Ryan Rolison Bio
Ryan Perry Rolison (born July 11, 1997) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Colorado Rockies. A former first-round draft pick, Rolison played college baseball for the Ole Miss Rebels before beginning his professional career in 2018. He made his MLB debut with the Rockies in 2025.
A left-handed pitcher from Jackson, Tennessee, Rolison reached the majors after navigating injuries and multiple minor-league levels. His journey through amateur and professional baseball included standout seasons in high school, a strong college career at the University of Mississippi, and steady development across the Rockies’ farm system.
Early Life and Background
Ryan Perry Rolison was born on July 11, 1997, in Jackson, Tennessee. He grew up and attended University School of Jackson, where he graduated and developed into one of the top high school pitching prospects in the state. His early baseball experience laid the foundation for what would become a promising professional career.
As a junior at University School of Jackson, Rolison compiled a 0.74 ERA with 104 strikeouts, establishing himself as a dominant prep pitcher. In his senior season, he went 9–0 in nine starts, striking out 108 batters in 58 innings while allowing only three runs and ten hits. His performance that year earned him the title of Tennessee’s DII-A Mr. Baseball. His success drew attention from Major League Baseball scouts, leading to his selection by the San Diego Padres in the 37th round of the 2016 MLB draft, though he did not sign.
Instead of turning professional out of high school, Rolison chose to enroll at the University of Mississippi, where he continued to develop his skills on a larger stage. This decision allowed him to refine his craft against top college competition before entering the professional ranks.
Path to Professional Baseball
Rolison began his college career at Ole Miss in 2017, initially working out of the bullpen before transitioning into the starting rotation. In 19 games, including ten starts, he posted a 6–3 record with a 3.06 ERA, holding opposing batters to a .242 average. His strong freshman campaign earned him a spot on the SEC All-Freshman team as well as freshman All-American honors.
Following his freshman year, Rolison played for the Orleans Firebirds of the Cape Cod Baseball League, a prestigious summer collegiate league. There, he went 4–0 with a 1.92 ERA and was named a league all-star. Heading into his sophomore season, he was recognized as a First Team Preseason All-American, underscoring his status as one of the top college pitchers in the country. As a sophomore in 2018, Rolison posted a 10–4 record over 17 appearances (16 starts) with a 3.70 ERA and 120 strikeouts, further cementing his draft stock.
Ryan Rolison Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
The Colorado Rockies selected Rolison in the first round, with the 22nd overall pick, in the 2018 MLB draft. He signed with the team for a $2.9 million signing bonus and made his professional debut with the Grand Junction Rockies of the Rookie-level Pioneer League. In nine starts that season, he compiled a 0–1 record with a 1.86 ERA and a 0.79 WHIP, showing promise despite the lack of a win.
Rolison began 2019 with the Asheville Tourists of the Single-A South Atlantic League. After going 2–1 with a 0.69 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 14 2⁄3 innings, he was promoted to the Lancaster JetHawks of the High-A California League. With Lancaster, he was selected to participate in the All-Star Game as part of the South Division team. Over 22 starts with the JetHawks, Rolison went 6–7 with a 4.87 ERA, striking out 118 batters over 116 1⁄3 innings.
Minor League Development (2021–2024)
Rolison did not play in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. He began 2021 with the Hartford Yard Goats of the Double-A Northeast, and after going 2–1 with a 3.07 ERA over three starts, he was promoted to the Albuquerque Isotopes of the Triple-A West. His season was interrupted in June when he had his appendix removed and later broke a bone in his left hand while fielding balls, though he was activated later that same month. Over ten starts with the Isotopes, he went 2–2 with a 5.91 ERA. Following the season, he played in the Dominican Professional Baseball League for the Tigres del Licey.
On November 19, 2021, the Rockies selected Rolison’s contract and added him to their 40-man roster. He opened 2022 on the injured list with a shoulder injury and underwent surgery in June, causing him to miss the entire season. In 2023, he was placed on the 60-day injured list before rehabbing with the Single-A Fresno Grizzlies. He was activated and optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque but landed back on the injured list multiple times. After the 2023 season, Rolison was removed from the 40-man roster. In 2024, he pitched primarily out of the bullpen, splitting time between the Arizona Complex League Rockies, High-A Spokane Indians, and Albuquerque, compiling a 2–3 record and 4.47 ERA across 29 appearances.
MLB Debut and Rockies Tenure (2025)
Rolison began 2025 back with Albuquerque, recording a 3–1 record and 3.72 ERA with 23 strikeouts over his first 12 games. On May 11, 2025, he was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time. On August 16, 2025, Rolison recorded his first career win, tossing a scoreless inning of relief against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He made 31 appearances for the Rockies during his rookie campaign, but struggled to a 7.02 ERA with 25 strikeouts across 42 1⁄3 innings. On November 18, Rolison was designated for assignment by Colorado.
Chicago White Sox Era (2025–Present)
On November 19, 2025, Rolison was traded to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for cash considerations. He was designated for assignment by the Braves on December 11 following the signing of Robert Suárez. The next day, Rolison was claimed off waivers by the Chicago White Sox. He was later designated for assignment by Chicago on December 23 after the signing of Sean Newcomb, though he remains within the organization as he continues his professional career.
Ryan Rolison Career Wins
Rolison’s first MLB win came on August 16, 2025, when he tossed a scoreless inning of relief against the Arizona Diamondbacks as a member of the Colorado Rockies. It was a milestone moment in his rookie major-league season, marking the culmination of a long development path through the minor leagues.
Ryan Rolison Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Ryan Perry Rolison was raised in Jackson, Tennessee, where he attended University School of Jackson and developed his baseball skills. The same night he was selected by the Rockies in the 2018 draft, controversy emerged after a tweet he had posted in 2012 resurfaced, in which he wrote about the 2012 United States presidential election. Rolison later apologized publicly, stating that he had no idea what he was talking about and that it was immature of him to post such a message.
2025 Season Performance
Ryan Perry Rolison’s 2025 season represented his first taste of Major League Baseball. He opened the year in Triple-A Albuquerque before earning a promotion to the Rockies on May 11, 2025. He went on to make 31 appearances for Colorado, including his first career MLB win on August 16 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. However, his overall numbers reflected the challenges of a rookie campaign, as he posted a 7.02 ERA with 25 strikeouts across 42 1⁄3 innings of relief work.
Following the conclusion of the season, Rolison’s roster status changed quickly. He was designated for assignment by the Rockies on November 18, traded to the Atlanta Braves the next day, and designated for assignment again on December 11 after the Braves signed Robert Suárez. He was claimed off waivers by the Chicago White Sox on December 12, only to be designated for assignment once more on December 23 following Chicago’s signing of Sean Newcomb. The rapid sequence of transactions highlighted the uncertainty of his status, though he remains affiliated with the White Sox organization as the offseason progresses.