User:GhostRiver/robbie

Robert Glenn Ray (born October 1, 1991) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in MLB for the Detroit Tigers, Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays, and Seattle Mariners. Ray won the American League (AL) Cy Young Award with the Blue Jays in 2021.

Early life
Robert Glenn Ray was born October 1, 1991, in Brentwood, Tennessee, to Lori and Robert Ray.

Ray originally planned to play college baseball for the Vanderbilt Commodores before changing his mind and committing to the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Draft and minor leagues (2010–2013)
The Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball (MLB) selected Ray in the 12th round, 356th overall, of the 2010 MLB draft. He agreed to terms with the Nationals on August 14, joining the organization on a $799,000 signing bonus. Because he signed so late in the season, Ray had limited time to play in the minor leagues in 2010. He made one appearance that season, striking out two batters in one inning for the Vermont Lake Monsters of the New York–Penn League. After spending the first five weeks of the 2011 season in Florida for extended spring training, Ray made his first professional baseball start on May 9, 2011, for the Single-A Hagerstown Suns of rhe South Atlantic League. He allowed one hit and did not walk a batter in five scoreless innings against the Delmarva Shorebirds.


 * 2011 Hagerstown Suns
 * 2012 Potomac Nationals
 * 2013 Potomac Nationals
 * 2013 Harrisburg Senators

Detroit Tigers (2014)
On December 3, 2013, the Nationals traded Ray, pitcher Ian Krol, and infielder/outfielder Steve Lombardozzi Jr. to the Detroit Tigers for veteran pitcher Doug Fister, a move that was part of general manager Dave Dombrowski's larger plan to cut the Tigers' payroll and invest in pitching prospects.


 * 2014
 * 2014 Arizona Fall League

Arizona Diamondbacks (2015–2020)

 * 2015
 * 2016
 * 2017
 * 2018
 * 2019
 * 2020

Prior to the 2020 season, the Diamondbacks agreed to terms with Ray, signing him to a one-year, $9.43 million contract. When the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the 2020 MLB season, Ray remained in Arizona to maintain his conditioning, throwing off a mound at Salt River Fields twice a week. On August 16, Ray recorded his 1,000th career strikeout, against Jorge Mateo of the San Diego Padres.

Toronto Blue Jays (2020–2021)
On September 1, 2020, the Diamondbacks traded Ray to the Toronto Blue Jays for pitcher Travis Bergen.


 * 2020
 * 2021

Seattle Mariners (2022–2023)

 * 2022
 * 2023

Ray struggled with his pitch command in his 2023 season debut, allowing five runs (three earned) on four hits and five walks in $3 1/3$ innings against the Cleveland Guardians. The next day, he was placed on the 15-day injured list with a Grade 1 flexor strain in his pitching elbow.

San Francisco Giants (2024–present)
On January 5, 2023, the Mariners traded Ray to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for outfielder Mitch Haniger, pitcher Anthony DeSclafani, and cash considerations. The Giants viewed Ray as a complimentary piece to Logan Webb, their ace.

Pitching style
Ray primarily relies on two pitches: a four-seam fastball and a slider. He occasionally utilizes a two-seam fastball, a changeup, and a curveball as well.
 * https://blogs.fangraphs.com/robbie-ray-came-out-firing-but-a-flexor-strain-doused-his-flame/
 * https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/robbie-ray-is-throwing-gas-again-and-he-has-mariners-camp-buzzing/
 * https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/robbie-ray-592662?stats=statcast-r-pitching-mlb

Personal life
Ray met his wife, Taylor Pasma, at a birthday party in 2012, and they married during the 2014–15 MLB offseason. They have three children together: two sons and a daughter.