John Bennett Sousa (born April 6, 1995) is an American professional baseball pitcher who plays for the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball (MLB). The left-hander has also played for the Chicago White Sox and Milwaukee Brewers. Sousa was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the 10th round of the 2018 MLB Draft and made his MLB debut in April 2022. He has accumulated an 8-1 win-loss record with a 4.54 earned run average and 85 strikeouts across his major league career.
John Bennett Sousa Bio
John Bennett Sousa is a professional baseball pitcher who has established himself as a reliable left-handed arm in major league bullpens. He has spent portions of his career with three MLB franchises, most notably becoming a key contributor for the Houston Astros. His journey to the majors included stops at top-tier amateur programs and years of development in the minor leagues before earning his first major league call-up at age 26.
Early Life and Background
Sousa grew up in Florida and attended The Benjamin School in Palm Beach Gardens. The school has a strong athletic tradition and provided Sousa with the foundation to develop his pitching skills at a competitive level. His performance in high school earned him recognition as a promising prospect, setting the stage for his collegiate baseball career.
After completing high school, Sousa continued his baseball development at the University of Virginia, where he played for the Virginia Cavaliers. Virginia has a storied baseball program known for producing professional talent, and Sousa benefited from the coaching and competition at that level. His success in the collegiate ranks helped solidify his status as a professional prospect.
Path to Professional Baseball
During his time at Virginia, Sousa gained additional experience playing summer collegiate baseball. In 2015, he played for the Orleans Firebirds of the Cape Cod Baseball League, one of the most prestigious summer leagues for college players. This experience exposed him to high-level competition and helped refine his skills against top amateur hitters.
Sousa entered the MLB Draft process following his junior year at Virginia. The Washington Nationals selected him in the 34th round of the 2017 MLB Draft, but he did not sign and returned to school for his senior season. The decision to stay at Virginia proved valuable as he continued to develop his craft and improve his draft stock for the following year.
John Bennett Sousa Career
Chicago White Sox (2018-2022)
The Chicago White Sox selected Sousa in the 10th round of the 2018 MLB Draft. He began his professional career in the minor leagues and made an immediate impact. In his first professional season, he appeared in 20 games and posted a 2-0 win-loss record with an impressive 1.27 earned run average. The performance demonstrated his ability to dominate hitters at the professional level.
Sousa continued his ascent through the White Sox farm system in 2019. He combined to play 43 games across three minor league affiliates (Kannapolis, Winston-Salem, and Birmingham) and maintained a strong 2.49 ERA. He also participated in the Arizona Fall League that year, gaining additional experience against top prospects. The 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, preventing Sousa from game action, but he continued preparing for his eventual advancement.
In 2021, Sousa appeared in 41 games and recorded a 3.61 ERA while striking out 71 batters in 47 and one-third innings. The strong season earned him a spot on the White Sox 40-man roster after the campaign. The organization recognized his potential and added him to their major league plans for the following year.
Chicago White Sox MLB Debut (2022)
Sousa earned a place on the Chicago White Sox Opening Day roster for the 2022 season. He made his MLB debut on April 8, 2022, pitching a scoreless inning out of the bullpen. The debut represented the culmination of years of hard work and development in the minor leagues. He accumulated a 3-0 record through his first 25 major league appearances, though his ERA sat at 8.41 during that stretch.
The White Sox optioned Sousa to Triple-A Charlotte on June 14, 2022, allowing him to work on his command and effectiveness. The demotion was part of a typical service-time management approach for young pitchers. On February 20, 2023, the White Sox designated Sousa for assignment, ending his tenure with the organization that had drafted him four years earlier.
Milwaukee Brewers (2023)
On February 22, 2023, the Cincinnati Reds claimed Sousa off waivers and assigned him to Triple-A Louisville to begin the season. He appeared in 13 games for the Bats, compiling a 1.59 ERA before the Reds designated him for assignment. The Milwaukee Brewers acquired Sousa on April 9, 2023, in exchange for cash considerations and international bonus pool space.
Sousa made two appearances for the Brewers before being placed on the injured list with left shoulder nerve irritation on June 9. The injury proved significant enough to require a move to the 60-day injured list on July 28. Milwaukee activated him on August 7 and optioned him to Triple-A Nashville, concluding his time with the organization.
Houston Astros (2023-Present)
The Detroit Tigers claimed Sousa off waivers on August 29, 2023, and assigned him to Triple-A Toledo. The Tigers designated him for assignment just three days later, creating another opportunity for acquisition. On September 3, 2023, the Houston Astros claimed Sousa off waivers, adding him to their roster for the stretch run of the regular season.
Sousa made five scoreless appearances for Houston, recording eight strikeouts across six and one-third innings. His performance caught the attention of the organization, and he earned a spot on the 2024 roster heading into spring training. On April 4, 2024, Sousa underwent surgery to address thoracic outlet syndrome, ruling him out for the entire 2024 season. The injury was a significant setback in his career trajectory.
Sousa began the 2025 season with Triple-A Sugar Land Space Cowboys, working his way back from the injury. He earned his first save of the season on June 7, 2025, recording a key strikeout with runners on first and second in the bottom of the tenth inning to secure a 5-3 win over the Cleveland Guardians. The Astros recalled Sousa to the major league roster, where he appeared in 44 games and compiled a 5-1 record with a 2.84 ERA, 59 strikeouts, and four saves across 50 and two-thirds innings. On September 8, 2025, the Astros announced Sousa would likely miss the remainder of the season due to a mild flexor and pronator strain in his arm.
Driving Style and Strengths
Sousa operates primarily as a left-handed reliever capable of getting both left-handed and right-handed batters out. His strikeout ability has been a consistent weapon throughout his professional career, enabling him to escape high-leverage situations. He has shown the capacity to pitch multiple innings when needed and has recorded saves in key moments. His ability to perform in pressure situations has contributed to his success at the major league level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Sousa reached several significant milestones during his career. His MLB debut on April 8, 2022, represented years of development and dedication. The 2024 thoracic outlet syndrome surgery was a major obstacle, but he successfully returned to contribute at the highest level in 2025. His four-save performance with the Astros in 2025 demonstrated his versatility as a reliever capable of handling closing duties. The June 7, 2025 strikeout to seal a victory over the Cleveland Guardians highlighted his composure in critical moments.
John Bennett Sousa Career Wins
Sousa has compiled an 8-1 win-loss record across his major league career with the Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, and Houston Astros. He has recorded 85 strikeouts in his MLB career and maintained a 4.54 earned run average. His most productive professional season came in 2025 with Houston, where he posted a 5-1 record with four saves and a 2.84 ERA in 44 appearances. Below is a summary of his verified major league statistics.
| Season | Team | Record | ERA | Strikeouts | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Chicago White Sox | 3-0 | 8.41 | 24 | 25 |
| 2025 | Houston Astros | 5-1 | 2.84 | 59 | 44 |
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a comeback year for Sousa following the thoracic outlet syndrome surgery that cost him the entire 2024 campaign. He began the year with Triple-A Sugar Land, where he refined his stuff and built up his arm strength. His performance in the minor leagues earned him a recall to the major league roster, where he became an important piece of the Astros bullpen.
Sousa appeared in 44 games for Houston and delivered his best professional season. His 5-1 record and 2.84 ERA were complemented by four saves, showcasing his ability to handle high-pressure situations in the ninth inning. The June 7 performance against Cleveland, where he recorded a strikeout with the bases loaded, became a signature moment of his season and demonstrated his mental toughness.
The season ended prematurely when Sousa suffered a mild flexor and pronator strain in September. While the injury was not considered severe, the Astros opted to shut him down for the remainder of the year to ensure full recovery. Despite the early conclusion, 2025 marked a successful return to form and provided optimism for his future contributions.
2026 Outlook
Sousa began the 2026 regular season on the injured list due to an oblique strain, delaying his season debut. The Astros activated him from the injured list on April 25, 2026, and integrated him back into their bullpen mix. His ability to return from multiple injuries demonstrates his resilience and determination to contribute at the major league level. As he continues his career with the Houston Astros, Sousa aims to build upon his 2025 performance and establish himself as a reliable late-inning option for the organization.