Ryan Bollinger

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name=Ryan Bollinger

|image=File:Ryan Bollinger in 2018 Yankees Organization.jpg

|width=250

|caption=Bollinger pitching for the New York Yankees organization in 2018

|team=Haar Disciples

|number=

|position=Pitcher

|bats=Left

|throws=Left

|birth_date={{birth date and age|1991|2|4}}

|birth_place=Apple Valley, California

|debutleague = CPBL

|debutdate = June 8

|debutyear = 2019

|debutteam = Fubon Guardians

|statleague = CPBL

|statyear = 2022 season

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 19–18

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 3.73

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 355

| teams =

Fubon Guardians ({{by|2019}})
Rakuten Monkeys ({{by|2021}}–{{by|2022}})

}}

Ryan Michael Bollinger (born February 4, 1991) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Haar Disciples of the German Baseball Bundesliga. He has previously played in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) for the Fubon Guardians and Rakuten Monkeys. In 2018, he was promoted to the major leagues by the New York Yankees, but he did not appear in a game, making him a phantom ballplayer.

Career

Born in Apple Valley, California,{{cite web|url=https://theathletic.com/366303/2018/05/23/four-countries-three-continents-one-dream-on-the-arrival-of-the-unlikeliest-yankee-ryan-bollinger/|title=Four countries, three continents, one dream. On the arrival (and departure) of the unlikeliest Yankee, Ryan Bollinger|first=Marc|last=Carig|work=The Athletic|date=May 24, 2018|accessdate=May 25, 2018}} Bollinger attended Minot High School in Minot, North Dakota, where he played for the baseball team. He committed to attend Iowa Western Community College to play college baseball.

=Philadelphia Phillies=

The Philadelphia Phillies selected Bollinger in the 47th round, with the 1,247th overall selection, of the 2009 MLB draft as a first baseman, and he signed rather than enroll in college.{{cite web|url=http://www.jamestownsun.com/sports/1740914-minots-bollinger-signs-phillies|title=Minot's Bollinger signs with Phillies|work=Jamestown Sun|date=August 4, 2009|accessdate=May 23, 2018}} Bollinger never appeared in a game for the Phillies organization and was released on June 15, 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.trentonian.com/sports/20180506/success-abroad-brings-thunders-ryan-bollinger-back-to-affiliated-baseball |title=Success abroad brings Thunder's Ryan Bollinger back to affiliated baseball |publisher=Trentonian.com |date= May 6, 2018|accessdate=May 23, 2018}}

=Windy City ThunderBolts=

In July 2010, Bollinger signed with the Windy City ThunderBolts of the Frontier League, an independent baseball league, in 2010 as a pitcher. He did not allow a run in 6.0 innings pitched for the club.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wcthunderbolts.com/press-box/press_releases/index.html?article_id=727|title=Chicago White Sox sign ThunderBolts pitcher}}

=Chicago White Sox=

On October 7, 2010, the Chicago White Sox purchased his contract.{{cite press release|url=http://wcthunderbolts.com/pressbox/press/index.html?article_id=727|title=Chicago White Sox sign ThunderBolts pitcher|accessdate=May 23, 2018}} In 2011, Bollinger spent the year with the rookie ball Bristol White Sox, registering a 5-2 record and 4.23 ERA in 12 appearances. In 2012, Bollinger again spent the year in rookie ball, this time for the Great Falls Voyagers, and pitched to a 4-3 record and 3.56 ERA in 17 games for the club. In 2013, Bollinger played for the Single-A Kannapolis Intimidators, recording a 3.17 ERA with 52 strikeouts in 29 games. On March 25, 2014, Bollinger was released by the White Sox organization.

=St. Paul Saints=

Bollinger signed with the St. Paul Saints of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball for the 2014 season.{{Cite web|url=http://pointstreak.com/baseball/team_roster.html?teamid=6316&seasonid=28601&sortby=weight|title = St Paul Saints - American Association - team roster}} In 7 games out of the bullpen for the club, he registered a 13.50 ERA and 3 strikeouts.

=Trois-Rivières Aigles=

Bollinger then signed with the Trois-Rivières Aigles of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball, and went 4-7 with a 4.73 ERA in 13 games for the team.{{Cite web|url=https://boxscorenews.com/winnipeg-goldeyes-acquire-bollinger-from-troisrivieres-p97403-114.htm|title = Winnipeg Goldeyes acquire Bollinger from Trois-Rivieres}}

=Winnipeg Goldeyes=

On August 15, 2014, Bollinger was traded to the Winnipeg Goldeyes of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball.lassroom.google.com/u/0/c/MTIzNDY4Nzk1ODIy He made 4 appearances for Winnipeg, pitching to a 3-0 record with 11 strikeouts.

=Trois-Rivières Aigles (second stint)=

On September 23, 2014, Bollinger was traded back to the Trois-Rivières Aigles.{{cite web |url=https://goldeyes.com/three-depart-winnipeg/ |title=Three depart Winnipeg {{!}} Winnipeg Goldeyes |website=goldeyes.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430213313/https://goldeyes.com/three-depart-winnipeg/ |archive-date=2021-04-30}} In 2015 for the club, Bollinger pitched to a 11-7 record and 3.68 ERA with 108 strikeouts in 20 appearances. In 2016 for the Aigles, Bollinger recorded a 2-11 record and 4.87 ERA in 22 appearances.

=Haar Disciples=

On February 1, 2017, Bollinger signed with the Haar Disciples, and played in the Bundesliga in Germany.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mister-baseball.com/munichhaar-disciples-sign-lhp-ryan-bollinger-import-starter/|title = Munich-Haar Disciples sign LHP Ryan Bollinger as Import Starter « Mister Baseball}} After the season, he was named the best pitcher of the Southern League. Bollinger pitched to a 10-1 record and 0.76 ERA, and allowed only 12 walks in 106.0 innings pitched. He also broke the Bundesliga single-season strikeout record, with his 178 strikeouts on the year being 14 more than the previous record.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-bundesliga.de/best-pitcher-sued-2017-ryan-bollinger-muenchen-haar-disciples/|title = Best Pitcher Süd 2017: Ryan Bollinger (München-Haar Disciples)}}

He also pitched for the Brisbane Bandits of the Australian Baseball League during the 2017–18 season. He returned to the Bandits for the 2018–19 season.

=New York Yankees=

On December 16, 2017, Bollinger signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees organization.{{cite web|url=https://www.mister-baseball.com/ryan-bollinger-signs-york-yankees/ |title=Ryan Bollinger signs with New York Yankees – Australian Baseball League, News – German Baseball Leagues |publisher=Mister-baseball.com |date=December 21, 2017 |accessdate=May 23, 2018}}{{cite web|last=Miller |first=Sean |url=http://www.nj.com/thunder/2018/05/world_traveler_ryan_bollinger.html |title=Thunder pitcher Ryan Bollinger returns to America after world travels |publisher=NJ.com |date= May 8, 2018|accessdate=May 23, 2018}} He began the 2018 season with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders of the Triple–A International League, where he pitched in two games, and then pitched for the Trenton Thunder of the Double–A Eastern League. The Yankees promoted Bollinger to the major leagues on May 23,{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/ryan-bollinger-took-long-way-to-get-to-yankees/c-277963676|title=Germany, Australia ... now Yanks for Bollinger: Wide-traveling left-hander joins club vs. Rangers at Globe Life Park|first=Bryan|last=Hoch|work=MLB.com|date=May 23, 2018|accessdate=May 23, 2018}} and optioned him back to Trenton the next day, without Bollinger making his major league debut.{{cite web|url=http://www.trentonian.com/sports/20180529/ryan-bollinger-still-relishing-unexpected-call-to-yankees|title=Ryan Bollinger still relishing unexpected call to Yankees|work=The Trentonian|first=Kyle|last=Franko|date=May 29, 2018|accessdate=June 3, 2018}} He was outrighted to Trenton on May 27,{{cite web |url=http://m.yankees.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2018/05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180605083405/http://m.yankees.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2018/05 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 5, 2018 |title=Yankees Roster & Staff – Transactions |website=MLB.com |date=May 2018 |accessdate=July 5, 2018}} removing him from the Yankees' 40-man roster. He was then added to the 25-man roster on July 31.{{cite web|url=https://mobile.twitter.com/Yankees/status/1024337998983380992 |title=Twitter |publisher=Mobile.twitter.com |date=July 31, 2018 |accessdate=September 15, 2018}} He optioned to Trenton on August 1,{{cite web|author=RotoWire Staff |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/yankees-ryan-bollinger-returns-to-double-a/ |title=Yankees' Ryan Bollinger: Returns to Double-A |publisher=CBSSports.com |date=August 1, 2018 |accessdate=September 15, 2018}} and designated for assignment on September 1. He returned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/milb/news/ryan-bollinger-keeps-scrantonwilkes-barre-alive-in-governors-cup-finals/c-294668242 |title=Bollinger keeps RailRiders alive |first=Bob|last=Sutton|publisher=MiLB.com |date=September 14, 2018 |accessdate=September 15, 2018}} Bollinger declared free agency on October 8, 2018.

=San Diego Padres=

On November 26, 2018, Bollinger signed a minor-league contract with the San Diego Padres that included an invitation to spring training.{{cite web |url=https://www.rds.ca/baseball/can-am/baseball-l-ancien-des-aigles-ryan-bollinger-s-entend-avec-les-padres-de-san-diego-1.6472274 |title=Baseball : l'ancien des Aigles Ryan Bollinger s'entend avec les Padres de San Diego {{!}} RDS.ca |website=www.rds.ca |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218010721/https://www.rds.ca/baseball/can-am/baseball-l-ancien-des-aigles-ryan-bollinger-s-entend-avec-les-padres-de-san-diego-1.6472274 |archive-date=2018-12-18}} He was released by the Padres on March 27, 2019.

=Fubon Guardians=

On June 5, 2019, Bollinger signed with the Fubon Guardians of the Chinese Professional Baseball League.{{cite web|url=http://cpblstats.com/ryan-bollinger-elih-villanueva-call-up-cpbl-guardians-brothers/|title=Ryan Bollinger, Elih Villanueva Call up to First Team|date=June 5, 2019|accessdate=June 5, 2019}} Bollinger registered a 4.31 ERA with 127 strikeouts in 108.2 innings, including a 10-strikeout shutout game on June 16, 2019. He re-signed with the team for the 2020 season.{{cite web|url=http://cpblstats.com/fubon-guardians-re-sign-ryan-bollinger-2020-season/|title=Fubon Guardians Re-Sign Ryan Bollinger for 2020 season|date=January 3, 2020|accessdate=January 4, 2020}} He did not play in a game in 2020 due to a nagging foot injury and was released on August 6, 2020.{{Cite web|url=http://cpblstats.com/fubon-guardians-release-ryan-bollinger/|title=Fubon Guardians Release Ryan Bollinger|date=August 6, 2020}}

=Rakuten Monkeys=

On December 15, 2020, Bollinger signed with the Rakuten Monkeys of the Chinese Professional Baseball League for the 2021 season.{{cite web|url=http://cpblstats.com/rakuten-monkeys-sign-ryan-bollinger/|title=Rakuten Monkeys Sign Ryan Bollinger|date=December 15, 2020|accessdate=December 15, 2020}} In 19 starts for the club, he posted a 5–7 record and 2.80 ERA with 114 strikeouts across 106.0 innings pitched.

On December 28, 2021, Bollinger re–signed with Rakuten.{{cite news |title=Monkeys Re-Sign Ryan Bollinger, Dylan Covey for 2022 Season |url=http://cpblstats.com/monkeys-sign-ryan-bollinger-dylan-covey-2022-season/ |access-date=29 December 2021 |publisher=CBPL Stats |date=28 December 2021}} He made 23 starts for the Monkeys, logging an 8–6 record and 4.01 ERA with 114 strikeouts across {{fraction|130|1|3}} innings of work. He became a free agent following the 2022 season.

=Haar Disciples (second stint)=

On February 10, 2024, Bollinger signed with the Haar Disciples of the German Baseball Bundesliga.{{Cite web|title=Ryan Bollinger ist zurück bei den Disciples|url=https://www.merkur.de/sport/lokalsport/muenchen-lk/ryan-bollinger-ist-zurueck-bei-den-disciples-92832721.html|access-date=March 10, 2024|website=merkur.de|language=en}}