Ryan Pressly Announces Retirement: Astros Closer Ends MLB Career

Ryan Pressly, one of the most consistent and analytically fascinating relievers of his generation, has officially called time on a 13-year Major League Baseball career. The two-time All-Star announced his retirement at age 37, closing the book on a journey that took him from Rule 5 curiosity to postseason fixture and World Series champion.

This article explores Pressly’s career arc, his statistical excellence, and the personal factors that ultimately shaped his decision to walk away from the game.

A Career Built on Spin, Precision, and Adaptability

Across 691 1/3 big-league innings, Pressly carved out a reputation as a pitcher who consistently outperformed expectations. He finished with a 3.33 ERA, a 25.2% strikeout rate, and an elite ability to keep the ball on the ground, shown by a 48.5% ground-ball rate.

Those numbers only scratch the surface. From 2017 through 2025, Pressly ranked in the 99th percentile in curveball spin and at least the 95th percentile in fastball spin.

In an era so driven by data, his knack for getting swings-and-misses and weak contact made him a manager’s dream in high-leverage spots. It’s wild how he kept finding ways to adapt.

From Rule 5 Long Shot to Major League Fixture

Originally selected by Boston in the 11th round of the 2007 draft, Pressly’s path to the majors was anything but conventional. Minnesota grabbed him in the 2012 Rule 5 Draft and he debuted in 2013, even though he’d never pitched above Double-A.

Instead of just hanging on, Pressly thrived. He became a trusted multi-inning bullpen arm for Minnesota.

His durability and poise laid the foundation for the next, more prominent phase of his career.

The Houston Transformation and Rise to Stardom

A midseason trade to the Houston Astros in 2018 changed everything. Pressly slotted in as a setup man and quickly became one of the most dominant relievers in baseball.

He earned his first All-Star selection in 2019. By 2020, he’d moved into the closer’s role, and his performance just kept climbing.

Elite Closer Numbers in High-Leverage Moments

From 2020 through 2023, Pressly recorded:

Those numbers put him right up there with the game’s elite late-inning arms. Houston showed their trust, too, handing him multiple contract extensions that paid roughly $42 million from 2023–25.

Postseason Pedigree and a World Series Ring

Pressly’s legacy might be strongest in October. Over 45 1/3 postseason innings, he posted a 2.78 ERA and kept getting the call for the season’s most critical outs.

He played a huge role in Houston’s 2022 World Series championship. Pressly finished the final inning of a combined no-hitter—honestly, one of the defining moments of that postseason run.

The Final Chapter and a Thoughtful Goodbye

After the Astros picked up Josh Hader, Pressly moved back into a setup role. His $14 million salary led to a February trade to the Chicago Cubs.

He struggled through the 2025 season in Chicago and the team released him in August.

Reunions with Minnesota and Houston came up in rumors. In the end, Pressly decided to retire at 37.

He wanted to put his family and life after baseball first. That closed the door on a career full of adaptability and quiet dominance.

 
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