Ryan Pressly, a two-time All-Star and a key member of the Houston Astros’ 2022 World Series championship team, announced his retirement Saturday following a 13-year Major League career.
Pressly, 37, began his career with the Minnesota Twins, pitching six seasons before a midseason trade to Houston in 2018 reshaped his trajectory. He quickly became a dominant force in the Astros’ bullpen and moved into the closer role in 2020.
Saved the Day for a Perfect Postseason
He was on the mound for the final out of the 2022 World Series, recording the save in Game 6 as the Astros defeated the Phillies. That moment capped a perfect postseason, in which Pressly converted all six of his save opportunities. His 14 career postseason saves rank fifth-most in MLB history.
During his time with Houston, Pressly recorded 111 saves, earned All-Star selections in 2019 and 2021, and posted a 2.78 ERA and 1.08 WHIP across 47 postseason appearances, establishing himself as one of the most reliable October relievers in franchise history.
Overall, Pressly appeared in 667 Major League games, finishing with a 3.33 ERA and 117 saves. He pitched in 342 games for the Astros, 281 for the Twins, and 44 for the Cubs.
Ahead of the 2024 season, Pressly was moved out of the closer role following the Astros’ signing of Josh Hader. He was later traded to the Cubs in January 2025 and was released midway through the season.
Pressly’s sustained success in high-leverage situations and his role in Houston’s championship run cement his legacy as one of the premier relievers in Astros history.
