Ryan Zeferjahn
American baseball player (born 1998)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ryan Joseph Zeferjahn (/ˈzɛfərdʒɑːn/ ZEF-ər-jahn;[1] born February 28, 1998) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Los Angeles Angels
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| Ryan Zeferjahn | |
|---|---|
Zeferjahn pitching in the Florida Complex League in 2021 | |
| Chicago Cubs – No. 56 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: February 28, 1998 Topeka, Kansas, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 25, 2024, for the Los Angeles Angels | |
| MLB statistics (through August 17, 2026) | |
| Win–loss record | 10–8 |
| Earned run average | 4.12 |
| Strikeouts | 173 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
| |
Amateur career
A native of Topeka, Kansas, Zeferjahn played college baseball at the University of Kansas.[2] In 2017, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Falmouth Commodores of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[3]
Professional career
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox selected Zeferjahn in the third round, with the 107th overall selection, of the 2019 Major League Baseball draft.[4][5] He made his professional debut with the Low–A Lowell Spinners, logging a 4.50 ERA in 12 starts. Zeferjahn did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[6]
Zeferjahn returned to action in 2021 with the rookie–level Florida Complex League Red Sox and Single–A Salem Red Sox. In 16 starts between the two affiliates, he compiled a 1–4 record and 5.98 ERA with 59 strikeouts across 55+2⁄3 innings pitched.[7] Zeferjahn split the 2022 campaign between the High–A Greenville Drive and Double–A Portland Sea Dogs. In 34 appearances pitching mainly in relief, he accumulated a 5–4 record and 5.05 ERA with 80 strikeouts over 71+1⁄3 innings pitched.[8]
Zeferjahn spent 2023 with Portland, also making two scoreless outings for Salem. In 34 appearances out of the bullpen for Portland, he recorded a 5.02 ERA with 68 strikeouts across 43 innings of work.[9] Zeferjahn began the 2024 season with Portland, and was promoted to the Triple–A Worcester Red Sox after seven scoreless appearances. In 18 games for Worcester, he registered a 5.47 ERA with 31 strikeouts and 4 saves over 24+2⁄3 innings.[10]
Los Angeles Angels
On July 30, 2024, Zeferjahn, Matthew Lugo, Yeferson Vargas, and Niko Kavadas were traded to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for Luis García.[11] In five games for the Triple–A Salt Lake Bees, he posted a 2.35 ERA with 8 strikeouts. On August 23, Zeferjahn was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[12] In 12 appearances for Los Angeles during his rookie campaign, Zeferjahn recorded a 2.12 ERA with 18 strikeouts over 17 innings of work.[13]
On April 6, 2025, Zeferjahn recorded his first career win after tossing a scoreless sixth inning against the Cleveland Guardians.[14]
Chicago Cubs
On August 3, 2026, the Angels traded Zeferjahn to the Chicago Cubs for Moises Ballesteros and Mason McGwire.[15]