Ryan Kreidler Bio
Ryan Michael Kreidler is an American professional baseball utility player for the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball (MLB). Known for his defensive versatility, Kreidler has appeared at multiple positions throughout his professional career, including shortstop, third base, second base, and center field. He has previously played in MLB for the Detroit Tigers and has continued to develop as a depth option at the highest level of the sport.
A former fourth-round draft pick, Kreidler has spent time across multiple levels of professional baseball, working his way through the minor leagues before reaching the majors in 2022. His career has been marked by both promising offensive stretches and injury setbacks, which have shaped his path through professional baseball. Despite the challenges, he has remained a valued utility piece for organizations looking for flexible roster contributors.
Early Life and Background
Ryan Michael Kreidler was born on November 12, 1997, and grew up in Davis, California. He attended Davis High School, where he developed into a promising baseball prospect. During his high school years, Kreidler caught the attention of Major League Baseball scouts with his combination of athleticism and defensive ability, which eventually led to his selection in the 2016 MLB draft.
Kreidler was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 35th round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft, but he chose not to sign with the organization. Instead, he decided to pursue a college education and continue his baseball career at the collegiate level. This decision allowed him to further refine his skills and improve his draft stock for the following years.
Following his high school career, Kreidler enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he played college baseball for the UCLA Bruins. During his time at UCLA, he continued to develop as a versatile player capable of playing multiple defensive positions. In the summer of 2018, Kreidler played collegiate summer baseball with the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League, gaining valuable experience against top amateur competition.
Path to Professional Baseball
Kreidler’s amateur career trajectory set the stage for his entry into professional baseball. After three years at UCLA, he had established himself as one of the top position player prospects in the 2019 MLB draft class. His defensive versatility and athletic profile made him an attractive prospect for teams looking to add a utility player to their minor league system.
The Detroit Tigers selected Kreidler in the fourth round of the 2019 Major League Baseball draft with the 112th overall pick, and he signed with the organization. This was a significant jump from his earlier 35th-round selection by the Cubs, reflecting the development he had undergone during his college career. His decision to attend UCLA rather than sign out of high school proved to be a wise one, as it positioned him for a much earlier and higher draft selection three years later.
Ryan Kreidler Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Kreidler made his professional debut with the Connecticut Tigers in 2019, where he batted .232 with two home runs and 20 RBI over sixty games. The 2020 minor league season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, preventing him from playing in any games that year. This pause in competitive play was a challenge faced by many minor league players during that period.
In 2021, Kreidler began the season with the Erie SeaWolves before earning a promotion to the Toledo Mud Hens. Over 129 games between the two affiliates, he posted a slash line of .270/.349/.454 with 22 home runs, 58 RBIs, and 15 stolen bases. This strong performance across two levels of the minor leagues established him as a legitimate prospect within the Detroit Tigers organization.
Detroit Tigers Debut (2022–2023)
On September 1, 2022, Kreidler was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time. He recorded his first major league hit, a single, on September 3 against the Kansas City Royals. Just four days later, on September 7, Kreidler hit his first major league home run, a game-winning shot in the top of the ninth inning off José Quijada of the Los Angeles Angels that broke a 4–4 tie. His strong September debut left a lasting impression on the organization.
Kreidler was part of Detroit’s Opening Day roster in 2023 and started at third base on opening day. However, after hitting .111 in 11 games, he was optioned back to Triple-A Toledo on April 15. He was later placed on the minor league injured list on April 28 with knee soreness and began a rehab assignment with the High-A West Michigan Whitecaps in May. After just five rehab games, he was pulled off the assignment, and it was announced on June 14 that he had undergone core-muscle surgery, ending his 2023 season prematurely.
Later Tigers Years (2024–2025)
Kreidler was optioned to Triple-A Toledo to begin the 2024 season. On April 11, 2024, he underwent surgery to repair a fractured right index finger, another setback in his young career. In 35 appearances for Detroit that year, he slashed .119/.200/.169 with one home run, two RBI, and five stolen bases. Despite the injury challenges, the Tigers continued to give him opportunities at the major league level.
In 2025, Kreidler was again part of Detroit’s Opening Day roster. He was used primarily as a center fielder at the start of the season due to injuries at that position, demonstrating his defensive flexibility. After struggling at the plate, he was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on April 21. On August 22, 2025, Kreidler was designated for assignment by the Tigers following the promotion of Drew Sommers, ending his time in the Detroit organization.
Pittsburgh Pirates (2025)
On August 24, 2025, Kreidler was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was assigned to the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians, where he batted .163/.293/.265 with one home run, one RBI, and five stolen bases in 15 appearances. His time with the Pirates organization was brief, as he was designated for assignment following the acquisition of Will Robertson on October 13, 2025.
Minnesota Twins Era (2025–Present)
On October 15, 2025, Kreidler was claimed off waivers by the Minnesota Twins, marking his third MLB organization in less than two months. This move presented him with a fresh opportunity to compete for a roster spot heading into the next season. His path through the waiver wire in the latter part of 2025 illustrated the transient nature of professional baseball roster management.
Driving Style and Strengths
Kreidler’s primary strength as a player lies in his defensive versatility, having played shortstop, third base, second base, and center field at various points in his professional career. His athletic profile allows managers to deploy him at multiple positions depending on team needs. While his offensive production has been inconsistent at the major league level, his ability to play several positions at an adequate level provides significant value as a utility player.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Kreidler’s early major league career was his walk-off, ninth-inning home run against the Los Angeles Angels on September 7, 2022, which broke a 4–4 tie and gave the Tigers a dramatic victory. His first major league hit, a single on September 3, 2022, against the Kansas City Royals, was another milestone moment that came early in his MLB career.
Ryan Kreidler Career Wins
Ryan Michael Kreidler has compiled his professional baseball career across multiple organizations and levels since being drafted in 2019. His journey has included stints in the minor leagues for the Connecticut Tigers, Erie SeaWolves, Toledo Mud Hens, and Indianapolis Indians, along with major league appearances for the Detroit Tigers.
Minor League Highlights
Kreidler’s most productive minor league season came in 2021, when he slashed .270/.349/.454 with 22 home runs, 58 RBIs, and 15 stolen bases across Erie and Toledo. This performance established him as one of the more intriguing position player prospects in the Detroit system heading into the 2022 season.
Other Performances
Kreidler played collegiate summer baseball with the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League in 2018, gaining valuable experience against top-tier amateur competition during his time at UCLA.
Ryan Kreidler Family
Personal Life
Ryan Michael Kreidler was raised in Davis, California, where he attended Davis High School before continuing his baseball career at UCLA. He has remained connected to his California roots throughout his professional journey.
2025 Season Performance
Kreidler’s 2025 season was defined by roster movement between multiple organizations. He began the year on Detroit’s Opening Day roster, seeing time primarily in center field due to injuries at the position. After struggling offensively, he was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on April 21 and later designated for assignment by the Tigers on August 22.
Just two days after being designated by Detroit, Kreidler was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates on August 24. He spent the remainder of the regular season with the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians, batting .163/.293/.265 with one home run and five stolen bases in 15 games. He was then designated for assignment on October 13 following the acquisition of Will Robertson.
On October 15, 2025, Kreidler was claimed off waivers by the Minnesota Twins, providing him with a fresh start heading into the offseason. His experience with three different organizations in 2025 underscores the volatile nature of utility players at the margins of major league rosters, and his next opportunity will likely depend on his ability to contribute defensively at multiple positions and demonstrate consistency at the plate.