 0-4 record with a 3.42 earned run average in 14 games. The following year with the Quad Cities River Bandits, Houser went 5-6 with a 4.14 earned run average in 25 games. He began the 2015 season with the Lancaster JetHawks before earning a promotion to the Corpus Christi Hooks.
Adrian David Houser Career
Milwaukee Brewers Era (2015–2023)
A major turning point in Houser’s career occurred on July 30, 2015, when the Houston Astros traded him to the Milwaukee Brewers as part of a significant package. Houser was sent to Milwaukee along with Brett Phillips, Domingo Santana, and Josh Hader in exchange for Carlos Gómez and Mike Fiers. The Brewers assigned Houser to the Biloxi Shuckers, where he compiled a 7-5 record with a 4.43 earned run average across 26 games and 20 starts between Lancaster, Corpus Christi, and Biloxi. He earned a promotion to Milwaukee’s major league roster for the September call-ups and made his MLB debut on September 26, 2015. Houser appeared in two games for the Brewers that season and allowed no earned runs.
The 2016 and 2017 seasons presented challenges for Houser as he battled injuries. In 2016, he spent the entire season with Biloxi and went 3-7 with a 5.25 earned run average in 13 starts. The 2017 season was particularly limited, with Houser pitching only 17 and two-thirds innings due to injury concerns. He began 2018 with Biloxi but earned a recall to the majors on June 17, 2018, and made an immediate impact despite a memorable moment when he vomited twice on the mound during his game against the Philadelphia Phillies. Houser would become known for this unusual occurrence, experiencing similar episodes during subsequent games. In 2018, he appeared in seven games and posted a 3.29 earned run average.
The 2019 season marked one of Houser’s strongest campaigns with Milwaukee. He appeared in 35 games and pitched to a 6-7 record with a remarkable 3.72 earned run average and 117 strikeouts across 111 and one-third innings. His resilience was on display during an August game against the Texas Rangers, when after a rough defensive sequence that included vomiting on the mound, he proceeded to record ten strikeouts and earn the win. In 2020, Houser struggled with a 5.30 earned run average and 1-6 record across 12 games and 56 innings. However, he rebounded impressively in 2021, posting a 3.22 earned run average in 28 games with 26 starts, including his first career complete-game shutout against the St. Louis Cardinals on September 4. He also hit two home runs that season, a rare feat for a pitcher, both coming off Daniel Castano of the Miami Marlins.
In 2022, Houser went 6-10 with a 4.73 earned run average and notably had the lowest left-on-base percentage in the majors at 60.8 percent. He went through the arbitration process and settled on a $2.425 million salary. On November 18, 2022, he signed a one-year, $3.6 million contract to remain with the Brewers. His final season in Milwaukee came in 2023, where he appeared in 23 games and posted an 8-5 record with a 4.12 earned run average and 96 strikeouts.
New York Mets and Minor League Stints (2024)
On December 20, 2023, the Brewers traded Houser along with Tyrone Taylor to the New York Mets in exchange for Coleman Crow. Houser struggled with his new team in 2024, making 23 appearances with 7 starts and logging a 1-5 record with a 5.84 earned run average and 45 strikeouts across 69 and one-third innings. The Mets designated him for assignment on July 26, 2024, and released him on July 31. Following his release, Houser signed with the Chicago Cubs on August 6, 2024, on a minor league contract. He made four starts for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs and posted a 3.86 earned run average with 12 strikeouts over 18 and two-thirds innings before being released at the end of August. Houser then signed with the Baltimore Orioles on August 31, 2024, but struggled with the Triple-A Norfolk Tides, going 0-2 with a 9.18 earned run average in three starts. He elected free agency following the season on November 4, 2024.
Chicago White Sox and Tampa Bay Rays (2025)
Houser signed a one-year, $1.35 million contract with the Chicago White Sox on May 20, 2025, and made his debut that same day, allowing two hits over six scoreless innings to earn a win. He made 11 starts for Chicago, including an impressive outing where he pitched eight innings while giving up zero earned runs. Overall in 2025 with the White Sox, Houser posted a stellar 2.10 earned run average. On July 31, 2025, the White Sox traded Houser to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Curtis Mead, Duncan Davitt, and Ben Peoples. He made 10 starts for Tampa Bay and compiled a 2-3 record with a 4.79 earned run average and 45 strikeouts across 56 and one-third innings. Combined between both teams in 2025, Houser finished with an 8-5 record, 125 innings pitched, a 3.31 earned run average, and a career-high 3.1 Wins Above Replacement.
San Francisco Giants (2025–Present)
On December 19, 2025, Houser signed a two-year, $22 million contract with the San Francisco Giants. The deal runs through the 2027 season and represents the largest contract of Houser’s career. He joined a Giants rotation looking to compete in the competitive National League West division. Houser wore number 12 for the Giants, a number he had worn throughout portions of his career with previous teams.
Notable Moments and Resilience
Throughout his career, Houser has demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability. His ability to pitch effectively as both a starter and reliever has made him a valuable asset for multiple organizations. The unusual circumstances of vomiting on the mound during games brought attention to his toughness and ability to perform under pressure. His two home runs in 2021, both off the same pitcher, showcased his ability to contribute offensively, a rare skill for a pitcher. His first complete-game shutout against the St. Louis Cardinals represented a milestone achievement in his career as a starting pitcher.
Adrian David Houser Career Wins
Across his MLB career from 2015 through June 26, 2026, Adrian Houser has accumulated 42 wins against 50 losses with a 4.19 earned run average and 625 strikeouts. His career has seen him contribute across multiple organizations and roles, from spot starter to reliable rotation arm.
Milwaukee Brewers Highlights
Houser’s most productive stretch came during his tenure with the Milwaukee Brewers from 2015 to 2023. His 2019 season stands out as one of his best, with a 6-7 record and 3.72 earned run average across 35 appearances. The 2021 season proved to be his most effective, as he finished with a 3.22 earned run average in 28 games and 26 starts, including his first career complete-game shutout. His final Brewers season in 2023 saw him post an 8-5 record with a 4.12 earned run average in 23 appearances.
Other Career Highlights
His 2025 season with the Chicago White Sox and Tampa Bay Rays represented a strong rebound year. Combined between the two teams, Houser went 8-5 with a 3.31 earned run average and accumulated 125 innings pitched while posting a career-high 3.1 Wins Above Replacement. His White Sox debut was particularly impressive, as he threw six scoreless innings in his first start with the team.
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Win-Loss Record | 42–50 |
| Earned Run Average | 4.19 |
| Strikeouts | 625 |
| Games Pitched | Multiple roles |
Adrian David Houser Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Adrian Houser comes from a baseball family. He is the nephew of James Knott, who was selected by the New York Mets in the 11th round of the 1992 MLB draft. His older brother Michael played college baseball for Northeastern State University. This family connection to professional baseball helped shape Houser’s early development and provided him with guidance as he navigated his own path through the sport.
Personal Life
Houser is married to Megan Houser. He is a member of the Cherokee Nation and maintains a close friendship with fellow Cherokee Nation member and MLB pitcher Ryan Helsley. Houser has spoken publicly about his Cherokee heritage and the importance of representing his community in professional baseball. He currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area while playing for the Giants.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season proved to be one of the strongest of Adrian Houser’s career despite the uncertainty surrounding his team affiliations. After signing with the Chicago White Sox in May, he made an immediate impact by earning a win in his debut while allowing just two hits over six scoreless innings. His performance with the White Sox was exceptional, as he posted a 2.10 earned run average across 11 starts, including an eight-inning gem with zero earned runs allowed. His strong work earned him a trade to the Tampa Bay Rays in late July, where he continued to contribute to their rotation. Between both teams, Houser finished with an 8-5 record and career-high 3.1 Wins Above Replacement, demonstrating that he remained an effective major league pitcher. His 125 innings pitched represented his highest workload in several seasons, and his 3.31 combined earned run average signaled a return to the form he showed during his best years with Milwaukee. The successful season culminated in his signing with the San Francisco Giants in December 2025 on a two-year, $22 million contract.