Garrett Cleavinger Bio
Garrett J. Cleavinger is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers. A left-handed reliever known for his high strikeout rate, Cleavinger has built his career as a dependable bullpen arm since reaching the majors in 2020.
Early Life and Background
Cleavinger was born on April 23, 1994. He grew up in Lawrence, Kansas, where he attended Lawrence High School and graduated in 2012. As a senior, he put together a standout season that earned him first-team all-state honors, first-team All-Sunflower League recognition, first-team all-area selection, and Player of the Year recognition. He was also named a Central Region All-American by Perfect Game, establishing himself as one of the top amateur prospects in the region.
His family includes a connection to professional baseball through his uncle, Matt McWilliams, who played in the Atlanta Braves organization. That family link helped shape Cleavinger’s interest in pitching and gave him an early view of life inside a professional system.
Path to Baseball
After high school, Cleavinger enrolled at the University of Oregon, where he played college baseball for the Oregon Ducks. As a freshman in 2013, he emerged as a dominant closer, going 9-0 with a 1.24 ERA and two saves in 37 relief appearances, while striking out 57 batters in 43 and two-thirds innings. He set Oregon freshman records for appearances and ERA, and he held opposing hitters to a .137 average, the lowest single-season mark by an Oregon pitcher in school history. Louisville Slugger and the NCBWA both recognized him as a freshman All-American.
He continued to develop across his next two college seasons, serving as the Ducks’ closer in 2015 and leading the Pac-12 Conference with 14.9 strikeouts per nine innings. During the summers of 2013 and 2014, he also pitched for the Falmouth Commodores of the Cape Cod Baseball League, gaining experience against top collegiate talent. At Oregon, he played alongside Cole Irvin, who later became a teammate with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Garrett Cleavinger Career
Early Career (2015-2019)
The Baltimore Orioles selected Cleavinger in the third round of the 2015 MLB draft. He made his professional debut that year with the Aberdeen IronBirds, posting a 6-1 record with a 2.19 ERA in 19 games. In 2016, he split the season between the Delmarva Shorebirds and the Frederick Keys, going a combined 7-3 with a 3.07 ERA over a career-high 76 and one-third innings and earning South Atlantic League Mid-Season All-Star recognition.
On July 28, 2017, the Orioles traded Cleavinger and Hyun-soo Kim to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for Jeremy Hellickson. He bounced between Bowie and Reading in 2017 and 2018, and he returned to Reading to begin 2019, where he recorded a 4.35 ERA in 51 and two-thirds innings. The Phillies added him to their 40-man roster after that season.
Philadelphia Phillies Era (2020)
Cleavinger was first called up by the Phillies on September 8, 2020, but he did not pitch before being sent back down. He was promoted again on September 15 and made his MLB debut on September 17, 2020, against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park. His debut opened the door to a major league career built on left-handed relief work.
Los Angeles Dodgers Era (2021-2022)
On December 29, 2020, Cleavinger was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers as part of a three-team deal that sent Jose Alvarado to the Phillies and minor leaguers to the Tampa Bay Rays. On May 11, 2021, he recorded his first career major league victory against the Seattle Mariners. In 22 games for the Dodgers, he posted a 2-4 record with a 3.00 ERA.
Tampa Bay Rays Era (2022-Present)
On August 1, 2022, Cleavinger was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for minor leaguer German Tapia. He logged 13 appearances for Tampa Bay to close out the year, posting a 2.41 ERA with 25 strikeouts in 18 and two-thirds innings. In 2023, he worked out of the Rays’ bullpen, pitching in 15 games with a 3.00 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 12 innings of work.
During a May 7, 2023 appearance against the New York Yankees, Cleavinger suffered a knee injury after tagging Aaron Hicks out in a rundown. He was diagnosed with a torn ACL the following day, an injury that ended his season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Cleavinger’s game is built around swing-and-miss stuff. Across his minor league stops and his major league career, he has consistently ranked among the league leaders in strikeouts per nine innings, while his role as a closer at Oregon showed he can handle high-leverage work. He works primarily as a left-handed reliever, attacking hitters with a power arsenal rather than relying on soft contact.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Cleavinger’s career include his MLB debut against the New York Mets in September 2020, his first major league win against the Seattle Mariners in May 2021, and his transition to the Tampa Bay Rays bullpen in August 2022. His torn ACL in May 2023 stands as the most serious setback of his professional career.
Garrett Cleavinger Career Wins
Cleavinger has recorded major league victories across his time with the Dodgers and the Phillies organization. His first major league win came on May 11, 2021, against the Seattle Mariners while pitching for Los Angeles.
MLB Highlights
With the Dodgers in 2021, Cleavinger went 2-4 with a 3.00 ERA across 22 relief appearances. He has continued to log bullpen innings for the Tampa Bay Rays, contributing in middle and late relief roles.
Other Wins and Performances
Cleavinger has also recorded wins at several minor league levels, including a 6-1 record with Aberdeen in 2015 and a combined 7-3 mark between Delmarva and Frederick in 2016, when he was named a South Atlantic League Mid-Season All-Star.
Garrett Cleavinger Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Cleavinger’s family includes a direct tie to professional baseball through his uncle, Matt McWilliams, who played in the Atlanta Braves organization. That family connection helped guide his path from amateur baseball in Kansas to the major leagues.
Personal Life
Publicly available details about Cleavinger’s personal life are limited. He grew up in Lawrence, Kansas, and built his career through the Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Tampa Bay Rays organizations.
2025 Season Performance
Cleavinger returned to the Tampa Bay Rays bullpen in 2025 following the torn ACL that ended his 2023 season. He has continued to work in middle relief, providing a left-handed option for the Rays’ pitching staff.
Coming off a major knee injury, his 2025 role centers on reclaiming consistent innings and rebuilding his strikeout numbers. His track record of high strikeout rates at both the college and professional levels gives the Rays confidence in his long-term fit in the bullpen.
Looking ahead, Cleavinger’s outlook for 2025 depends on health and the trust of the Rays’ coaching staff. If he stays on the mound and regains his pre-injury form, he has a chance to re-establish himself as a reliable late-inning arm in Tampa Bay.