Ryan Pepiot Bio
Ryan Michael Pepiot is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball (MLB). Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, Pepiot played multiple sports in high school before developing into a polished right-handed pitcher at Butler University, where he set the program’s career strikeout record. Selected in the third round of the 2019 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers, he advanced quickly through the minor leagues and made his Major League debut in 2022. After two seasons in the Dodgers organization, he was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in December 2023, where he has continued his growth as a starting pitcher.
Early Life and Background
Ryan Michael Pepiot was born on August 21, 1997, in Indianapolis, Indiana, and grew up in nearby Westfield, Indiana. He attended Westfield High School, where he was a three-sport athlete, competing in baseball, basketball, and football. In football, Pepiot was named Class 5-A All-State at quarterback as a senior, demonstrating his athleticism and competitive background across multiple sports. His multi-sport experience helped build the athletic foundation that would later define his pitching career.
Following high school, Pepiot attended Butler University, where he played college baseball for the Butler Bulldogs for three seasons. As a junior, he went 4–4 with a 3.92 ERA in 14 starts, striking out a school-record 126 batters over 78 innings. Pepiot finished his junior season as Butler’s career leader in strikeouts with 306, establishing himself as one of the most accomplished pitchers in the history of the Butler baseball program. After his sophomore year in 2018, he also played collegiate summer baseball for the Hyannis Harbor Hawks of the Cape Cod Baseball League, gaining valuable experience against top amateur competition.
Path to Baseball
Pepiot’s path to professional baseball began in earnest during his time at Butler University, where his record-setting strikeout totals drew the attention of Major League scouts. His performance with the Hyannis Harbor Hawks in the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League further elevated his draft stock. By the end of his junior season, Pepiot had established himself as one of the top college pitching prospects in the country.
The Los Angeles Dodgers selected Pepiot in the third round of the 2019 MLB Draft, making him the highest-drafted Butler player in program history. He signed with the Dodgers and was assigned initially to the Arizona League Dodgers before being promoted to the Class-A Great Lakes Loons of the Midwest League. That first professional season, he finished with 13 appearances, including 10 starts, posting no decisions with a 1.93 ERA and 31 strikeouts across 23.1 innings, signaling a smooth transition to professional baseball.
Ryan Pepiot Career
Early Career (2019-2021)
After his successful debut in the lower minors, Pepiot was named to the Dodgers’ 2021 Spring Training roster as a non-roster invitee, a notable recognition of his rising status within the organization. He began the 2021 season with the Double-A Tulsa Drillers, where he posted a 3–4 record with a 2.87 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and 81 strikeouts over 59 2/3 innings. His strong performance at Tulsa earned him a promotion to the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers, where he made 11 appearances, including nine starts, going 2–5 with a 7.13 ERA.
The contrast between his Double-A and Triple-A results in 2021 reflected the challenges of advancing through professional baseball’s developmental ladder. Despite the difficult adjustment at Oklahoma City, Pepiot’s overall pitch repertoire and strikeout ability kept him firmly within the Dodgers’ long-term plans. By the end of the 2021 season, he had positioned himself for a potential Major League opportunity the following year.
Los Angeles Dodgers Era (2022-2023)
Pepiot began the 2022 season with Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he started 2–0 with a 2.05 ERA across six starts, recording 36 strikeouts. His strong performance earned him a promotion to the Major Leagues on May 11, 2022, when he made his debut as the starting pitcher against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He struck out the first batter he faced, Ben Gamel, for his first MLB strikeout, and pitched three scoreless innings, allowing one hit, one hit batter, and five walks while striking out three. On July 5, 2022, Pepiot earned his first Major League win against the Colorado Rockies, finishing his rookie season with a 3–0 record and 3.47 ERA across nine games, including seven starts.
The 2023 season began with Pepiot expected to claim a spot in the Dodgers’ starting rotation, but a strained left oblique during his final Spring Training start forced him to begin the year on the injured list. After a few minor league rehabilitation starts, he rejoined the Dodgers on August 19, 2023. In his limited time back in the Majors, he made three starts and five bulk relief appearances, finishing the year with a 2–1 record and 2.14 ERA. His time in the Dodgers organization concluded on December 16, 2023, when he was traded, along with Jonny DeLuca, to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Tyler Glasnow and Manuel Margot.
Tampa Bay Rays Era (2024-Present)
Pepiot’s first full season with the Rays in 2024 was highlighted by a memorable achievement on September 18, 2024, when he recorded the 115th immaculate inning in MLB history, and the fourth in Rays history, against the Boston Red Sox. An immaculate inning occurs when a pitcher strikes out all three batters in an inning on nine total pitches, a rare feat that underscored his precision and command on the mound. His performance throughout the season established him as a reliable contributor in the Rays’ pitching staff.
In 2025, Pepiot was named the Rays’ Opening Day starter, pitching six innings and taking a no-decision in a 3–2 victory over the Colorado Rockies. The selection reflected his growing importance to the team’s starting rotation and the organization’s confidence in his abilities. Entering the 2025 campaign, Pepiot continues to develop as a starting pitcher with the opportunity to build on the foundation established in his first full season in Tampa Bay.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Pepiot’s most notable achievements is his 2024 immaculate inning against the Boston Red Sox, a rare accomplishment that placed him in a small group of pitchers in MLB history. His selection as the Rays’ Opening Day starter in 2025 marked another significant milestone, validating his progression from a third-round draft pick to a frontline starter. He also holds the distinction of being the highest-drafted player in Butler University baseball history.
Ryan Pepiot Career Wins
Ryan Pepiot’s career victories are spread across his Major League appearances with both the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Tampa Bay Rays. His first Major League win came on July 5, 2022, against the Colorado Rockies while pitching for the Dodgers, a milestone that validated his long climb through the minor leagues. Since then, he has continued to add to his win total as a member of the Rays’ starting rotation.
Major League Highlights
During his time with the Dodgers, Pepiot compiled a 3–0 record in nine appearances, including seven starts, finishing with a 3.47 ERA in his rookie season of 2022. He followed that with a 2–1 record and 2.14 ERA in 2023 across three starts and five bulk relief appearances before being traded to Tampa Bay. As a member of the Rays’ rotation, he has continued to contribute as a starting pitcher, with his role expanding significantly by 2025.
Minor League Achievements
In the minor leagues, Pepiot posted strong numbers that foreshadowed his Major League success. During the 2019 season, he recorded a 1.93 ERA with 31 strikeouts across 23.1 innings between the Arizona League Dodgers and the Class-A Great Lakes Loons. In 2021, he went 3–4 with a 2.87 ERA for the Double-A Tulsa Drillers, and in 2022, he was 9–1 with a 2.56 ERA in 19 appearances, including 17 starts, for the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers.
Ryan Pepiot Family
Personal Life
Ryan Michael Pepiot was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, growing up in Westfield, Indiana, where he attended Westfield High School. His family supported his multi-sport development throughout his youth, and his athletic background in football, basketball, and baseball helped shape the competitive drive that has defined his professional career. Publicly available details about his immediate family remain limited beyond his upbringing in Indiana.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represents a new chapter for Ryan Pepiot with the Tampa Bay Rays, beginning with his selection as the team’s Opening Day starter against the Colorado Rockies. He pitched six innings in that contest, taking a no-decision in a 3–2 victory and providing a strong tone-setter for the team’s campaign. The decision to name him the Opening Day starter reflects the Rays’ confidence in his development and his importance to the rotation going forward.
Coming off a 2024 season that included his historic immaculate inning against the Boston Red Sox, Pepiot entered 2025 with momentum and a defined role within the organization. His ability to generate strikeouts, a hallmark of his career since his days at Butler University, remains one of his most valuable attributes. As the season progresses, Pepiot’s performance will be a key factor in the Rays’ pursuit of a postseason berth.