Drafted in the 30th round (902nd overall) by the Cleveland Guardians in 2016 (signed for $100,000).
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No. 169 in the 2014 BA 500 coming out of high school, Ryan didn't play much with the Tar Heels, and scouts didn't get a look at him this spring as he was off the team halfway through the season.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
Track Record: Ryan showed promise as a hitter in high school, but when he hit 96 mph off the mound as a senior, he became a draft prospect as a pitcher. He played third base sparingly for two years at North Carolina before leaving the team. He made only one pitching appearance at UNC. Regardless, the Indians drafted Ryan as a pitcher in 2016 and signed him for $100,000 as a 30th-round pick. Cleveland traded him to the Mets a year later in an August waiver trade for Jay Bruce.
Scouting Report: Because he was relatively new to pitching, Ryan moved slowly in his first full season of 2017, which he spent as a reliever at low Class A. As he wore down, he ran up a 6.27 ERA and .304 opponent average in his final 25 appearances. Ryan showed more stamina in 2018 by reaching Double-A Binghamton at the end of May. He throws a pair of high-spin pitches and shows good feel for the strike zone. His fastball sits 94-96 mph and has touched 98 from a low three-quarters arm slot. The pitch misses bats up in the zone with riding life and plus spin. His slider has improved in pro ball and flashes above-average potential with 81-85 mph velocity, tight spin and depth. Ryan throws a changeup occasionally.
The Future: The Mets have toyed with the idea of moving Ryan to the rotation or at the very least using him as a multi-inning reliever. He is on track for a big league debut in late 2019 or 2020.
Draft Prospects
Ryan was well known to scouts even as an underclassman after touching 93 mph in a showcase as a rising junior. He didn't show the same velocity last summer and fall, but it returned this spring, as he touched 96 mph early as he concentrated on pitching after previously spending more of his time as a catcher and third baseman. Ryan struggled to maintain his velocity, touching 92-93 mph early in games before pitching at 88-91 with average life from a high three-quarters arm slot, but his secondary stuff improved. His curveball showed at least average potential, as did his changeup. Ryan has an easy delivery that is athletic from the waist up, so he could project to have above-average future control. The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder was in better shape this spring and has a strong, athletic build, though he doesn't offer much projection. He is coached by his father Sean, who played in the minors up to Triple-A. He has a strong commitment to North Carolina and has a good chance of getting to Chapel Hill, where he could be a two-way player.
Career Transactions
Pittsburgh Pirates sent RHP Ryder Ryan outright to Indianapolis Indians.
Pittsburgh Pirates designated RHP Ryder Ryan for assignment.
Pittsburgh Pirates selected the contract of RHP Ryder Ryan from Indianapolis Indians.
Pittsburgh Pirates sent RHP Ryder Ryan outright to Indianapolis Indians.
Pittsburgh Pirates designated RHP Ryder Ryan for assignment.
Indianapolis Indians activated RHP Ryder Ryan.
Pittsburgh Pirates optioned RHP Ryder Ryan to Indianapolis Indians.
Indianapolis Indians activated RHP Ryder Ryan.
Pittsburgh Pirates recalled RHP Ryder Ryan from Indianapolis Indians.
Pittsburgh Pirates optioned RHP Ryder Ryan to Indianapolis Indians.
Pittsburgh Pirates recalled RHP Ryder Ryan from Indianapolis Indians.
Indianapolis Indians activated RHP Ryder Ryan.
Pittsburgh Pirates optioned RHP Ryder Ryan to Indianapolis Indians.
Pittsburgh Pirates recalled RHP Ryder Ryan from Indianapolis Indians.
Pittsburgh Pirates optioned RHP Ryder Ryan to Indianapolis Indians.
Pittsburgh Pirates recalled RHP Ryder Ryan from Indianapolis Indians.
Indianapolis Indians activated RHP Ryder Ryan.
Pittsburgh Pirates optioned RHP Ryder Ryan to Indianapolis Indians.
Pittsburgh Pirates selected the contract of RHP Ryder Ryan from Indianapolis Indians.
Seattle Mariners selected the contract of RHP Ryder Ryan from Tacoma Rainiers.
Seattle Mariners selected the contract of RHP Ryder Ryan from Tacoma Rainiers.
Seattle Mariners optioned RHP Ryder Ryan to Tacoma Rainiers.
Seattle Mariners optioned RHP Ryder Ryan to Tacoma Rainiers.
Seattle Mariners reassigned RHP Ryder Ryan to the minor leagues.
RHP Ryder Ryan assigned to Tacoma Rainiers.
Seattle Mariners signed free agent RHP Ryder Ryan to a minor league contract.
RHP Ryder Ryan elected free agency.
Tacoma Rainiers activated RHP Ryder Ryan from the 7-day injured list.
Tacoma Rainiers placed RHP Ryder Ryan on the 7-day injured list.
Seattle Mariners invited non-roster RHP Ryder Ryan to spring training.
RHP Ryder Ryan roster status changed by Seattle Mariners.
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