Ryan Michael Bergert Bio
Ryan Michael Bergert is an American professional baseball pitcher who currently plays for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball. Born on March 8, 2000, in Canton, Ohio, Bergert has rapidly ascended through professional baseball after being selected in the 2021 MLB Draft. He made his major league debut with the San Diego Padres in April 2025 before being traded to the Kansas City Royals during the 2025 season. Standing as a promising young right-handed pitcher, Bergert has showcased his stuff at every level of professional competition, from college baseball at West Virginia University through his path to Major League Baseball.
Early Life and Background
Ryan Michael Bergert grew up in Canton, Ohio, where he attended GlenOak High School. During his senior year in 2019, Bergert established himself as a talented high school pitcher by posting a 4-2 record with a 3.19 earned run average and 66 strikeouts across 37 innings pitched. His performance in the circle helped solidify his reputation as one of Ohio’s top prep prospects heading into his collegiate career.
After graduating from GlenOak High School, Bergert chose to continue his baseball career at the collegiate level by enrolling at West Virginia University. He joined the Mountaineers baseball program, where he began developing his craft against college-level competition while pursuing his education in Morgantown.
Path to Professional Baseball
During his freshman season at West Virginia in 2019, Bergert demonstrated immediate impact on the mound by recording a 2-0 win-loss record with an impressive 1.85 earned run average over 34 innings of work. His ability to miss bats and limit opposing hitters showcased the potential that made him an intriguing professional prospect.
His sophomore campaign in 2020 saw Bergert continue his development, as he logged a 2.92 earned run average across 24 and two-thirds innings before the collegiate season was cut short. During the summer of 2020, Bergert further honed his skills by playing in the Northwoods League for the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders, gaining valuable experience against top college talent in wooden-bat competition. However, his 2021 season with West Virginia was derailed when he underwent Tommy John surgery, causing him to miss the entire campaign and impacting his draft positioning.
Ryan Michael Bergert Career
Minor League Development (2021-2024)
Bergert was selected by the San Diego Padres in the sixth round with the 190th overall pick in the 2021 Major League Baseball Draft. He signed with the organization and made his professional debut near the end of the 2021 season, appearing for the rookie-level Arizona Complex League Padres. In 11 innings of work, he did not allow an earned run, immediately demonstrating the potential that made him a draft selection.
The 2022 season saw Bergert promoted to the High-A Fort Wayne TinCaps, where he became a fixture in their starting rotation. He made 24 starts, compiling a 4-10 record with a 5.84 earned run average and 129 strikeouts across 103 and one-third innings. The workload and experience proved invaluable for his long-term development despite the challenging results.
Double-A Breakthrough (2023-2024)
Bergert opened the 2023 season back with Fort Wayne before earning a promotion to the Double-A San Antonio Missions in mid-July. His move to San Antonio marked a significant step forward in his development. Across 23 appearances including 20 starts, he went 6-4 with a 2.73 earned run average and 126 strikeouts over 105 and two-thirds innings. His dominant performance at the Double-A level positioned him as a top prospect within the Padres organization.
He returned to San Antonio to begin the 2024 season and made 23 starts for the Missions. While his record stood at 2-10, he posted a 4.78 earned run average with 87 strikeouts across 98 innings. Following the conclusion of the 2024 campaign, the Padres added Bergert to their 40-man roster, protecting him from selection in the Rule 5 Draft and signaling their belief in his future contributions at the major league level.
San Diego Padres (2025)
Bergert began the 2025 season with the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas after being optioned to the minors. His performance in the Pacific Coast League earned him a promotion, as the Padres selected his contract on April 25, 2025. He made his major league debut on April 26, entering the game in relief against the Tampa Bay Rays and pitching one scoreless inning. His first career win came on May 5 during the Padres’ victory over the New York Yankees.
Across 11 appearances including seven starts for San Diego, Bergert compiled a 1-0 record with a 2.78 earned run average and 34 strikeouts across 35 and two-thirds innings pitched. His ability to perform effectively at the major league level validated the Padres’ patience in developing him through their minor league system.
Kansas City Royals Era (2025-Present)
On July 31, 2025, the Padres traded Bergert along with Stephen Kolek to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for catcher Freddy Fermín. The move represented a new chapter in his professional career as he joined a Royals organization looking to build around young pitching talent. Bergert made his debut for Kansas City on August 5 against the Boston Red Sox, allowing two runs over five and two-thirds innings of work.
His tenure with the Royals in 2025 was cut short when he was placed on the injured list on September 18 with forearm tightness, effectively ending his season. Across eight starts with Kansas City, Bergert posted a 1-2 record with a 4.43 earned run average and 39 strikeouts across 40 and two-thirds innings. The injury concerns represented a setback following his successful debut campaign at the major league level.
Following the 2025 season, Bergert was optioned to the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers to begin the 2026 campaign. However, his season was derailed when he underwent Tommy John Surgery on April 29, 2026, ruling him out for the entire season and likely affecting his availability for a portion of the 2027 campaign as well.
Pitching Style and Strengths
Bergert features a power arm that has consistently generated high strikeout totals throughout his minor league career. His ability to miss bats and work deep into games has been a hallmark of his pitching profile at every level. His collegiate background at West Virginia University provided him with a strong foundation, while his professional experience has allowed him to refine his command and develop secondary offerings to complement his primary stuff.
Notable Achievements
Bergert’s path to the major leagues included a standout 2023 season at Double-A San Antonio where he posted a 2.73 earned run average across 105 and two-thirds innings. His first career major league win against the New York Yankees represented a significant milestone in his professional journey. Being protected on the Padres’ 40-man roster following the 2024 season demonstrated the organization’s confidence in his potential to contribute at the highest level.
Ryan Michael Bergert Career Statistics
Across his professional career through the 2025 season, Bergert has compiled a combined major league record that reflects his early-stage development at the sport’s highest level. His minor league career showed steady progression, with particularly impressive strikeout numbers relative to his innings pitched.
Major League Baseball Highlights
Bergert’s major league career began in April 2025 with the San Diego Padres, where he made his debut against the Tampa Bay Rays. His first career victory came against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium, representing a memorable milestone. Following his mid-season trade to Kansas City, he continued to receive opportunities in the Royals’ rotation before his season was cut short by injury. Across combined MLB action in 2025, Bergert appeared in 19 games with 15 starts, accumulating a 2-2 win-loss record and 3.66 earned run average with 73 strikeouts across 76 and one-third innings.
Minor League Career Highlights
His 2023 campaign with the San Antonio Missions stands as his most complete professional season to date. The 6-4 record and 2.73 earned run average with 126 strikeouts in 105 and two-thirds innings demonstrated his ability to dominate Double-A hitters. His 2022 season with Fort Wayne provided valuable experience despite challenging results, as the 129 strikeouts in 103 and one-third innings showcased his swing-and-miss ability.
| Competition Level | Record | ERA | Strikeouts | Innings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major League Baseball (2025) | 2-2 | 3.66 | 73 | 76.1 |
| Double-A San Antonio (2023) | 6-4 | 2.73 | 126 | 105.2 |
| High-A Fort Wayne (2022) | 4-10 | 5.84 | 129 | 103.1 |
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked Bergert’s introduction to Major League Baseball, beginning with his promotion from Triple-A El Paso in late April. His debut against the Tampa Bay Rays on April 26 provided an immediate glimpse of his capabilities, as he retired the side in order during his first major league appearance. The following weeks allowed him to adjust to the speed of the game while logging meaningful innings.
His first career win against the New York Yankees represented a career highlight, as he helped guide the Padres to victory in a high-profile matchup. Following his trade to the Kansas City Royals on July 31, Bergert stepped into a new clubhouse and immediately made his debut against the Boston Red Sox five days later. While his performance showed glimpses of his potential, the transition to a new organization presented challenges that were compounded by his eventual placement on the injured list.
The forearm tightness that ended his season in September raised concerns about his durability following the Tommy John surgery he underwent in college during 2021. Despite the setback, Bergert entered 2026 with the backing of the Royals organization before undergoing a second Tommy John procedure in late April. His recovery timeline will keep him off the mound for the remainder of 2026 and potentially into part of 2027, making his eventual return a key storyline for the Royals’ pitching staff moving forward.