Steven Okert Bio
Steven Chandler Okert is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the San Francisco Giants, Miami Marlins, and Minnesota Twins. A left-handed reliever, Okert has built his career primarily out of the bullpen, working as a dependable option across multiple organizations.
The San Francisco Giants originally selected Okert in the fourth round of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft after a strong college career at the University of Oklahoma. Since then, he has pitched in the major leagues every season beginning in 2016, with the exception of 2019, when he spent the year in the minor leagues. Through his MLB career, Okert has built a reputation as a steady left-handed arm.
Early Life and Background
Early Life and Background
Steven Chandler Okert was born on July 9, 1991, in Riverside, California. He grew up in the Dallas–Fort Worth area of Texas, where he attended Rowlett High School in Rowlett, Texas. His background in Southern California and North Texas helped shape his path toward competitive baseball at a young age.
After high school, Okert attended Grayson County College, a community college in Texas known for producing professional baseball talent. He later transferred to the University of Oklahoma, where he spent his final college season pitching for the Oklahoma Sooners. That college experience helped him establish himself as a draft prospect.
Path to Baseball
Path to Baseball
Okert first appeared on professional draft boards in 2010, when the Milwaukee Brewers selected him in the 43rd round of the Major League Baseball draft out of Grayson County College. He did not sign with the Brewers and returned to Grayson. The following year, the Brewers drafted him again in the 33rd round, but Okert declined once more and transferred to the University of Oklahoma to continue his development.
In his only season with the Oklahoma Sooners, Okert appeared in 30 games with five starts, posting a 9–8 record, a 3.07 earned run average (ERA), and 78 strikeouts. His performance as a starter and reliever caught the attention of major league scouts and led to a stronger draft selection in 2012.
Steven Okert Career
Early Career (2012–2015)
The San Francisco Giants selected Okert in the fourth round, with the 148th overall pick, of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft. He made his professional debut that season with the Arizona League Giants and also pitched for the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, compiling a 2.20 ERA in 28⅔ innings. Okert moved up to the Augusta GreenJackets in 2013, where he recorded a 2.97 ERA with 59 strikeouts across 60⅔ innings.
He started 2014 with the San Jose Giants and was dominant, posting a 1.53 ERA with 19 saves and 54 strikeouts in 35⅓ innings. That performance earned him a promotion to the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels. After the 2015 season, the Giants added Okert to their 40-man roster, signaling that his major league debut was approaching.
San Francisco Giants (2016–2018)
Okert was called up to the San Francisco Giants on April 19, 2016, and made his major league debut that same day against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He pitched two scoreless innings, inducing a double play and recording his first two major league strikeouts. In 16 appearances during his rookie season, he logged 14 innings with 14 strikeouts and a 3.21 ERA.
He began 2017 with Triple-A Sacramento but returned to the majors in April. On May 3, 2017, Okert earned his first major league win, pitching 1⅔ scoreless innings in an extra-inning victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. He finished 2017 with 44 relief appearances and 27 innings pitched for the Giants. In 2018, he appeared in 10 games for San Francisco and posted a 1.23 ERA. The Giants designated him for assignment in March 2019, and he spent the rest of that year at Triple-A Sacramento before electing free agency in November.
Miami Marlins (2021–2023)
On February 26, 2021, Okert signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins and was assigned to the Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. After going 2–0 with a 1.80 ERA in 15 appearances, he was selected to the Marlins’ active roster on June 29. He went on to make 34 relief appearances for Miami that year, recording a 2.75 ERA with 40 strikeouts across 36 innings.
In 2022, Okert became a full-time piece of the Marlins bullpen, making 60 appearances and going 5–5 with a 2.98 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 51⅓ innings. The 2023 season saw him make 64 appearances, but his numbers dipped to a 4.45 ERA with 73 strikeouts over 58⅔ innings, and he did not appear in the majors for Miami beyond that campaign.
Houston Astros (2025–Present)
On November 5, 2024, Okert signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros. On March 27, 2025, the Astros selected his contract after he made the team’s Opening Day roster. He earned his first win as an Astro on April 28, 2025, when he worked a scoreless sixth inning against the Detroit Tigers before Houston rallied for an 8–5 victory.
Okert continued to be a reliable option out of the Houston bullpen through the early part of his tenure. On May 25, 2026, Okert teamed with Tatsuya Imai and Alimber Santa to pitch a combined no-hitter against the Texas Rangers, a signature moment for both Okert and the Astros pitching staff.
Driving Style and Strengths
Okert works primarily as a left-handed relief pitcher and has spent much of his career as a matchup arm against opposing left-handed hitters. His experience across multiple organizations has made him a flexible bullpen option who can handle short stints, multi-inning appearances, and high-leverage moments.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Okert’s career highlights is his role in the combined no-hitter he pitched with Tatsuya Imai and Alimber Santa against the Texas Rangers on May 25, 2026. His first major league win, earned on May 3, 2017, against the Los Angeles Dodgers, also stands out as a key early milestone in his big league career.
Steven Okert Career Wins
Steven Okert has accumulated wins across multiple major league organizations, establishing himself as a steady relief pitcher. His win total has grown steadily thanks to consistent usage in the bullpen, particularly during his 2022 season with the Miami Marlins and his 2025 campaign with the Houston Astros.
Major League Highlights
Okert’s first major league win came on May 3, 2017, when he pitched 1⅔ scoreless innings for the San Francisco Giants in an extra-inning victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. He added to his totals with the Miami Marlins in 2021 and 2022, including a 5–5 record in 60 appearances during the 2022 season. His first win as a member of the Houston Astros came on April 28, 2025, against the Detroit Tigers.
Other Wins and Performances
At the minor league level, Okert posted an 8–2 record with Triple-A Sacramento in 2019, showing his ability to shoulder a heavy workload when needed. He also excelled at the Double-A level with Richmond after a strong 2014 campaign in San Jose that included 19 saves.
Steven Okert Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Steven Chandler Okert’s immediate family is limited, and detailed records about his parents and siblings are not widely available.
Personal Life
Details about Steven Chandler Okert’s personal life, including marital status and children, are not part of his publicly documented profile.
2025 Season Performance
Steven Okert joined the Houston Astros bullpen for the 2025 season after signing a minor league deal in November 2024 and earning a spot on the Opening Day roster in late March. He quickly became a contributor out of the bullpen, highlighted by his first win as an Astro on April 28, 2025, against the Detroit Tigers.
Okert’s role with the Astros allowed him to settle in as a trusted left-handed relief option. His experience with the San Francisco Giants, Miami Marlins, and Minnesota Twins helped him adjust to a new clubhouse and pitching environment in Houston.
Looking ahead, Okert remained part of the Astros’ relief mix into 2026, where he was part of the combined no-hitter against the Texas Rangers on May 25, 2026. His continued use in high-leverage spots reflects the organization’s confidence in his ability to navigate late-inning situations.
