Ryan Pressly Retires After 13-Year Career: A Quiet Force Who Dominated in October
Ryan Pressly, one of the most reliable postseason arms of his generation and a cornerstone of the Houston Astros’ rise to American League supremacy, is calling it a career. The 13-year MLB veteran announced his retirement Saturday, closing the book on a journey that took him from Rule 5 pick to World Series closer.
“It’s bittersweet,” Pressly said in a farewell statement. “But what a ride it’s been.”
And what a ride, indeed.
Pressly walks away with 117 career saves, two All-Star nods, and a résumé that includes closing out games not just for the Astros, but for Team USA during the 2023 World Baseball Classic. But perhaps his most iconic moment came in 2022, when he recorded the final out of the World Series - the first ever clinched by a Texas team on Texas soil. For a Dallas native with the Lone Star State tattooed on his shoulder, it couldn’t have been scripted better.
“Hoisting that World Series trophy in 2022, that’s something I always dreamed of,” Pressly said. “I’ll carry that joy forever.
Houston, you’ve got our hearts - it’s our forever home now. Thank you.”
October Royalty
Pressly’s postseason numbers are the kind that turn good relievers into legends. In 11 appearances during Houston’s 2022 title run, he didn’t allow a single earned run. That stretch was part of a jaw-dropping 22 2/3-inning scoreless streak across three postseasons - the kind of dominance that cements a pitcher’s place in October lore.
His 2.78 career postseason ERA ranks 11th all-time among relievers with at least 45 playoff innings. Of the ten pitchers ahead of him, only Mariano Rivera - the gold standard for postseason relief - made all his appearances for one team. Pressly did the same in Houston, becoming a fixture in the Astros’ bullpen and a quiet leader in the clubhouse.
He wasn’t the loudest voice in the room, but he didn’t have to be. Teammates leaned on him - especially the younger arms - for advice, support, and the kind of steady presence that’s invaluable in a high-stakes environment.
A Career Rewritten in Houston
Pressly’s rise to prominence wasn’t immediate. Drafted by the Red Sox in the 11th round back in 2007, he bounced around the minors before being left unprotected in the 2012 Rule 5 Draft. That’s when the Minnesota Twins took a chance on him, giving him his first real shot in the big leagues.
But it was Houston that saw something more.
In 2018, then-GM Jeff Luhnow made one of his savviest moves by acquiring Pressly from Minnesota. At the time, he was a solid but unspectacular reliever without a defined role. The Astros, intrigued by the elite spin rates on both his breaking balls, believed a tweak in pitch usage could unlock something special.
They were right.
Over seven seasons in Houston, Pressly struck out 11.1 batters per nine innings and posted a 2.81 ERA across 342 appearances. He became just the fourth pitcher in franchise history to notch 100 or more saves, joining Brad Lidge, Dave Smith, and Billy Wagner. That’s elite company, and Pressly earned every bit of it.
A Career Defined by Persistence
Pressly’s path wasn’t linear. He didn’t burst onto the scene as a phenom or carry the hype of a top prospect.
He was the 20,346th player to ever wear a major-league uniform - a number he says he’ll cherish forever. From the bus rides in the minors to the bright lights of October, his story is one of perseverance, development, and maximizing potential.
He also made a brief stop with the Cubs, a stint he acknowledged in his retirement note, calling Wrigley Field and the North Side fans “unforgettable.”
But it’s Houston where his legacy is etched. It’s where he became a champion.
It’s where he raised his family. And it’s where he went from middle reliever to franchise pillar.
A Family Affair
In his retirement message, Pressly made it clear that none of this happens without his family. His wife, Kat, was there from the start - through the grind of the minors, the ups and downs of the majors, and the highest of highs in Houston. Their children, Wyatt and Hunter, were born during his time with the Astros, and for Pressly, watching them grow up from the dugout was the real highlight reel.
He also shouted out the bullpen brothers, the veterans who mentored him, and the inside jokes that kept things loose on those high-leverage nights.
What’s Next?
Pressly didn’t outline specific plans for what’s next, but he made it clear he’s excited for the next chapter - whatever it may be. After nearly two decades in pro ball, he’s earned the right to take a breath, enjoy time with his family, and reflect on a career that exceeded every expectation.
He may never have been the flashiest name on the roster, but when the lights were brightest, Pressly delivered. And in a sport where October is where reputations are made, Ryan Pressly carved out a legacy that will live on in Houston - and beyond.
Grateful beyond words? That goes both ways.