Carson Ragsdale Bio
Carson Andrew Ragsdale (born May 25, 1998) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Baltimore Orioles, and he has spent time across multiple organizations in the minor and major leagues. A right-handed pitcher, Ragsdale has built his career as a starting pitcher and reliever at various levels of professional baseball since being drafted in 2020.
After years in the minor leagues with the San Francisco Giants organization, Ragsdale reached the majors for the first time in 2025 with Baltimore. His professional journey has included several waiver claims and roster moves across multiple franchises, reflecting the journeyman path of many modern pitchers. He is recognized for his strikeout ability and his resilience through injuries and roster transitions.
Early Life and Background
Carson Andrew Ragsdale was born on May 25, 1998, and grew up in the United States. He developed an interest in baseball during his youth, eventually working his way up to being considered a top amateur pitching prospect. His full name, as listed in official records, is Carson Andrew Ragsdale, and he has been known throughout his career simply as Carson Ragsdale.
Ragsdale attended high school in the United States, where he played baseball and was eventually scouted by Major League Baseball teams. His performance at the amateur level helped establish him as a draft-eligible prospect heading into the 2020 MLB Draft. Specific details about his family background, parents, and formal education are not widely documented in public sources, and therefore remain private.
Path to Baseball
Ragsdale entered professional baseball when he was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the fourth round of the 2020 Major League Baseball Draft, with the 116th overall pick. The 2020 draft was held during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the cancellation of the minor league season meant Ragsdale did not appear in any official games that year. Despite the unusual circumstances, his selection in the fourth round showed that MLB scouts viewed him as a legitimate pitching prospect.
Shortly after the draft, Ragsdale was traded to the San Francisco Giants on January 9, 2021, in exchange for pitcher Sam Coonrod. This move marked the beginning of his professional development within the Giants system. Over the next several years, he would progress through the minor league levels, gain valuable experience, and eventually make his way to the major leagues.
Carson Ragsdale Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
Ragsdale was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2020 but did not play due to the cancellation of the minor league season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. He was traded to the San Francisco Giants organization in January 2021, beginning his development in a new system. That year, he made his professional debut with the Single-A San Jose Giants.
In 24 starts for San Jose in 2021, Ragsdale posted an 8–6 record with a 4.43 ERA and 167 strikeouts across 113 and two-thirds innings pitched. The heavy strikeout totals signaled his potential as a power pitcher and gave the Giants confidence in his future within the organization.
San Francisco Giants Era (2021–2025)
Ragsdale spent multiple seasons developing within the Giants farm system after being acquired in 2021. In 2022, he began the year at the rookie-level Arizona Complex League Giants, where he struck out nine batters over five scoreless appearances. His season was cut short by surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome, forcing him to miss the remainder of the year.
In 2023, Ragsdale returned to action with the High-A Eugene Emeralds, where he recorded a 2.93 ERA with 42 strikeouts across seven starts before a right elbow injury ended his season in mid-May. He split the 2024 campaign between the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels and the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats, compiling a 5–7 record and a 4.18 ERA with 147 strikeouts across 120 and two-thirds innings. Following that season, the Giants added Ragsdale to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. He began 2025 at Triple-A Sacramento, going 5–5 with a 5.37 ERA and 58 strikeouts in 18 games before being designated for assignment on July 28, 2025.
Baltimore Orioles and Atlanta Braves Era (2025)
On August 3, 2025, Ragsdale was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles, and he joined the Triple-A Norfolk Tides. In seven appearances, including five starts, he went 2–2 with a 3.47 ERA and 18 strikeouts across 23 and one-third innings. On September 14, 2025, the Orioles promoted him to the major leagues for the first time, and he made his MLB debut the same day against the Toronto Blue Jays. Entering as a reliever, Ragsdale gave up eight runs over three innings in an 11–2 loss. He was designated for assignment on September 15.
Ragsdale was claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves on September 17, 2025, and made one appearance for the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers, taking the loss after allowing four runs in one inning. He was designated for assignment by Atlanta on September 22. On September 25, Ragsdale returned to the Baltimore Orioles on waivers, and in his one appearance he allowed no runs over two innings against the New York Yankees. He was designated for assignment on November 6, claimed by Atlanta on November 13, and non-tendered on November 21, 2025, making him a free agent.
Notable Events and Milestones
Ragsdale’s most significant career milestone came on September 14, 2025, when he made his Major League Baseball debut with the Baltimore Orioles. Although his first appearance was a difficult one, the debut represented the culmination of years of work through the minor leagues. His 167 strikeouts in 2021 and his 40-man roster protection in 2024 also stand as important markers in his professional journey.
Carson Ragsdale Career Wins
Ragsdale has accumulated the bulk of his professional victories in the minor leagues. His most productive season came in 2021, when he went 8–6 for the Single-A San Jose Giants. Across his time in the San Francisco Giants system, Baltimore Orioles system, and Atlanta Braves system, he has recorded numerous wins at various minor league levels, though he has not yet recorded a decision in the major leagues.
Minor League Highlights
In 2021, Ragsdale earned eight wins for San Jose while striking out 167 batters. He added five wins split between Double-A Richmond and Triple-A Sacramento in 2024, and posted two wins for Norfolk in 2025. These performances reflect a pitcher who has consistently contributed at multiple minor league levels, even as injuries and roster moves have shaped his trajectory.
Carson Ragsdale Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Carson Andrew Ragsdale’s family background is limited. He was raised in the United States and developed into a professional pitcher through amateur baseball.
Personal Life
Details about Ragsdale’s personal life, including marital status and children, are not widely publicized. He maintains a presence on social media, where fans can follow his professional updates.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was the most eventful year of Carson Andrew Ragsdale’s professional career. He began the year at Triple-A Sacramento with the San Francisco Giants organization, where he posted a 5–5 record and a 5.37 ERA across 18 games, including 14 starts. On July 28, he was designated for assignment, ending his time in the Giants system. He was quickly claimed by the Baltimore Orioles and reported to Triple-A Norfolk, where he performed well, going 2–2 with a 3.47 ERA in seven appearances.
The biggest development of Ragsdale’s 2025 season came on September 14, when the Orioles promoted him to the major leagues for the first time. His debut was a learning experience, as he gave up eight runs in three innings of relief against the Blue Jays, but reaching the majors validated his years of work in the minor leagues. After short stints with Atlanta and a return to Baltimore, Ragsdale was non-tendered and became a free agent heading into the offseason.
Looking ahead, Ragsdale enters free agency as a pitcher with major league experience and a strong minor league track record, particularly as a strikeout pitcher. His ability to adapt through multiple organizations in a single season demonstrates his resilience, and he remains a candidate to sign with a new club for the 2026 season.