Ryan Kreidler Bio
Ryan Michael Kreidler (born November 12, 1997) is an American professional baseball utility player for the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball (MLB). A versatile defender who has appeared at multiple positions in the field, Kreidler reached the major leagues with the Detroit Tigers in 2022 before moving on to the Pittsburgh Pirates and ultimately the Twins. He wears number 5 for Minnesota and continues to be valued for his flexibility and defensive instincts across the diamond.
Early Life and Background
Ryan Michael Kreidler grew up in Davis, California, where he attended Davis High School and developed into a promising two-way talent on the diamond. As a teenager, he drew the attention of professional scouts and was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 35th round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft, though he did not sign with the organization. The decision allowed him to honor his college commitment and continue his development at the collegiate level.
Following his high school graduation, Kreidler enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he played college baseball for the UCLA Bruins. During the summer of 2018, he gained additional experience by playing collegiate summer baseball with the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League, a respected showcase for top amateur talent. Those seasons helped sharpen his defensive versatility and offensive approach, setting the stage for a higher draft selection in 2019.
Path to Baseball
Kreidler’s amateur résumé and summer-league performance convinced the Detroit Tigers to select him in the fourth round of the 2019 Major League Baseball draft, with the 112th overall pick. He signed with the organization and began his professional career that same year, joining the Tigers’ minor league system. His selection marked a substantial rise from his earlier 35th-round projection with the Cubs and reflected the strides he had made at UCLA and in the Cape Cod League.
After the cancellation of the 2020 minor league season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kreidler returned to action in 2021. He started the year with the Double-A Erie SeaWolves and was later promoted to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens. Over 129 games between the two affiliates, he slashed .270/.349/.454 with 22 home runs, 58 runs batted in, and 15 stolen bases, a strong all-around showing that put him on the Tigers’ major league radar.
Ryan Kreidler Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Kreidler made his professional debut in 2019 with the Connecticut Tigers, the Tigers’ short-season affiliate. Over 60 games, he batted .232 with two home runs and 20 runs batted in, adjusting to the speed and demands of pro ball. He then missed the entire 2020 season when the minor league calendar was wiped out by the pandemic, a setback he used to refine his preparation.
In 2021, Kreidler split the year between Erie and Toledo and produced his most complete minor league campaign. His combination of power, speed, and on-base skills helped him climb two levels in one season, and Detroit added him to the 40-man roster ahead of the 2022 campaign to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.
Detroit Tigers (2022–2025)
Kreidler was selected to the Tigers’ major league roster for the first time on September 1, 2022, and made an immediate impact. Two days later, on September 3, he collected his first major league hit, a single, against the Kansas City Royals. Just four days after that, on September 7, he belted his first major league home run off José Quijada of the Los Angeles Angels in the top of the ninth inning, breaking a 4–4 tie and giving Detroit a dramatic walk-off victory.
In 2023, Kreidler was part of Detroit’s Opening Day roster and started at third base on opening day. A slow start at the plate led to a demotion to Triple-A Toledo on April 15 after he hit .111 in 11 games, and a knee issue escalated into core-muscle surgery on June 14, limiting his development that year. He returned to the majors in 2024 but had his season interrupted by surgery to repair a fractured right index finger on April 11, and in 35 appearances he slashed .119/.200/.169 with one home run, two runs batted in, and five stolen bases.
Kreidler was again on Detroit’s Opening Day roster in 2025 and was used primarily as a center fielder early in the year because of injuries at that position. He was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on April 21 after struggling at the plate, and on August 22 he was designated for assignment following the promotion of Drew Sommers, ending his time in the Tigers organization.
Pittsburgh Pirates (2025)
On August 24, 2025, Kreidler was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates, giving him a fresh opportunity in a new organization. He was assigned to the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians, where in 15 appearances he batted .163/.293/.265 with one home run, one run batted in, and five stolen bases. His brief stay in the Pirates system ended on October 13, when he was designated for assignment following the acquisition of Will Robertson.
Minnesota Twins Era (2025–Present)
On October 15, 2025, Kreidler was claimed off waivers by the Minnesota Twins, who added him to provide infield and outfield depth. He was optioned to the Triple-A St. Paul Saints to open the 2026 season and continued to work on his offensive game. Kreidler made his Twins debut on April 11, 2026, after an injury to Royce Lewis created an opening on the major league roster.
Defensive Versatility and Strengths
Kreidler’s primary strength is his positional flexibility, as he has logged innings at shortstop, third base, second base, and all three outfield spots during his professional career. Defensive flexibility makes him a valuable utility option for managers seeking late-inning matchups or injury replacements. At the plate, he has shown the ability to draw walks and provide occasional power, with a focus on staying aggressive on the base paths.
Notable Events and Milestones
Kreidler’s first major league home run on September 7, 2022, against the Los Angeles Angels stands as one of the defining moments of his early career, breaking a 4–4 tie in the top of the ninth inning to deliver Detroit a walk-off win. He has also reached several personal milestones, including his first major league hit on September 3, 2022, and his debut with a third major league organization in 2025. Each of these moments has reflected his persistence through injuries and roster moves.
Ryan Kreidler Career Wins
Because Ryan Michael Kreidler is a position player rather than a pitcher, his statistical résumé is built on hitting and defensive contributions rather than wins. His most notable achievements are his major league debut, his first major league hit, and his first major league home run, all of which came during a memorable September 2022 stint with the Detroit Tigers. He has also recorded milestones such as his first game with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization in 2025 and his Minnesota Twins debut in 2026.
Ryan Kreidler Family
Family Background
Publicly available information about Ryan Michael Kreidler’s parents and immediate family is limited. What is well documented is that he was raised in Davis, California, and attended Davis High School, suggesting a supportive home environment that allowed him to pursue baseball year-round. The rest of his family life, including any relatives who also played the sport, has not been publicly confirmed in major media outlets.
Personal Life
Kreidler tends to keep his personal life private, and no verified details about a spouse, partner, or children are publicly available. He is active on social media, including an account on X under the handle @ryan_kreidler, where he shares occasional updates about his career. Off the field, he is known to be close to his family in California, the community where he first developed as a baseball player.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was a year of transition for Ryan Michael Kreidler, beginning with a place on Detroit’s Opening Day roster and a stretch in center field because of injuries ahead of him on the depth chart. A slow start at the plate led to an option to Triple-A Toledo on April 21, and on August 22 he was designated for assignment following the promotion of Drew Sommers. The move ended his tenure with the Tigers organization.
Two days later, on August 24, Kreidler was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates and sent to the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians. In 15 appearances there, he batted .163/.293/.265 with one home run, one run batted in, and five stolen bases, working to rediscover his timing. His time with the Pirates concluded on October 13, when he was designated for assignment after the team acquired Will Robertson.
Just two days after that, on October 15, 2025, Kreidler was claimed off waivers by the Minnesota Twins, giving him a third major league organization in one season. Looking ahead to 2026, he was optioned to the Triple-A St. Paul Saints before ultimately making his Twins debut on April 11 following an injury to Royce Lewis. He continues to provide Minnesota with utility depth as he works to establish a consistent role at the major league level.
