Joseph Peter La Sorsa Bio
Joseph Peter La Sorsa (born April 29, 1998) is an American professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. The New York native has appeared in parts of four MLB seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays, Washington Nationals, and Cincinnati Reds, compiling a career win-loss record of 1-0 with a 5.34 earned run average and 45 strikeouts. The right-handed reliever was selected by Tampa Bay in the 19th round of the 2019 MLB Draft and made his major league debut with the Rays in May 2023. La Sorsa has established himself as a versatile bullpen arm who has pitched effectively at the Triple-A level across multiple organizations.
Early Life and Background
La Sorsa grew up in New Rochelle, New York, where he attended Iona Preparatory School and played for the school’s varsity baseball team. During his senior year, La Sorsa emerged as a leader on the mound, guiding the Iona Prep baseball team to the Catholic High School Athletic Association championship. His standout high school performance caught the attention of college programs, leading him to enroll at St. John’s University in Queens, New York.
At St. John’s, La Sorsa competed for the St. John’s Red Storm college baseball program, developing his skills against collegiate competition. During the summer of 2018, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League, one of the premier summer leagues for college players. With Harwich, he posted a 3-2 record with a 5.79 earned run average and notably pitched two innings of a combined no-hitter, showcasing his ability to perform in high-pressure situations against top collegiate talent.
Path to Professional Baseball
La Sorsa’s success at St. John’s and his strong summer performance in the Cape Cod Baseball League positioned him well for the 2019 MLB Draft. The Tampa Bay Rays selected La Sorsa in the 19th round, recognizing his polished approach on the mound and his potential as a professional pitcher. The selection marked the beginning of his journey through the minor leagues toward major league Baseball.
He made his professional debut that same year with the Hudson Valley Renegades, Tampa Bay’s Single-A affiliate. His progression through the minor leagues was interrupted in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of the entire minor league season, preventing La Sorsa from accumulating professional innings. He returned to action in 2021 and continued advancing through Tampa Bay’s system, eventually reaching the Triple-A level with the Durham Bulls by the 2023 season. His strong work at Durham, where he posted a 3.86 earned run average across nine appearances, earned him his first major league call-up.
Joseph Peter La Sorsa Career
Tampa Bay Rays (2023)
On May 28, 2023, the Tampa Bay Rays selected La Sorsa’s contract and promoted him to the major leagues for the first time. He made his MLB debut the following day, entering the game and pitching two scoreless innings while recording two strikeouts and one walk. The debut marked the culmination of his four-year journey through the minor leagues and represented a significant milestone in his professional career. La Sorsa’s solid performance in his debut demonstrated his readiness for major league competition.
However, his time with Tampa Bay was brief. After appearing in just two major league games, La Sorsa was designated for assignment on June 3, 2023, following the activation of Shawn Armstrong from the injured list. The move came as part of the Rays’ roster management decisions, and La Sorsa was claimed off waivers by the Washington Nationals six days later, continuing his journeyman path through MLB organizations.
Washington Nationals (2023-2024)
The Washington Nationals claimed La Sorsa off waivers on June 8, 2023, providing him with an immediate opportunity to continue his major league career. After making four appearances with the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings, he was promoted to Washington and rejoined a major league club. In 2023 with the Nationals, La Sorsa appeared in 23 relief outings, recording a 4.76 earned run average with 25 strikeouts across 28 and one-third innings pitched. For Rochester that season, he posted a 4.26 earned run average with 14 strikeouts in 12 games, demonstrating his ability to serve as a reliable option at the Triple-A level.
La Sorsa began the 2024 campaign with Rochester and enjoyed significant success, compiling a 2.25 earned run average with 41 strikeouts across 42 relief appearances. His dominant first half of the season with the Red Wings earned him another promotion when the Nationals selected his contract on August 17, 2024. In 16 games for Washington during the second half of 2024, La Sorsa posted a 4.58 earned run average with 14 strikeouts across 17 and two-thirds innings. On December 1, 2024, he was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Triple-A Rochester, completing his first full season in the Nationals organization.
Cincinnati Reds and New York Mets (2025)
On January 24, 2025, the Nationals designated La Sorsa for assignment following the signing of Shinnosuke Ogasawara, and he was released on January 29. He quickly found a new home, signing a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds on January 30. La Sorsa had his contract selected to the 40-man roster on June 3, 2025, and was subsequently optioned to the Triple-A Louisville Bats. In five appearances for Cincinnati, he struggled to an 0-1 record with a 10.80 earned run average and two strikeouts across six and two-thirds innings. The Reds designated La Sorsa for assignment following the promotion of Reiver Sanmartín on September 2, and he elected free agency rather than accept an outright assignment to Louisville on September 5.
La Sorsa signed with the New York Mets organization on September 6, 2025. He made four scoreless appearances for the Triple-A Syracuse Mets, recording three strikeouts in four innings of work. He elected free agency following the season on November 6, 2025, before signing a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates on November 8.
Boston Red Sox Era (2026-Present)
On June 4, 2026, La Sorsa was traded to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for cash considerations. The following day, Boston selected La Sorsa’s contract, adding him to their active roster and marking his fourth major league organization in less than three years. This move to Boston represents an opportunity for La Sorsa to establish himself as a reliable bullpen option with a storied franchise.
Driving Style and Strengths
Throughout his professional career, La Sorsa has served primarily as a relief pitcher, demonstrating the ability to pitch multiple innings and handle high-leverage situations. His experience spanning multiple organizations and Triple-A levels has helped him develop adaptability and resilience. He has shown particular effectiveness at the minor league level, consistently posting solid earned run averages while accumulating strikeouts. His journey through five organizations in under three years reflects his value as a depth arm who can contribute at the major league level when called upon.
Notable Events and Milestones
La Sorsa’s career has been defined by several significant moments, including his MLB debut with Tampa Bay in May 2023, where he immediately demonstrated his readiness for major league hitters. His performance with Rochester in 2024, where he compiled a 2.25 earned run average across 42 relief appearances, represented his most dominant minor league season. The trade to Boston in June 2026 marked a new chapter with one of baseball’s most storied franchises, offering La Sorsa the opportunity to compete for a consistent role in a major league bullpen.
Joseph Peter La Sorsa Career Wins
Across his MLB career with Tampa Bay, Washington, and Cincinnati, La Sorsa has accumulated a career win-loss record of 1-0 with a 5.34 earned run average and 45 strikeouts in his appearances. His professional career includes extensive minor league experience across multiple Triple-A organizations, where he has consistently performed as an effective relief pitcher.
Major League Baseball Highlights
At the major league level, La Sorsa’s career record stands at 1-0 across his three MLB organizations. His debut with Tampa Bay on May 29, 2023, resulted in two scoreless innings with two strikeouts, providing an encouraging first impression. His most extensive MLB action came with Washington in 2023 and 2024, where he combined for 39 appearances and recorded 39 strikeouts across 46 innings. While his major league numbers show room for growth, his consistent Triple-A performance indicates potential for increased impact at the highest level.
Minor League Highlights
La Sorsa has established himself as a strong minor league performer throughout his career. His 2024 season with Rochester Red Wings stands out as his most impressive, as he posted a 2.25 earned run average with 41 strikeouts in 42 relief appearances. He also performed well with Durham in 2023, recording a 3.86 earned run average, and with Syracuse in 2025, where he made four scoreless appearances. His ability to miss bats while limiting runs at the Triple-A level has kept him in consideration for major league opportunities throughout his career.
| Competition Level | Games | W-L | ERA | Strikeouts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB Career | 45 | 1-0 | 5.34 | 45 |
| 2024 Rochester (AAA) | 42 | – | 2.25 | 41 |
| 2025 Indianapolis (AAA) | 22 | 1-1 | 3.46 | 22 |
Joseph Peter La Sorsa Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public records do not provide detailed information about La Sorsa’s family background or racing lineage. He has not publicly discussed his family in media interviews or professional profiles to this point in his career.
Personal Life
La Sorsa graduated from Iona Preparatory School in New Rochelle, New York, before completing his collegiate career at St. John’s University. He maintains an active presence on social media, connecting with fans through his Instagram account. Beyond baseball, limited personal information is publicly available about his life outside of professional athletics.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a period of transition and opportunity for La Sorsa as he navigated through three different organizations. After beginning the year with Cincinnati following his January signing, La Sorsa received a mid-season promotion to the major league roster in June. However, his time with the Reds proved challenging, as he struggled to find his rhythm at the highest level, posting a 10.80 earned run average in his five appearances.
Following his designation for assignment with Cincinnati in early September, La Sorsa quickly signed with the New York Mets and reported to Triple-A Syracuse. His four scoreless appearances with the Mets’ top affiliate demonstrated his ability to reset and perform effectively when given a fresh opportunity. The month spent with Syracuse helped him rebuild confidence before signing with Pittsburgh in November.
La Sorsa’s season concluded with a minor league contract to the Pittsburgh Pirates, adding another organization to his professional journey. His 2025 performance illustrated both the challenges of sustaining major league success and the resilience required to continue earning opportunities at the highest level. As he entered the 2026 season with a new organization, La Sorsa aimed to leverage his extensive minor league track record into consistent major league contributions with the Boston Red Sox.