Drew Rasmussen Bio
Drew Thomas Rasmussen, born on July 27, 1995, is an American professional baseball pitcher who currently plays for the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2020 with the Milwaukee Brewers before being traded to the Rays in 2021. In 2025, Drew Thomas Rasmussen was named to his first All-Star game after a standout season that showcased his talents on the mound.
Standing out as a right-handed starting pitcher, Rasmussen has built his reputation on sharp command and an ability to generate swings and misses. Over the course of his career, he has battled back from significant arm injuries, including multiple Tommy John surgeries, to remain a reliable presence in the Rays’ pitching staff.
Early Life and Background
Drew Thomas Rasmussen grew up in the Pacific Northwest and attended Mt. Spokane High School in Mead, Washington, where he developed into a top pitching prospect. His time at Mt. Spokane helped him gain statewide attention and laid the foundation for a future in professional baseball.
After high school, Rasmussen took his talent to Oregon State University, where he played college baseball for the Beavers. Prior to his freshman season, he was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 39th round of the 2014 MLB Draft, though he did not sign with the club. On March 21, 2015, as a freshman, he pitched the only perfect game in Oregon State history, leading the Beavers to a 3-0 victory over Washington State. That performance cemented his status as one of the most promising young arms in college baseball.
Rasmussen was selected 31st overall in the 2017 Major League Baseball Draft by the Tampa Bay Rays, but he did not sign with the organization. Later that year, in September 2017, he underwent his second Tommy John surgery, an injury that forced him to miss the entire 2018 season and reshaped the early path of his professional career.
Path to Baseball
Drew Thomas Rasmussen’s path to the major leagues was anything but straightforward. Despite missing the 2018 season following his second Tommy John surgery, he was still drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the sixth round, with the 185th overall selection, of the 2018 MLB Draft. That selection reflected the Brewers’ confidence in his long-term potential.
Rasmussen spent his first professional season in 2019 working his way through the Brewers’ minor league system. He pitched for the Single-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, High-A Carolina Mudcats, and Double-A Biloxi Shuckers. In 27 games and 23 starts across those three affiliates, he compiled a 1-3 record with a 3.15 ERA and 96 strikeouts across 74 and 1/3 innings pitched, signaling that he was ready for the next step.
On August 13, 2020, Rasmussen was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time. He made his major league debut on August 19, 2020, against the Minnesota Twins, throwing two scoreless innings and officially beginning his MLB career.
Drew Rasmussen Career
Early Career (2020-2021)
Drew Thomas Rasmussen began his MLB career with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2020, appearing in 12 games during his debut campaign. He posted a 5.87 ERA with 21 strikeouts across 15 and 1/3 innings pitched, a modest start that reflected both the challenges of a shortened season and his ongoing development.
Rasmussen opened the 2021 season in the Milwaukee bullpen. In 15 games for the Brewers, he recorded a 4.24 ERA with 25 strikeouts and one save. On May 21, 2021, the Brewers traded Rasmussen and J. P. Feyereisen to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Willy Adames and Trevor Richards, a move that would prove pivotal for his career.
Tampa Bay Rays Breakthrough (2021-2022)
Following the midseason trade, Rasmussen quickly found his footing with the Tampa Bay Rays. In 20 appearances, including 10 starts down the stretch of 2021, he logged a 4-0 record and a 2.44 ERA with 48 strikeouts, giving the Rays a reliable arm for the late portion of the season.
The 2022 season marked Drew Thomas Rasmussen’s true breakthrough as a major league starter. On August 14, 2022, he pitched eight perfect innings against the Chicago Cubs before losing the perfect game bid in the ninth inning. That same month, he was named American League Pitcher of the Month for August, registering a 3-1 record in six starts with a 1.57 ERA and 33 strikeouts against only four walks. He finished 2022 making 28 starts for the Rays, pitching to an 11-7 record and a 2.84 ERA with 125 strikeouts across 146 innings.
Tampa Bay Rays Era (2023-Present)
Rasmussen began the 2023 season out of the Rays’ rotation, making eight starts and registering a 4-2 record with a 2.62 ERA and 47 strikeouts across 44 and 2/3 innings. On May 12, 2023, he was placed on the 60-day injured list after being diagnosed with a flexor strain in his forearm. On July 8, Rays manager Kevin Cash announced that Rasmussen would undergo an internal brace procedure on his elbow and miss the remainder of the season.
Drew Thomas Rasmussen opened the 2024 season on the Rays’ 60-day injured list as he continued to recover from surgery. He was activated from the injured list on August 7, 2024. In 16 games and four starts for the Rays in 2024, he compiled an 0-2 record with a 2.83 ERA and 35 strikeouts across 28 and 2/3 innings pitched. On January 6, 2025, Rasmussen and the Rays avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a two-year deal worth $8.5 million.
Driving Style and Strengths
Rasmussen is known for his command of the strike zone and his ability to miss bats at a high rate. His track-type strengths include generating swings and misses with a sharp breaking ball, while his craft on the mound allows him to work efficiently through lineups. His partnership with the Rays’ coaching staff has helped him refine his pitch mix and develop into a consistent starting option.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of Drew Thomas Rasmussen’s most memorable moments came on August 14, 2022, when he pitched eight perfect innings before losing the bid in the ninth. He was also named American League Pitcher of the Month for August 2022, and in 2025, he earned his first All-Star selection, replacing Angels pitcher Yusei Kikuchi on the active roster.
Drew Rasmussen Career Wins
Drew Thomas Rasmussen has compiled a strong record of wins across his MLB career, with his most productive stretch coming during the 2022 season with the Tampa Bay Rays. That year, he recorded 11 wins and established himself as a reliable mid-rotation starter for the club.
Tampa Bay Rays Highlights
With the Tampa Bay Rays, Drew Thomas Rasmussen has posted several notable performances. His most recent standout season came in 2022, when he recorded 11 wins and a 2.84 ERA across 28 starts. Earlier, after being traded to Tampa Bay in 2021, he went 4-0 in 20 appearances, including 10 starts, with a 2.44 ERA down the stretch.
Other Wins and Performances
During his time with the Milwaukee Brewers, Drew Thomas Rasmussen posted limited win totals as he developed at the major league level. His most significant early win came after being traded to Tampa Bay in 2021, where he immediately contributed to the Rays’ rotation and bullpen down the stretch of the season.
Drew Rasmussen Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Drew Thomas Rasmussen grew up in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, where he developed his passion for baseball at a young age. While specific details about his parents and extended family are not widely documented, his upbringing in the Spokane area played a key role in shaping his path to professional baseball.
Personal Life
Drew Thomas Rasmussen married his wife, Stevie, in 2020. The couple welcomed a son on September 6, 2022. The family has remained a central part of Rasmussen’s life throughout his professional career, providing support through the various injury recoveries that have marked his time in the majors.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a defining year for Drew Thomas Rasmussen. Coming off an internal brace procedure on his elbow that cost him most of 2023 and a sizable portion of 2024, he returned to form and delivered one of the best stretches of his career. On July 11, 2025, he was named an All-Star, replacing Angels pitcher Yusei Kikuchi on the active roster and earning his first trip to the Midsummer Classic.
Earlier in the year, on January 6, 2025, Rasmussen and the Rays agreed to a two-year deal worth $8.5 million, avoiding salary arbitration and securing his place in the Tampa Bay rotation. His performance on the mound throughout the season has validated that commitment from the organization.
Looking ahead, Drew Thomas Rasmussen remains a key part of the Tampa Bay Rays’ pitching plans. With his contract running through 2027 and his arm healthy, the Rays will look to him as a steady presence in the rotation as the club continues its push in the American League.