José Orlando Berríos Bio
José Orlando Berríos, nicknamed “La Makina,” is a Puerto Rican professional baseball pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball. He made his Major League Baseball debut with the Minnesota Twins after being selected in the first round of the 2012 MLB Draft. Across his career, Berríos has built a reputation as a durable starting pitcher, earning two All-Star selections and a Gold Glove Award. He is also a two-time silver medalist with Puerto Rico at the World Baseball Classic.
Born in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, Berríos rose through the Twins’ farm system before establishing himself as a frontline starter. He was traded to the Blue Jays in 2021 and later signed a long-term contract extension that keeps him in Toronto through 2028.
Early Life and Background
José Orlando Berríos was born on May 27, 1994, in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. He grew up in a baseball-rich culture and developed his love for the game at a young age, training with neighborhood coaches and family members who encouraged his early progress. His Puerto Rican roots shaped his approach to pitching, blending power with rhythm and composure on the mound.
As a teenager, Berríos drew attention from scouts for his fastball velocity and mature feel for the strike zone. He continued to refine his mechanics in amateur baseball in Puerto Rico, which set the stage for his selection in the 2012 MLB Draft. His family supported his ambitions, and he has often spoken about the influence of his hometown on his work ethic.
Path to Baseball
Berríos’ professional journey began when the Minnesota Twins selected him in the first round of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft with the 32nd overall pick. He made his professional debut that same season for the Gulf Coast Twins of the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League before being promoted to the Elizabethton Twins of the Rookie-level Appalachian League. In 30 and two-thirds innings pitched across both affiliates, he went 3-0 with a 1.17 earned run average and 49 strikeouts, signaling his potential as a future big-league starter.
During the 2013 season, Berríos pitched for the Cedar Rapids Kernels of the Single-A Midwest League, posting a 7-7 record with a 3.99 ERA in 19 starts. He advanced to the Fort Myers Miracle of the High-A Florida State League in 2014, where he was selected to the All-Star Futures Game. After going 9-3 with a 1.96 ERA, he earned a midseason promotion to the New Britain Rock Cats of the Double-A Eastern League, then made a brief appearance with the Rochester Red Wings of the Triple-A International League. In 2015, he split time between Chattanooga and Rochester, compiling a 14-5 record with a 2.87 ERA.
José Orlando Berríos Career
Early Career (2012-2016)
The Minnesota Twins promoted Berríos to the major leagues for his MLB debut on April 27, 2016. Prior to his call-up, he had been dominant at Rochester, going 2-0 with a 1.06 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 18 innings. His first year at the highest level was a learning experience, as he was 3-7 with an 8.02 ERA in 14 starts for Minnesota, while excelling at Rochester with a 10-5 record and 2.51 ERA in 17 starts. He was shuttled between the majors and minors throughout the year.
The 2017 season marked a turning point. After beginning the year at Rochester and going 3-0 with a 1.13 ERA in six starts, Berríos was promoted to Minnesota on May 13 and remained there for the rest of the year. In 26 games and 25 starts, he posted a 14-8 record with a 3.89 ERA, establishing himself as a core member of the Twins’ rotation.
Minnesota Twins Breakthrough (2018-2019)
Berríos opened 2018 by tossing a complete-game three-hit shutout against the Baltimore Orioles on April 1, allowing three hits and striking out six in a 7-0 Twins victory. He later tied his career high with 11 strikeouts on April 12 against the Chicago White Sox, and on April 18, he delivered seven scoreless innings in Puerto Rico at Hiram Bithorn Stadium. Berríos became only the second Puerto Rican pitcher to start a regular-season MLB game at Hiram Bithorn, following Javier Vázquez. He was named to the 2018 MLB All-Star Game, the only Twins representative, and pitched a scoreless fifth inning to earn a hold. He finished 2018 with a 12-11 record, a 3.84 ERA, and 202 strikeouts, leading the league in complete games and complete-game shutouts.
On Opening Day 2019, Berríos delivered seven and two-thirds scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts against the Cleveland Indians, earning the win in a 2-0 victory. He was selected to the 2019 MLB All-Star Game and finished the season with a 14-8 record, a 3.68 ERA, and 195 strikeouts in 200 and one-third innings. He was firmly established as Minnesota’s ace.
Toronto Blue Jays Era (2021-Present)
On July 30, 2021, the Twins traded Berríos to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Austin Martin and Simeon Woods Richardson. He went 5-4 with a 3.58 ERA in 12 games for Toronto down the stretch. On November 18, 2021, Berríos agreed to a seven-year, $131 million contract extension with the Blue Jays, securing his long-term future with the franchise.
In 2022, Berríos went 12-7 with a 5.23 ERA, finishing the year as one of the most worked pitchers in the league. He rebounded in 2023 with an 11-12 record, a 3.65 ERA, and 184 strikeouts in 189 and two-thirds innings, while also capturing a Gold Glove Award for his defensive excellence on the mound. In 2024, Berríos went 16-11 with a 3.60 ERA and 153 strikeouts in 192 and one-third innings, re-establishing himself as a reliable front-line starter.
Driving Style and Strengths
Berríos is known for a four-pitch mix headlined by a lively fastball and a sharp curveball, complemented by a changeup and slider that he uses to keep hitters off balance. He thrives on mound efficiency, attacks the strike zone, and generates swings-and-misses at a high rate. His ability to log innings and rebound from tough outings has been a defining trait of his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
On April 7, 2025, Berríos earned his 100th career win against the Boston Red Sox, becoming the fifth Puerto Rican-born pitcher to reach the century mark in MLB wins. He previously earned All-Star honors in 2018 and 2019, captured a Gold Glove Award in 2023, and delivered a memorable seven scoreless innings in his native Puerto Rico in 2018.
José Orlando Berríos Career Wins
Through the 2025 season, Berríos has compiled 108 wins, 82 losses, a 4.08 ERA, and 1,481 strikeouts in Major League Baseball. He has recorded double-digit wins in five seasons and has been a pillar of two different rotations.
Toronto Blue Jays Highlights
Since joining Toronto, Berríos has gone on to post a 16-win season in 2024 and was a Gold Glove Award winner in 2023. His 100th career victory came on April 7, 2025, against the Boston Red Sox, a milestone that placed him among an elite group of Puerto Rican pitchers. He signed a seven-year, $131 million extension in November 2021, signaling the Blue Jays’ commitment to him as a staff leader.
Other Wins & Performances
Berríos has represented Puerto Rico at the World Baseball Classic in 2013 and 2017, helping the team capture silver medals in both tournaments. He was also named to the 2018 and 2019 MLB All-Star Games and was selected for the All-Star Futures Game in 2014 during his minor-league development.
José Orlando Berríos Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Berríos was raised in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, where his family supported his baseball journey from a young age. He has spoken about the importance of his hometown and the values instilled in him by his parents as he pursued a professional career.
Personal Life
José Orlando Berríos is married to Jannieliz Márquez. The couple has two sons and one daughter. His wife is the sister of Irmarie Márquez, who is married to Detroit Tigers infielder Javier Báez, connecting the Berríos and Báez families.
2025 Season Performance
Berríos opened the 2025 season as the Blue Jays’ Opening Day starter against the Baltimore Orioles on March 27, though he allowed nine hits and six runs over five innings. He rebounded on April 7 to log his 100th career win, pitching seven innings of one-run baseball against the Boston Red Sox and becoming the fifth Puerto Rican-born pitcher to reach the milestone.
On March 13, 2026, Berríos was scratched from joining Puerto Rico for the World Baseball Classic due to right elbow inflammation flagged during his tournament physical. Five days later, Blue Jays manager John Schneider announced that Berríos had been diagnosed with a stress fracture in the elbow and would not be ready for Opening Day. On May 20, he underwent Tommy John surgery, ending his 2026 season.