Career Timeline of Robbie Ray: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Robbie Ray made an impact.

Robbie Ray is an American professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the San Francisco Giants in MLB. He has also played for the Detroit Tigers, Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays, and Seattle Mariners. Known for his fastball and slider combination, Ray is a left-handed pitcher. His career highlights include winning the American League Cy Young Award in 2021 while playing for the Toronto Blue Jays. Throughout his MLB career, Ray has demonstrated a high strikeout rate but has also struggled with command at times. He signed with the Giants in 2022 and is currently with the team.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2010: Signed with Washington Nationals

In 2010, after de-committing from Vanderbilt University and planning to play for the Arkansas Razorbacks, Robbie Ray was selected by the Washington Nationals in the 12th round of the MLB Draft. He signed with the team on August 14 for a signing bonus of $799,000 and pitched one inning for the Vermont Lake Monsters.

May 10, 2011: First professional baseball start

On May 10, 2011, Robbie Ray made his first professional baseball start for the Class A Hagerstown Suns, pitching five innings, striking out six, and walking none.

2012: Struggled with Potomac Nationals

In 2012, Robbie Ray struggled with the Potomac Nationals, going 4–12 with a 6.56 ERA.

July 5, 2013: Promoted to Double-A Harrisburg Senators

On July 5, 2013, Robbie Ray was promoted to the Double-A Harrisburg Senators after a strong first half in the Carolina League.

December 3, 2013: Traded to Detroit Tigers

On December 3, 2013, Robbie Ray was traded to the Detroit Tigers along with Ian Krol and Steve Lombardozzi Jr. for Doug Fister.

May 6, 2014: MLB Debut

On May 6, 2014, Robbie Ray made his MLB debut for the Detroit Tigers, allowing one run on five hits in 5+1⁄3 innings against the Houston Astros, securing an 11-4 victory.

December 5, 2014: Traded to Arizona Diamondbacks

On December 5, 2014, Robbie Ray was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks as part of a three-team trade.

2015: Development with Arizona Diamondbacks

In 2015, Robbie Ray showed development with the Arizona Diamondbacks, recording a 5-12 record and a 3.52 ERA, alongside 108 strikeouts in 117+1⁄3 innings.

2016: Inconsistent Season with Diamondbacks

During the 2016 season, Robbie Ray had an inconsistent performance with the Diamondbacks, marked by a high strikeout rate but also a high ERA. He finished with an 8-15 record and a 4.90 ERA.

2016: Career best innings pitched tied

In 2019, Robbie Ray pitched 174+1/3 innings, tying his career best innings pitched from 2016.

2017: All-Star Season Interrupted by Injury

In 2017, Robbie Ray had a strong season, including a 27+1⁄3-inning scoreless streak and his first complete game shutout. He was selected for the All-Star Game, but his season was interrupted when he was hit in the head by a line drive on July 28. He finished the regular season with a 15–5 record and a 2.89 ERA.

2017: MLB All-Star

In 2017, Robbie Ray was named an MLB All-Star.

2018: Strained Oblique Muscle

In the 2018 season, Robbie Ray left his April 30 start against the Nationals with a strained oblique muscle, sidelining him for a period. He returned on June 27 and finished the season with a 6–2 record and a 3.93 ERA in 24 starts.

2019: Career High Starts

In 2019, Robbie Ray pitched a career-high 33 starts, finishing with a 12-8 record and a 4.34 ERA, also striking out a career-high 235 batters.

August 16, 2020: Reached 1,000 MLB Career Strikeouts

On August 16, 2020, Robbie Ray reached 1,000 MLB career strikeouts. In 2020 with Arizona he was 1-4 with a 7.84 ERA. He led the NL in walks given up (31).

August 31, 2020: Traded to Toronto Blue Jays

On August 31, 2020, Robbie Ray was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays from the Diamondbacks for Travis Bergen.

September 1, 2020: Blue Jays Debut

On September 1, 2020, Robbie Ray made his debut with the Toronto Blue Jays.

July 11, 2021: No-Hitter Bid

On July 11, 2021, Robbie Ray took a no-hitter into the 7th inning against the Tampa Bay Rays, but it was broken up by a one-out double by Yandy Díaz.

November 30, 2021: Signed with Seattle Mariners

On November 30, 2021, Robbie Ray signed a five-year contract worth $115 million with the Seattle Mariners.

2021: Led American League

In 2021, Robbie Ray finished the 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 also won the American League Cy Young Award and the Players Choice Award for AL Outstanding Pitcher.

2021: American League Cy Young Award

In 2021, while with the Toronto Blue Jays, Robbie Ray won the American League Cy Young Award after leading the league in earned run average and strikeouts.