Robbie Ray

BIOGRAPHY

Robbie Ray was born on October 1, 1991, in Brentwood, Tennessee. He is a pitcher in the MLB.

Ray attended Brentwood High School in Brentwood, Tennessee. He committed to attend the University of Arkansas to play college baseball for the Arkansas Razorbacks.

The Washington Nationals selected Ray in the 12th round of the 2010 MLB draft. He signed with the Nationals, receiving a $799,000 signing bonus. On December 2, 2013, Ray was traded to the Detroit Tigers. On December 5, 2014, the Tigers traded Ray and Domingo Leyba to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Ray began the 2018 season as the Diamondbacks #2 starter. He was placed on the disabled list on April 30 with an oblique injury. He finished the season 6–2 with an ERA of 3.93 in 24 starts. In 123 2⁄3 innings, he struck out 165 batters, and gave up 70 walks.

On August 31, 2020, the Diamondbacks traded Ray along with cash considerations to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Travis Bergen. On September 1, 2020, he made his Blue Jays debut. With the 2020 Toronto Blue Jays, Ray appeared in 5 games, compiling a 1-1 record with 4.79 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 20.2 innings pitched. He re-signed with the Blue Jays for the 2021 season, signing a 1 year, $8 million contract.

Ray finished the 2021 season with a 13–7 record and led the American League in ERA (2.84), strikeouts (248), innings pitched (193+1⁄3), and WHIP (1.04). He left 90.1% of runners on base, tops in the majors. Ray won the American League Cy Young Award in a near-unanimous vote, receiving 29 of 30 first-place votes. He also won the Players Choice Award for AL Outstanding Pitcher.