Joe Ryan Bio
Joseph Philip Ryan (born June 5, 1996) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball. Ryan was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the seventh round of the 2018 MLB draft and made his major league debut with the Twins in 2021 after a midseason trade. He was named to his first Major League Baseball All-Star Game in 2025.
Early Life and Background
Joseph Philip Ryan was born on June 5, 1996, in San Anselmo, California. He attended Sir Francis Drake High School in San Anselmo, where he developed as a pitching prospect and attracted attention from professional scouts.
After high school Ryan was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the 39th round of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft but did not sign. He enrolled at California State University, Northridge and continued his development in college baseball, including summer stints with the Orleans Firebirds of the Cape Cod Baseball League where he was named a league all-star in 2016. Ryan transferred to California State University, Stanislaus ahead of the 2018 season.
Path to Baseball
Ryan’s collegiate success and summer-league performance raised his draft profile ahead of 2018. The Tampa Bay Rays selected him with the 210th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2018 MLB draft, and he signed to begin his professional career that year.
He made his professional debut with the Hudson Valley Renegades in 2018 and advanced quickly through the Rays’ minor league system. A standout 2019 season across three levels established him as a high-strikeout pitching prospect before the cancellation of the 2020 minor league season interrupted on-field progress across the sport.
Joe Ryan Career
Early Career (2018–2021)
Ryan turned professional in 2018 after signing with the Tampa Bay Rays and debuted with the Hudson Valley Renegades, posting a 2–1 record and a 3.72 earned run average in limited innings. In 2019 he advanced through Bowling Green, the Charlotte Stone Crabs and the Montgomery Biscuits, combining for a 9–4 record and a 1.96 ERA while striking out 183 batters over 123 2/3 innings.
The 2020 minor league season was cancelled, and Ryan opened 2021 at Triple-A Durham with the Durham Bulls. He recorded a 4–3 mark and a 3.63 ERA in 12 appearances, positioning him for major league consideration amid roster movement later in the season.
Minnesota Twins Breakthrough (2021–Present)
On July 22, 2021, while competing with the United States national team at Olympic qualifying events, Ryan was traded to the Minnesota Twins along with Drew Strotman in exchange for Nelson Cruz and Calvin Faucher. After a brief assignment to the Triple-A St. Paul Saints where he posted a 2.00 ERA with 17 strikeouts in two starts, the Twins selected his contract when rosters expanded and promoted him to the major leagues.
Ryan made his major league debut on September 1, 2021, starting against the Chicago Cubs and working five innings with five strikeouts and three runs allowed. The Twins named him the Opening Day starter for 2022, a role in which he opened the season against the Seattle Mariners. Despite missing a month to injury that season, Ryan led the Twins in wins (13), strikeouts (151) and innings pitched (147).
Ryan produced high strikeout totals through subsequent seasons while facing durability and home run challenges. In 2023 he struck out 197 batters in 161 2/3 innings but allowed a career-high 32 home runs and posted a 4.51 ERA. The 2024 campaign saw Ryan make 23 starts with a 7–7 record and a 3.60 ERA, totaling 147 strikeouts over 135 innings before a right shoulder strain landed him on the injured list on August 9, 2024; he was transferred to the 60-day injured list on August 27, ending his season.
Current Team Era (2025–Present)
Ryan continued with the Minnesota Twins into the 2025 season, and his performance that year earned him selection to his first MLB All-Star Game. The All-Star nod reflected recognition of Ryan’s strikeout ability and role within Minnesota’s rotation when healthy.
Through June 30, 2026, Ryan’s major league totals include a 51–41 win–loss record, a 3.76 earned run average and 832 strikeouts, reflecting sustained production across multiple seasons despite intermittent injury setbacks.
Driving Style and Strengths
Ryan’s profile centers on high strikeout totals and the ability to work multiple innings as a starter when healthy. He has demonstrated the capacity to lead a big-league rotation in wins, strikeouts and innings pitched in a single season, and his resume shows the capacity to generate swing-and-miss outcomes at the major league level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Ryan’s career include his midseason 2021 trade to the Minnesota Twins for veteran Nelson Cruz, his major league debut on September 1, 2021, being named the Twins’ 2022 Opening Day starter, his 2025 All-Star selection and his role on the United States national team that won the silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Statistically, his 197 strikeouts in 2023 and the career totals recorded through mid-2026 stand out among his achievements.
Joe Ryan Career Wins
Across his major league career through June 30, 2026, Joseph Philip Ryan has compiled 51 major league wins with a 3.76 career ERA and 832 strikeouts. Those totals reflect regular rotation work from his debut season in 2021 through the 2026 campaign.
Major League Highlights
Ryan’s major league highlights include his MLB debut in early September 2021 against the Chicago Cubs and his role as Minnesota’s Opening Day starter in 2022. He led the Twins in wins, strikeouts and innings pitched during the 2022 season and reached his first All-Star selection in 2025.
Other Wins & Perfromances
In the minor leagues Ryan posted notable numbers in 2019, combining for a 9–4 record and a 1.96 ERA while striking out 183 batters over 123 2/3 innings across three levels. His professional debut season in 2018 with Hudson Valley featured a 2–1 record and a 3.72 ERA in limited action as he adjusted to pro competition.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025 Joseph Philip Ryan earned his first Major League Baseball All-Star selection, marking a milestone in his professional career. The All-Star recognition acknowledged Ryan’s role in the Twins’ rotation and his strikeout production during that season.
Ryan remained a part of Minnesota’s starting staff through the 2025 campaign and into 2026, contributing to the rotation when available and registering career aggregates that include 51 wins and 832 strikeouts through June 30, 2026.