Raisel Iglesias

Raisel Iglesias Bio

Raisel Enrique Iglesias (born January 4, 1990) is a Cuban professional baseball pitcher who currently serves as the closer for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). Standing as one of the most accomplished relief pitchers in the game, Iglesias has amassed 269 career saves across 11 MLB seasons with the Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Angels, and Atlanta Braves. He signed with the Cincinnati Reds as an international free agent in 2014 after successfully defecting from Cuba in 2013. Iglesias has represented Cuba internationally and has earned multiple All-Star selections throughout his distinguished career.

Early Life and Background

Raisel Enrique Iglesias was born on January 4, 1990, in Cuba. Growing up in the Caribbean nation, Iglesias developed his passion and skills for baseball from a young age in a country where the sport holds immense cultural significance. Like many talented Cuban baseball players, he honed his craft with dreams of reaching the highest levels of the sport both domestically and internationally.

Iglesias played for Piratas de Isla de la Juventud in the Cuban National Series, which served as his primary development platform before his professional career in the United States. During his time in Cuba, he caught the attention of national team scouts with his impressive arm and competitive mentality.

Path to Major League Baseball

Iglesias represented Cuba on the international stage, notably playing for the Cuban national baseball team at the 2013 World Baseball Classic. He also competed in the 2013 World Port Tournament in Rotterdam, where he helped Cuba secure a medal. These performances helped establish his reputation as a promising young pitcher with significant potential.

In September 2013, Iglesias attempted to defect from Cuba for the first time. He hid in the mountains of Isla de la Juventud but was caught and detained by authorities. Undeterred by this setback, he made a second attempt in November 2013 and successfully left Cuba. He established residency in Haiti before holding an open tryout in Mexico in December 2013. These tryouts attracted attention from Major League Baseball scouts, ultimately leading to his opportunity to sign with an MLB organization.

Raisel Iglesias Career

Cincinnati Reds (2015–2020)

On June 27, 2014, Iglesias signed with the Cincinnati Reds as an international free agent, agreeing to a seven-year contract worth $27 million. The Reds formally added him to their 40-man roster when he arrived in the United States on August 12, 2014. In spring training 2015, the organization evaluated Iglesias as a starting pitcher, and he earned a spot in the Opening Day starting rotation.

Iglesias made his MLB debut on April 12, 2015. His rookie season was interrupted by stints on the disabled list, limiting him to just 18 games with 16 starts. Despite the injury challenges, he posted a 3-7 record with 104 strikeouts, demonstrating the potential that had drawn the Reds to sign him. The following season in 2016, Iglesias transitioned from the starting rotation to the bullpen. He served as both a setup man and closer for the Reds, finishing with six saves in 37 appearances.

The 2019 season represented a breakthrough for Iglesias as he assumed the role of the Reds’ primary closer. He delivered a career-defining year, posting career-highs in saves (34) and appearances (68) while maintaining a 4.16 earned run average. On August 8, 2020, Iglesias reached a significant milestone by earning his 100th MLB career save against the Milwaukee Brewers. Overall in 2020, he pitched to a 4-3 record with a 2.74 ERA and 31 strikeouts across 23 innings of work.

Los Angeles Angels (2021–2022)

On December 7, 2020, the Reds traded Iglesias to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for Noé Ramirez and Leo Rivas. The move brought Iglesias to a new club where he would serve as the primary option at the back end of the bullpen. With the Angels, he quickly established himself as one of the most dominant relievers in the American League.

Iglesias was named American League Reliever of the Month for July 2021, a testament to his dominant performance during that stretch. He finished the 2021 season with remarkable numbers: a 2.57 ERA, 103 strikeouts, and 34 saves, which tied his career high from 2019. He came up just one strikeout short of matching his career high of 104 strikeouts in a season.

On December 1, 2021, Iglesias re-signed with the Angels on a lucrative four-year, $58 million contract, signaling the organization’s commitment to him as a cornerstone of their bullpen. However, his tenure with the Angels came to an unexpected end on June 26, 2022, when he was ejected from a game against the Seattle Mariners for throwing a tub of sunflower seeds and a bucket of gum onto the infield during a brawl between the two teams. It marked the first ejection of his professional career.

Atlanta Braves (2022–Present)

On August 2, 2022, the Angels traded Iglesias to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Jesse Chavez and Tucker Davidson. The move to Atlanta proved to be a transformative moment in his career. Upon joining the Braves, Iglesias delivered an extraordinary performance down the stretch, recording a remarkable 0.34 ERA with 30 strikeouts and one save across 26 and one-third innings pitched in 28 relief appearances.

In 2023, Iglesias continued his excellence as the Braves’ closer, posting a 5-4 record with a 2.75 ERA, 68 strikeouts, and 33 saves in 55 and two-thirds innings pitched across 58 relief appearances. His consistency and reliability in high-pressure situations solidified his role as one of the most dependable closers in the National League.

The 2024 season saw Iglesias reach another level of dominance. He made 66 relief outings for the Braves, accumulating a 6-2 record with a spectacular 1.95 ERA, 68 strikeouts, and 34 saves in 69 and one-third innings of work. These numbers demonstrated his continued ability to perform at an elite level deep into his career.

Driving Style and Strengths

Iglesias has established himself as a high-leverage relief specialist with exceptional composure in save situations. His ability to generate strikeouts while limiting walks and hits has made him a trusted option for managers in clutch moments. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated the versatility to serve as both a setup man and a closer, adapting seamlessly to different roles within bullpens. His experience spanning multiple organizations has allowed him to refine his approach and become a polished closer capable of handling the pressures of playoff baseball.

Notable Events and Milestones

Throughout his career, Iglesias has achieved numerous memorable milestones. On September 16, 2025, he recorded his 250th career save as the Braves defeated the Washington Nationals in a 6-3 victory. His 100th save milestone came earlier in his career with the Reds, and he has consistently accumulated saves throughout his journey across three MLB franchises. His All-Star selections and Reliever of the Month honors with the Angels underscore his status as one of the premier closers in baseball.

Raisel Iglesias Career Wins

Across 11 MLB seasons, Iglesias has established himself as one of the most reliable closers in the game. His career win-loss record stands at 42-57, though these numbers for a reliever do not fully capture his impact. His true value lies in his ability to shut down opposing lineups in the ninth inning and beyond, converting save opportunities at a high rate.

Major League Baseball Highlights

Iglesias has recorded 269 career saves throughout his MLB career through the end of the 2025 season. His single-season career high of 34 saves has been achieved multiple times, most recently in 2024 with the Braves. His 2024 season stands out as particularly impressive, as he maintained a stellar 1.95 ERA while converting 34 of 38 save opportunities. The combination of his high save totals, low earned run averages, and strikeout numbers places him among the elite closers in baseball over the past decade.

Other Wins and Performances

Prior to his MLB career, Iglesias represented Cuba at the 2013 World Baseball Classic and the 2013 World Port Tournament in Rotterdam. His performance in Rotterdam helped Cuba secure a medal, showcasing his ability to compete at the international level against players from around the world.

Raisel Iglesias Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

Limited verified information is available regarding Raisel Iglesias’ family background and lineage. What is publicly known centers on his career trajectory and professional accomplishments rather than detailed family history.

Personal Life

Iglesias has one child, a son named Lenox Iglesias, who was born during the 2018 baseball season. Beyond this, Iglesias maintains a relatively private personal life, with limited publicly available information about his family circumstances or off-field interests. His focus appears centered on his baseball career and his role as a father to Lenox.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season represented another solid campaign for Iglesias in his fourth year with the Atlanta Braves. In 70 relief appearances, he compiled a 4-6 record with a 3.21 earned run average, 73 strikeouts, and 29 saves across 67 and one-third innings pitched. While his save total dipped from his 34 saves in 2024, he remained a reliable option at the back end of the Braves’ bullpen throughout the season.

The standout moment of his 2025 campaign came on September 16, 2025, when Iglesias recorded his 250th career save in a victory over the Washington Nationals. This milestone underscored his longevity and sustained excellence as a premier closer in Major League Baseball. Following the conclusion of the 2025 season, Iglesias became a free agent for the first time in his career.

On November 19, 2025, Iglesias re-signed with the Atlanta Braves on a one-year, $16 million contract, ensuring his return to the organization for the 2026 season. This new deal reflects the Braves’ continued confidence in his abilities and sets up another chapter in his distinguished career with the club. At 35 years old, Iglesias continues to demonstrate the stuff and competitiveness that have made him one of the most respected closers in baseball.