Dustin May Bio
Dustin Jake May (born September 6, 1997) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox. May was selected by the Dodgers in the third round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft and made his MLB debut in 2019. The Dodgers won the World Series with him in 2020.
Early Life and Background
Dustin May graduated from Northwest High School in Justin, Texas. He was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third round of the 2016 Major League Baseball Draft. Although he was committed to play college baseball for the Texas Tech Red Raiders, he chose to sign with the Dodgers for a $1 million signing bonus, forgoing his commitment to college baseball.
Path to Baseball
After signing, May made his professional debut with the Arizona League Dodgers, spending the entire season there, posting an 0-1 record with a 3.86 earned run average (ERA) and 34 strikeouts in 30.2 innings pitched. In 2017, he played for both the Great Lakes Loons and the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, compiling a combined 9-6 record, 3.63 ERA, and a 1.15 WHIP in 25 games (24 starts) between the two clubs. May was selected to the postseason California League All-Star team in 2018, and he started the Drillers’ title-clinching playoff game, allowing two runs in five innings.
Dustin May Career
Early Career (2019-2020)
May began 2019 with the Tulsa Drillers and was selected to the mid-season Texas League All-Star Game and the All-Star Futures Game. He was promoted to the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers on June 27, 2019. He was called up to the majors on August 2, 2019, and made his major league debut for the Dodgers as the starting pitcher against the San Diego Padres, pitching 5.2 innings and allowing four runs (three earned) on nine hits with three strikeouts. He finished the season appearing in 14 games for the Dodgers, with a 2–3 record, a 3.63 ERA, and 32 strikeouts with only five walks.
Breakthrough (2020)
In the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, May was selected to start for the Dodgers on Opening Day after Clayton Kershaw was injured. He became the youngest Opening Day starter for the Dodgers since Fernando Valenzuela in 1981. May finished the season with a 3–1 record and a 2.57 ERA in 56 innings, and his 99.1 mph average four-seam fastball was the fastest of any major league pitcher for the 2020 season. He pitched in two games of the 2020 World Series, working three total innings and allowing three runs to score on five hits.
Notable Works and Milestones
Dustin May’s signature work includes being part of the 2020 World Series champion team. He has achieved a notable career milestone with a win-loss record of 19-20 and an earned run average of 3.86 through the 2025 season.
Dustin May Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Dustin May has been recognized for his contributions to the game, including his selection to various All-Star games and his performance in the postseason.
Dustin May Awards Won
Dustin May is a World Series champion, having won the title with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020.
Dustin May Family
Dustin May is married to Amelia “Millie” Trautner, with their wedding taking place on December 27, 2022.
Personal Life
May is nicknamed “Gingergaard” after pitcher and former teammate Noah Syndergaard, due to his profile and appearance, as well as his red hair. On July 10, 2024, May experienced a near-fatal choking incident during dinner, which required emergency surgery to repair a tear in his esophagus. He credited his wife for saving his life during this incident.
