Tyler Ferguson Bio
Tyler Clark Ferguson (born October 5, 1993) is an American professional baseball pitcher. He currently plays in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago Cubs, wearing jersey number 64. A right-handed relief pitcher, Ferguson has spent more than a decade working his way through the minor leagues before reaching the majors, and he earned his first MLB save in 2024 with the Oakland Athletics.
After being drafted out of Vanderbilt University in 2015, Ferguson spent several seasons in independent baseball and various minor league systems before finally breaking into the big leagues. His professional journey has included stints with seven organizations across both affiliated and independent baseball, giving him one of the more circuitous paths to the majors of any active MLB pitcher.
Early Life and Background
Tyler Clark Ferguson grew up in Fresno, California, where he attended Clovis West High School. At Clovis West he developed into a draft-worthy pitching prospect, drawing attention from college recruiters across the country for his size, arm strength, and competitive makeup on the mound.
After high school, Ferguson committed to Vanderbilt University, joining one of the most decorated college baseball programs in the country. He played his college ball with the Vanderbilt Commodores, where he worked as a part-time starting pitcher during his time on campus and developed under one of the most respected coaching staffs in NCAA baseball.
Path to Professional Baseball
At Vanderbilt, Ferguson contributed to one of the most successful stretches in program history. He was part of the Commodores team that won the 2013 Southeastern Conference championship, the 2014 College World Series national championship, and the 2015 College World Series runner-up squad. Those deep tournament runs helped establish Vanderbilt as a powerhouse and gave Ferguson valuable experience pitching on the sport’s biggest collegiate stages.
Following the 2015 college season, the Texas Rangers selected Ferguson in the sixth round, with the 168th overall pick, of the 2015 Major League Baseball draft. He signed with the organization and began his professional career that summer.
Tyler Ferguson Career
Early Career in the Rangers System (2015–2019)
Ferguson made his professional debut with the rookie-level Arizona League Rangers in 2015. The following year he split time between the Low-A Spokane Indians and Single-A Hickory Crawdads, pitching to a combined 3.92 ERA with 56 strikeouts across 23 appearances and 43 and two-thirds innings. The 2016 season showed enough promise for the Rangers to keep developing him within their system.
In 2017, Ferguson moved between Hickory and the High-A Down East Wood Ducks, but he struggled to a 2–6 record and 6.61 ERA across 36 appearances. He returned to those same two affiliates in 2018, registering a 4.76 ERA in 14 games, and on March 19, 2019, the Rangers released him from the organization, ending his time in the Texas system after four seasons.
Independent and Minor League Years (2019–2023)
After his release from the Rangers, Ferguson signed with the Trois-Rivières Aigles of the independent Can-Am League on April 5, 2019. In 45 outings for the Aigles he posted a 3–5 record with a 4.75 ERA and 55 strikeouts across 55 innings, keeping his career alive outside of affiliated baseball.
Ferguson signed a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers on February 23, 2020, but did not appear in any games that year after the minor league season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He was released by the Dodgers on July 1, then joined the Chicago Dogs of the independent American Association of Professional Baseball on April 13, 2021, where he recorded a 3.14 ERA with 11 strikeouts in 14 and one-third innings across nine appearances.
On June 17, 2021, the Atlanta Braves purchased his contract, and Ferguson split the remainder of the season between the High-A Rome Braves and Double-A Mississippi Braves. He went 6–4 with a 2.23 ERA and 33 strikeouts across 32 and one-third innings in 22 appearances. In 2022, Ferguson pitched at Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett, combining for a 4.80 ERA with 64 strikeouts in 50 and two-thirds innings across 52 appearances, before electing free agency on November 10, 2022. He then signed a minor league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks on December 9, 2022, and spent 2023 with the Triple-A Reno Aces, going 5.49 ERA with 86 strikeouts in 78 and two-thirds innings across 51 games, before electing free agency again on November 6, 2023.
Oakland Athletics Era (2023–2026)
On November 15, 2023, Ferguson signed a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics. He opened 2024 with the Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators, posting a 2.40 ERA with 24 strikeouts and four saves across 15 innings in 14 games. That performance earned him a call-up on May 7, 2024, when the Athletics selected his contract to the 40-man roster and promoted him to the major leagues for the first time.
Two months later, on July 25, 2024, Ferguson notched his first career MLB save, striking out two batters in a scoreless ninth inning against the Los Angeles Angels. He remained in the Oakland bullpen through the rest of that season and into 2025, establishing himself as a reliable late-inning relief option. Ferguson was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas to begin the 2026 season, made one appearance for the Athletics on May 5, 2026, allowing four runs on four hits in 1 and one-third innings against the Philadelphia Phillies, and was designated for assignment the following day.
Chicago Cubs Era (2026–Present)
On May 7, 2026, the Athletics traded Ferguson to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for cash considerations, giving him a fresh opportunity in a new organization. He was assigned jersey number 64 by the Cubs and slotted into their major league bullpen.
Through games of June 11, 2026, Ferguson has gone 8–4 with a 4.50 ERA and 120 strikeouts in his major league career. His combination of strikeout ability and recent track record of late-inning work has positioned him as a contributing member of the Cubs relief corps.
Driving Style and Strengths
Ferguson’s primary strength as a pitcher is his ability to miss bats in relief situations, a skill reflected in his high strikeout totals at every minor league stop and in his MLB work. He has shown a willingness to attack hitters in the late innings and has handled high-leverage assignments for multiple organizations, including the save he earned against the Angels in 2024.
Notable Events and Milestones
Ferguson’s most memorable early major league moment came on July 25, 2024, when he recorded his first MLB save against the Angels. That milestone capped a years-long climb through independent leagues and minor league affiliates, and his trade to the Cubs in May 2026 marked another fresh chapter after being designated for assignment by Oakland.
Tyler Ferguson Career Wins
Ferguson has compiled wins at multiple levels of professional baseball, beginning with his draft selection in 2015 and continuing through the major leagues. His victories have come across independent leagues, the minors, and MLB, where he has posted an 8–4 record through June 11, 2026.
Major League Highlights
Ferguson made his MLB debut in 2024 with the Oakland Athletics and recorded his first career save on July 25, 2024, against the Los Angeles Angels. After being traded to the Chicago Cubs in May 2026, he continued adding to his major league win total, reaching eight wins by mid-June of that year.
Minor League and Independent Highlights
Among his standout minor league seasons, Ferguson went 6–4 with a 2.23 ERA across the Rome and Mississippi affiliates in 2021 after joining the Braves organization. Earlier in his career he posted a 3.92 ERA across the Spokane and Hickory affiliates in 2016, and he earned 55 strikeouts in 55 innings for the Trois-Rivières Aigles in 2019.
| Level | Wins | Notable Detail |
|---|---|---|
| MLB (through June 11, 2026) | 8 | 4.50 ERA, 120 strikeouts |
| Atlanta Braves affiliates (2021) | 6 | 2.23 ERA across Rome and Mississippi |
| Trois-Rivières Aigles (2019) | 3 | 4.75 ERA in 45 outings |
Tyler Ferguson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Tyler Clark Ferguson’s family background is limited. He grew up in Fresno, California, and attended Clovis West High School before going on to pitch at Vanderbilt University, but few additional details about his parents or upbringing have been widely reported.
Personal Life
Details about Ferguson’s personal life beyond his baseball career are not widely documented in public sources. He is known by his full name, Tyler Clark Ferguson, and has spent his professional career traveling between organizations based in both the United States and Canada.
2025 Season Performance
Ferguson spent the 2025 season in the Oakland Athletics bullpen after making his MLB debut in 2024. He worked as a relief pitcher, continuing to build on the late-inning role he earned the previous summer. The 2025 campaign gave him a full major league season to refine his approach against big league hitters and establish consistency after his call-up the year before.
Across the year, Ferguson provided Oakland with bullpen depth and strikeout production, contributing to a relief corps that leaned on multiple young arms. His experience working in high-leverage situations helped stabilize late innings during stretches when the Athletics needed length from their relief group.
Looking ahead, Ferguson was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas to open 2026, made a brief appearance back in the majors in May, was designated for assignment, and was then traded to the Chicago Cubs. That move opened a new opportunity for him to contribute to a contending National League bullpen and continue building on the foundation he established during the 2025 season.