Riley O'Brien
Riley Chun-Young O'Brien (born February 6, 1995) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Seattle Mariners organization. He has previously played in MLB for the Cincinnati Reds. He made his MLB debut in 2021.
Riley O'Brien | |
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![]() O'Brien with the Tacoma Rainiers in 2023 | |
Seattle Mariners | |
Pitcher | |
Born: Seattle, Washington, U.S. | February 6, 1995|
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
MLB debut | |
September 28, 2021, for the Cincinnati Reds | |
MLB statistics (through 2022 season) | |
Win–loss record | 0–1 |
Earned run average | 7.71 |
Strikeouts | 3 |
Teams | |
Amateur career
O'Brien attended Shorewood High School in Shoreline, Washington, where he played baseball.[1][2] He graduated in 2013, and then enrolled at Everett Community College. After two seasons at Everett, he transferred to the College of Idaho. As a junior in 2016, he went 6–3 with a 3.23 ERA and sixty strikeouts over 69 innings.[3] In 2017, his senior year, he pitched to a 3–4 record and a 2.15 ERA over 67 innings.[4] After the season, he was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the eighth round of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft.[5][6][7]
Professional career
Tampa Bay Rays organization
O'Brien signed with the Rays and made his professional debut that year with the Princeton Rays of the Advanced Rookie Appalachian League, going 1–0 with a 2.20 ERA over 11 games (ten starts).[8] During the season, he was named Appalachian League Pitcher of the Week twice.[9] In 2018, he began the season with the Bowling Green Hot Rods of the Class A Midwest League (with whom he was named an All-Star) before being promoted to the Charlotte Stone Crabs of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League, with whom he ended the year; over 25 games (13 starts) between both teams, he went 8–4 with a 2.75 ERA.[10][11][12] In 2019, he began the season with Charlotte and was promoted to the Montgomery Biscuits of the Class AA Southern League in May. Over 20 games (17 starts) with the two clubs, he pitched to a 7–6 record and 3.16 ERA.[13]
O'Brien did not play a minor league game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.[14]
Cincinnati Reds
On August 28, 2020, the Rays traded O'Brien to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for Cody Reed.[15][16] On November 20, 2020, O'Brien was added to the 40-man roster.[17] To begin the 2021 season, he was assigned to the Louisville Bats of the Triple-A East.[18] Over 23 games (22 starts), O'Brien pitched to a 7-7 record, a 4.55 ERA, and 121 strikeouts over 112+2⁄3 innings.[19]
On September 28, 2021, the Reds selected O'Brien to the active roster to make his MLB debut versus the Chicago White Sox.[20][21] He was the starting pitcher and threw 1+1⁄3 innings, giving up two solo home runs while walking three and striking out two.[22]
On April 13, 2022, the Reds designated O'Brien for assignment to make room for Nick Lodolo.[23]
Seattle Mariners
On April 16, 2022, the Reds traded O’Brien to the Seattle Mariners for cash considerations or a player to be named later.[24] (On June 3, minor league infielder Luis Chevalier was sent to Cincinnati to complete the trade).[25] He was designated for assignment on May 27, 2022. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers on June 2.[26]
Personal life
O'Brien's grandfather, Johnny O'Brien, played six seasons in the major leagues.[21]
References
- "Another gem by O'Brien leads Shorewood past GP". HeraldNet.com. April 5, 2013. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
- "Shorewood, EvCC alum chosen by Rays in 8th round of MLB draft". HeraldNet.com. June 14, 2017. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
- WUSTROW, JOHN. "C of I pitcher Riley O'Brien picked by Rays in MLB Draft's eighth round". Idaho Press.
- "Broncos hope the MW tips falls into place". KTIK-AF. June 14, 2017.
- https://www.idahostatesman.com/sports/college/article155995134.html
- Cooper, Brittany. "College of Idaho pitcher goes in eighth round of MLB Draft". www.kmvt.com.
- Statesman, MICHAEL KATZ Idaho. "Rays take College of Idaho pitcher in 8th round". Twin Falls Times-News.
- THWAITES, GEORGE. "O'Brien doing his part for Rays on mound". Bluefield Daily Telegraph.
- Staff report. "Princeton pitcher O'Brien honored again". Bluefield Daily Telegraph.
- Norris, Josh. "Midwest League Announces 2018 All-Star Rosters". www.baseballamerica.com.
- News, the Daily. "Hot Rods' Hernandez wins All-Star Home Run Derby". Bowling Green Daily News.
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has generic name (help) - Chase, Benjamin (October 23, 2018). "Tampa Bay Rays 2018 minor league awards - Page 3". Calltothepen.com. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
- "MLB Trade Deadline: Cincinnati Reds add Riley O'Brien from Tampa Bay". Cincinnati.com. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
- "2020 Minor League Baseball season canceled". MLB.com. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
- Athletics, MIKE SAFFORD College of Idaho. "Former Yotes pitcher traded to Cincinnati". Idaho Press.
- "Cody Reed traded to Rays". Mlb.com. July 26, 2015. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
- Steve Adams (November 20, 2020). "Reds Acquire Brandon Bailey From Astros". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
- Clark, Mitchell (May 4, 2021). "2021 Reds' Minor League Roster Preview". Red Reporter. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
- WKRC (September 27, 2021). "Reds starters set to make MLB debuts in consecutive games for fourth time in team history". WKRC. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
- "Notes: O'Brien debut; rotation; Farmer's slam". MLB.com. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
- Goldsmith, Charlie. "Three things to know about Reds starting pitcher Riley O'Brien". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
- "Reds' Riley O'Brien: Gives up two runs in short outing".
- "Reds' Nick Lodolo: Called up from minors".
- "Mariners acquire pitcher Riley O'Brien in trade with Reds". April 17, 2022.
- https://www.redlegnation.com/2022/06/01/cincinnati-reds-acquire-luis-chevalier-from-the-seattle-mariners/
- "Mariners' Riley O'Brien: Outrighted to Triple-A". cbssports.com. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference (Minors)