Ryan Pressly is hanging up the cleats after 13 seasons in the big leagues, closing the book on a career defined by consistency, resilience, and a knack for delivering in the biggest moments. The 37-year-old right-hander officially announced his retirement from professional baseball on Saturday, wrapping up a journey that took him from a Rule 5 pick to the closer on a World Series-winning team.
Pressly finishes with 117 career saves and a 3.33 ERA over 667 appearances, numbers that speak to both his durability and his effectiveness. But stats only tell part of the story. For Astros fans - and really, for anyone who watched October baseball in 2022 - Pressly’s legacy is forever tied to that final out in Game 6 of the World Series, when he shut the door on the Phillies and helped bring Houston its second championship.
“Hoisting that World Series trophy in 2022, that’s something I always dreamed of,” Pressly said in a statement. “I’ll carry that joy forever.
Houston, you’ve got our hearts - it’s our forever home now. Thank you.”
That moment was the culmination of a career that didn’t always come easy. Pressly broke into the majors with the Minnesota Twins in 2013, carving out a role in the bullpen with a mix of spin-heavy breaking balls and late movement that made him a nightmare for right-handed hitters. He spent five and a half seasons in Minnesota before being dealt to Houston at the 2018 trade deadline - a move that would end up being a turning point for both him and the Astros.
Houston sent minor leaguers Jorge Alcala and Gilberto Celestino to the Twins in that deal. While both players eventually saw time in the majors, it’s safe to say the Astros got the better end of the trade. Pressly quickly became a foundational piece in a bullpen that was often the backbone of Houston’s deep postseason runs.
By 2022, he had taken over as the team’s full-time closer, anchoring a relief corps that featured Rafael Montero, Phil Maton, Hector Neris, and Ryne Stanek. That group was lights-out down the stretch and into October, and Pressly was the steady hand guiding it all. When the lights were brightest, he delivered.
Pressly’s 117 saves place him among elite company in Astros history. He’s one of just four pitchers to notch at least 100 saves for the franchise, joining Brad Lidge, Dave Smith, and Billy Wagner - names that carry serious weight in Houston’s bullpen lore.
But beyond the numbers, what made Pressly so valuable was his ability to adapt. Over the years, he refined his pitch mix, leaned into analytics, and became one of the most reliable high-leverage arms in the game. He wasn’t just throwing - he was pitching with purpose, with precision, and with a deep understanding of how to attack hitters.
That’s what made him so effective for so long. And that’s why his absence will be felt - not just in Houston, but across the league.
Pressly walks away from the game with a championship ring, a reputation as one of the game's most trusted closers, and the respect of teammates and opponents alike. He gave everything he had every time he took the mound, and in doing so, earned his place in Astros history.
Now, he gets to enjoy the next chapter - wherever that takes him - with the satisfaction of knowing he went out on his terms, after a career that left a lasting mark.