Ryan Dalton Helsley Bio
Ryan Dalton Helsley is a Native American professional baseball pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball (MLB). A citizen of the Cherokee Nation, Helsley has established himself as one of the premier relief pitchers in baseball. He previously played for the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Mets before signing with the Orioles prior to the 2026 season. Helsley was selected by the Cardinals in the fifth round of the 2015 MLB draft out of Northeastern State University and made his MLB debut in 2019. He has been named an All-Star twice (2022, 2024) and won the National League Reliever of the Year award in 2024.
Early Life and Background
Ryan Dalton Helsley was born on July 18, 1994, in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. He attended Sequoyah High School in his hometown, where he excelled in multiple sports including baseball, basketball, football, and track and field. Undrafted out of high school in the 2013 MLB draft, Helsley chose to continue his athletic and academic career at Northeastern State University.
During his college years at Northeastern State University, Helsley developed into a standout pitcher. In 2014, his freshman season, he posted a 7-4 record with a 4.60 earned run average across 14 appearances. His impressive performance earned him MIAA Freshman of the Year honors. As a sophomore, he continued his dominance on the mound, compiling a 14-8 record with a 4.06 ERA over 126 and one-third innings pitched.
Path to Major League Baseball
After his sophomore season at Northeastern State University, Helsley entered the 2015 MLB draft. The St. Louis Cardinals selected him in the fifth round, recognizing his potential as a future asset for their organization. He signed with the Cardinals and began his professional career that same year.
Helsley progressed rapidly through the Cardinals minor league system. He began his professional career with the Johnson City Cardinals in 2015, where he posted an outstanding 2.01 ERA in 40 and one-third innings pitched. The following season with the Peoria Chiefs, he went 10-2 with a remarkable 1.61 ERA and was selected as a Midwest League All-Star.
Ryan Dalton Helsley Career
Minor League Development (2015–2018)
In 2017, Helsley began the season with the Palm Beach Cardinals and dominated, going 8-2 with a 2.69 ERA in 17 games. He earned a promotion to the Springfield Cardinals in July and continued his success with a 3-1 record and 2.67 ERA in six starts. His performance earned him Florida State League Pitcher of the Year honors. The 2018 season saw him promoted to Memphis Redbirds, though a shoulder fatigue injury ended his season early in June.
St. Louis Cardinals Breakthrough (2019–2025)
Helsley began 2019 with the Memphis Redbirds before receiving his first major league call-up on April 16. He made his MLB debut that night, throwing two and one-third innings in relief and recording a single in his first major league at-bat. Though he spent time on the injured list with right shoulder impingement, Helsley finished the season with a 2-0 record and 2.95 ERA over 36 and two-thirds relief innings with the Cardinals. He also excelled in the postseason, pitching five and one-third scoreless innings with eight strikeouts.
The 2020 season was shortened by the pandemic, and Helsley tested positive for COVID-19 in August. He finished with a 1-1 record, 5.25 ERA, and one save in 12 innings. In 2021, he appeared in 51 games, going 6-4 with a 4.56 ERA and 47 strikeouts before being shut down in mid-August due to knee and elbow injuries.
The 2022 season marked Helsley’s breakthrough as the Cardinals’ closer. In the first half, he went 5-1 with a 0.73 ERA, 54 strikeouts, and seven saves over 37 innings, earning his first All-Star selection. On September 16, he threw an immaculate inning against the Cincinnati Reds, striking out Kyle Farmer, Jake Fraley, and Donovan Solano in order. He finished 2022 with a 9-1 record, 1.25 ERA, 94 strikeouts, and 19 saves in 64 and two-thirds innings.
In 2023, Helsley logged a 3.24 ERA in 22 appearances before landing on the injured list with a right forearm strain in June. He was activated in September. The 2024 season proved to be his best, as he was named NL Reliever of the Month for April and compiled a 2.04 ERA with 49 saves and a 7-4 record across 65 appearances. He set a Cardinals franchise record with his 49th save on September 27, 2024, and earned NL Reliever of the Year honors and All-MLB First Team recognition after the season.
New York Mets (2025)
On July 30, 2025, the Cardinals traded Helsley to the New York Mets in exchange for prospects Jesus Baez, Nate Dohm, and Frank Elissalt. He immediately joined the Mets bullpen but struggled initially, blowing four saves and posting a 10.38 ERA in his first nine and two-thirds innings. He improved in September, allowing no runs across his final seven innings of the season. In 22 total games with the Mets, he went 0-3 with a 7.20 ERA. Notably, he recorded his 100th career save on June 28, 2025.
Baltimore Orioles Era (2026–Present)
On December 1, 2025, Helsley signed a two-year, $28 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles. The deal marked a significant milestone in his career as he joined a young and competitive Orioles roster looking to contend in the American League. He wears number 21 for the Orioles.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a relief pitcher, Helsley has proven particularly effective in high-pressure situations as a closer. His ability to record multi-inning saves and his consistency over multiple seasons have defined his value. He has demonstrated the capacity to bounce back from adversity, including injuries and struggles, maintaining his effectiveness as a late-inning specialist.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout his career, Helsley has accumulated several notable achievements. His immaculate inning in September 2022 remains one of his signature moments. Setting the Cardinals franchise record with his 49th save in 2024 and earning NL Reliever of the Year honors highlighted his emergence as an elite closer. His 100th career save with the Mets in June 2025 marked another career milestone.
Ryan Dalton Helsley Career Wins
Through June 26, 2026, Helsley has compiled a 31-21 win-loss record with a 3.02 earned run average, 397 strikeouts, and 113 saves across his MLB career spanning the Cardinals, Mets, and Orioles.
MLB Highlights
Helsley’s most successful seasons came with the St. Louis Cardinals. His 2024 campaign stands out as his best, as he earned NL Reliever of the Year honors and led all MLB closers with 49 saves. His 2022 season also proved exceptional, with a 9-1 record, 1.25 ERA, and 19 saves en route to his first All-Star selection. As of the latest statistics, his career includes 113 saves, with 79 of those coming during his dominant 2024 season.
Other Wins and Performances
In addition to his MLB success, Helsley posted impressive numbers during his minor league career. His 2016 season with Peoria Chiefs (10-2, 1.61 ERA) and 2017 with Palm Beach Cardinals (8-2, 2.69 ERA) demonstrated his potential before reaching the majors.
| Competition Level | Wins-Losses | ERA | Strikeouts | Saves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB Career (through 2026) | 31-21 | 3.02 | 397 | 113 |
| 2024 Season | 7-4 | 2.04 | 79 | 49 |
| 2022 Season | 9-1 | 1.25 | 94 | 19 |
Ryan Dalton Helsley Family
Family Background and Heritage
Ryan Dalton Helsley is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and grew up in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, the capital of the Cherokee Nation. He has demonstrated his commitment to Native American communities and has some ability to speak the Cherokee language.
Personal Life
Helsley is married to his wife, Alex, whom he wed in July 2021. The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter, in August 2022. Helsley is a Christian and has spoken about his faith in various interviews. He grew up a St. Louis Cardinals fan and credits his family support for his success throughout his career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a year of transition for Helsley. He began the year with the St. Louis Cardinals and was solid through his first 36 appearances, posting a 3-1 record with a 3.00 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 36 innings. The Cardinals traded him to the New York Mets on July 30, 2025, in exchange for three prospects.
His tenure with the Mets started rocky, as he blew four saves and posted a 10.38 ERA in September. However, he showed resilience by allowing no runs in his final seven innings of the season. Across 22 games with the Mets, he finished 0-3 with a 7.20 ERA. Despite the struggles, he reached a significant career milestone on June 28, 2025, when he recorded his 100th career save against the Cleveland Guardians.
Following the season, Helsley signed with the Baltimore Orioles on December 1, 2025, agreeing to a two-year, $28 million contract. The move positioned him to contribute to a competitive Orioles team in the American League, representing a new chapter in his career as he enters his eighth major league season.