Ryan Rolison

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Ryan Rolison

|image = Ryan Rolison (51342152905) (cropped).jpg

|caption = Rolison with the Hartford Yard Goats in 2021

|team = Colorado Rockies

|number = 50

|position = Pitcher

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|7|11}}

|birth_place = Jackson, Tennessee, U.S.

|bats = Right

|throws = Left

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = May 13

|debutyear = 2025

|debutteam = Colorado Rockies

|statyear = June 24, 2025

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 0–0

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 7.36

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 11

|teams =

Colorado Rockies ({{mlby|2025}}–present)

|medaltemplates=

{{MedalCountry | {{bb|USA}}}}

}}

Ryan Perry Rolison (born July 11, 1997) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played college baseball for the Ole Miss Rebels and was selected by the Rockies in the first round of the 2018 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut in 2025.

Amateur career

Rolison attended and graduated from the University School of Jackson in Jackson, Tennessee. As a junior, he compiled a 0.74 ERA with 104 strikeouts.{{cite web|url=https://www.jacksonsun.com/story/sports/high-school/baseball/2015/11/18/usjs-rolison-signs-ole-miss/75993540/|title=USJ's Rolison signs with Ole Miss|publisher=jacksonsun.com|accessdate=March 25, 2018}} As a senior, he was 9–0 in nine starts, striking out 108 in 58 innings while allowing only three runs and ten hits, earning him the title of Tennessee's DII-A Mr. Baseball.{{cite web|url=http://www.wbbjtv.com/2016/05/24/mr-baseball-goes-to-ryan-rolison/|title=Mr. Baseball goes to Ryan Rolison|date=May 25, 2016|publisher=WBBJ TV|accessdate=March 25, 2018}} He was selected by the San Diego Padres in the 37th round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft, but did not sign and instead enrolled at the University of Mississippi where he played college baseball.{{cite web|url=https://www.oxfordeagle.com/2018/02/04/draft-talk-swirling-ryan-rolison-embracing-great-expectations-ole-miss-ace/|title=With draft talk swirling, Ryan Rolison embracing more great expectations as Ole Miss' ace|date=February 4, 2018|publisher=The Oxford Eagle|accessdate=May 5, 2018}}

As a freshman in 2017, Rolison began the season in the bullpen before moving into the starting rotation. In 19 games (ten starts), he compiled a 6–3 record and a 3.06 ERA, holding opposing batters to a .242 average, earning him a spot on the SEC All-Freshman team along with freshman All-American honors.{{cite web|url=http://thedmonline.com/baseball-weekend-preview-2/|title=Rebel ace Ryan Rolison: A star on the rise|date=May 4, 2018|publisher=The Daily Mississippian|accessdate=May 5, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.seccountry.com/sec/mississippi-states-brent-rooker-all-sec|title=All-SEC baseball: Mississippi State's Brent Rooker named player of the year|publisher=SEC Country|accessdate=March 25, 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.djournal.com/oxford/sports/ole-miss/rolison-high-on-mlb-draft-boards/article_6e94e384-bedd-5b78-a91f-e0b0c08a9d12.html|title=Rolison high on MLB draft boards|publisher=/oxford Citizen|accessdate=June 1, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://247sports.com/college/ole-miss/Article/Ole-Miss-sophomore-LHP-Ryan-Rolison-is-widely-considered-a-top-2018-MLB-Draft-prospect-113522787 |title=Ole Miss sophomore LHP Ryan Rolison is widely considered a top 2018 MLB Draft prospect |publisher=247sports.com |date= |accessdate=August 30, 2018}} After his freshman season, he played for the Orleans Firebirds of the Cape Cod Baseball League where he went 4–0 with a 1.92 ERA and was named a league all-star.{{cite web|url=http://baseball.pointstreak.com/player.html?playerid=1073646&seasonid=30631 |title=#17 Ryan Rolison |publisher=pointstreak.com |accessdate=July 20, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/three-headed-monster-leads-ole-miss-rotation/|title=Three-headed Monster Leads Ole Miss Rotation|publisher=Baseball America |accessdate=May 5, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://plymouth.wickedlocal.com/sports/20170718/cape-cod-baseball-league-all-star-game-saturday-july-22-at-spillane-field-in-wareham |title=Cape Cod Baseball League All-Star Game Saturday, July 22, at Spillane Field in Wareham |publisher=wickedlocal.com |date=July 18, 2017 |access-date=May 6, 2020}} Rolison was named a First Team Preseason All-American prior to his sophomore season.{{cite web|url=http://www.thelocalvoice.net/oxford/ryan-rolison-named-first-team-preseason-all-american/|title=Ryan Rolison Named First Team Preseason All-American|date=January 9, 2018|publisher=The Local Voice|accessdate=March 25, 2018}} As a sophomore in 2018, Rolison posted a 10–4 record over 17 appearances (16 starts) with a 3.70 ERA and 120 strikeouts.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailyleader.com/2018/06/05/mlb-drafts-8-players-from-mississippi/|title = MLB drafts 8 players from Mississippi|date = June 6, 2018}}

Professional career

The Colorado Rockies selected Rolison in the first round, with the 22nd overall selection, in the 2018 Major League Baseball draft, and he signed with the Rockies for a $2.9 million signing bonus.{{cite web|url=https://milehighsports.com/rockies-select-lhp-ryan-rolison-in-first-round-of-mlb-draft/|title=Rockies select LHP Ryan Rolison in first round of MLB Draft|first=Colin|last=Barnard|website=MileHighSports.com|date=June 4, 2018}}{{cite web|last=Newman |first=Kyle |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2018/06/13/rockies-agree-to-terms-left-hander-ryan-rolison/ |title=Rockies agree to terms with their first-round draft pick, lefty Ryan Rolison |publisher=Denverpost.com |date=June 13, 2018 |accessdate=August 30, 2018}} He made his professional debut with the Grand Junction Rockies of the Rookie-level Pioneer League and spent the whole season there.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/milb/news/pioneer-notes-rolison-comes-out-firing/c-292285262 |title=Pioneer notes: Rolison comes out firing |publisher=MiLB.com |date= |accessdate=August 30, 2018}} In nine starts, he compiled a 0–1 record with a 1.86 ERA and a 0.79 WHIP.{{Cite web|url=https://www.courant.com/sports/hc-sp-yard-goats-rockies-minor-league-baseball-20210506-20210505-bmyzim6kmzgefaegkico4qpo6e-story.html|title=Hartford Yard Goats ace Ryan Rolison carries the pressure of a Colorado Rockies' No. 1 draft pick gracefully|first=Dom|last=Amore|website=courant.com}}

Rolison began 2019 with the Asheville Tourists of the Single-A South Atlantic League.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2019-milb-opening-day-rosters-analysis/|title=2019 MiLB Opening Day Rosters Prospect Analysis|first=B. A.|last=Staff|website=www.baseballamerica.com}} Rolison was promoted to the Lancaster JetHawks of the High-A California League after going 2–1 with a 0.69 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 14{{fraction|2|3}} innings with the Tourists.{{cite web|url=https://wnws.com/ryan-rolison-promoted-to-rockies-high-a-california-league-affiliate/|title=Ryan Rolison promoted to Rockies High A California League affiliate|first=David|last=Thomas|website=WNWS.com|date=April 19, 2019|access-date=June 2, 2019}} With Lancaster, he was selected to participate in the All-Star Game as a member of the South Division team.{{cite web|url=https://www.avpress.com/sports/all-star-jethawks/article_396ec110-89b7-11e9-a231-abf81d218434.html|title=All-Star JetHawks|first=Marisa|last=Jensen|work=Antelope Valley Press|date=June 8, 2019|access-date=June 8, 2019}} Over 22 starts with the JetHawks, Rolison went 6–7 with a 4.87 ERA, striking out 118 over {{fraction|116|1|3}} innings.{{cite web|last=Newman |first=Kyle |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2019/09/06/ryan-rolison-rockies-prospect-season-recap/ |title=Ryan Rolison, Rockies pitching prospect, says 2019 adversity taught him about "the pitcher I know I can be" |publisher=Denverpost.com |date=September 6, 2019 |accessdate=August 2, 2021}} 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|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2020-minor-league-baseball-season-canceled|title=2020 Minor League Baseball season canceled|website=MLB.com}} To begin the 2021 season, Rolison was assigned to the Hartford Yard Goats of the Double-A Northeast.{{Cite web|url=https://www.courant.com/sports/baseball/yard-goats/hc-sp-yard-goats-roster-minor-league-baseball-20210501-20210430-3557e2wh55eupfklnv73cjaqbm-story.html|title=Former Colorado Rockies first-round draft pick Ryan Rolison highlights Hartford Yard Goats' 2021 opening day roster|first=Dom|last=Amore|website=courant.com}} After going 2–1 with a 3.07 ERA over three starts, he was promoted to the Albuquerque Isotopes of the Triple-A West.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/ryan-rolison-promoted-to-triple-a-albuquerque |title=Ryan Rolison promoted to Triple-A Albuquerque |work=Mlb.com |date= |accessdate=August 2, 2021}} On June 14, he was placed on the injured list after having his appendix removed.{{cite web|author=RotoWire Staff |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/rockies-ryan-rolison-recovering-from-appendicitis/ |title=Rockies' Ryan Rolison: Recovering from appendicitis |publisher=CBSSports.com |date= |accessdate=August 2, 2021}} He was expected to return in early August, but broke a bone in his left hand while fielding balls, delaying his return.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/rockies-ryan-rolison-breaks-bone-in-throwing-hand/|title=Rockies' Ryan Rolison: Breaks bone in throwing hand|website=CBSSports.com}} He was activated later that same month.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/rockies-ryan-rolison-cleared-to-return-at-triple-a/|title=Rockies' Ryan Rolison: Cleared to return at Triple-A|website=CBSSports.com}} Over ten starts with the Isotopes, Rolison went 2–2 with a 5.91 ERA and 45 strikeouts over 45{{fraction|2|3}} innings.{{Cite web|url=https://www.purplerow.com/2021/10/4/22708239/rockies-triple-a-prospects-quietly-finish-2021-elehuris-montero-ryan-vilade-ryan-rolison|title=Pebble Report: Triple-A prospects quietly finish 2021|first=Samantha|last=Bradfield|date=October 4, 2021|website=Purple Row}} Following the end of the season, Rolison began playing in the Dominican Professional Baseball League for the Tigres del Licey.{{cite web| url = https://www.mlb.com/news/ryan-rolison-to-pitch-in-dominican-winter-league| title = Ryan Rolison to pitch in Dominican Winter League| website = MLB.com}}

On November 19, 2021, the Rockies selected Rolison's contract and added him to their 40-man roster.{{Cite web|url=https://roxpile.com/2021/11/19/colorado-rockies-ryan-rolison-rule-five-draft/|title = Colorado Rockies: Ryan Rolison, two others protected from Rule Five Draft|date = November 19, 2021}} He opened the 2022 season on the injured list with a shoulder injury.{{cite web | url=https://www.denverpost.com/2022/04/04/ryan-rolison-rockies-il-shoulder-injury/ | title=Rockies' lefty Ryan Rolison goes on IL with shoulder injury | date=April 5, 2022 }} In June, it was announced that Rolison was scheduled for surgery and would miss the entire season.{{cite news |last1=Saunders |first1=Patrick |title=Rockies lose top prospects Ryan Rolison, Colton Welker for season due to shoulder injuries |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2022/06/03/rockies-lose-top-prospects-ryan-rolison-colton-welker-for-season/ |access-date=June 4, 2022 |work=Denver Post |date=June 3, 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Groke |first1=Nick |title=Two top Rockies prospects will undergo surgery and Colorado's pitching depth is in trouble |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/3347571/2022/06/02/two-top-rockies-prospects-surgery/ |access-date=June 4, 2022 |work=The Athletic |date=June 2, 2022}} On March 25, 2023, Rolison was placed on the 60-day injured list to begin the year.{{Cite web|title=Rockies' Ryan Rolison: Placed on 60-day IL|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/rockies-ryan-rolison-placed-on-60-day-il/|access-date=March 25, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} After rehabbing with the Single-A Fresno Grizzlies, Rolison was activated from the injured list on May 29 and optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque.{{Cite web|title=Rockies' Ryan Rolison: Activated, sent to Triple-A|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/rockies-ryan-rolison-activated-sent-to-triple-a/|access-date=May 29, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} He was placed back on the injured list with an unspecified injury on June 4,{{Cite web|title=Rockies' Ryan Rolison: Back on injured list|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/rockies-ryan-rolison-back-on-injured-list/|access-date=July 14, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} and was transferred back to the 60-day injured list on July 14.{{Cite web|title=Rockies' Ryan Rolison: Moved to 60-day IL|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/rockies-ryan-rolison-moved-to-60-day-il/|access-date=July 14, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} Following the season on October 20, Rolison was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Triple–A Albuquerque.{{cite web | title=Rockies' Ryan Rolison: Outrighted to Albuquerque | website=CBSSports.com | date=October 20, 2023 | url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/rockies-ryan-rolison-outrighted-to-albuquerque/ | access-date=February 9, 2025}}

In 2024, Rolison began pitching primarily out of the bullpen, splitting the year between the rookie-level Arizona Complex League Rockies, High-A Spokane Indians, and Albuquerque. In 29 appearances (5 starts) for the three affiliates, he accumulated a 2–3 record and 4.47 ERA with 35 strikeouts across {{fraction|46|1|3}} innings pitched.{{Cite web|title=Rockies select contract of LHP Ryan Rolison, make additional roster moves|url=https://www.purplerow.com/2025/5/11/24428036/colorado-rockies-select-contract-of-lhp-ryan-rolison-make-roster-moves-anthony-molina-kris-bryant|access-date=May 11, 2025|website=purplerow.com|language=en}}

Rolison began 2025 back with Albuquerque, recording a 3–1 record and 3.72 ERA with 23 strikeouts over his first 12 games. On May 11, 2025, Rolison was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.{{Cite web|title=Rockies Select Ryan Rolison, Transfer Kris Bryant To 60-Day IL|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/05/rockies-select-ryan-rolison-transfer-kris-bryant-to-60-day-il.html|access-date=May 11, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}

Personal life

The same night that Rolison was selected by the Rockies in the draft, controversy emerged after a tweet by him from 2012 resurfaced in which he wrote “Well we have one hope left … if someone shoots him during his speech,” regarding the 2012 United States presidential election. He later apologized, saying “I had no idea what I was talking about, and it was immature of me to post something like that.”{{cite web | last=Groke | first=Nick | title=About that regrettable tweet from Rockies draft pick Ryan Rolison hoping someone would shoot Obama | website=The Athletic | date=June 5, 2018 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/381610/2018/06/05/about-that-regrettable-tweet-from-rockies-draft-pick-ryan-rolison-hoping-someone-would-shoot-obama/ | access-date=February 9, 2025}}{{cite web | last=Rogers | first=Anne | title=Ryan Rolison addresses President Obama tweet | website=MLB.com | date=June 6, 2018 | url=https://www.mlb.com/news/ryan-rolison-addresses-president-obama-tweet-c279941290 | access-date=February 9, 2025}}