Ryne Nelson Bio
Ryne Tanner Nelson (born February 1, 1998) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2022 and has quickly established himself as a key player for the team. Known for his strong pitching skills, Nelson has shown promise in his early career and is considered a valuable asset to the Diamondbacks organization.
Early Life and Background
Ryne Tanner Nelson was born on February 1, 1998, in the United States. He attended Basic High School in Henderson, Nevada, where he excelled in baseball. As a junior, he batted .412 with four home runs and 22 RBIs while also pitching to a 6–1 record with a 2.03 earned run average (ERA). In his senior year, Nelson continued to impress, compiling a 1.91 ERA and batting .415, which helped lead Basic High School to a state championship. His outstanding performance earned him a spot on the Nevada All-State team. After high school, Nelson enrolled at the University of Oregon to play college baseball for the Oregon Ducks.
Path to Baseball
Nelson’s college career began with a setback when he suffered an injury during his freshman year in 2017, limiting him to just 13+1⁄3 innings with a 4.72 ERA. However, he rebounded as a sophomore in 2018, appearing in 16 games out of the bullpen and posting a 3–1 record with a 3.86 ERA. His performance in the Cape Cod Baseball League that summer, where he played for the Yarmouth–Dennis Red Sox and was named an All-Star, further showcased his talent. In 2019, Nelson was moved into the starting rotation but faced another injury that led him back to the bullpen. He finished that season with a 3–4 record and a 4.29 ERA in 23 appearances, earning a spot on the All-Pac-12 Team.
Ryne Nelson Career
Early Career (2019-2021)
Nelson was considered one of the top prospects for the 2019 MLB draft and was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the second round, with the 56th overall pick. He signed for $1.1 million and was assigned to the Hillsboro Hops of the Class A-Short Season Northwest League. In his debut season, he went 0–1 with a 2.89 ERA over 18+2⁄3 innings, striking out 26 batters. Unfortunately, the minor league season was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which delayed his development. In 2021, Nelson returned to Hillsboro and had a strong start, going 4–1 with a 2.52 ERA and 59 strikeouts over 39+1⁄3 innings before being promoted to the Amarillo Sod Poodles of the Double-A Central, where he finished the season with a 3.51 ERA and was named the Diamondbacks’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year.
Breakthrough (2022-Present)
On September 5, 2022, Ryne Nelson made his MLB debut for the Arizona Diamondbacks as the starting pitcher against the San Diego Padres. He delivered an impressive performance, throwing seven scoreless innings while striking out seven batters and walking none, leading the Diamondbacks to a 5-0 victory. Nelson began the 2023 season on the opening-day roster but faced challenges, including a demotion to the Reno Aces after struggling with a 5.47 ERA in 24 starts. He returned to the Diamondbacks rotation later in the season and ended with an 8–8 record and a 5.31 ERA over 144 innings pitched. In 2024, he continued to build on his success, appearing in 28 games with a 10-6 record and a 4.24 ERA. As of the start of the 2025 season, Nelson has shown his versatility, even making his first career at-bat and hitting an RBI single, becoming the first full-time pitcher to achieve this since Zack Greinke in the 2021 World Series.
Notable Works and Milestones
Ryne Nelson’s signature work includes his stellar MLB debut, where he showcased his potential as a starting pitcher. He has received recognition for his performances, including being named Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2021. His ability to adapt and improve has made him a notable figure in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization.
Ryne Nelson Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Ryne Nelson has received various nominations and accolades, particularly during his time in the minor leagues, where he was recognized for his pitching prowess.
Ryne Nelson Awards Won
Ryne Nelson has achieved significant recognition, including being named the Minor League Pitcher of the Year by the Arizona Diamondbacks, highlighting his talent and potential as a professional baseball player.