Jake Woodford Bio
Jacob Robert Woodford, known professionally as Jake Woodford, is an American professional baseball pitcher. Born on October 28, 1996, in Tampa, Florida, he has built a career across Major League Baseball, appearing for multiple organizations since his debut in 2020. He currently plays within the Tampa Bay Rays system after spending time with several clubs throughout his career.
Drafted out of high school in the first round of the 2015 MLB Draft, Woodford began his journey as a highly regarded prospect in the St. Louis Cardinals organization. Over the years, he has transitioned between starting and relief roles, demonstrating his versatility on the mound. His journey through affiliated baseball has taken him to the Cardinals, Chicago White Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, Arizona Diamondbacks, and the Milwaukee Brewers organization.
Early Life and Background
Jake Woodford was born and raised in Tampa, Florida, where he attended Plant High School. Growing up in a region known for its strong baseball culture, he developed his skills playing alongside future major leaguers, including Kyle Tucker. His time at Plant helped shape his early identity as a competitive pitcher with a promising future in the sport.
During his senior year at Plant High School, Woodford posted an impressive 7–0 record with a 0.67 ERA, establishing himself as one of the top high school pitchers in the country. His performance on the mound drew attention from professional scouts and college programs alike. He had committed to the University of Florida to play college baseball, signaling his intent to continue his development at the collegiate level.
Path to Professional Baseball
Woodford’s path to professional baseball took a significant turn when the St. Louis Cardinals selected him with the 39th overall pick in the 2015 Major League Baseball draft. Rather than honor his commitment to the University of Florida, he chose to sign with the Cardinals and begin his professional career. This decision marked the start of his journey through the minor league system.
He made his professional debut with the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Cardinals in 2015, where he pitched to a 1–0 record and a 2.39 ERA in eight games. The following year, he advanced to the Peoria Chiefs, where he was named a Midwest League All-Star and posted a 5–5 record with a 3.31 ERA and 82 strikeouts in 21 starts. By 2017, he continued his ascent with the Palm Beach Cardinals, going 7–6 with a 3.10 ERA across 23 games.
Jake Woodford Career
Early Career (2015–2019)
Woodford spent his first full professional season with the Peoria Chiefs in 2016, earning Midwest League All-Star honors and demonstrating his potential as a starting pitcher. He followed that with a solid 2017 campaign at Palm Beach, where he continued to log innings and refine his craft. Each step up the minor league ladder brought new challenges, and Woodford met them with consistency and durability.
In 2018, he opened the year with the Springfield Cardinals, earning Texas League All-Star recognition before earning a midseason promotion to the Memphis Redbirds. After a 2019 season in which he was named a Pacific Coast League All-Star and posted a 9–8 record with a 4.15 ERA over 26 starts, the Cardinals added him to their 40-man roster. This protected status reflected the organization’s belief in his long-term potential.
St. Louis Cardinals Era (2020–2023)
On July 28, 2020, Woodford was promoted to the major leagues, and on August 15, he made his MLB debut against the Chicago White Sox. In that appearance, he pitched three innings, surrendered one earned run, and struck out three batters. He closed out the shortened 2020 season with a 1–0 record, a 5.57 ERA, and 16 strikeouts across 21 innings.
The 2021 season saw him work primarily as a reliever while also making eight starts in the second half, finishing 3–4 with a 3.99 ERA and 50 strikeouts over 67⅔ innings. In 2022, he shuttled between Memphis and St. Louis, ultimately posting a 4–0 record with a 2.23 ERA in 27 big-league appearances. On November 17, 2023, Woodford was non-tendered by the Cardinals, ending his tenure with the organization that drafted him.
Chicago White Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates (2024)
Woodford signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox on January 10, 2024. After recording a 5.26 ERA with 42 strikeouts across 49⅔ innings for Triple-A Charlotte, he was selected to the active roster on May 28 following an injury to Mike Clevinger. In two starts for Chicago, he struggled, surrendering 10 runs on 15 hits across 8⅓ innings before being designated for assignment on June 7.
He quickly caught on with the Pittsburgh Pirates, signing a minor league deal on June 10, 2024. After a strong showing at Indianapolis, where he posted a 2.29 ERA in seven starts, he was selected to the major league roster on July 30. However, in six appearances for Pittsburgh, he went 0–4 with a 6.95 ERA. He was designated for assignment on August 26, elected free agency, and later returned to the Pirates on a minor league contract in September before being designated for assignment again.
Arizona Diamondbacks and Recent Stops (2025)
After brief stints on minor league deals with the Colorado Rockies, New York Yankees, and Chicago Cubs in early 2025, Woodford signed a major league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks on July 2, 2025. He appeared in 22 relief outings for Arizona, compiling an 0–4 record and a 6.44 ERA with 23 strikeouts and three saves across 36⅓ innings. On September 21, he was designated for assignment following the promotion of Austin Pope, cleared waivers, and elected free agency on October 1.
Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers Era (2025–Present)
On November 21, 2025, Woodford signed a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays that included an invitation to major league spring training. On March 24, 2026, he was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for K. C. Hunt and added to Milwaukee’s 40-man roster. He made 16 appearances for the Brewers, struggling to a 6.94 ERA with 20 strikeouts and one save across 23⅓ innings pitched before being designated for assignment on June 5. He cleared waivers, elected free agency on June 8, and re-signed with Milwaukee on a minor league deal the following day.
Notable Events and Milestones
Woodford’s most memorable major league moment came on August 15, 2020, when he debuted against the Chicago White Sox and recorded three strikeouts in three innings. His 4–0 record with a 2.23 ERA during the 2022 season remains a standout stretch in his MLB career. Across his MLB appearances through the 2026 season, Woodford has compiled an 11–17 win–loss record, a 5.25 ERA, and 188 strikeouts.
Jake Woodford Family
Personal Life
Jake Woodford was raised in Tampa, Florida, where he attended Plant High School alongside fellow future MLB player Kyle Tucker. Public details about his immediate family, marital status, and children are not widely documented in verified sources.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was a year of transition for Jake Woodford, as he navigated multiple organizations in search of a stable role. After short stints with the Colorado Rockies, New York Yankees, and Chicago Cubs on minor league deals, he found his most significant opportunity with the Arizona Diamondbacks, signing a major league contract on July 2.
With Arizona, Woodford served primarily as a reliever, logging 22 appearances and earning three saves despite an 0–4 record and a 6.44 ERA. His usage in late-inning situations reflected the organization’s confidence in his arm, even as results trended higher than ideal. The Diamondbacks designated him for assignment on September 21 following the promotion of Austin Pope, and he cleared waivers before electing free agency on October 1.
Looking ahead, Woodford remains active in professional baseball, currently aligned with the Tampa Bay Rays system after signing a minor league deal with a major league spring training invitation. His ability to bounce back from designation and continue drawing interest from clubs speaks to his durability and the universal value of experienced pitching depth. As he moves forward, opportunities to contribute in a major league bullpen remain within reach.