Tayler Saucedo Bio
Tayler Andrew Saucedo (born June 18, 1993) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners. He stands 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 185 pounds, a tall left-handed presence on the mound who has spent most of his big-league career working as a reliever. Saucedo was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 21st round of the 2015 MLB draft and made his MLB debut with them in 2021.
Early Life and Background
Saucedo was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to mother Tanya and father Andy. He is of Mexican descent. Because his father served in the Marines, the family moved often during his childhood, with stops in Hawaii, Japan, Seattle, and Texas. It was during his time living in Japan that Saucedo was first introduced to baseball.
As a child, Saucedo was drawn to pitching and would face older kids in informal games. His father was required to sign a waiver so that he could pitch against 12-year-olds. In middle school, Saucedo was selected for the Little League All Stars. He later attended Tahoma High School in Maple Valley, Washington, where he played varsity baseball.
Path to Baseball
At Tahoma High School, Saucedo was originally cut from the team in 10th grade and failed to record a single win in his junior season. He later said his lack of confidence was a key factor. He bounced back as a senior, going 7–1 and leading the Bears to a South Puget Sound League North Division title. He was named to the 2011 Washington State Baseball Coaches Association Class 4A All-State second team and the 2011 South Puget Sound League All-North Division first team.
Because of poor grades, Saucedo began his college career at Tacoma Community College, where he pitched in six games in 2012 before dropping out. He sat out the 2013 college season but was named a Top 200 Junior College Prospect and played that summer for the Martinsville Mustangs of the Coastal Plain League. He then played for the Tennessee Wesleyan Bulldogs in 2014 and 2015. In April 2015, he earned Appalachian Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week honors after throwing a complete-game, one-hit shutout. He improved from a 6.34 ERA in 2014 to a 5–2 record and 1.96 ERA in 16 games in 2015.
Tayler Saucedo Career
Early Career (2015–2017)
The Toronto Blue Jays selected Saucedo in the 21st round, 632nd overall, of the 2015 MLB draft. He made his professional debut that summer with the Bluefield Blue Jays of the Rookie Appalachian League, then moved up to the Low-A Vancouver Canadians, where he posted a 4–2 record and 2.48 ERA in 13 games. He spent 2016 with the Single-A Lansing Lugnuts, going 8–11 with a 5.91 ERA and recording his only professional shutout on June 25, 2016, against the West Michigan Whitecaps.
Saucedo split 2017 between Lansing and the High-A Dunedin Blue Jays, finishing 5–3 with a 4.48 ERA in 33 appearances. After the American season, he played winter ball for the Canberra Cavalry in the Australian Baseball League.
Minor League Progression (2018–2020)
Saucedo began 2018 in Dunedin and was promoted at the end of June to the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Working full-time as a starter, he went 10–9 with a 4.21 ERA in 26 games and helped New Hampshire win the 2018 Eastern League title. In 2019, he moved from New Hampshire to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, posting an 8–2 record and 3.61 ERA with 69 strikeouts in 82+1⁄3 innings across 36 appearances, with most of his work coming in relief.
Saucedo did not play in a game in 2020 after the minor league season was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He continued to train but later said that the lack of regular baseball activity worsened his mental health.
Toronto Blue Jays Era (2021–2022)
Saucedo reached the majors in 2021 but shuttled between Buffalo and Toronto, being optioned and recalled several times. He made his MLB debut on June 17, 2021, his 28th birthday, throwing a scoreless inning of relief against the New York Yankees and notching his first career strikeout against Miguel Andújar. He appeared in 29 games for Toronto as a rookie, going 0–0 with a 4.56 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 25+2⁄3 innings, while holding left-handed batters to a .411 OPS.
In 2022, Saucedo pitched in relief on Opening Day for the Blue Jays, entering in the first inning and allowing a home run and a double in 1+2⁄3 innings. He hurt his right hip while fielding a ground ball on April 29 and went on the injured list, eventually being moved to the 60-day IL on June 29. He appeared 18 times for Buffalo on a rehab assignment with a 2.76 ERA but did not return to Toronto. On November 9, 2022, he was claimed off waivers by the New York Mets, then designated for assignment on January 24, 2023, after the Mets signed Tommy Pham.
Seattle Mariners Era (2023–2025)
On January 31, 2023, Saucedo was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Mariners. He began the year at Triple-A Tacoma but was recalled on April 18 and spent the rest of the season in the majors, appearing in 52 games with a 3–2 record, one save, and a 3.59 ERA. He matched that production in 2024, going 2–0 with three saves and a 3.49 ERA in 53 games. With Seattle, Saucedo shifted his second pitch from a slider to a changeup and added more sweepers that moved horizontally.
Saucedo made 10 appearances for Seattle in 2025 but struggled to a 7.43 ERA with 12 strikeouts across 13+1⁄3 innings. On November 18, 2025, he was designated for assignment by the Mariners following the acquisition of Alex Hoppe. On November 21, 2025, he was non-tendered by Seattle and became a free agent.
Driving Style and Strengths
Saucedo is a tall left-handed reliever who has thrived in platoon matchups, holding left-handed batters to a .411 OPS in his rookie season and continuing to be deployed heavily against same-side hitters in Seattle. He has built his craft around his fastball, changeup, curveball, and increasingly a sweeper that moves more horizontally than his old slider.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones include his MLB debut on June 17, 2021, against the Yankees, his first career strikeout of Miguel Andújar, his role in New Hampshire’s 2018 Eastern League title, and his strong 2023 and 2024 seasons in Seattle’s bullpen.
Tayler Saucedo Career Wins
Across his major league career, Tayler Saucedo has posted a 5–2 record in 117 MLB appearances with the Blue Jays and Mariners through 2024, and went 0–0 with a 4.56 ERA in 29 games in his 2021 rookie year. His wins have come primarily out of the bullpen, with Seattle using him as a trusted left-handed matchup reliever.
MLB Highlights
Saucedo’s first major league win came during the 2023 season with the Seattle Mariners, when he finished 3–2 in 52 appearances. He added two more wins in 2024, finishing 2–0 with three saves in 53 games.
Tayler Saucedo Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Saucedo was born to mother Tanya and father Andy, and is of Mexican descent. Because his father served in the Marines, the family moved frequently during his childhood, including time in Hawaii, Japan, Seattle, and Texas. He has known his stepfather Steve Honn since he was seven years old.