Jacob Robert Woodford Bio
Jacob Robert Woodford is an American professional baseball pitcher who currently plays in the Tampa Bay Rays organization. Born on October 28, 1996, in Tampa, Florida, Woodford was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2015 and made his Major League Baseball debut with them in 2020. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated versatility as both a starter and reliever while advancing through multiple MLB organizations.
Early Life and Background
Woodford grew up in Tampa, Florida, where he attended Plant High School. During his senior year at Plant, he established himself as a dominant pitcher, compiling a 7-0 record with an impressive 0.67 earned run average. His performance caught the attention of Major League Baseball scouts and college programs alike.
After graduating from Plant High School, Woodford committed to play college baseball at the University of Florida. He was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals with the 39th overall pick in the 2015 MLB Draft. Woodford chose to sign with the Cardinals, forgoing his commitment to the University of Florida to begin his professional baseball career.
Path to Professional Baseball
Woodford began his professional career immediately after being drafted, making his debut with the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Cardinals in 2015. He posted a 1-0 record with a 2.39 ERA in eight appearances that season. The following year, he advanced to the Peoria Chiefs in the Midwest League, where his performance earned him recognition as a Midwest League All-Star.
His progression continued in 2017 with the Palm Beach Cardinals, where he went 7-6 with a 3.10 ERA across 23 games. Woodford was invited to spring training as a non-roster player in 2018, continuing to develop his craft within the Cardinals organization. His strong performances at the minor league level demonstrated his potential as a future MLB contributor.
Jacob Robert Woodford Career
St. Louis Cardinals (2020-2023)
Woodford was added to the St. Louis Cardinals 40-man roster following the 2019 season, signaling the organization belief in his readiness for the major leagues. On July 28, 2020, he received his promotion to the majors. Woodford made his MLB debut on August 15, 2020, against the Chicago White Sox, pitching three innings while allowing one earned run and recording three strikeouts. For the 2020 season, he finished with a 1-0 record, a 5.57 ERA, and 16 strikeouts over 21 innings pitched.
In 2021, Woodford worked primarily as a reliever while also making eight starts during the second half of the season. He demonstrated adaptability by transitioning between roles, finishing with a 3-4 record and a 3.99 ERA across 67 and two-thirds innings with 50 strikeouts. The 2022 season saw him recalled and optioned multiple times between the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds and the major league club. Woodford excelled in his limited MLB appearances that year, going 4-0 with a remarkable 2.23 ERA over 48 and one-third innings across 27 games.
Arizona Diamondbacks (2025)
Woodford joined the Arizona Diamondbacks in July 2025, signing a major league contract. He appeared in 22 relief appearances with Arizona, compiling an 0-4 record with a 6.44 ERA and 23 strikeouts. Woodford recorded three saves during his time with the Diamondbacks. He was designated for assignment in September 2025 following roster adjustments and cleared waivers, ultimately electing free agency at the end of the season.
Tampa Bay Rays (2025-Present)
In November 2025, Woodford signed a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays that included an invitation to major league spring training. This signing returned him to his hometown of Tampa, where he began his baseball journey. The Rays organization provides Woodford with an opportunity to compete for a spot in their major league rotation or bullpen.
Driving Style and Strengths
Woodford has showcased adaptability throughout his career, proving effective in both starting and relief roles. His ability to transition between roles has allowed him to contribute to multiple organizations. He has demonstrated solid strikeout ability and has shown the capacity to work through opposing lineups multiple times when functioning as a starter.
Notable Events and Milestones
Woodford reached the majors after four-plus seasons of minor league development. His most effective major league performance came during the 2022 season with the Cardinals, when he posted a 2.23 ERA while appearing in 27 games. He has recorded career saves across multiple organizations, including three with the Diamondbacks in 2025.
Jacob Robert Woodford Career Wins
Throughout his professional career, Woodford has accumulated wins at both the major and minor league levels. His MLB career win-loss record stands at 11-17 with a 5.25 ERA and 188 strikeouts through June 2026.
Major League Baseball Highlights
Woodford’s MLB career began with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2020. His most productive MLB season came in 2022, when he went 4-0 with a 2.23 ERA in 27 appearances. He has recorded three career saves, all during his 2025 season with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Woodford has pitched for five MLB organizations including the Cardinals, White Sox, Pirates, Diamondbacks, and Rays.
Minor League Achievements
Prior to reaching the majors, Woodford established himself as a reliable minor league pitcher. He earned Midwest League All-Star honors with Peoria in 2016 and Texas League All-Star recognition with Springfield in 2018. He also received Pacific Coast League All-Star honors in 2019 while with Memphis, where he went 9-8 with a 4.15 ERA and 131 strikeouts over 151 and two-thirds innings.
Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
No information regarding Woodford’s family background or racing lineage is available in verified sources.
Personal Life
Woodford was born and raised in Tampa, Florida. He attended Plant High School in Tampa, where he was teammates with MLB player Kyle Tucker during his high school career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a year of transition for Woodford. He began the year seeking an opportunity after his time with the Pittsburgh Pirates the previous season. Woodford eventually found a major league role with the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he appeared in 22 relief games. He recorded three saves while working primarily as a reliever for the Diamondbacks. His 2025 campaign concluded with the Diamondbacks before he signed with the Tampa Bay Rays in November, giving him a chance to return to his hometown organization for the 2026 season.