Biography
Joseph Philip Ryan (born June 5, 1996) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball (MLB). He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the seventh round of the 2018 MLB draft and made his MLB debut with the Twins in 2021.
Amateur career
Ryan attended Sir Francis Drake High School in San Anselmo, California. He was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 39th round of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft, but did not sign and played college baseball at California State University, Northridge. In 2015 and 2016, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Orleans Firebirds of the Cape Cod Baseball League, and was named a league all-star in 2016. In 2018, he transferred to California State University, Stanislaus.
Professional career
Tampa Bay Rays
Ryan was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the seventh round, 210th overall, of the 2018 MLB draft and signed. Ryan made his professional debut with the Hudson Valley Renegades, compiling a 2–1 record with a 3.72 ERA over 36+1⁄3 innings.
Ryan started 2019 with the Bowling Green Hot Rods and was promoted to the Charlotte Stone Crabs and Montgomery Biscuits during the season. Over 24 games (22 starts) between the three clubs, Ryan pitched to a 9–4 record with a 1.96 ERA, striking out 183 batters over 123+2⁄3 innings.
Ryan did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ryan was assigned to the Triple-A Durham Bulls to begin the 2021 season, and logged a 4–3 record and 3.63 ERA in 12 appearances, 11 of them starts.
Minnesota Twins
On July 22, 2021, while Ryan was in Tokyo competing in the 2020 Summer Olympics, he was traded alongside Drew Strotman to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for Nelson Cruz and Calvin Faucher. After making 2 starts for the Triple-A St. Paul Saints, posting an ERA of 2.00 with 17 strikeouts, the Twins selected Ryan's contract when the rosters expanded. Ryan made his MLB debut on September 1, 2021, starting against the Chicago Cubs. He pitched 5 innings, gave up 3 runs, and struck out 5.
On April 1, 2022, manager Rocco Baldelli announced that Ryan would be the 2022 Opening Day starting pitcher and start his first career Opening Day against the Seattle Mariners. Despite missing a month due to injury, Ryan had a career year as he led the team in wins (13), strikeouts (151) and innings pitched (147). On the 2023 season, Ryan took a step back from his performance the year before. Despite striking out 197 in 161+2⁄3 innings, he allowed 32 home runs and his ERA grew a run higher (4.51).
Ryan began the 2024 campaign pitching out of Minnesota's starting rotation. In 23 starts with the team, he compiled a 7–7 record and 3.60 ERA with 147 strikeouts over 135 innings pitched. Ryan was placed on the injured list with a right shoulder strain on August 9, 2024. He was transferred to the 60–day injured list on August 27, ending his season.
International career
In May 2021, Ryan was named to the roster of the United States national baseball team for qualifying for baseball at the 2020 Summer Olympics. After the team qualified, he was named to the Olympics roster on July 2. Ryan made two starts at the Olympics, pitching to a 1.74 ERA over 10.1 innings of work. He went six innings in a group stage win against Israel, and left with a no-decision in the semifinal game against South Korea. The U.S. went on to win the silver medal, losing to Japan in the gold-medal game.