José Berríos Bio
José Orlando Berríos, nicknamed “La Makina,” is a Puerto Rican professional baseball pitcher who plays for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball. The Minnesota Twins selected him in the first round of the 2012 MLB draft, and he made his major league debut in 2016. Over the course of his career, Berríos has built a reputation as a reliable starter, earning two All-Star selections and a Gold Glove Award. He is also a familiar face for Puerto Rico in international competition, having represented his country in multiple World Baseball Classic tournaments.
Early Life and Background
José Orlando Berríos was born on May 27, 1994, in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, a city known for producing talented baseball players. Growing up on the island, he developed his pitching skills in local youth leagues and quickly became one of the most talked-about young arms in Puerto Rico. His powerful arm and competitive fire earned him the nickname “La Makina,” a Spanish phrase meaning “The Machine,” which reflected both his workhorse mentality on the mound and his ability to deliver consistent performances. By the time he reached his late teens, Berríos was considered one of the top pitching prospects in the country.
Berríos’ early life in Bayamón gave him access to year-round baseball and a strong amateur development system. He drew attention from professional scouts during his teenage years, showcasing a fastball that already sat in the mid-90s and a breaking ball that showed advanced movement for his age. His family supported his baseball ambitions, and he balanced his athletic development with his education in Puerto Rico. That foundation helped him transition smoothly into professional baseball when the Minnesota Twins called his name in the first round of the 2012 MLB draft.
Path to Baseball
Berríos’ path to professional baseball began when the Minnesota Twins selected him with the 32nd overall pick in the first round of the 2012 MLB draft. He made his professional debut that same season in the Gulf Coast League, where he posted a 1.17 ERA across roughly 30 innings and struck out 49 batters. The Twins quickly moved him through their minor league system, assigning him to short-season affiliates before promoting him to full-season Class A ball in 2013.
By 2014, Berríos was climbing through the upper levels of the Twins’ farm system. He started the year with Class A-Advanced Fort Myers, was selected to the All-Star Futures Game, and earned a midseason promotion to Double-A New Britain. He reached Triple-A Rochester by 2015, posting a combined 2.87 ERA between Double-A and Triple-A. His consistent performance in the minors positioned him as one of the top pitching prospects in baseball, and the Twins promoted him to the major leagues in April 2016.
José Berríos Career
Early Career (2012–2016)
Berríos’ first full professional season came in 2013 with the Cedar Rapids Kernels of the Class A Midwest League, where he went 7–7 with a 3.99 ERA. He spent parts of 2014 and 2015 splitting time between the Fort Myers Miracle, the Chattanooga Lookouts, and the Rochester Red Wings, refining his command and adding polish to his pitch arsenal. By the start of 2016, he was clearly ready for the major leagues, having gone 2–0 with a 1.06 ERA in Triple-A before his call-up.
The Twins promoted Berríos to make his major league debut on April 27, 2016. He endured a difficult first season, going 3–7 with an 8.02 ERA in 14 starts for Minnesota, but he continued to develop in Rochester, where he was 10–5 with a 2.51 ERA. The Twins recalled and optioned him multiple times during the year, giving him a chance to adjust to big league hitters while also building confidence at the Triple-A level.
Minnesota Twins Breakthrough (2017–2021)
Berríos returned to the Twins’ starting rotation for good in 2017, going 14–8 with a 3.89 ERA in 26 games. The 2018 season marked his true breakthrough. On April 1, 2018, he threw a three-hit complete-game shutout against the Baltimore Orioles, striking out six in a 7–0 win. He added a second complete game later that year and was named to his first MLB All-Star Game, finishing the season at 12–11 with a 3.84 ERA and 202 strikeouts, leading the league in complete games and shutouts.
In 2019, Berríos opened the season with a gem against the Cleveland Indians, going 7⅔ scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts. He earned his second consecutive All-Star nod and finished the year 14–8 with a 3.68 ERA. The shortened 2020 season saw him go 5–4 with a 4.00 ERA, and in 2021 he was 7–5 with a 3.48 ERA before the Twins traded him to the Toronto Blue Jays on July 30, 2021. In his brief stint with Toronto that year, he went 5–4 with a 3.58 ERA and 78 strikeouts in just over 70 innings.
Toronto Blue Jays Era (2021–Present)
On November 16, 2021, Berríos agreed to a seven-year, $131 million contract extension with the Blue Jays, signaling the franchise’s long-term commitment to him. His first full season in Toronto in 2022 was a struggle, as he went 12–7 with a 5.23 ERA and allowed the highest opponent batting average and OPS among qualified MLB pitchers. He bounced back in 2023, going 11–12 with a 3.65 ERA and 184 strikeouts in 189⅔ innings, and he won a Gold Glove Award for his defensive work on the mound.
Berríos continued his strong form in 2024, going 16–11 with a 3.60 ERA and 153 strikeouts in 192⅓ innings. On March 27, 2025, he was named the Blue Jays’ Opening Day starter against the Baltimore Orioles, a sign of his standing within the organization. On April 7, 2025, he earned his 100th career MLB win against the Boston Red Sox, becoming just the fifth Puerto Rican-born pitcher to reach that milestone.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Berríos’ most memorable moments is his 2018 complete-game shutout of the Orioles, his historic 2018 start in Puerto Rico at Hiram Bithorn Stadium, and his 100th career MLB win in 2025. He is a two-time All-Star (2018, 2019) and a 2023 Gold Glove Award winner, and he has represented Puerto Rico in the 2013, 2017, and 2023 World Baseball Classic tournaments, winning silver medals in the first two.
José Berríos Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Berríos is married to Jannieliz Márquez, and the couple has two sons and one daughter. His wife is the sister of Irmarie Márquez, who is married to Detroit Tigers infielder Javier Báez, making the two players brothers-in-law. During the 2017 offseason, Berríos returned to his hometown of Bayamón to deliver water, food, and supplies to families affected by Hurricane Maria, an effort that reflected his close ties to his community in Puerto Rico.
2025 Season Performance
Berríos entered the 2025 season as the Toronto Blue Jays’ Opening Day starter, taking the mound against the Baltimore Orioles on March 27. His first outing was a difficult one, as he allowed six runs on nine hits over five innings, but he quickly turned the page. On April 7, 2025, he recorded his 100th career MLB win with seven strong innings against the Boston Red Sox, allowing just one run and becoming the fifth Puerto Rican-born pitcher to reach the century mark.
Throughout the early portion of 2025, Berríos continued to anchor the middle of Toronto’s rotation, providing length and consistency for the Blue Jays’ pitching staff. His ability to take the ball every fifth day and pitch deep into games has been a defining trait of his career, and the Blue Jays have leaned on him as one of their veteran leaders. With his contract running through 2028, Berríos remains a central figure in Toronto’s long-term plans.