Ryan Kreidler

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Ryan Kreidler

|image = Kreidler hitting (cropped).jpg

|caption = Kreidler with the Toledo Mud Hens in 2021

|team = Detroit Tigers

|number = 32

|position = Utility player

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1997|11|12}}

|birth_place = Davis, California, U.S.

|bats = Right

|throws = Right

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = September 2

|debutyear = 2022

|debutteam = Detroit Tigers

|statyear = April 17, 2025

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label = Batting average

|stat1value = .141

|stat2label = Home runs

|stat2value = 2

|stat3label = Runs batted in

|stat3value = 8

|teams =

Detroit Tigers ({{mlby|2022}}–present)

}}

Ryan Kreidler (born November 12, 1997) is an American professional baseball utility player for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2022.

Amateur career

Kreidler attended Davis High School in Davis, California. He was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 35th round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft but did not sign. He enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and played college baseball for the UCLA Bruins.{{Cite web|url=https://www.davisenterprise.com/sports/ryan-kreidler-former-davis-star-has-the-world-on-a-string/|title = Former Davis star Kreidler has the world on a string|date = May 30, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.davisenterprise.com/sports/kreidler-has-to-choose-between-little-bears-cubs-or-bruins/|title = Kreidler has to choose between little bears — Cubs or Bruins|date = June 12, 2016}} In 2018, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League.{{cite web|author= |url=http://pointstreak.com/baseball/player.html?playerid=1217067 |title=#5 Ryan Kreidler - Profile |publisher=pointstreak.com |date= |accessdate=August 28, 2021}} He was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the fourth round of the 2019 MLB draft and signed.{{Cite web|url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2019/06/04/detroit-tigers-mlb-draft-ryan-kreidler-bryant-packard/1342381001/|title = Detroit Tigers draftees Ryan Kreidler, Bryant Packard have been teammates before}}

Professional career

Kreidler made his professional debut with the Connecticut Tigers, batting .232 with two home runs and 20 RBI over sixty games.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2020-minor-league-baseball-season-canceled|title=2020 Minor League Baseball season canceled|website=MLB.com}} He 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 | last=Adler | first=David | title=2020 Minor League Baseball season canceled | website=MLB.com | date=June 30, 2020 | url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2020-minor-league-baseball-season-canceled | access-date=February 9, 2025}} He started 2021 with the Erie SeaWolves before being promoted to the Toledo Mud Hens.{{Cite web|url=https://www.detroitnews.com/restricted/?return=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.detroitnews.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fmlb%2Ftigers%2F2021%2F08%2F08%2Fryan-kreidler-showing-signs-becoming-factor-shortstop-tigers%2F5530870001%2F|title = The Detroit News}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2021/08/15/detroit-tigers-spencer-torkelson-riley-greene-ryan-kreidler-triple-a-toledo/8142139002/|title=Detroit Tigers promote Spencer Torkelson, Riley Greene, Ryan Kreidler to Triple-A Toledo}} Over 129 games between the two teams, he slashed .270/.349/.454 with 22 home runs, 58 RBIs, and 15 stolen bases.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/ryan-kreidler-breaks-through-with-his-bat/|title = Ryan Kreidler Breaks Through with His Bat}}

File:Ryan Kreidler (playing CF) Detroit Tigers.jpg

On September 1, 2022, Kreidler was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time. He recorded his first major league hit, a single, on September 3 against the Kansas City Royals.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/ryan-kreidler-gets-first-major-league-hit-for-tigers |title =Kreidler gets first MLB hit, shows off 2-way value |last=Beck |first=Jason |website=mlb.com |date=September 3, 2022 |access-date=September 8, 2022}} Kreidler's first major league home run on September 7 was a game-winner, and struck in the top of the ninth inning off José Quijada of the Los Angeles Angels to break a 4–4 tie.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/ryan-kreidler-first-career-home-run-go-ahead-knock-in-ninth?game_pk=663409 |title =Kreidler, on memorable first HR: 'This is what you play for' |last=Wright |first=Brian |website=mlb.com |date=September 7, 2022 |access-date=September 8, 2022}}

In 2023, Kreidler was part of Detroit's Opening Day roster.{{cite web |last1=Woodbery |first1=Evan |title=Tigers finalize Opening Day roster by adding 2 veterans to bullpen |url=https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2023/03/tigers-finalize-opening-day-roster-by-adding-2-veterans-to-bullpen.html |website=mlive.com |access-date=April 15, 2023 |date=March 29, 2023}} He started at third base on opening day.{{cite web |last1=Woodbery |first1=Evan |title=Tigers’ Opening Day lineup: Ryan Kreidler starting at 3rd |url=https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2023/03/tigers-opening-day-lineup-ryan-kreidler-starting-at-3rd.html |website=mlive.com |access-date=April 15, 2023 |date=March 30, 2023}} Kreider was optioned back to Triple-A on April 15 after hitting .111 in 11 games.{{cite web |last1=Woodbery |first1=Evan |title=Tigers option Ryan Kreidler, swap out relief arms in 2 pregame moves |url=https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2023/04/tigers-option-ryan-kreidler-swap-out-relief-arms-in-2-pregame-moves.html |website=mlive.com |access-date=April 15, 2023 |date=April 15, 2023}} He was placed on the minor league injured list on April 28 with knee soreness, and began a rehab assignment with the High–A West Michigan Whitecaps in May. However, after 5 games he was pulled off rehab assignment, and it was announced that he had undergone core-muscle surgery on June 14.{{cite web | title=Tigers' Ryan Kreidler: Recovering from core-muscle surgery | website=CBSSports.com | date=June 14, 2023 | url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/tigers-ryan-kreidler-recovering-from-core-muscle-surgery/amp/ | access-date=February 9, 2025}}

Kreidler was optioned to Triple–A Toledo to begin the 2024 season.{{cite web | last=Petzold | first=Evan | title=Detroit Tigers cut three position players; 13 hitters for Opening Day | website=Detroit Free Press | date=March 21, 2024 | url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2024/03/21/detroit-tigers-roster-cuts-opening-day-position-players-justyn-henry-malloy-akil-baddoo/73058361007/ | access-date=February 9, 2025}} On April 11, 2024, he underwent surgery to repair a fractured right index finger.{{cite web | last=Connon | first=Sam | title=Detroit Tigers Prospect Ryan Kreidler Undergoes Surgery to Repair Fractured Finger | website=SI.com| date=April 24, 2024 | url=https://www.si.com/fannation/mlb/fastball/injuries/detroit-tigers-shortstop-prospect-ryan-kreidler-undergoes-surgery-to-repair-fractured-right-index-finger | access-date=February 9, 2025}} In 35 appearances for Detroit, Kreidler slashed .119/.200/.169 with one home run, two RBI, and five stolen bases.

In 2025, Kreidler was again part of Detroit's Opening Day roster. https://www.wxyz.com/news/tigers-announce-2025-opening-day-lineup-eight-players-start-season-on-injury-list He was used primarily as a centerfielder at the start of the season due to injuries at that position. He was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on April 21 after struggling at the plate.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-21 |title=Tigers' Ryan Kreidler: Optioned to Triple-A |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/tigers-ryan-kreidler-optioned-to-triple-a-958342/ |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}