Biography

BIOGRAPHY

Riley O'Brien was born April 16, 1997, in Orlando, Florida. He is a pitcher in the MLB.

Byrne attended Olympia High School in Orlando, Florida. He played for the school's baseball team as a starting pitcher. Byrne enrolled at the University of Florida to play college baseball for the Florida Gators. He became their closer in 2017, his sophomore year. After the 2017 season, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League. In 2018, Byrne won the Stopper of the Year Award.

The Cincinnati Reds selected Byrne in the 14th round, with the 409th overall selection, of the 2018 MLB draft. Byrne signed with the Reds and began his professional career with the Daytona Tortugas of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League. In 21 2⁄3 innings relief innings, he went 1-1 with a 1.25 ERA. He returned to Daytona in 2019, going 7-3 with a 4.27 ERA over 37 games (six starts).