Roberto Osuna, Relief Pitcher

Date of Birth: 2/7/1995
Birthplace: Juan Jose Rios, Sinaloa, Mexico

Roberto Osuna, relief pitcher, quit school at the age of twelve and went to work to help support his family. By the age of 16, he was playing professional baseball in the Mexican League, joining his father who was a pitcher in the league for twenty-two years.

Osuna signed with the Toronto Blue Jays in August, 2011. He pitched in their minor league system from 2011 through 2014. His 2013 and 2014 seasons were cut short by Tommy John surgery. As a minor league pitcher, he had a 4.55 ERA, a 5-8 record, and 144 strikeouts to 46 walks in 128.2 innings in 43 games.

Osuna pitched in 68 games with the Blue Jays in 2015. He finished the season with 20 saves, 75 strikeouts to 16 walks, and a 2.58 ERA in 69.2 innings. In 7 postseason games, he pitched 8.1 innings and gave up 3 hits, including a home run, and 2 runs. He had one save and a 2.16 ERA.

Osuna finished the 2016 season with a 2.68 ERA in 72 games with the Blue Jays. He had 4 wins to 3 losses, 36 saves, and 82 strikeouts to 14 walks in 74.0 innings. In the postseason, he pitched 9.0 innings in 7 games and he gave up 4 hits and no runs.

Osuna had a 3.38 ERA in 66 games in 2017. He finished the season with 3 wins and 4 losses, 39 saves, and 83 strikeouts to just 9 walks in 64.0 innings.

The Blue Jays traded Osuna to the Houston Astros on July 30, 2018. He finished the 2018 season with 2 wins and 2 losses, 21 saves, 32 strikeouts to 4 walks, and a 2.37 ERA in 38.0 innings in 15 games with the Blue Jays and 23 games with the Astros. In the postseason, he pitched 6.0 innings in 4 games and he gave up 5 hits, 1 home run, and 5 runs. He struck out 5 batters and walked one.

Osuna finished the 2019 season with 4 wins and 3 losses, an AL leading 38 saves, 73 strikeouts to 12 walks, and a 2.63 ERA in 65.0 innings in 66 games. In the postseason, he pitched 10.0 innings in 9 games and he gave up 7 hits, 1 home run, and 4 runs. He struck out 9 batters and walked 5 and he had a 1-0 record and a 3.60 ERA.

Osuna pitched just 4.1 innings in 4 games in 2020. He spent most of the season on the IL with right elbow soreness.

Osuna elected free agency on October 30, 2020. He played in the Mexican League, the Mexican Pacific Winter League, and the Caribbean Series in 2021.

Career pitching statistics for Osuna through 2020 include:

• 314 games played
• 315.0 innings pitched
• 14-18 win-loss record
• 155 saves
• 348 strikeouts to 55 walks
• 2.74 ERA

Personal Life

Osuna's uncle, Antonio Osuna, was a relief pitcher in the major leagues from 1995 through 2005. He played for five teams, with his longest stint with the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1995 through 2000.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Roberto Osuna
ESPN - Roberto Osuna
Baseball Reference - Roberto Osuna