Ryan Brasier Bio
Ryan David Brasier, born on August 26, 1987, is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighing 225 pounds, he throws and bats right-handed. Brasier is a two-time World Series champion, having won titles with the Boston Red Sox in 2018 and the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024. Over the course of his career, he has pitched in Major League Baseball for the Los Angeles Angels, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Chicago Cubs, and also spent a season in Nippon Professional Baseball with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp.
Known for his resilience and late-career resurgence, Brasier has built a reputation as a reliable relief pitcher. His journey through professional baseball has included stints in the minor leagues, a major arm injury, time in Japan, and a return to form that helped him contribute to championship-winning teams. He attended S. H. Rider High School in Wichita Falls, Texas, and later played college baseball at Weatherford College.
Early Life and Background
Ryan David Brasier grew up in Texas and attended S. H. Rider High School in Wichita Falls, where he played for the school’s baseball team. Although he was a talented athlete, Brasier played as a catcher during his high school years because the team already had several accomplished pitchers, including Chase Anderson. This experience gave him a deep understanding of the game from behind the plate, even though his future in professional baseball would be on the mound.
After high school, Brasier enrolled at Weatherford College in Weatherford, Texas, where he played college baseball during the 2006 and 2007 seasons. His performance at the junior college level caught the attention of Major League scouts, setting the stage for his entry into professional baseball.
Path to Professional Baseball
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim selected Brasier in the sixth round of the 2007 Major League Baseball draft, launching his professional career. From 2007 through 2013, he worked his way through the Angels’ minor league system, starting with the Rookie League Orem Owlz and eventually reaching the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees. In 2012, he made a career-high 55 relief appearances with the Bees, recording 13 saves, a 7–3 record, and 54 strikeouts in 59 2/3 innings pitched.
Brasier’s strong minor league performance earned him his first call-up to the major leagues. The Angels promoted him on May 1, 2013, and he made his MLB debut the following day against the Baltimore Orioles, pitching an inning of relief. After additional appearances that season, he returned to the minors before being recalled in September. However, his momentum was halted when he missed the entire 2014 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, a major setback that tested his determination and commitment to the sport.
Ryan Brasier Career
Early Career (2013–2016)
After his Tommy John surgery, Brasier signed a minor league deal with the Oakland Athletics on July 7, 2015, and spent the remainder of that year rehabilitating. He appeared in only six rehab games in the minors during 2015. In 2016, he returned to full strength with the Triple-A Nashville Sounds, making 46 relief appearances and posting a 3.56 ERA in 60 2/3 innings. That winter, he was invited to major league spring training by Oakland but chose to pursue greater financial opportunity overseas.
Los Angeles Angels Era (2013)
Brasier’s first taste of the major leagues came in 2013 with the Los Angeles Angels. He made seven appearances for the team, striking out seven batters and walking four over nine innings, with a strong 2.00 ERA. His first MLB strikeout was of Ryan Flaherty of the Baltimore Orioles. Following the season, he was outrighted off the Angels’ 40-man roster on October 28, 2014, after missing the 2014 campaign due to injury.
Hiroshima Toyo Carp Era (2017)
On December 14, 2016, Brasier’s contract was sold to the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Nippon Professional Baseball. With the Carp, he made 26 relief appearances, pitching 30 innings and striking out 19 batters while walking eight, finishing with a 3.00 ERA. Brasier later credited his time in Japan with helping him refine his pitching mechanics, a transformation that would prove crucial to his later success in the major leagues.
Boston Red Sox Era (2018–2023)
Brasier signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox on March 4, 2018, after staging a showcase for major league teams. Assigned to the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox, he pitched in 46 games with a 3.71 ERA and 70 strikeouts, earning a selection to the Triple-A All-Star Game. The Red Sox promoted him to the majors on July 8, and he made his Boston debut the next day against the Texas Rangers. On August 30, he recorded his first MLB win in a come-from-behind victory over the Chicago White Sox. He finished the year with a 1.60 ERA in 34 appearances and was named the recipient of the Red Sox’ Lou Gorman Award. Brasier was a key piece of Boston’s postseason run, making nine appearances and allowing just one earned run in 8 2/3 innings as the Red Sox won the 2018 World Series.
Brasier made Boston’s Opening Day roster in 2019 and recorded his first major league save on April 3 against the Athletics. He appeared in 62 games that season, compiling a 2–4 record, seven saves, and a 4.85 ERA. After a shortened 2020 campaign, he returned from injury in 2021 and posted a 1.50 ERA in 13 regular-season appearances. He struggled in 2022 and 2023, and on May 14, 2023, he was designated for assignment hours after allowing three runs against the St. Louis Cardinals. He was released by the Red Sox on May 21.
Los Angeles Dodgers Era (2023–2024)
On June 5, 2023, Brasier signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers and was selected to the major league roster on June 20. He thrived in Los Angeles, pitching 38 2/3 innings over 39 games with an outstanding 0.70 ERA. On February 8, 2024, the Dodgers re-signed him to a two-year, $9 million contract. After a brief stint on the injured list with a right calf strain, he returned in August and finished the season with a 3.54 ERA in 29 games. In the 2024 postseason, he allowed two runs in 3 2/3 innings during the NLDS, two runs in 3 1/3 innings during the NLCS, and one run in two innings during the World Series, which the Dodgers won. He was designated for assignment by the Dodgers on January 30, 2025.
Chicago Cubs Era (2025)
On February 4, 2025, the Dodgers traded Brasier to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for a player to be named later or cash. With the Cubs, he made 28 appearances, including one start, compiling an 0–1 record, a 4.50 ERA, and 20 strikeouts over 26 innings of work.
Notable Events and Milestones
Brasier’s career has featured several signature moments, including his 2018 World Series win with the Red Sox, his late-career renaissance with the Dodgers in 2023, and his second World Series championship in 2024. He is also a recipient of the Lou Gorman Award and a former Triple-A All-Star. His perseverance through Tommy John surgery and his successful transition from the minor leagues to Japan and back to the majors stand as defining achievements in his professional journey.
Ryan Brasier Career Wins
Across his time in Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball, Ryan Brasier has compiled a record of consistent relief work, highlighted by two World Series championships. His MLB career includes 10 wins and 9 losses, with 301 strikeouts and a 3.90 ERA, while his NPB stint with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp featured 2 wins and 1 loss with 19 strikeouts and a 3.00 ERA.
Major League Highlights
Brasier recorded his first MLB win on August 30, 2018, with the Red Sox, and went on to claim a World Series title that same year. After being released by Boston in 2023, he signed with the Dodgers and posted a stellar 0.70 ERA, helping solidify his reputation as a dependable late-inning arm. His second World Series ring came in 2024 with Los Angeles, capping a remarkable comeback story.
Other Wins and Performances
During his time in Japan, Brasier was a steady contributor for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp in 2017, appearing in 26 games out of the bullpen. He also spent multiple productive seasons in Triple-A, including a standout 2012 campaign with the Salt Lake Bees in which he recorded 13 saves and a 7–3 record.
Ryan Brasier Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Ryan David Brasier was raised in Texas, where he attended high school in Wichita Falls before continuing his baseball career at Weatherford College. Details about his immediate family and personal life are not widely documented in public sources.
2025 Season Performance
Brasier began 2025 with the Chicago Cubs after being traded from the Dodgers in February. He made 28 appearances, including one start, compiling an 0–1 record and a 4.50 ERA with 20 strikeouts across 26 innings. His role with the Cubs provided an opportunity to continue his career as a veteran relief pitcher following his World Series win the previous fall.
Throughout the season, Brasier served as a steady presence in the Chicago bullpen, drawing on his extensive postseason experience. As a free agent heading into 2026, he remains an experienced option for teams in need of late-inning relief help. His track record of resilience and championship pedigree makes him a valuable addition for any contending club.
