Brendan Ryan, Infield


Date of Birth: 3/26/1982
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California
College: Lewis-Clark State College

Brendan Ryan, infielder, was first drafted in 2003 by the St. Louis Cardinals. He played in the Cardinals' minor league system from 2003 until 2007, when he was called up to the Cardinals for 67 games. The following year, he was on the DL and in the minors for part of the season, playing in 80 games with the Cardinals.

In 2009, his first full season in the major leagues, Ryan batted .292 with 114 hits, 19 doubles, and 14 stolen bases in 129 games. He did not do as well the following season, batting just .223 with 98 hits in 139 games. As the Cardinals regular shortstop, he made 430 assists, 197 putouts, 102 double plays, and 17 errors in 139 games.

Ryan was traded to the Seattle Mariners in December, 2010. Two years later, he was recognized for his defensive skills when he won the Fielding Bible award as the best defensive shortstop in major league baseball. In 2012, he made 396 assists, 196 putouts, 104 double plays, and 9 errors in 138 games at shortstop.

After 87 games with the Mariners in 2013, they traded Ryan to the New York Yankees. In 2013, he batted just .197 in a total of 104 games. In November, 2013, he signed a two-year, $5 million contract with the New York Yankees. He finished the 2014 season with 19 hits and a .167 batting average in 49 games.

Ryan started the 2015 season on the DL with a right calf strain. He played in just 47 games with the Yankees, batting .229 with 22 hits. Defensively, he played three games at first base, 26 games at second base, 14 games at third base, 6 games at shortstop, and 2 games in right field. He also pitched in one game. He didn't play in the postseason Wild Card game.

Ryan was traded to the Chicago Cubs as part of the December 8, 2015, trade that sent Starlin Castro to the Yankees and Adam Warren to the Cubs. He was released by the Cubs on December 23, 2015. He signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals on February 2, 2016.

Ryan was traded to the Los Angeles Angels on May 10, 2016. He spent most of the 2016 season in the minors, playing in just 17 games with the Angels.

Ryan became a free agent on October 4, 2016. He signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers on December 28, 2016. He spent the 2017 season in the minors.

Ryan elected free agency on November 6, 2017. He hasn't played professional baseball since 2017.

Career batting statistics for Ryan through 2017 include:

  • 896 games played
  • 604 hits
  • 116 doubles
  • 67 stolen bases
  • 203 RBIs
  • 490 strikeouts to 198 walks
  • .233 batting average

Career fielding statistics for Ryan at shortstop through 2017 include:

  • 721 games played
  • 2,082 assists
  • 465 double plays
  • 944 putouts
  • 69 errors
  • .978 fielding percentage

Personal Life

Ryan was diagnosed with ADD as a child.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Brendan Ryan
ESPN - Brendan Ryan