Ryan Zeferjahn

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Ryan Zeferjahn

|image = Ryan Zeferjahn (cropped).jpg

|caption = Zeferjahn pitching in the Florida Complex League in 2021

|team = Los Angeles Angels

|number = 56

|position = Pitcher

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1998|2|28}}

|birth_place = Topeka, Kansas, U.S.

|bats = Right

|throws = Right

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = August 25

|debutyear = 2024

|debutteam = Los Angeles Angels

|statyear = June 25, 2025

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 4–1

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 3.61

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 56

|teams =

Los Angeles Angels ({{mlby|2024}}–present)

}}

Ryan Joseph Zeferjahn (born February 28, 1998) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Amateur career

A native of Topeka, Kansas, Zeferjahn played college baseball at the University of Kansas.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cjonline.com/story/sports/high-school/2016/06/13/rays-give-zeferjahn-thrill-ku-his-future/16584230007/|title=Rays give Seaman's Ryan Zeferjahn a thrill, but KU his future|first=Rick|last=Peterson|website=The Topeka Capital-Journal}} In 2017, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Falmouth Commodores of the Cape Cod Baseball League.{{cite web|url=https://pointstreak.com/baseball/player.html?playerid=1070649&seasonid=30631 |title=#22 Ryan Zeferjahn - Profile |publisher=pointstreak.com |accessdate=September 10, 2024}}

Professional career

=Boston Red Sox=

Zeferjahn was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the third round, with the 107th overall selection, of the 2019 Major League Baseball draft.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cjonline.com/story/sports/college/hawk-zone/2019/06/04/red-sox-make-ryan-zeferjahns-dream-come-true/4988978007/|title=Red Sox make Zeferjahn's dream come true|first=Rick|last=Peterson|website=The Topeka Capital-Journal}}{{cite web | last=Smith | first=Christopher | title=Red Sox prospect up to 101 mph promoted to Worcester; 'A big year for me' | website=masslive | date=May 7, 2024 | url=https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2024/05/red-sox-prospect-up-to-101-mph-promoted-to-worcester-a-big-year-for-me.html }} He made his professional debut with the Low–A Lowell Spinners, logging a 4.50 ERA in 12 starts. Zeferjahn 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 cancelled|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2020-minor-league-baseball-season-canceled|access-date=September 19, 2024|website=mlb.com|language=en}}

Zeferjahn returned to action in 2021 with the rookie–level Florida Complex League Red Sox and Single–A Salem Red Sox. In 16 starts between the two affiliates, he compiled a 1–4 record and 5.98 ERA with 59 strikeouts across {{fraction|55|2|3}} innings pitched.{{Cite web|title=Ryan Zeferjahn - Stats - Pitching|url=https://www.fangraphs.com/players/ryan-zeferjahn/25420/stats?position=P|access-date=September 19, 2024|website=fangraphs.com|language=en}} Zeferjahn split the 2022 campaign between the High–A Greenville Drive and Double–A Portland Sea Dogs. In 34 appearances pitching mainly in relief, he accumulated a 5–4 record and 5.05 ERA with 80 strikeouts over {{fraction|71|1|3}} innings pitched.{{Cite web|title=Ryan Zeferjahn Stats & Scouting Report|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/players/3914-ryan-zeferjahn/stats/|access-date=September 19, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|language=en}}

Zeferjahn spent 2023 with Portland, also making two scoreless outings for Salem. In 34 appearances out of the bullpen for Portland, he recorded a 5.02 ERA with 68 strikeouts across 43 innings of work.{{Cite web|title=Red Sox prospect up to 101 mph promoted to Worcester; 'A big year for me'|url=https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2024/05/red-sox-prospect-up-to-101-mph-promoted-to-worcester-a-big-year-for-me.html?outputType=amp|access-date=September 19, 2024|website=masslive.com| date=May 7, 2024 |language=en}} Zeferjahn began the 2024 season with Portland, and was promoted to the Triple–A Worcester Red Sox after seven scoreless appearances. In 18 games for Worcester, he registered a 5.47 ERA with 31 strikeouts and 4 saves over {{fraction|24|2|3}} innings.{{Cite web|title=Ryan Zeferjahn - Baseball Stats|url=https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/player/204253/|access-date=September 19, 2024|website=thebaseballcube.com|language=en}}

=Los Angeles Angels=

On July 30, 2024, Zeferjahn, Matthew Lugo, Yeferson Vargas, and Niko Kavadas were traded to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for Luis García.{{cite web|last1=Browne|first1=Ian|title=Red Sox add bullpen depth in trades for Sims, García|url=https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/lucas-sims-red-sox-trade|website=mlb.com|publisher=MLB|date=July 30, 2024|accessdate=July 30, 2024}} In 5 games for the Triple–A Salt Lake Bees, he posted a 2.35 ERA with 8 strikeouts. On August 23, Zeferjahn was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.{{cite web | last=Fletcher | first=Jeff | title=Angels promote hard-throwing reliever Ryan Zeferjahn | website=Orange County Register | date=August 23, 2024 | url=https://www.ocregister.com/2024/08/23/angels-promote-hard-throwing-reliever-ryan-zeferjahn/ | access-date=November 1, 2024}} In 12 appearances for Los Angeles during his rookie campaign, Zeferjahn recorded a 2.12 ERA with 18 strikeouts over 17 innings of work.

On April 6, 2025, Zeferjahn recorded his first career win after tossing a scoreless sixth inning against the Cleveland Guardians.{{Cite web|title=Former Jayhawk Ryan Zeferjahn records first big-league victory|url=https://www.si.com/college/kansas/baseball/former-jayhawk-ryan-zeferjahn-records-first-victory-los-angeles-angels|access-date=May 2, 2025|website=si.com|language=en}}