Brooks Raley

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = Brooks Raley

| image = Brooks Raley warming up, March 30, 2023 (1) (cropped).jpg

| caption = Raley with the Mets in 2023

| team = New York Mets

| number = 43

| position = Pitcher

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1988|6|29}}

| birth_place = San Antonio, Texas, U.S.

| bats = Left

| throws = Left

| debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = August 7

| debutyear = 2012

| debutteam = Chicago Cubs

| debut2league= KBO

| debut2date = March 28

| debut2year = 2015

| debut2team = Lotte Giants

| statleague = MLB

| statyear = 2024 season

| stat1label = Win–loss record

| stat1value = 6–10

| stat2label = Earned run average

| stat2value = 4.04

| stat3label = Strikeouts

| stat3value = 253

| stat2league = KBO

| stat2year = 2019 season

| stat21label = Win–loss record

| stat21value = 48–53

| stat22label = Earned run average

| stat22value = 4.13

| stat23label = Strikeouts

| stat23value = 755

| teams =

Chicago Cubs ({{mlby|2012}}–{{mlby|2013}})
Lotte Giants ({{by|2015}}–{{by|2019}})
Cincinnati Reds ({{mlby|2020}})
Houston Astros ({{mlby|2020}}–{{mlby|2021}})
Tampa Bay Rays ({{mlby|2022}})
New York Mets ({{mlby|2023}}–present)

| medaltemplates =

{{MedalCountry | {{USA}}}}

}}

Brooks Lee Raley (born June 29, 1988) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Houston Astros, Tampa Bay Rays, and in the KBO League for the Lotte Giants. Raley played college baseball for the Texas A&M Aggies. The Cubs selected Raley in the sixth round of the 2009 MLB draft, and he made his MLB debut with them in 2012.

Career

=Amateur career=

File:Brooks Raley (2290531208) (cropped).jpg

Raley attended Uvalde High School in Uvalde, Texas, and Texas A&M University, where he played college baseball for the Texas A&M Aggies.{{cite web |url=http://www.uvaldeleadernews.com/node/3491 |title=Raley pitches for South Korean pro baseball team | Uvalde Leader-News |access-date=January 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170110022917/http://www.uvaldeleadernews.com/node/3491 |archive-date=January 10, 2017 |url-status=dead }}

=Chicago Cubs=

The Chicago Cubs selected Raley in the sixth round of the 2009 Major League Baseball draft.{{cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/sports/college/article/Texas-A-M-pitcher-outfielder-Raley-signs-with-Cubs-1603232.php|title=Texas A&M pitcher/outfielder Raley signs with Cubs|work=Houston Chronicle|date=August 5, 2009 |access-date=April 29, 2015}} The Cubs promoted Raley to the major leagues for the first time on August 7, 2012.{{cite web|url=http://blog.chron.com/ultimateastros/2012/08/03/astros-put-cordero-on-dl-call-up-mickey-storey-from-aaa/|title=Astros put Cordero on DL, call up Mickey Storey from AAA|work=Ultimate Astros|date=August 3, 2012 |access-date=April 29, 2015}} He had three stints with the Cubs in 2013, while spending the majority of the season with the Iowa Cubs of the Triple–A Pacific Coast League.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/cubs/news/cubs-recall-rhp-grimm-lhp-raley-and-c-boscan-from-triple-a-iowa/c-59425634 |title=Cubs recall RHP Justin Grimm, LHP Brooks Raley and C J.C. Boscan from Triple-A Iowa | Chicago Cubs |work=Mlb.com |date=2013-09-03 |access-date=2020-08-06}}

=Minnesota Twins=

On February 12, 2014, Raley was claimed off waivers by the Minnesota Twins.{{cite web|url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/02/twins-claim-brooks-raley-from-cubs.html|title=Twins Claim Brooks Raley From Cubs|work=MLB Trade Rumors|date=February 12, 2014 |access-date=April 29, 2015}} In 8 games for the Triple–A Rochester Red Wings, Raley compiled a 3.68 ERA with 19 strikeouts across {{fraction|14|2|3}} innings pitched.{{Cite web|title=Angels Claim Brooks Raley Off Waivers From Twins|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/05/angels-claim-brooks-raley-off-waivers-from-twins.html|access-date=October 3, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=May 8, 2014 |language=en}}

=Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim=

Raley was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on May 8, 2014.{{cite web|last=Gonzalez |first=Alden |url=http://m.angels.mlb.com/news/article/74795554/angels-claim-left-hander-brooks-raley-off-waivers-from-twins/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170110015304/http://m.angels.mlb.com/news/article/74795554/angels-claim-left-hander-brooks-raley-off-waivers-from-twins/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 10, 2017 |title=Angels claim lefty Raley off waivers from Twins |publisher=M.angels.mlb.com |date=2014-05-08 |access-date=2020-08-06}} On June 6, he was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to the Triple–A Salt Lake Bees.{{Cite web|title=Minor Moves: Spears, Pineiro, Worth, Angels|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/06/minor-moves-angels-outright-three-pitchers.html|access-date=October 3, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=June 7, 2014 |language=en}} In 6 games (5 starts) for the Bees, Raley struggled to an 0–3 record and 10.57 ERA with 15 strikeouts across 23 innings pitched. He was released by the Angels organization on December 15.{{Cite web|title=Brooks Raley Trades And Transactions|url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/trades.php?p=raleybr01|access-date=October 3, 2024|website=baseball-almanac.com|language=en}}

=Lotte Giants=

On December 14, 2014, Raley signed a contract with the Lotte Giants, a team in the KBO League based in Busan.{{cite web|url=http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/full/2014/12/14/95/1200000000AEN20141214001500315F.html|title=Lotte Giants sign left-hander Brooks Raley|work=yonhapnews.co.kr|access-date=April 29, 2015}} Raley remained with the Giants in 2016, and signed a one-year, $850,000 contract for the 2017 season on January 8, 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/01/cubs-sign-maikel-cleto-andy-burns-kbo-bluejays.html|title=Minor MLB Transactions: 1/9/17|last=Adams|first=Steve|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=January 9, 2017|access-date=January 9, 2017}} In five seasons with Lotte from 2015 through 2019, Raley produced a 48–53 record with a 4.13 ERA and 755 strikeouts over {{frac|910|2|3}} innings.{{cite web|url=https://mykbostats.com/players/945-Brooks-Raley-Lotte-Giants|title=Brooks Raley stats|website=MyKBO|access-date=December 14, 2019}}

=Cincinnati Reds=

On January 9, 2020, Raley signed a minor league deal with the Cincinnati Reds that included an invitation to spring training. He made the Reds' Opening Day roster.{{cite web|url=https://www.uvaldeleadernews.com/articles/raley-on-active-list-for-mlbs-reds/ |title=Raley on active list for MLB's Reds |publisher=Uvalde Leader News |date=2020-07-23 |access-date=2020-08-06}} Raley pitched in four innings in four games for Cincinnati, marking his first MLB action since 2013 before being designated for assignment on August 6.{{cite web|url=https://local12.com/sports/reds/reds-option-antone-vanmeter-to-reach-28-player-roster-limit-cincinnati-mlb-baseball-teejay-josh |title=Reds option Antone, VanMeter to reach 28-player roster limit; make separate move | WKRC |date=August 6, 2020 |publisher=Local12.com |access-date=2020-08-06}}

=Houston Astros=

On August 9, 2020, Raley was traded to the Houston Astros in exchange for a player to be named later, minor league pitcher Fredy Medina.{{cite news |last1=Fay |first1=John |title=Cincinnati Reds added three to the roster, add another via trade |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/2020/11/20/cincinnati-reds-added-three-roster-add-another-via-trade/6365987002/ |access-date=August 23, 2021 |work=Cincinnati Enquirer |date=November 20, 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Randhawa |first1=Manny |title=Astros acquire reliever Raley from Reds |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/brooks-raley-traded-to-astros-from-reds |access-date=August 23, 2021 |work=MLB.com |date=August 9, 2020}}

In 2020 with Houston, Raley was 0–1 with one save and a 3.94 ERA in 16 innings in which he struck out 21 batters, over 17 relief appearances.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/raleybr01.shtml|title=Brooks Raley Stats|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} On November 1, the Astros picked up Raley's $2 million option for the 2021 season.{{cite news |title=Houston Astros exercise 2021 option on left-hander Brooks Raley |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/30240540/houston-astros-exercise-2021-option-left-hander-brooks-raley |access-date=August 23, 2021 |website=ESPN.com |date=November 1, 2020}}

In 2021, Raley was 2–3 with two saves and a 4.78 ERA. In 58 games he pitched 49.0 innings and struck out 65 batters. On November 3, 2021, Raley was declared a free agent.{{cite news |last=Laynance |first=Reid |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/astros/article/Carlos-Correa-seven-Astros-declared-free-agents-16589315.php |title=Carlos Correa among 7 Astros declared free agents |work=Houston Chronicle |date=November 3, 2021 |access-date=November 4, 2021}}

=Tampa Bay Rays=

On November 30, 2021, Raley signed a two-year, $10 million contract with the Tampa Bay Rays.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/brooks-raley-rays-deal|title=Rays sign lefty reliever Raley to 2-yr. deal|website=MLB.com|access-date=December 10, 2021}} On June 4, 2022, Raley, along with four other Rays teammates, opted out of wearing a Rays team logo and cap in support of LGBTQ+ Pride, during the team's annual Pride Night celebration at Tropicana Field.{{Cite web |title=Most, but not all, Rays show their LGBTQ+ support |url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rays/2022/06/04/most-but-not-all-rays-show-their-lgbtq-support/ |access-date=2022-06-24 |website=Tampa Bay Times |language=en}} In 60 appearances for the Rays, he compiled a 2.68 ERA with 61 strikeouts and 6 saves across {{fraction|53|2|3}} innings pitched.

=New York Mets=

On December 7, 2022, the Rays traded Raley to the New York Mets in exchange for Keyshawn Askew.{{cite web | url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mets-trade-for-reliever-brooks-raley-in-deal-with-rays-at-mlb-winter-meetings/ | title=Mets trade for reliever Brooks Raley in deal with Rays at MLB Winter Meetings | date=December 7, 2022 }} In 2023, Raley made 66 appearances out of the bullpen for New York, compiling a 2.80 ERA with 61 strikeouts and 3 saves across {{fraction|54|2|3}} innings pitched.{{Cite web|title=Brooks Raley 2023 Game By Game Pitching Logs|url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/pitchinglogs.php?p=raleybr01&y=2023|access-date=May 21, 2024|website=baseball-almanac.com|language=en}}

Raley made eight scoreless appearances for the Mets in 2024 before going down with an elbow injury. On May 21, 2024, it was announced that Raley would undergo Tommy John surgery.{{Cite web|title=Brooks Raley To Undergo Tommy John Surgery|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/05/brooks-raley-to-undergo-tommy-john-surgery.html|access-date=May 21, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} After the season, he became a free agent.

On April 25, 2025, the Mets re-signed Raley to a one-year contract including a team option for 2026.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-25 |title=Report: Mets, Raley agree to 1-year deal with team option for 2026 |url=https://www.thescore.com/mlb/news/3274856/amp |access-date=2025-04-25 |website=theScore.com}} He was transferred to the 60-day injured list on April 30, as he continued to recover from surgery.{{Cite web|title=Mets Select Chris Devenski, Place Danny Young On IL With Elbow Sprain|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/04/mets-select-chris-devenski-place-danny-young-on-il-with-elbow-sprain.html|access-date=April 30, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}

Personal life

Raley's parents are Terry and DeeAnna Raley.{{cite news |title=Raley on active list for MLB's Reds |url=https://www.uvaldeleadernews.com/articles/raley-on-active-list-for-mlbs-reds/ |access-date=August 23, 2021 |work=Uvalde Leader-News |date=July 23, 2021}} His father joined the Toronto Blue Jays organization after being selected in the 1981 Major League Baseball draft, and played for the Medicine Hat Blue Jays and the Kinston Blue Jays before ending his professional baseball career in 1982.{{cite news |last1=Finger |first1=Mike |title=For Houston Astros' Brooks Raley, a long journey back to the majors |url=https://www.expressnews.com/sports/columnists/mike_finger/article/Mike-Finger-For-Houston-Astros-Brooks-Raley-15632597.php |access-date=August 23, 2021 |work=San Antonio Express-News |date=October 8, 2020}}{{cite news |title=Terry Raley |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=raley-001ter |access-date=August 23, 2021 |publisher=Baseball Reference}} Two of Raley's brothers have also played minor league baseball. Elder brother Russell was drafted by the New York Yankees in 2006. After his playing career ended in 2007, Russell became a coach.{{cite news |title=Russell Raley |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=raley-001rus |access-date=August 23, 2021 |publisher=Baseball Reference}}{{cite news |title=Russel Raley |url=https://uiwcardinals.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/russell-raley/436 |access-date=August 23, 2021 |publisher=Incarnate Word Cardinals}} His younger brother Cory was chosen by the Cleveland Indians in 2012, and played his final season of minor league baseball in 2016.{{cite news |title=4 Cory Raley |url=https://texastech.com/sports/baseball/roster/cory-raley/4 |access-date=August 23, 2021 |publisher=Texas Tech}}{{cite news |title=Cory Raley |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=raley-000cor |access-date=August 23, 2021 |publisher=Baseball Reference}}

Raley met Rachel Shipley at Texas A&M, where she played for the women's soccer team, and they later married. The couple have four children, three daughters and a son.{{cite news |last1=Lerner |first1=Danielle |title=Astros activate Brooks Raley from COVID-19 injured list |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/astros/article/Brooks-Raley-activated-Astros-COVID-19-injured-16338564.php |access-date=August 23, 2021 |work=Houston Chronicle |date=July 25, 2021}}