Joe La Sorsa Bio
Joseph Peter La Sorsa (born April 29, 1998) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. A left-handed reliever who has spent time in the Tampa Bay Rays, Washington Nationals, and Cincinnati Reds systems, La Sorsa works primarily out of the bullpen and has built his career on long relief appearances in the upper minors. He made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut with the Rays in 2023 after being selected in the 19th round of the 2019 MLB draft.
Standing out for his strike-throwing approach and ability to handle multi-inning assignments, La Sorsa has moved between organizations throughout his professional tenure while continuing to develop at the Triple-A level. His journey from a New York high school standout to a big-league arm reflects years of steady progress through the minor leagues.
Early Life and Background
Joseph Peter La Sorsa was born on April 29, 1998, in New Rochelle, New York, and grew up in the New York City metropolitan area. He attended Iona Preparatory School, where he played for the school’s baseball team and developed into a notable pitching prospect. In his senior year, La Sorsa led Iona Prep’s baseball team to the Catholic High School Athletic Association championship, an achievement that helped raise his profile among college recruiters.
Following high school, La Sorsa enrolled at St. John’s University, where he played college baseball for the St. John’s Red Storm. During his time with the program, he continued to refine his mechanics and added velocity, positioning himself as a draft-eligible arm. In the summer of 2018, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League, one of the most respected wooden-bat leagues in the country. He went 3-2 with a 5.79 ERA for Harwich and was part of a combined no-hitter in which he pitched two innings.
Path to Baseball
La Sorsa’s path to professional baseball began in the amateur ranks, where he balanced high school competition with elite summer experience. His work with the Harwich Mariners gave him exposure to professional scouts and helped him transition from a New York high school pitcher into a draft prospect. By the time the 2019 MLB draft arrived, he had established himself as a polished left-hander capable of competing against top amateur talent.
The Tampa Bay Rays selected La Sorsa in the 19th round of the 2019 MLB draft, formally launching his professional career. He signed with the organization and reported to his first minor-league assignment later that year. The draft selection marked the transition from amateur to professional baseball and set the stage for his rise through the Rays’ farm system.
Joe La Sorsa Career
Early Career (2019-2022)
La Sorsa made his professional debut in 2019 with the Hudson Valley Renegades, the Rays’ short-season affiliate. He spent the year adjusting to the professional workload and developing his secondary pitches. The 2020 minor league season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, temporarily halting his progression through the Rays’ system.
When minor-league play resumed, La Sorsa continued to climb the organizational ladder, refining his command and building durability as a reliever. In 2023, he was assigned to the Triple-A Durham Bulls, where he made nine appearances and posted a 3.86 ERA, performance that put him on the radar for a big-league opportunity.
Tampa Bay Rays (2023)
On May 28, 2023, the Rays selected La Sorsa’s contract and promoted him to the major leagues for the first time. He made his MLB debut the following day, pitching two scoreless innings with two strikeouts and a walk. The debut appearance was a milestone moment for the New Rochelle native, validating years of minor-league development.
La Sorsa’s time on the Rays’ active roster was brief. On June 3, 2023, after appearing in one additional major league game, he was designated for assignment following the activation of pitcher Shawn Armstrong from the injured list. He was later claimed off waivers by another organization, ending his initial big-league stint with Tampa Bay.
Washington Nationals (2023-2025)
On June 8, 2023, the Washington Nationals claimed La Sorsa off waivers. He made four appearances for the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings before being promoted to the major leagues. In 23 relief outings for the Nationals during the 2023 season, he recorded a 4.76 ERA with 25 strikeouts across 28 and one-third innings pitched. For Rochester that year, he posted a 4.26 ERA with 14 strikeouts in 12 games before being removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Triple-A on December 1.
La Sorsa began the 2024 campaign with Rochester, compiling a 2.25 ERA with 41 strikeouts across 42 relief appearances. His strong minor-league performance earned him another opportunity, and on August 17, 2024, the Nationals selected his contract and added him to the active roster. In 16 games for Washington that year, he posted a 4.58 ERA with 14 strikeouts across 17 and two-thirds innings. On January 24, 2025, he was designated for assignment following the signing of Shinnosuke Ogasawara, and he was released by the organization on January 29.
Cincinnati Reds (2025)
On January 30, 2025, La Sorsa signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds, quickly joining a new organization. He had his contract selected to the 40-man roster on June 3 and was subsequently optioned to Triple-A Louisville Bats. In five appearances for Cincinnati, he struggled to an 0-1 record and 10.80 ERA with two strikeouts across six and two-thirds innings pitched.
La Sorsa was designated for assignment following the promotion of Reiver Sanmartín on September 2, 2025. He elected free agency rather than accept an outright assignment to Louisville on September 5, opening the door for a new opportunity later that year.
New York Mets (2025)
On September 6, 2025, La Sorsa signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets organization, returning to the New York City area. He made four scoreless appearances for the Triple-A Syracuse Mets, recording three strikeouts in four innings of work. La Sorsa elected free agency following the season on November 6, ending his brief Mets tenure.
Pittsburgh Pirates (2025-Present)
On November 8, 2025, La Sorsa signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates, his fifth organization since being drafted. The move to Pittsburgh represented a fresh opportunity to compete for a bullpen role heading into the offseason. La Sorsa joined the Pirates system with the goal of earning an invitation to big-league camp and working toward another major-league promotion.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the signature moments of La Sorsa’s career is his MLB debut with the Rays on May 29, 2023, when he delivered two scoreless innings with two strikeouts. His 2024 season with the Rochester Red Wings stands out, as he posted a 2.25 ERA with 41 strikeouts across 42 relief appearances, earning a midseason promotion to Washington. He also represented Italy in the 2023 World Baseball Classic while still in the Rays organization, an experience that highlighted his heritage on an international stage.
Joe La Sorsa Family
Family Background and Personal Life
La Sorsa grew up in New Rochelle, New York, and attended Iona Preparatory School, where he became a championship-winning pitcher. His connection to Italian heritage is reflected in his participation with the Italian national baseball team during the 2023 World Baseball Classic. He continues to share updates from his professional career on social media, where he maintains an active presence.
2025 Season Performance
La Sorsa’s 2025 season was defined by movement between organizations as he sought to solidify a major-league role. He began the year with the Washington Nationals before being designated for assignment in January and released later that month. He quickly signed a minor league deal with the Cincinnati Reds and was added to the 40-man roster in June, though his major-league results in Cincinnati were limited, and he was designated for assignment in early September.
Following his release from the Reds organization, La Sorsa signed with the New York Mets in early September, returning to his home region. He made four scoreless appearances for the Triple-A Syracuse Mets, providing a strong late-season showing. After electing free agency in November, he signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates on November 8, 2025, setting up a new chapter with a fifth organization.