Nathan Wiles Bio
Nathan Daniel Wiles (born July 2, 1998) is an American professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the Kiwoom Heroes of the KBO League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves organization. A talented pitcher from Overland Park, Kansas, Wiles developed his skills at the University of Oklahoma and played in the Cape Cod Baseball League before beginning his professional career. Drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2019, he has overcome significant challenges including Tommy John surgery and missed seasons to continue pursuing his professional baseball career.
Early Life and Background
Nathan Daniel Wiles was born on July 2, 1998, in Overland Park, Kansas. Growing up in the Kansas City metropolitan area, Wiles developed an early passion for baseball and began honing his skills as a pitcher during his youth. His dedication to the sport and natural talent positioned him as a promising prospect for college baseball programs.
Wiles attended and played college baseball for the University of Oklahoma, where he continued to develop as a pitcher. His performance at the collegiate level attracted attention from professional scouts. During the summer of 2018, Wiles played collegiate summer baseball with the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox of the Cape Cod Baseball League, one of the premier summer collegiate baseball leagues in the United States.
Path to Professional Baseball
Wiles’ strong collegiate career and impressive showing in the Cape Cod Baseball League solidified his status as a professional prospect. Major League Baseball teams took notice of his abilities on the mound. In the 2019 MLB Draft, the Tampa Bay Rays selected Wiles in the eighth round with the 248th overall pick, marking his entry into professional baseball.
The selection by Tampa Bay represented the beginning of his professional journey. Wiles reported to the Hudson Valley Renegades, the Rays’ Low-A affiliate, where he made his professional debut in 2019. His initial professional season demonstrated his potential as a starting pitcher at the minor league level.
Nathan Wiles Career
Early Career (2019-2021)
Wiles began his professional career with the Hudson Valley Renegades in 2019 following his selection in the MLB Draft. He appeared in 14 games (7 starts) and posted a 3-0 record with a 3.06 earned run average and 39 strikeouts. His solid debut season provided a strong foundation for his minor league development.
The 2020 season presented significant challenges as the minor league baseball season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Wiles did not play in any official games that year. In March 2021, he underwent Tommy John surgery, a major elbow reconstruction procedure that typically requires an extended recovery period. As a result, Wiles missed the entirety of the 2021 season to rehabilitate from surgery.
Tampa Bay Rays System (2022-2024)
Wiles returned to competition in 2022 after completing his recovery from Tommy John surgery. He split the season between the High-A Bowling Green Hot Rods and the Triple-A Durham Bulls. In 24 appearances (23 starts) across both affiliates, he compiled a 2-3 record with a 4.70 ERA and 76 strikeouts over 92 innings pitched.
During the 2023 season, Wiles continued his development with Durham and the Double-A Montgomery Biscuits. He appeared in 27 games (22 starts) and posted an 8-3 record with a 5.38 ERA and 96 strikeouts across 110 and one-third innings. His improved win-loss record demonstrated his ability to contribute to his team’s success at the upper minor league levels.
In 2024, Wiles served primarily as a reliever with Triple-A Durham. He made 35 appearances (11 starts) and recorded a 6-3 record with a 5.54 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 87 and two-thirds innings. His performance at the Triple-A level positioned him for a potential major league opportunity.
Atlanta Braves (2025)
On March 21, 2025, the Atlanta Braves acquired Wiles from the Tampa Bay Rays organization in exchange for cash considerations. He began the 2025 season with the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers, where he performed exceptionally in his first three starts, posting a 0.64 ERA with 15 strikeouts.
Wiles received his first major league call-up on April 22, 2025. He made his MLB debut that same day, entering the game in the ninth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals. Wiles recorded his first major league strikeout during the appearance while allowing three earned runs. The debut represented the culmination of his journey through the minor leagues following Tommy John surgery and years of development.
The Braves released Wiles on November 4, 2025, concluding his time with the organization.
Kiwoom Heroes (2026-Present)
On December 16, 2025, Wiles signed a one-year contract worth $910,000 with the Kiwoom Heroes of the KBO League. The South Korean-based team provides Wiles with an opportunity to continue his professional baseball career and develop as a pitcher in an international league. He wears jersey number 34 for the Heroes.
Notable Events and Milestones
Wiles’ career has been marked by significant milestones including his professional debut in 2019, his recovery from Tommy John surgery in 2021, and his long-awaited MLB debut with the Atlanta Braves in April 2025. His journey through multiple minor league levels and his transition to international baseball with the Kiwoom Heroes demonstrate his resilience and dedication to the sport.
Nathan Wiles Career Wins
Wiles has accumulated wins across his minor league career spanning five seasons (2019, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025) in the Tampa Bay Rays and Atlanta Braves organizations. His professional record includes wins at the Low-A, High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A levels.
Minor League Highlights
Wiles’ most successful minor league season came in 2023 when he posted an 8-3 record across 27 appearances with Durham and Montgomery. His 2024 season with Triple-A Durham featured a 6-3 record in 35 appearances. In his professional debut with Hudson Valley in 2019, he went 3-0 in 14 appearances. Throughout his minor league career, Wiles has demonstrated the ability to record wins and contribute to his team’s success across various levels of professional baseball.
Major League and KBO Statistics
Wiles made his MLB debut with the Atlanta Braves in April 2025. Through the 2025 MLB season, he appeared in one game with a win-loss record of 0-0, a 27.00 ERA, and one strikeout. In the KBO League with Kiwoom Heroes through mid-April 2026, Wiles has appeared in multiple starts with a win-loss record of 0-3, a 4.13 ERA, and 17 strikeouts.
| Competition Level | Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
|---|---|---|---|
| MLB (2025) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Triple-A Durham (2024) | 6 | 15 | 0 |
| Durham/Montgomery (2023) | 8 | 17 | 0 |
Nathan Wiles Family
Family Background and Baseball Lineage
Nathan Wiles comes from a family with deep roots in professional baseball. His older brother, Collin Wiles, was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the first round (21st overall) of the 2012 MLB Draft. Collin made his major league debut with the Oakland Athletics in 2022, following the same path as his younger brother through the minor leagues before reaching the highest level of professional baseball.
Personal Life
The Wiles family has established themselves as a baseball family with two brothers reaching professional baseball careers. Nathan’s journey through the minor leagues, his recovery from Tommy John surgery, and his eventual MLB debut have been documented as part of his personal story. His brother’s experience in professional baseball has likely provided guidance and support throughout Nathan’s development as a pitcher.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a pivotal year in Nathan Wiles’ professional career. Splitting time between Triple-A Gwinnett and the major leagues, Wiles demonstrated the progress he had made since his Tommy John surgery in 2021. His exceptional start with the Gwinnett Stripers, including a 0.64 ERA in his first three appearances, caught the attention of the Atlanta Braves organization and earned him a promotion to the major league roster.
Wiles’ MLB debut on April 22, 2025, against the St. Louis Cardinals marked the realization of a goal he had worked toward since being drafted in 2019. Appearing in the ninth inning, he recorded his first major league strikeout while facing major league hitters for the first time. The experience, despite the challenging results, provided invaluable exposure to the highest level of professional baseball.
Following his release by the Braves in November 2025, Wiles secured a contract with the Kiwoom Heroes of the KBO League in December 2025. The one-year, $910,000 deal offers him the opportunity to continue his professional career in international baseball. The transition to the KBO League presents new challenges and opportunities for Wiles as he works to establish himself as a consistent contributor for the Heroes organization heading into the 2026 season.