Ryan Pressly

For the year, Pressly appeared in 72 games (4th-most in the AL), compiling a 6–7 record with a 3.70 ERA with 67 strikeouts in 75 1⁄3 innings.

Thomas Ryan Pressly (born December 15, 1988) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball (MLB).

He has also played in MLB for the Minnesota Twins.

Originally selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 11th round of the 2007 MLB draft, Pressly was chosen by the Minnesota Twins in the 2012 Rule 5 draft, and made his MLB debut with the Twins in 2013.

The Boston Red Sox selected Pressly in the 11th round, 354th overall, of the 2007 MLB draft.

He signed with Boston for a $100,000 bonus rather than attend college.

Initially working as a starting pitcher in the Red Sox' in minor league system, he converted to a relief pitcher in 2012.

In his first season as a relief pitcher for the Portland Sea Dogs of the Class AA Eastern League, he compiled a 2.93 earned run average (ERA) with 21 strikeouts in 27 2⁄3 innings pitched (IP).

After the 2012 season, the Minnesota Twins selected Pressly from the Red Sox in the Rule 5 draft.

Pressly made the Twins' Opening Day roster.

He made his major league debut on April 4, pitching a scoreless inning, in which he struck out Torii Hunter.

Pressly appeared in 49 games, going 3–3 with 3.87 ERA and 49 strikeouts in 76 2⁄3 innings of work.

In 2014, Pressly began the season with the Rochester Red Wings, the Twins Triple-A affiliate, before being called up on July 23.

He made 25 relief appearances, going 2–0 with a 2.86 ERA.

To start the 2015 season, Pressly once again began with Rochester, before being recalled on April 28.

On July 4, Pressly suffered a lat muscle strain, putting him on the 15-day disabled list, and after suffering a setback during rehab on August 17, Pressly was ruled out for the remainder of the year.

On the season, Pressly made 27 appearances, going 3–2 with a 2.93 ERA.

In 2016, Pressly was primarily used as a middle reliever and setup man.

On July 31, Pressly recorded his first major league save in a 6–4 win against the Chicago White Sox.

In 2017, Pressly remained a middle reliever and setup man.

However, through the first 3 months of the season, he struggled, going 1–2 with a 9.50 ERA in just 18 innings.

Due to his struggles, Pressly was optioned to the minors on June 6, and was recalled on June 29.

After his recall from the minors, Pressly returned to his prior form, compiling a 1–1 with a 2.75 ERA with 35 strikeouts in 39 1⁄3 innings.

For the season, he was 2–3 with a 4.70 ERA in 57 relief appearances.

The Twins traded Pressly to Houston in 2018, where he serves as the team's closer.

In 2019, he set a major league record for consecutive scoreless appearances, with 40.

He was an MLB All-Star in 2019 and 2021.

During the Astros' World Series championship season in 2022, Pressly closed out two combined no-hitters, including Game 4 of the World Series, just the second no-hitter in World Series history.

He became the first relief pitcher in baseball history to be a part of two combined no-hitters and just the second pitcher to be involved in multiple combined no-hitters after Cristian Javier, his teammate who had started each of the no-hitters.

In the postseason, Pressly has thirteen saves (all with Houston, a club record), which is fourth most in MLB history.

Pressly was born in Dallas and raised in Irving, Texas.

His grandfather, Tito Nicholas, was a personal friend of Tom Landry, the former coach of the Dallas Cowboys.

Pressly trained in baseball from a young age, and was coached by retired Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher Steve Busby.

Pressly attended American Heritage Academy in Carrollton, Texas, for his first three years of high school.

He starred as a pitcher and shortstop for the school's baseball team, leading the conference in 23 different offensive categories.

In addition to baseball, Pressly played American football as a defensive back.

During a football game, he tore the anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament in his left knee when he was tackled following an interception.

His knee required surgery, ending his football career and jeopardizing his baseball career.

As American Heritage considered ending its baseball program, Pressly transferred to Edward S. Marcus High School in Flower Mound, Texas, for his senior year.

Pressly committed to attend Texas Tech University after receiving a scholarship to play college baseball for the Red Raiders team.