Raisel Iglesias Bio
Raisel Enrique Iglesias (born January 4, 1990) is a Cuban professional baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). A right-handed reliever, Iglesias is best known for his work as a closer and has built a reputation as one of the most dependable late-inning arms in the league. He has also played in MLB for the Cincinnati Reds and the Los Angeles Angels. He joined the Reds as an international free agent in 2014 after defecting from Cuba.
Over the course of his MLB career, Iglesias has been selected as an All-Star and has been named a Reliever of the Month in the American League. He signed a new contract with the Braves following the 2025 season, signaling his continued presence in the league. He is the father of a son, Lenox Iglesias, who was born during the 2018 season.
Early Life and Background
Raisel Enrique Iglesias was born on January 4, 1990, in Cuba. He grew up in a country where baseball is the national pastime, and he developed his skills within the Cuban baseball system. Specific details about his family background and early childhood are not widely documented, but his upbringing in Cuba placed him on a clear path toward a professional career in the sport.
Iglesias rose through the ranks of Cuban baseball and eventually joined the Piratas de Isla de la Juventud in the Cuban National Series. He also represented his country on the international stage, appearing with the Cuban national baseball team at the 2013 World Baseball Classic and the 2013 World Port Tournament. These appearances marked him as one of the more promising arms in Cuba’s baseball pipeline.
Path to Major League Baseball
Iglesias’s transition to MLB was anything but routine. In September 2013, he attempted to defect from Cuba, initially hiding in the mountains of Isla de la Juventud, where he was caught and detained. He tried again in November 2013 and successfully defected, later establishing residency in Haiti before holding an open tryout in Mexico in December 2013.
His performance at the tryout quickly attracted attention from MLB clubs. On June 27, 2014, Iglesias signed with the Cincinnati Reds on a seven-year contract worth $27 million. The Reds formally added him to their 40-man roster when he arrived in the United States on August 12, 2014. The path from Cuba to a Major League uniform had taken years of risk and persistence, but it set the stage for his next chapter in the big leagues.
Raisel Iglesias Career
Early Career (2015–2017)
Iglesias made his MLB debut on April 12, 2015, after the Reds evaluated him as a starting pitcher during spring training. He opened the season in the Reds’ Opening Day starting rotation, but stints on the disabled list limited him to 18 games, 16 of them starts. He finished his rookie year with a 3–7 record and 104 strikeouts.
The following season, after beginning in the rotation, Iglesias was moved to the bullpen. He served as both a setup man and a closer for the Reds, finishing 2016 with six saves across 37 games. The transition to relief work proved pivotal, as it allowed him to focus on shorter outings and harness his stuff in higher-leverage spots.
Cincinnati Reds Closer Years (2018–2020)
Iglesias took over as the Reds’ closer in 2018 and finished the year with career highs at the time in saves (34) and appearances (68), paired with a 4.16 ERA. His work in the ninth inning cemented his status as one of the National League’s most active late-inning relievers.
On August 8, 2020, Iglesias earned his 100th MLB career save against the Milwaukee Brewers, a milestone that highlighted his durability and consistency. He finished the shortened 2020 campaign with a 4–3 record and a 2.74 ERA, along with 31 strikeouts in 23.0 innings. On December 7, 2020, the Reds traded him to the Los Angeles Angels for Noé Ramirez and Leo Rivas, ending his tenure in Cincinnati.
Los Angeles Angels Era (2021–2022)
With the Angels, Iglesias was named American League Reliever of the Month for July 2021. He finished the 2021 season with a 2.57 ERA, 103 strikeouts, and 34 saves, tying the career high he had set the previous year with Cincinnati and falling one strikeout short of his personal best of 104.
On December 1, 2021, Iglesias re-signed with the Angels on a four-year, $58 million contract, signaling the club’s long-term commitment to him in the closer role. On June 26, 2022, after a brawl between the Angels and the Seattle Mariners, Iglesias threw a tub of sunflower seeds and a bucket of gum onto the infield, an outburst that led to the first ejection of his career.
Atlanta Braves Era (2022–Present)
The Angels traded Iglesias to the Atlanta Braves for Jesse Chavez and Tucker Davidson on August 2, 2022. After joining Atlanta, he finished the 2022 season with a 2.47 ERA, 78 strikeouts, and 17 saves across 62.0 innings between the two clubs, a strong showing that set the tone for his time in the National League East.
In 2023, Iglesias posted a 5–4 record with a 2.75 ERA, 68 strikeouts, and 33 saves in 55 2/3 innings of work. He followed that with an even stronger 2024, going 6–2 with a 1.95 ERA, 68 strikeouts, and 34 saves in 69 1/3 innings. On September 16, 2025, he recorded his 250th career save in a 6–3 win over the Washington Nationals, a milestone that placed him among the most prolific closers of his era.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a reliever, Iglesias relies on a power arsenal highlighted by a high-velocity fastball and a sharp breaking ball, allowing him to miss bats in short stints. He has shown particular strength in finishing games, displaying composure in high-pressure ninth innings and the durability to handle heavy workloads. His transition from starting pitcher to full-time closer in Cincinnati also speaks to his adaptability and willingness to embrace a new role.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature accomplishments, Iglesias reached his 100th career save on August 8, 2020, against the Brewers and his 250th career save on September 16, 2025, against the Nationals. He was named American League Reliever of the Month for July 2021 and has recorded multiple 30-plus save seasons across the Reds, Angels, and Braves. His career has also included memorable moments away from the stat sheet, including his first career ejection in 2022 after the Angels–Mariners brawl.
Raisel Iglesias Career Highlights
Raisel Iglesias has built his career around consistency in the closer’s role, with three documented 34-save seasons (2019, 2021, 2024) and additional strong campaigns in which he regularly exceeded 30 saves. He has crossed the 100-save and 250-save milestones, underscoring his longevity at the position.
MLB Career Highlights
Iglesias recorded his first full season as a closer in 2019, when he set career highs at the time with 34 saves and 68 appearances for the Reds. He matched that 34-save mark with the Angels in 2021 and again with the Braves in 2024, reinforcing his reputation as a reliable ninth-inning option.
He earned his 100th career save on August 8, 2020, against the Milwaukee Brewers, while still a member of the Reds. Roughly five years later, on September 16, 2025, he notched save No. 250 in a 6–3 victory over the Washington Nationals, a milestone that highlighted his sustained excellence in a volatile role.
Raisel Iglesias Family
Personal Life
Raisel Iglesias is the father of a son, Lenox Iglesias, who was born during the 2018 season. Limited additional public information is available about his broader family life, and details about his parents, spouse, and personal residence have not been widely confirmed in available sources.
2025 Season Performance
Iglesias remained a key figure in the Atlanta Braves bullpen during the 2025 season, serving as the primary closer in the late innings. On September 16, 2025, he recorded his 250th career save in a 6–3 win over the Washington Nationals, a milestone that framed his campaign and reinforced his place among the more accomplished closers of his generation.
Following the conclusion of the 2025 season, Iglesias became a free agent, raising questions about his next move. On November 19, 2025, he re-signed with the Braves on a one-year, $16 million contract, ensuring that he would remain in Atlanta for the upcoming season. The deal kept one of the most experienced closers in the National League in a familiar setting heading into 2026.