Joe Ryan Bio
Joseph Philip Ryan, born on June 5, 1996, is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball (MLB). A right-handed starting pitcher known for his strikeout ability, Ryan was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the seventh round of the 2018 MLB draft before making his MLB debut with the Twins in 2021. In 2025, Ryan was named to his first Major League Baseball All-Star Game, marking a major milestone in his young career.
Rising quickly through the minor leagues after turning pro in 2018, Ryan has developed into one of the most consistent arms in the Twins’ starting rotation. His combination of swing-and-miss stuff and durability has established him as a foundational piece for the franchise.
Early Life and Background
Joseph Philip Ryan was born on June 5, 1996, in San Anselmo, California. He grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and attended Sir Francis Drake High School in his hometown. During his senior year of high school in 2014, Ryan was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the 39th round of the Major League Baseball draft, but he chose not to sign and instead pursued a college career.
Ryan enrolled at California State University, Northridge, where he played college baseball and continued to develop as a pitcher. During the summers of 2015 and 2016, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Orleans Firebirds of the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League. His strong performance in 2016 earned him recognition as a league all-star. After his time at Northridge, Ryan transferred to California State University, Stanislaus in 2018, where he finished his amateur career before entering the professional ranks.
Path to Baseball
Ryan’s path to professional baseball began in earnest with the 2018 MLB draft, when the Tampa Bay Rays selected him in the seventh round as the 210th overall pick. He signed with the organization and was immediately assigned to the Hudson Valley Renegades, where he posted a 2–1 record with a 3.72 ERA over 36 and one-third innings in his first professional season.
In 2019, Ryan moved quickly through the Rays’ minor league system, starting the year with the Bowling Green Hot Rods before earning promotions to the Charlotte Stone Crabs and the Montgomery Biscuits. Over 24 games and 22 starts, he compiled a 9–4 record with a 1.96 ERA and struck out 183 batters across 123 and two-thirds innings. The COVID-19 pandemic wiped out the 2020 minor league season, delaying his development. In 2021, he began the year with the Triple-A Durham Bulls, going 4–3 with a 3.63 ERA across 12 appearances, which set the stage for his upcoming MLB opportunity.
Joe Ryan Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
Joe Ryan began his professional career in 2018 with the Hudson Valley Renegades, the short-season affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. He showed immediate promise with a strong strikeout rate and a sub-four ERA, signaling that his college arsenal could translate to the pro game. His 2019 season was the true breakthrough at the minor league level, as he delivered a 1.96 ERA across three different affiliates and averaged more than 13 strikeouts per nine innings.
The 2020 minor league season was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, temporarily halting Ryan’s momentum. He returned to action in 2021 with the Triple-A Durham Bulls, where he continued to demonstrate the control and swing-and-miss profile that had defined his rise through the system.
Tampa Bay Rays and Minnesota Twins Transition (2021)
On July 22, 2021, while Ryan was in Tokyo competing in the 2020 Summer Olympics with Team USA, the Tampa Bay Rays traded him along with Drew Strotman to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for veteran slugger Nelson Cruz and Calvin Faucher. The trade placed Ryan directly on the path to the major leagues with a new organization.
After the trade, Ryan made two starts for the Triple-A St. Paul Saints, posting a 2.00 ERA with 17 strikeouts. When major league rosters expanded in September, the Twins selected his contract and promoted him to the majors. Ryan made his MLB debut on September 1, 2021, starting against the Chicago Cubs. He pitched five innings, allowed three runs, and struck out five batters in his first big-league appearance.
Minnesota Twins Era (2022–Present)
On April 1, 2022, Twins manager Rocco Baldelli announced that Joe Ryan would be the team’s Opening Day starting pitcher for the 2022 season, facing the Seattle Mariners. Despite missing roughly a month due to injury, Ryan posted a career year, leading the Twins in wins with 13, strikeouts with 151, and innings pitched with 147.
In the 2023 season, Ryan’s performance took a step back from his 2022 form. Although he struck out 197 batters across 161 and two-thirds innings, he surrendered 32 home runs and his ERA rose to 4.51. He opened the 2024 campaign back in Minnesota’s starting rotation and recorded a 7–7 record with a 3.60 ERA and 147 strikeouts over 135 innings through 23 starts. On August 9, 2024, Ryan was placed on the injured list with a right shoulder strain and was transferred to the 60-day injured list on August 27, effectively ending his 2024 season. In 2025, he was named to his first Major League Baseball All-Star Game.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a starting pitcher, Joe Ryan relies on a strikeout-heavy arsenal that has consistently produced double-digit strikeout rates at every level. His ability to generate swings and misses allows him to work deep into games, and his durability has been a key asset for the Twins’ rotation. His strong minor league strikeout numbers and his role as a workhorse starter in Minnesota underscore his value as a front-line arm.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Ryan’s career came during the trade that brought him to Minnesota in 2021, which he learned about while competing in the Tokyo Olympics. His 2022 Opening Day start and his 2025 All-Star selection stand as signature milestones, highlighting his growth from a seventh-round draft pick into a major league All-Star.
Joe Ryan Career Wins
Across his MLB career, Joe Ryan has accumulated double-digit win totals during his standout 2022 season, when he led the Minnesota Twins with 13 wins. He has continued to be a regular in the team’s rotation, providing consistent innings and contributing to the franchise’s pitching staff.
Major League Highlights
Joe Ryan’s most notable MLB season came in 2022, when he posted 13 wins and logged 147 innings for the Twins. He followed that with a 7-win season in 2024 before a shoulder injury cut his year short. In 2025, his first All-Star selection further cemented his place among the league’s top pitchers.
Other Performances
Before reaching the majors, Ryan was a Cape Cod Baseball League all-star in 2016 and posted a combined 9–4 record with a 1.96 ERA across three Rays affiliates in 2019. He also represented the United States at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, where he made two starts, posted a 1.74 ERA over 10 and one-third innings, and helped Team USA win a silver medal.
Joe Ryan Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Joe Ryan was raised in San Anselmo, California, in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he attended Sir Francis Drake High School before pursuing college baseball. He later continued his education at California State University, Northridge and California State University, Stanislaus.
Personal Life
Public information about Joe Ryan’s personal and family life remains limited, with verified details focusing primarily on his upbringing in Northern California and his educational background.
2025 Season Performance
Joe Ryan entered the 2025 season as a key member of the Minnesota Twins’ starting rotation, coming off a 2024 campaign that was cut short by a right shoulder strain. His return to health was a major storyline for the franchise, and his strong early performance led to his selection to the 2025 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, his first appearance in the midsummer classic.
Throughout the 2025 season, Ryan has continued to anchor the Twins’ pitching staff with his swing-and-miss stuff and ability to log quality innings. His All-Star recognition reflects both his individual performance and his importance to Minnesota’s playoff push.
Looking ahead, Ryan’s continued health and consistency will be central to the Twins’ ambitions in the American League. As one of the team’s most experienced starters, his role in the rotation and his partnership with the Twins’ coaching staff will shape the franchise’s outlook for the remainder of 2025.