Ben Casparius Bio
Benjamin Keith Casparius, born on February 11, 1999, is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). The right-hander emerged as a reliable bullpen arm for Los Angeles and contributed to the franchise’s World Series championship in 2024. Known for his poise on the mound and his steady rise through the minor leagues, Casparius has become a notable part of the Dodgers’ pitching depth.
A former two-way player in college, Casparius transitioned to a full-time pitching role and refined his craft across multiple levels of professional baseball. His combination of competitive drive and durability has helped him carve out a role at the highest level of the sport.
Early Life and Background
Benjamin Keith Casparius grew up in Connecticut and attended Staples High School in Westport, where he quickly established himself as one of the most talented young athletes in the region. As a high school player, he set the state’s all-time hits record, a remarkable achievement that highlighted his rare ability to contribute both at the plate and on the mound. He led Staples to a state title in 2017 and was recognized as the Connecticut Gatorade Player of the Year for his outstanding play.
Casparius’s dual-threat profile as a position player and pitcher drew attention from college programs across the country. His success in high school laid the foundation for his future in baseball and helped shape his understanding of the game from multiple perspectives.
Path to Baseball
After high school, Casparius enrolled at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he played college baseball for two seasons. As a freshman, he served as a two-way player, posting a 1.69 ERA in 10 pitching appearances while also collecting 18 hits and 15 RBI at the plate. His efforts helped the Tar Heels reach the College World Series, providing him with early exposure to high-level competition.
The following season, Casparius struggled offensively, and the North Carolina coaching staff asked him to focus on pitching. He delivered a 4.41 ERA across 12 outings before spending the summer playing collegiate baseball for the Falmouth Commodores in the Cape Cod League and another stint in the New England Collegiate Baseball League. In 2020, he transferred to the University of Connecticut Huskies but was forced to sit out his junior year after being denied a waiver. With the college season canceled by the COVID-19 pandemic, he played for the New Britain Bees of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League instead.
In 2021, Casparius returned to the Huskies and started 15 games, going 8-5 with a 4.03 ERA. His performance caught the attention of MLB scouts, and he was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fifth round of the 2021 MLB Draft, signing for a $247,500 bonus on July 26.
Ben Casparius Career
Early Career (2021-2023)
Ben Casparius began his professional career in 2021, splitting time between the Arizona Complex League Dodgers and the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. He pitched in five games and allowed only two earned runs in six innings, demonstrating impressive control for a young arm. The following season, he advanced to the Great Lakes Loons in addition to Rancho Cucamonga, logging 89 2/3 innings across 27 games with 16 starts while posting a 6.42 ERA.
In 2023, Casparius pitched for both Great Lakes and the Tulsa Drillers, appearing in 26 games with 21 starts and finishing 6-7 with a 5.27 ERA. After the season, he joined the Glendale Desert Dogs of the Arizona Fall League, an important developmental step for top prospects looking to refine their skills against advanced competition.
Los Angeles Dodgers (2024-Present)
Ben Casparius opened 2024 with Tulsa and made five starts while posting a 3.32 ERA, earning a promotion to the Triple-A Oklahoma City Baseball Club. With Oklahoma City, he went 4-3 with a 3.36 ERA and recorded 72 strikeouts in 16 games, including 14 starts, cementing his status as one of the Dodgers’ top pitching prospects.
Casparius was promoted to the major leagues for the first time on August 18, 2024, and was optioned back to Oklahoma City three days later without appearing in a game. He returned to the majors on August 31 and made his MLB debut in relief against the Arizona Diamondbacks, working a scoreless inning to earn his first career win. He recorded his first career strikeout on September 22, fanning Nolan Jones of the Colorado Rockies. In three appearances during his debut season, he logged 8 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on nine hits with 12 strikeouts and two wins.
Although initially left off the Dodgers’ postseason roster, Casparius was added during the Division Series after Michael Grove suffered an injury. He appeared in 4 1/3 scoreless innings in the National League Championship Series, picking up the win in the clinching Game 6. In the 2024 World Series against the New York Yankees, Casparius started Game 4, allowing one run on one hit and three walks in two innings. The Dodgers won the series in five games, giving Casparius a World Series championship ring in his first year in the majors.
In 2025, Casparius made the Dodgers’ opening day roster and became an important member of the bullpen, providing length when needed. In June, with several pitchers dealing with injuries, he was moved into the starting rotation, though he eventually returned to the bullpen a month later. He was optioned back to the minors on September 9, finishing the year with a 7-5 record and a 4.64 ERA with 71 strikeouts in 46 games. He was on the active roster for the 2025 NLCS but did not appear in any postseason games.
Driving Style and Strengths
Casparius is recognized for his poise on the mound and his ability to handle high-pressure situations, qualities that helped him thrive in a championship environment. His versatility allows him to function effectively in both relief and starting roles, and he has shown a willingness to attack hitters with confidence regardless of the leverage.
Notable Events and Milestones
Casparius’s most memorable early moment came during the 2024 postseason, when he delivered scoreless innings in the NLCS and started a World Series game as a rookie. His MLB debut win against the Diamondbacks and his first career strikeout of Nolan Jones stand as personal milestones in his young career.
Ben Casparius Career Wins
Across his MLB career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Ben Casparius has accumulated wins in both regular-season and postseason play. His ability to contribute in high-leverage situations has made him a dependable option for the Dodgers’ pitching staff.
Los Angeles Dodgers Highlights
Casparius recorded his first MLB win in his debut appearance on August 31, 2024, against the Arizona Diamondbacks, working a scoreless inning of relief. He finished his debut season with two regular-season wins and added another in the NLCS clincher against the New York Mets. In 2025, he posted a 7-5 regular-season record while serving in both starting and relief roles.
Ben Casparius Family
Personal Life
Ben Casparius has been in a relationship with Erin Matson, the head coach of the North Carolina field hockey program. The couple has been supportive of each other’s athletic careers, with Casparius navigating the demands of professional baseball while Matson leads one of the top college field hockey programs in the country.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked Ben Casparius’s first full year in the major leagues, as he made the Dodgers’ opening day roster and served as a key member of the bullpen. He logged 46 appearances and finished with a 7-5 record and a 4.64 ERA, striking out 71 batters in the process. When injuries hit the Dodgers’ rotation in June, he was shifted into a starting role before eventually returning to relief work a month later.
He was optioned back to the minors on September 9 and made five appearances for Triple-A Oklahoma City, allowing two runs across 5 1/3 innings. He was on the active roster for the 2025 NLCS but did not see action during the Dodgers’ postseason run.
On May 18, 2026, Casparius was transferred to the 60-day injured list after previously missing a month due to shoulder inflammation, putting his availability in question heading into the summer months.
