Roansy Contreras Bio
Roansy Contreras is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher who currently plays for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Nippon Professional Baseball. Born on November 7, 1999, in the Dominican Republic, Contreras signed with the New York Yankees as an international free agent in July 2016. He has since appeared in Major League Baseball with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Los Angeles Angels, Baltimore Orioles, and Colorado Rockies before joining NPB in November 2025. Throughout his professional career, Contreras has demonstrated versatility as both a starter and reliever, compiling a 10–16 record with a 4.77 ERA and 207 strikeouts across his MLB tenure.
Early Life and Background
Roansy Contreras grew up in the Dominican Republic, a country renowned for producing elite baseball talent. Like many Dominican players, he developed his skills in youth baseball programs before attracting attention from Major League Baseball scouts. His natural athleticism and arm strength positioned him as a promising prospect in the competitive Dominican baseball landscape.
Path to Professional Baseball
Contreras signed with the New York Yankees as an international free agent on July 2, 2016, officially beginning his professional baseball journey. He made his professional debut in 2017, splitting the season between the Dominican Summer League Yankees and the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Yankees. In his debut season, he went a combined 4–4 with a 4.02 ERA and 34 strikeouts over 53 and two-thirds innings, demonstrating early promise as a starting pitcher.
He continued his development through the Yankees farm system in 2018, appearing with the Low-A Staten Island Yankees and Single-A Charleston RiverDogs. Despite a 0–2 record that season, his 2.42 ERA and 60 strikeouts over 63 and one-third innings showcased improved command and effectiveness. The 2019 season marked a breakthrough as he dominated with the Charleston RiverDogs, posting a 12–5 record with a 3.33 ERA and 113 strikeouts across 132 and one-third innings. The 2020 minor league season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but on November 20, 2020, the Yankees added Contreras to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.
Roansy Contreras Career
New York Yankees System (2017–2020)
During his four seasons in the Yankees organization, Contreras steadily climbed the minor league ladder. His consistency and improvement caught the attention of team executives, culminating in his addition to the 40-man roster. His 2019 campaign with Charleston RiverDogs proved particularly impressive, as he led the team in wins and demonstrated the durability needed for a starting rotation role at higher levels.
Pittsburgh Pirates (2021–2024)
On January 24, 2021, the New York Yankees traded Contreras to the Pittsburgh Pirates as part of a package in exchange for Jameson Taillon. The trade marked a significant opportunity for Contreras to accelerate his development in a younger Pirates organization. In June 2021, he was selected to play in the All-Star Futures Game, highlighting his status as one of baseball’s top prospects. He missed over two months that season due to a right forearm strain but still split the year between Double-A Altoona Curve and Triple-A Indianapolis, going a combined 3–2 with a 2.64 ERA and 82 strikeouts across 58 innings.
On September 29, 2021, the Pirates selected Contreras to the active roster, and he made his MLB debut that night against the Chicago Cubs. He spent most of the 2022 season with Pittsburgh, earning his first major league win on April 14 in a 9–4 victory over the Washington Nationals. Across 21 games (including 11 starts), he registered a 5–5 record and 3.79 ERA with 86 strikeouts over 95 innings of work.
The 2023 season proved challenging as Contreras struggled to a 3–7 record with a 6.59 ERA in 19 appearances. Entering 2024 out of options, he transitioned to a relief role. In 12 appearances, he posted a 4.41 ERA with 16 strikeouts across 16 and one-third innings. On May 11, 2024, the Pirates designated him for assignment following the promotion of top prospect Paul Skenes.
Los Angeles Angels (2024)
On May 16, 2024, the Los Angeles Angels acquired Contreras in a trade for cash considerations. He appeared in 37 games for the Angels, serving primarily as a reliever. He compiled a 1–4 record with a 4.33 ERA, 40 strikeouts, and 2 saves across 52 innings. The 2024 season marked his first experience as a full-time reliever at the major league level.
Baltimore Orioles (2025)
Following the 2024 season, Contreras was claimed off waivers by multiple teams during the offseason roster shuffle. He was claimed by the Texas Rangers on October 31, 2024, then by the Cincinnati Reds on December 19, 2024, and finally by the Baltimore Orioles on January 10, 2025. He spent the majority of the 2025 season with Triple-A Norfolk Tides, where he went 7–3 with a 3.73 ERA and 70 strikeouts across 28 appearances. On August 27, 2025, the Orioles selected his contract, adding him to the active roster. He made one appearance, tossing 4 and one-third scoreless innings against the Boston Red Sox with two strikeouts.
Colorado Rockies (2025)
On September 2, 2025, the Colorado Rockies claimed Contreras off waivers. He made four appearances for Colorado, struggling to an 8.64 ERA with four strikeouts across 8 and one-third innings. On November 12, 2025, the Rockies released him, ending his tenure with the organization.
Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles (2025–Present)
Following his release from the Rockies, Contreras signed with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Nippon Professional Baseball on November 13, 2025. The move to Japan represents a new chapter in his career, providing an opportunity to reinvigorate his career in a different baseball league. The NPB is known for featuring competitive baseball and has become an attractive destination for players seeking new opportunities.
Roansy Contreras Career Wins
Throughout his professional career, Contreras has accumulated wins across Minor League Baseball and Major League Baseball. His professional record includes a 12–5 minor league season in 2019 and multiple seasons of solid performance in the minors. In MLB, he has compiled a 10–16 career record with a 4.77 ERA and 207 strikeouts across parts of four seasons.
MLB Highlights
Contreras made his MLB debut on September 29, 2021, with the Pittsburgh Pirates against the Chicago Cubs. He earned his first major league win on April 14, 2022, in a 9–4 victory over the Washington Nationals. His best MLB season came in 2022 when he went 5–5 with a 3.79 ERA in 21 appearances. He has recorded two saves in his career, both with the Los Angeles Angels in 2024.
Minor League Highlights
His most impressive minor league season came in 2019 with the Charleston RiverDogs, where he went 12–5 with a 3.33 ERA and 113 strikeouts. He also posted strong numbers in 2021 with Triple-A Indianapolis, going 3–2 with a 2.64 ERA and 82 strikeouts in 58 innings. In 2025 with Norfolk, he went 7–3 with a 3.73 ERA.
| Level | Wins | Losses | ERA | Strikeouts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB (Career) | 10 | 16 | 4.77 | 207 |
| Minor League Best (2019) | 12 | 5 | 3.33 | 113 |
Roansy Contreras Family
Personal Life
Public information regarding Roansy Contreras’ family background, parents, or personal relationships is limited. He has dedicated his life to baseball since signing professionally at age 16. His journey from the Dominican Republic to MLB demonstrates his commitment to the sport and his ability to adapt to different baseball environments.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a challenging year for Contreras as he navigated multiple team changes and a mix of minor and major league assignments. He spent most of the season with Triple-A Norfolk, where he performed well with a 7–3 record and 3.73 ERA across 28 appearances. His call-up to the Orioles in late August provided a brief MLB appearance, though he was designated for assignment the following day.
His brief stint with the Colorado Rockies in September resulted in an 8.64 ERA across four appearances, indicating continued struggles at the major league level. The Rockies released him in November, prompting his move to Japan. His transition to the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles offers a fresh start in NPB, where he will look to rebuild his confidence and establish himself as a reliable pitcher.