Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Drew Rasmussen

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 14, 2026

How Drew Rasmussen built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Drew Rasmussen is a professional baseball pitcher known for his effective performance in Major League Baseball (MLB). After a collegiate career at Oregon State University, where he was a key contributor to their 2018 College World Series championship, he was selected in the MLB Draft. Rasmussen has played for organizations including the Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays. As a starting pitcher, he has gained recognition for his high-velocity fastball and sharp slider, often showcasing his ability to pitch deep into games. Despite facing challenges with injuries, including multiple Tommy John surgeries early in his career, Rasmussen has demonstrated resilience and skill, establishing himself as a reliable and talented arm in modern professional baseball rotations.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2014: 2014 MLB Draft Selection

In 2014, prior to his freshman season at Oregon State University, Drew Rasmussen was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 39th round of the MLB draft.

March 21, 2015: Perfect Game against Washington State

On March 21, 2015, while playing as a freshman for Oregon State, Drew Rasmussen achieved a significant career milestone by pitching the first and only perfect game in the program's history during a 3–0 win over Washington State.

2017: 2017 MLB Draft Selection

During the 2017 Major League Baseball draft, Rasmussen was selected 31st overall by the Tampa Bay Rays; however, he did not sign a contract with the team that year.

2018: Absence from 2018 Season

Due to the recovery process from his surgery in 2017, Drew Rasmussen was sidelined for the entirety of the 2018 season.

2018: Drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers

In 2018, Drew Rasmussen was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the sixth round of the Major League Baseball draft as the 185th overall pick, despite not playing during the 2018 season.

2019: First Professional Baseball Season

During the 2019 season, Drew Rasmussen played for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, Carolina Mudcats, and Biloxi Shuckers. Over the course of 27 games and 23 starts, he finished with a 1–3 record, a 3.15 ERA, and recorded 96 strikeouts over 74.33 innings pitched.

August 13, 2020: First Major League Promotion

On August 13, 2020, Drew Rasmussen reached a significant career milestone when he was added to the 40-man roster and received his first promotion to the major leagues.

2020: MLB Debut

In 2020, Drew Rasmussen officially made his debut as a professional baseball pitcher in Major League Baseball while playing for the Milwaukee Brewers.

May 21, 2021: Trade to Tampa Bay Rays

On May 21, 2021, the Milwaukee Brewers traded Drew Rasmussen and J. P. Feyereisen to the Tampa Bay Rays in a deal that sent Willy Adames and Trevor Richards to Milwaukee.

2021: 2021 Milwaukee Brewers Season

During the 2021 season, Rasmussen served as a relief pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers, concluding his tenure with the team having recorded a 4.24 ERA, 25 strikeouts, and one save across 15 games.

August 14, 2022: Near-Perfect Game Performance

On August 14, 2022, Drew Rasmussen delivered a dominant pitching performance, maintaining a perfect game through eight innings before ultimately losing the bid in the ninth inning.

August 7, 2024: Activation from 60-day injured list

On August 7, 2024, Drew Rasmussen was officially activated from the Tampa Bay Rays' 60-day injured list, marking his return to play following his recovery from surgery.

January 6, 2025: Rasmussen signs two-year deal with the Rays

On January 6, 2025, Drew Rasmussen and the Tampa Bay Rays reached a financial agreement on a two-year contract valued at $8.5 million, successfully avoiding the salary arbitration process.

2025: First All-Star Game Selection

In 2025, Drew Rasmussen achieved a significant career milestone by being named to his first career All-Star game.

July 2, 2026: Named AL Pitcher of the Month

On July 2, 2026, Drew Rasmussen was officially recognized as the American League Pitcher of the Month for his exceptional performance throughout June, during which he achieved a 3–2 record, a 0.82 ERA, 39 strikeouts, and a 0.61 WHIP across five starts.