Ryan Yarbrough Bio
Ryan Christian Yarbrough is an American professional baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). A left-handed starter who has also worked extensively in relief, Yarbrough debuted in 2018 with the Tampa Bay Rays after being selected by the Seattle Mariners in the fourth round of the 2014 MLB draft. Across his career he has also pitched for the Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Toronto Blue Jays, establishing himself as a reliable innings-eater known for changing speeds and limiting damage.
Early Life and Background
Ryan Christian Yarbrough was born on December 31, 1991, and grew up in Florida, where baseball is part of the everyday culture. He attended All Saints’ Academy in Winter Haven, Florida, graduating before pursuing college ball. His time at All Saints’ gave him a strong foundation, and he developed into a polished pitcher who drew attention from professional scouts during his teenage years.
After high school, Yarbrough continued his baseball journey at the college level. He played college baseball at Santa Fe College in 2011, where he earned an opportunity to compete at a higher level. He later transferred to Old Dominion University, pitching for the Monarchs during the 2013 and 2014 seasons. In 2013, Yarbrough was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 20th round of the MLB draft, but he did not sign, choosing to return to Old Dominion for his senior year. In his senior season, he posted a 6–7 win–loss record with a 4.50 earned run average (ERA) across 18 games and 14 starts, showing enough promise to be selected again the following year.
Path to Baseball
Yarbrough’s path to the major leagues began in earnest when the Seattle Mariners selected him in the fourth round of the 2014 MLB draft. He made his professional debut that same year with the Pulaski Mariners and, after only two games, was promoted to the Everett AquaSox. Working across multiple levels, he finished his first professional season with a stellar 1.27 ERA and 58 strikeouts in 42 and 2/3 innings, signaling that the Mariners had found a promising arm in his draft class.
He continued to climb the minor-league ladder in 2015, splitting time between the Arizona League Mariners, Clinton LumberKings, and Bakersfield Blaze, posting a combined 4–8 record and 4.10 ERA in 22 starts. In 2016, pitching for the Jackson Generals, Yarbrough enjoyed a breakout campaign, going 12–4 with a 2.95 ERA and 1.11 WHIP across 25 starts. That performance positioned him as one of the Mariners’ top pitching prospects and made him a likely candidate for a major-league opportunity in the near future.
Ryan Yarbrough Career
Early Career (2014–2017)
Yarbrough’s professional career began with the Mariners’ minor-league affiliates, where he steadily built a reputation for his command and feel for pitching. After his 2016 breakout with the Jackson Generals, the Mariners made the decision to use him as a trade chip, sending Yarbrough, Mallex Smith, and Carlos Vargas to the Tampa Bay Rays on January 11, 2017, in exchange for pitcher Drew Smyly. Yarbrough spent 2017 with the Durham Bulls, Tampa Bay’s Triple-A affiliate, where he produced a 13–6 record and 3.43 ERA in 26 starts, earning a spot on the Rays’ 40-man roster after the season.
Tampa Bay Rays Breakthrough (2018–2022)
Yarbrough made the Rays’ Opening Day roster in 2018, debuting against the Boston Red Sox on March 31 and recording his first MLB strikeout of Brock Holt. Working predominantly out of the bullpen as the “bulk guy” behind Tampa Bay’s new opener strategy, Yarbrough finished his rookie season with 16 wins, the most ever by a Rays rookie in franchise history and the most by any rookie in the 2018 MLB season. He posted a 3.91 ERA over 141 and 1/3 innings, an impressive debut that established him as a key piece of the Rays’ pitching staff.
In 2019, Yarbrough posted an 11–6 record with a 4.13 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 117 strikeouts over 141 and 2/3 innings. On July 14, 2019, against the Baltimore Orioles, he combined with Ryne Stanek to carry a perfect game into the ninth inning, where a leadoff single ended the bid. He also pitched three scoreless innings in the American League Division Series against the Houston Astros, further solidifying his postseason credentials. The 2020 season saw him used exclusively in the rotation early on before a groin injury limited him; he finished 1–4 with a 3.56 ERA in 11 games while leading the American League in hit batsmen with seven. He appeared in the Division Series, the AL Championship Series, and the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers that year, starting one game and pitching in three.
On June 3, 2021, Yarbrough threw a complete game against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium, the first Rays complete game by a pitcher since Matt Andriese in May 2016, ending a five-year drought that was the longest in the league. He finished 2021 at 9–7 with a 5.11 ERA in 30 games and 21 starts. In 2022, Yarbrough made 30 appearances with nine starts, posting a 3–8 record and 4.50 ERA before the Rays designated him for assignment on November 15, 2022. He became a free agent on November 18.
Kansas City Royals and Los Angeles Dodgers Era (2023–2024)
On December 13, 2022, Yarbrough signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Kansas City Royals. On May 7, 2023, he was struck in the head by a 106-mph line drive off the bat of Ryan Noda and was later diagnosed with multiple non-displaced fractures around his right eye, landing him on the injured list until July 9. He finished his Royals stint with a 4–5 record and 4.24 ERA in 14 games and seven starts over 51 innings.
On August 1, 2023, the Royals traded Yarbrough to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Devin Mann and Derlin Figueroa. He pitched in 11 games and two starts for Los Angeles, going 4–2 with a 4.89 ERA and 38 strikeouts. Yarbrough agreed to a $3.9 million contract with the Dodgers for 2024 in salary arbitration and made 32 appearances, going 4–2 with a 3.74 ERA and 39 strikeouts. He was designated for assignment on July 29, 2024.
New York Yankees Era (2025–Present)
On March 24, 2025, Yarbrough signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the New York Yankees, choosing the Yankees over a similar offer from the Blue Jays because of differing incentives. He began the year in the bullpen before moving into the rotation in May, where he posted a 2.08 ERA across his first five starts. He made 19 appearances and eight starts for the Yankees, going 3–1 with a 4.36 ERA, 55 strikeouts, and one save over 64 innings. On November 17, 2025, Yarbrough re-signed with the Yankees on a one-year, $2.5 million contract.
Driving Style and Strengths
Yarbrough is widely known for his soft-tossing, command-driven style, which is rare in an era of high-velocity pitching. He averaged 87.5 miles per hour on his fastball, one of the slowest in the major leagues, and instead relies on changing speeds, locating pitches, and keeping hitters off balance. His ability to work both as a starter and as a multi-inning reliever has made him a flexible asset for his teams.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature moments, Yarbrough’s 2018 rookie campaign stands out, when his 16 wins set the Rays’ franchise record for a rookie. His 2019 near-perfect game against the Orioles, his 2021 complete game versus the Yankees, and his postseason appearances in the 2020 World Series have all been defining moments. He also represented the United States at the 2026 World Baseball Classic in Miami.
Ryan Yarbrough Career Wins
Yarbrough has posted consistent win totals across multiple organizations, beginning with his record-setting 2018 rookie season with the Rays. He has added wins with Tampa Bay, the Royals, the Dodgers, and the Yankees, and has served as a reliable contributor in both starting and relief roles throughout his major-league career.
Major League Highlights
Yarbrough recorded 16 wins as a rookie in 2018, 11 wins in 2019, and 9 wins in 2021, helping anchor a Rays staff that consistently competed in the American League East. His wins in 2018 were the most by a rookie in Rays history. He has continued to add victories with the Royals, Dodgers, Blue Jays, and Yankees, with three wins during the 2025 Yankees season.
Ryan Yarbrough Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Yarbrough grew up in Florida, where he was shaped by a strong baseball culture. He is a Christian and has spoken about the role of faith in his life and career.
Personal Life
Yarbrough married his wife, Nicole, in 2019. The couple welcomed their first daughter in 2021 and a second daughter in 2023, building a family alongside his travels through professional baseball.
2025 Season Performance
Yarbrough’s 2025 season with the New York Yankees was defined by versatility and resilience. He began the year working out of the bullpen before transitioning into the starting rotation in May, where he produced a 2.08 ERA across his first five starts and quickly earned the confidence of the Yankees’ staff. He finished the regular season with a 3–1 record, 4.36 ERA, 55 strikeouts, and one save across 19 appearances and eight starts, totaling 64 innings of work.
His success in a hybrid role gave the Yankees flexibility in how they deployed him, and he proved capable of providing length out of the bullpen while also stepping into the rotation when needed. His low-velocity, command-focused approach contrasted with the high-octane arms around him, but the results spoke for themselves as he gave the team dependable innings throughout the summer.
On November 17, 2025, Yarbrough re-signed with the Yankees on a one-year, $2.5 million contract, signaling that the organization viewed him as a key piece of its pitching plans moving forward. Heading into the next campaign, his role within the Yankees’ staff is expected to remain flexible, with the potential to open the year in the bullpen or the rotation depending on need.
