Riley O'Brien

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Riley O'Brien

|team = St. Louis Cardinals

|position = Pitcher

|number = 55

|image = Riley O'Brien (52819473691).jpg

|caption = O'Brien with the Tacoma Rainiers in 2023

|bats = Right

|throws = Right

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|2|6}}

|birth_place = Seattle, Washington, U.S.

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = September 28

|debutyear = 2021

|debutteam = Cincinnati Reds

|statleague = MLB

|statyear = June 9, 2025

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 0–1

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 8.64

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 17

|teams =

Cincinnati Reds ({{mlby|2021}})
Seattle Mariners ({{mlby|2022}})
St. Louis Cardinals ({{mlby|2024}}–present)

}}

Riley Chun-Young O'Brien (born February 6, 1995) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Cincinnati Reds and Seattle Mariners. He made his MLB debut in 2021.

Amateur career

O'Brien attended Shorewood High School in Shoreline, Washington, where he played baseball.{{cite web|url=https://www.heraldnet.com/sports/another-gem-by-obrien-leads-shorewood-past-gp/ |title=Another gem by O'Brien leads Shorewood past GP |publisher=HeraldNet.com |date=April 5, 2013 |accessdate=May 2, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.heraldnet.com/sports/shorewood-evcc-alum-chosen-by-rays-in-8th-round-of-mlb-draft/ |title=Shorewood, EvCC alum chosen by Rays in 8th round of MLB draft |publisher=HeraldNet.com |date=June 14, 2017 |accessdate=May 2, 2021}} He graduated in 2013, and then enrolled at Everett Community College. After two seasons at Everett, he transferred to the College of Idaho. As a junior in 2016, he went 6–3 with a 3.23 ERA and sixty strikeouts over 69 innings.{{Cite web|url=https://www.idahopress.com/sports/colleges/c_of_i/c-of-i-pitcher-riley-obrien-picked-by-rays-in-mlb-drafts-eighth-round/article_e587e993-a79a-5b3e-8191-e2ebb12ab0ce.html|title=C of I pitcher Riley O'Brien picked by Rays in MLB Draft's eighth round|first=JOHN|last=WUSTROW|website=Idaho Press|date=June 13, 2017 }} In 2017, his senior year, he pitched to a 3–4 record and a 2.15 ERA over 67 innings.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ktik.com/2017/06/14/broncos-hope-the-mw-tips-falls-into-place/|title=Broncos hope the MW tips falls into place|date=June 14, 2017|website=KTIK-AF}} After the season, he was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the eighth round of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft.{{cite web |last1=Katz |first1=Michael |title=Tampa Bay Rays select College of Idaho's Riley O'Brien |url=https://www.idahostatesman.com/sports/college/article155995134.html |website=idahostatesman.com |publisher=Idaho Statesman|access-date=December 3, 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.kmvt.com/content/sports/College-of-Idaho-pitcher-goes-in-eighth-round-of-MLB-Draft-428292583.html|title=College of Idaho pitcher goes in eighth round of MLB Draft|first=Brittany|last=Cooper|website=www.kmvt.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://magicvalley.com/sports/high-school/rays-take-college-of-idaho-pitcher-in-8th-round/article_65bbfa7e-e6d3-5273-bdb3-a644ed4f5809.html|title=Rays take College of Idaho pitcher in 8th round|first=MICHAEL KATZ Idaho|last=Statesman|website=Twin Falls Times-News}}

Professional career

=Tampa Bay Rays=

O'Brien signed with the Rays and made his professional debut that year with the Princeton Rays of the Advanced Rookie Appalachian League, going 1–0 with a 2.20 ERA over 11 games (ten starts).{{Cite web|url=https://www.bdtonline.com/sports/o-brien-doing-his-part-for-rays-on-mound/article_3f0ed266-77fa-11e7-a245-b3aae4b288ce.html|title=O'Brien doing his part for Rays on mound|first=GEORGE|last=THWAITES|website=Bluefield Daily Telegraph}} During the season, he was named Appalachian League Pitcher of the Week twice.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bdtonline.com/sports/princeton-pitcher-obrien-honored-again/article_cef28fb0-7bee-11e7-baac-832e35819606.html|title=Princeton pitcher O'Brien honored again|author=Staff report|website=Bluefield Daily Telegraph}} In 2018, he began the season with the Bowling Green Hot Rods of the Single–A Midwest League (with whom he was named an All-Star) before being promoted to the Charlotte Stone Crabs of the High–A Florida State League, with whom he ended the year; over 25 games (13 starts) between both teams, he went 8–4 with a 2.75 ERA.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/midwest-league-announces-2018-all-star-rosters/|title=Midwest League Announces 2018 All-Star Rosters|first=Josh|last=Norris|website=www.baseballamerica.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bgdailynews.com/sports/hot_rods/hot-rods-hernandez-wins-all-star-home-run-derby/article_9d488759-0860-5557-b6be-616e757847f5.html|title=Hot Rods' Hernandez wins All-Star Home Run Derby|first=|last=|website=Bowling Green Daily News}}{{cite web|last=Chase |first=Benjamin |url=https://calltothepen.com/2018/10/23/tampa-bay-rays-2018-minor-league-awards/3/ |title=Tampa Bay Rays 2018 minor league awards - Page 3 |publisher=Calltothepen.com |date=October 23, 2018 |accessdate=May 2, 2021}} In 2019, he began the season with Charlotte and was promoted to the Montgomery Biscuits of the Double–A Southern League in May. Over 20 games (17 starts) with the two clubs, he pitched to a 7–6 record and 3.16 ERA.{{cite web|url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/reds/2020/08/28/mlb-major-league-baseball-trade-deadline-cincinnati-ohio-reds-add-riley-obrien-tampa-bay/5663285002/ |title=MLB Trade Deadline: Cincinnati Reds add Riley O'Brien from Tampa Bay |publisher=Cincinnati.com |date= |accessdate=May 2, 2021}}

O'Brien did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|title=2020 Minor League Baseball season canceled|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2020-minor-league-baseball-season-canceled|access-date=September 28, 2021|website=MLB.com}}

=Cincinnati Reds=

On August 28, 2020, the Rays traded O'Brien to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for Cody Reed.{{Cite web|url=https://www.idahopress.com/sports/colleges/c_of_i/former-yotes-pitcher-traded-to-cincinnati/article_2bc333cd-baf0-5046-82b5-df05cc80fd99.html|title=Former Yotes pitcher traded to Cincinnati|first=MIKE SAFFORD College of Idaho|last=Athletics|website=Idaho Press}}{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/cody-reed-traded-to-rays |title=Cody Reed traded to Rays |work=Mlb.com |date=July 26, 2015 |accessdate=May 2, 2021}} On November 20, 2020, the Reds added O'Brien to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.{{cite web|author=Steve Adams |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/11/astros-trade-brandon-bailey-reds.html |title=Reds Acquire Brandon Bailey From Astros |publisher=MLB Trade Rumors |date=November 20, 2020 |accessdate=May 2, 2021}} To begin the 2021 season, he was assigned to the Louisville Bats of the Triple-A East.{{Cite web|last=Clark|first=Mitchell|date=May 4, 2021|title=2021 Reds' Minor League Roster Preview|url=https://www.redreporter.com/2021/5/4/22416582/2021-reds-minor-league-roster-preview-hunter-greene-nick-lodolo|access-date=September 28, 2021|website=Red Reporter}} Over 23 games (22 starts), O'Brien pitched to a 7–7 record, a 4.55 ERA, and 121 strikeouts over {{fraction|112|2|3}} innings.{{Cite web|last=WKRC|date=September 27, 2021|title=Reds starters set to make MLB debuts in consecutive games for fourth time in team history|url=https://local12.com/sports/reds/cincinnati-reds-starters-set-to-make-mlb-debuts-in-consecutive-games-for-fourth-time-in-team-history-reiver-sanmartin-riley-obrien|access-date=September 28, 2021|website=WKRC}}

On September 28, 2021, the Reds recalled O'Brien to the active roster to make his MLB debut versus the Chicago White Sox.{{Cite web|title=Notes: O'Brien debut; rotation; Farmer's slam|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/riley-o-brien-to-make-mlb-debut-tuesday-vs-white-sox|access-date=September 28, 2021|website=MLB.com}}{{Cite web|last=Goldsmith|first=Charlie|title=Three things to know about Reds starting pitcher Riley O'Brien|url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/reds/2021/09/27/riley-obrien-pitcher-debut-reds-vs-white-sox/5885327001/|access-date=September 28, 2021|website=The Cincinnati Enquirer}} He was the starting pitcher and threw {{fraction|1|1|3}} innings, giving up two solo home runs while walking three and striking out two.{{cite web | url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/reds-riley-obrien-gives-up-two-runs-in-short-outing/ | title=Reds' Riley O'Brien: Gives up two runs in short outing }}

On April 13, 2022, the Reds designated O'Brien for assignment to make room for Nick Lodolo.{{cite web | url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/reds-nick-lodolo-called-up-from-minors/ | title=Reds' Nick Lodolo: Called up from minors }}

=Seattle Mariners=

On April 16, 2022, the Reds traded O’Brien to the Seattle Mariners for cash considerations or a player to be named later.{{cite web | url=https://www.king5.com/article/sports/mlb/mariners/mariners-acquire-pitcher-riley-obrien-in-trade-with-reds/281-c91e28bc-3de1-4923-a03b-e53a7effba46 | title=Mariners acquire pitcher Riley O'Brien in trade with Reds | date=April 17, 2022 }} (On June 3, minor league infielder Luis Chevalier was sent to Cincinnati to complete the trade).{{Cite web|url=https://www.redlegnation.com/2022/06/01/cincinnati-reds-acquire-luis-chevalier-from-the-seattle-mariners/|title=Cincinnati Reds acquire Luis Chevalier from the Seattle Mariners|first=Doug|last=Gray|date=June 1, 2022}} He was designated for assignment on May 27. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers on June 2.{{Cite web|title=Mariners' Riley O'Brien: Outrighted to Triple-A|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/mariners-riley-obrien-outrighted-to-triple-a/|access-date=February 8, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}}

O'Brien spent the entirety of the 2023 season in Triple–A with Tacoma. In 51 appearances, he registered a 2.29 ERA with 86 strikeouts and 15 saves across 55.0 innings of work.{{cite web | last=Denton | first=John | title=Riley O'Brien traded to Cardinals | website=MLB.com | date=November 6, 2023 | url=https://www.mlb.com/news/riley-o-brien-traded-to-cardinals | access-date=February 16, 2025}}

=St. Louis Cardinals=

On November 5, 2023, O'Brien was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals and subsequently added to the 40–man roster.{{Cite web |date=November 6, 2023 |title=Cardinals' Riley O'Brien: Acquired by Cardinals |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/cardinals-riley-obrien-acquired-by-cardinals/ |access-date=November 6, 2023 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}} On March 26, 2024, the Cardinals officially revealed that O'Brien had made the Opening Day roster. On March 31, he was placed on the injured list with a flexor strain,{{Cite web |date=March 31, 2024 |title=Cardinals' Riley O'Brien: Out with flexor strain |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/cardinals-riley-obrien-out-with-flexor-strain/ |access-date=May 12, 2024 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}} and was transferred to the 60-day injured list on May 6.{{Cite web |date=May 10, 2024 |title=Cardinals' Riley O'Brien: Transferred to 60-day IL |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/cardinals-riley-obrien-transferred-to-60-day-il/ |access-date=May 12, 2024 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}} O'Brien was activated on August 11.{{Cite web |last=Morgenstern |first=Leo |date=August 11, 2024 |title=Cardinals Activate Riley O'Brien From 60-Day IL, DFA Nick Robertson |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/08/cardinals-activate-riley-obrien-from-60-day-il-dfa-nick-robertson.html |access-date=February 16, 2025 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}} In 8 total appearances for St. Louis, he struggled to an 11.25 with 11 strikeouts over 8 innings of work.

O'Brien was optioned to the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds to begin the 2025 season.{{Cite web|title=Roddery Muñoz Optioned: St. Louis Cardinals Trimming Down Roster|url=https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/roddery_munoz_optioned_st_louis_cardinals_trimming_down_roster/s1_17353_41909212|access-date=March 19, 2025|website=yardbarker.com|language=en}}

Personal life

Riley is married to Chellyn O'Brien, they had their wedding in late 2023.

O'Brien's grandfather, Johnny O'Brien, played six seasons in the major leagues. His great uncle Eddie O'Brien also played in the majors.{{Cite web |last=Herlich |first=Tim |date=April 20, 2021 |title=Eddie O’Brien |url=https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/eddie-obrien/ |access-date=June 6, 2025 |website=Society for American Baseball Research}}