Ryan Fernandez

Ryan Austin Fernandez (born June 11, 1998) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2024.

Career Amateur career Fernandez attended Braulio Alonso High School in Tampa, Florida, and played college baseball at Hillsborough Community College. Boston Red Sox The Boston Red Sox selected Fernandez in the 23rd round, with the 700th overall pick, in the 2018 Major League Baseball draft. He made his professional debut with the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Red Sox. Fernandez spent the 2019 season with the Low-A Lowell Spinners, registering a 4–1 record and 2.49 ERA with 38 strikeouts and four saves over 17 appearances. He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fernandez returned to action in 2021 with the Single-A Salem Red Sox and High-A Greenville Drive. In 24 appearances for the two affiliates, he posted a cumulative 4–1 record and 2.39 ERA with 60 strikeouts and two saves across innings pitched. He split the 2022 campaign between the Greenville and the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs, accumulating a 2–3 record and 4.31 ERA with 56 strikeouts and 10 saves across 35 total appearances out of the bullpen.

St. Louis Cardinals On December 6, 2023, the St. Louis Cardinals selected Fernandez from the Red Sox in the Rule 5 draft. He made the Cardinals' Opening Day roster as part of the team's bullpen. He made his debut on April 3, 2024, in a game against the San Diego Padres. Fernandez pitched the entirety of the 8th inning, allowing a hit and a walk and striking out three batters. Fernandez had a 3.51 ERA in innings pitched for the Cardinals in the 2024 season. He was promoted back to the major leagues on August 1.

Fernandez was again optioned to Memphis to begin the 2026 season.