Garrett Cleavinger Bio
Garrett J. Cleavinger, born on April 23, 1994, is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball (MLB). A left-handed relief pitcher, he has spent time in the major leagues with the Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Tampa Bay Rays, building a career as a dependable bullpen arm since debuting in 2020.
Over the course of his professional journey, Cleavinger has progressed from a third-round draft pick to a seasoned MLB reliever, contributing in middle relief and setup roles while showcasing a strong strikeout profile. His path through the minors and majors has included trades, injuries, and comebacks, all of which have shaped his reputation as a resilient and crafty pitcher.
Early Life and Background
Garrett J. Cleavinger grew up in Lawrence, Kansas, and attended Lawrence High School, where he graduated in 2012. As a senior, he distinguished himself as one of the top high school players in the state, earning first-team all-state honors, first-team All-Sunflower League recognition, first-team all-area selection, and Player of the Year accolades. He was also named a Central Region All-American by Perfect Game, signaling his status as one of the premier pitching prospects in the region.
Coming out of high school, Cleavinger was regarded as a talented and projectable arm, and he chose to continue his baseball career at the collegiate level rather than turn professional immediately. His high school success laid the groundwork for what would become a standout college career in the Pac-12 Conference.
Path to Baseball
Cleavinger attended the University of Oregon, where he played college baseball for the Oregon Ducks and developed into one of the most dominant closers in program history. As a freshman in 2013, he posted a 9–0 record with a 1.24 ERA, the second-best mark in the Pac-12 Conference, along with two saves in 37 relief appearances. He set Oregon freshman records for appearances and earned run average while holding opposing batters to a .137 average, the lowest single-season mark by an Oregon pitcher in school history. For his efforts, he was named a freshman All-American by Louisville Slugger and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.
He continued to excel in 2014 and 2015, serving as the Ducks’ closer and consistently ranking among the conference leaders in strikeouts and ERA. During the summers of 2013 and 2014, Cleavinger played collegiate summer baseball with the Falmouth Commodores of the Cape Cod Baseball League, gaining valuable experience against top amateur competition. His college performance drew the attention of MLB scouts, and the Baltimore Orioles selected him in the third round of the 2015 MLB draft.
Garrett Cleavinger Career
Early Career (2015–2019)
Cleavinger began his professional career in 2015 with the Aberdeen IronBirds, the Orioles’ short-season affiliate, where he posted a 6–1 record with a 2.19 ERA in 19 games. In 2016, he split the season between the Delmarva Shorebirds and the Frederick Keys, combining to go 7–3 with a 3.07 ERA in a career-high 76 and one-third innings pitched, earning Mid-Season All-Star honors in the South Atlantic League. He started 2017 with the Bowie Baysox before being traded to the Philadelphia Phillies organization.
On July 28, 2017, the Orioles traded Cleavinger and Hyun-soo Kim to the Phillies in exchange for pitcher Jeremy Hellickson. After the trade, he was assigned to the Reading Fightin Phils. Between Bowie and Reading in 2017, Cleavinger posted a 2–5 record with a 6.00 ERA. He experienced struggles in 2018 and 2019, including a 7.43 ERA in 2018, but rebounded in 2019 with a 3–2 record and a 4.35 ERA at Reading, leading the Eastern League in strikeouts per nine innings at 14.5. Following the 2019 season, the Phillies added him to their 40-man roster.
Philadelphia Phillies and MLB Debut (2020)
Cleavinger was first called up by the Phillies on September 8, 2020, but was sent back down without pitching. He was promoted again on September 15, and on September 17, 2020, he made his MLB debut against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park, marking the realization of a lifelong dream and the culmination of five years in the minor leagues.
Los Angeles Dodgers Era (2021–2022)
On December 29, 2020, Cleavinger was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers as part of a three-team deal that sent José Alvarado to the Phillies and minor leaguer Dillon Paulson to the Tampa Bay Rays. In 2021, he appeared in 22 games for the Dodgers, posting a 2–4 record with a 3.00 ERA, and on May 11, 2021, he recorded his first career major league victory against the Seattle Mariners. His time in Los Angeles helped him refine his approach against big-league hitters.
Tampa Bay Rays Era (2022–Present)
On August 1, 2022, Cleavinger was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for minor leaguer German Tapia. He logged 13 appearances for Tampa Bay to close out the year, posting a 2.41 ERA with 25 strikeouts in 18 and two-thirds innings pitched. In 2023, he worked out of the bullpen in 15 games, recording a 3.00 ERA with 14 strikeouts in 12 innings, but his season was cut short on May 7 when he suffered a torn ACL while tagging out Aaron Hicks of the New York Yankees in a rundown. The injury required surgery and ended his 2023 campaign, but Cleavinger worked his way back to rejoin the Rays’ bullpen in subsequent seasons.
Driving Style and Strengths
Cleavinger relies on a strong strikeout profile, consistently ranking among the leaders in his leagues in strikeouts per nine innings throughout his career, both in college and the minors. His college rate of 14.9 strikeouts per nine innings in 2015 led the Pac-12 Conference, and he carried that swing-and-miss ability into professional baseball. As a left-handed reliever, he has served in setup and middle relief roles, relying on deception and command rather than overpowering velocity to neutralize opposing hitters.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Cleavinger’s career are his MLB debut on September 17, 2020, against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park, and his first major league win on May 11, 2021, against the Seattle Mariners as a member of the Dodgers. His standout 2013 freshman season at Oregon, during which he set multiple school records, also stands out as a milestone that launched his professional trajectory.
Garrett Cleavinger Career Wins
Garrett Cleavinger’s major league victory total reflects a career built on consistent relief appearances across three organizations. Through his time with the Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Tampa Bay Rays, he has accumulated wins primarily in middle relief, with his first career MLB victory coming on May 11, 2021, against the Seattle Mariners while pitching for the Dodgers.
MLB Highlights
In 2021 with the Dodgers, Cleavinger appeared in 22 games and posted a 2–4 record with a 3.00 ERA, marking his first full major league season of consistent work. He has continued to add to his win total as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays bullpen, contributing in setup roles and providing reliable innings for one of the most analytically driven organizations in baseball.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond the major leagues, Cleavinger compiled a strong minor league resume, including a 6–1 record with a 2.19 ERA in 19 games for the Aberdeen IronBirds in 2015 and a combined 7–3 mark with a 3.07 ERA between Delmarva and Frederick in 2016, the latter earning him South Atlantic League Mid-Season All-Star honors.
Garrett Cleavinger Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Garrett Cleavinger comes from a family with ties to professional baseball through his uncle, Matt McWilliams, who played in the Atlanta Braves organization. This family connection to the sport helped shape Cleavinger’s early interest in pitching and contributed to his development as a professional player.
Personal Life
Cleavinger maintains a relatively private personal life away from baseball. His journey from Lawrence, Kansas, to the major leagues has been supported by his family, including the influence of his uncle’s professional career, which provided an early model for what a career in baseball could look like.
2025 Season Performance
Garrett Cleavinger entered the 2025 season looking to build on his recovery from the torn ACL that ended his 2023 campaign and to reestablish himself as a reliable left-handed option in the Tampa Bay Rays bullpen. Coming off a successful return to health, he has aimed to provide steady middle innings for a Rays team known for its analytics-driven approach to pitching usage.
Through the early portion of the 2025 season, Cleavinger has continued to pitch in relief roles, leveraging the strikeout ability that has defined his career. His veteran presence in the bullpen offers the Rays flexibility in matchups, particularly against left-handed power hitters, and he remains a key part of the team’s relief depth.
Looking ahead, Cleavinger’s outlook for the remainder of 2025 centers on maintaining his health, limiting baserunners, and contributing to Tampa Bay’s bullpen stability as the team competes in a competitive American League East. His track record of bouncing back from adversity suggests he will remain a valuable asset for the Rays in the closing months of the season.
