Riley O'Brien

Not to be confused with Reilly O'Brien.
Riley O'Brien
O'Brien with the Tacoma Rainiers in 2023
St. Louis Cardinals – No. 61
Pitcher
Born: (1995-02-06) February 6, 1995
Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 28, 2021, for the Cincinnati Reds
MLB statistics
(through 2025 season)
Win–loss record3–2
Earned run average3.55
Strikeouts59
Stats at Baseball Reference 
Teams

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.[1][2] 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 earned run average (ERA) and 60 strikeouts over 69 innings pitched for the Coyotes.[3] In 2017, his senior year, he had a 3–4 record and 2.15 ERA over 67 innings.[4] After the season, the Tampa Bay Rays selected him in the eighth round of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft.[5][6][7]

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).[8] During the season, he was named Appalachian League Pitcher of the Week twice.[9] 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.[10][11][12] 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.[13]

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.[14]

Cincinnati Reds

On August 28, 2020, the Rays traded O'Brien to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for Cody Reed.[15][16] On November 20, 2020, the Reds added O'Brien to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.[17] To begin the 2021 season, he was assigned to the Louisville Bats of the Triple-A East.[18] Over 23 games (22 starts), O'Brien pitched to a 7–7 record, a 4.55 ERA, and 121 strikeouts over 112+2⁄3 innings.[19]

On September 28, 2021, the Reds recalled O'Brien to the active roster to make his MLB debut versus the Chicago White Sox.[20][21] He was the starting pitcher and threw 1+1⁄3 innings, giving up two solo home runs while walking three and striking out two.[22]

On April 13, 2022, the Reds designated O'Brien for assignment to make room for Nick Lodolo.[23]

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.[24] (On June 3, minor league infielder Luis Chevalier was sent to Cincinnati to complete the trade).[25] He was designated for assignment on May 27. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers on June 2.[26]

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.[27]

St. Louis Cardinals

On November 5, 2023, O'Brien was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals and subsequently added to the 40–man roster.[28] 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,[29] and was transferred to the 60-day injured list on May 6.[30] O'Brien was activated on August 11.[31] 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.[32] On August 4, 2025, O'Brien recorded his first career win against the Los Angeles Dodgers; two days later, he recorded his first career save.[33]

International career

He represents the Korean National Team in international competitions and participated in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.[34]

Personal life

Riley O’Brien married his wife, Chellyn, on November 18, 2023. O'Brien's grandfather, Johnny O'Brien, played six seasons in the major leagues.[21] His great uncle Eddie O'Brien also played in the majors.[35]

Riley is of Korean descent on his mother's side.[36]

References

  1. ^ "Another gem by O'Brien leads Shorewood past GP". Everett Herald. April 5, 2013. Archived from the original on May 16, 2021. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  2. ^ "Shorewood, EvCC alum chosen by Rays in 8th round of MLB draft". HeraldNet.com. June 14, 2017. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  3. ^ Wustrow, John (June 13, 2017). "C of I pitcher Riley O'Brien picked by Rays in MLB Draft's eighth round". Idaho Press. Archived from the original on September 28, 2021. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
  4. ^ Scott, Tom (June 14, 2017). "Broncos hope the MW tips falls into place". KTIK-AM. Archived from the original on September 28, 2021. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
  5. ^ Katz, Michael (June 13, 2017). "Tampa Bay Rays select College of Idaho's Riley O'Brien". Idaho Statesman. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  6. ^ Cooper, Brittany (June 14, 2017). "College of Idaho pitcher goes in eighth round of MLB Draft". KMVT. Archived from the original on September 28, 2021. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
  7. ^ Katz, Michael. "Rays take College of Idaho pitcher in 8th round". Twin Falls Times-News. Idaho Statesman. Archived from the original on September 28, 2021. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
  8. ^ Thwaites, George (August 3, 2017). "O'Brien doing his part for Rays on mound". Bluefield Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on September 28, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  9. ^ Staff report. "Princeton pitcher O'Brien honored again". Bluefield Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on September 28, 2021. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
  10. ^ Norris, Josh (June 6, 2018). "Midwest League Announces 2018 All-Star Rosters". Baseball America. Retrieved November 2, 2025.
  11. ^ "Hot Rods' Hernandez wins All-Star Home Run Derby". Bowling Green Daily News. Archived from the original on September 28, 2021. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
  12. ^ Chase, Benjamin (October 23, 2018). "Tampa Bay Rays 2018 minor league awards - Page 3". Calltothepen.com. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  13. ^ "MLB Trade Deadline: Cincinnati Reds add Riley O'Brien from Tampa Bay". Cincinnati.com. Archived from the original on April 23, 2021. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  14. ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball season canceled". MLB.com. Archived from the original on November 9, 2021. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
  15. ^ Athletics, MIKE SAFFORD College of Idaho. "Former Yotes pitcher traded to Cincinnati". Idaho Press. Archived from the original on September 28, 2021. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
  16. ^ "Cody Reed traded to Rays". Mlb.com. July 26, 2015. Archived from the original on September 28, 2021. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  17. ^ Steve Adams (November 20, 2020). "Reds Acquire Brandon Bailey From Astros". MLB Trade Rumors. Archived from the original on November 20, 2020. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  18. ^ Clark, Mitchell (May 4, 2021). "2021 Reds' Minor League Roster Preview". Red Reporter. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
  19. ^ WKRC (September 27, 2021). "Reds starters set to make MLB debuts in consecutive games for fourth time in team history". WKRC. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
  20. ^ "Notes: O'Brien debut; rotation; Farmer's slam". MLB.com. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
  21. ^ a b Goldsmith, Charlie. "Three things to know about Reds starting pitcher Riley O'Brien". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
  22. ^ "Reds' Riley O'Brien: Gives up two runs in short outing". Archived from the original on September 29, 2021. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  23. ^ "Reds' Nick Lodolo: Called up from minors". CBS Sports. April 13, 2022. Archived from the original on April 13, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
  24. ^ "Mariners acquire pitcher Riley O'Brien in trade with Reds". April 17, 2022.
  25. ^ Gray, Doug (June 1, 2022). "Cincinnati Reds acquire Luis Chevalier from the Seattle Mariners". Archived from the original on January 9, 2023. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  26. ^ "Mariners' Riley O'Brien: Outrighted to Triple-A". cbssports.com. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  27. ^ Denton, John (November 6, 2023). "Riley O'Brien traded to Cardinals". MLB.com. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  28. ^ "Cardinals' Riley O'Brien: Acquired by Cardinals". CBSSports.com. November 6, 2023. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  29. ^ "Cardinals' Riley O'Brien: Out with flexor strain". CBSSports.com. March 31, 2024. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  30. ^ "Cardinals' Riley O'Brien: Transferred to 60-day IL". CBSSports.com. May 10, 2024. Archived from the original on May 12, 2024. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  31. ^ Morgenstern, Leo (August 11, 2024). "Cardinals Activate Riley O'Brien From 60-Day IL, DFA Nick Robertson". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  32. ^ Giff, JC (March 15, 2025). "Roddery Munoz Optioned: St. Louis Cardinals Trimming Down Roster". Yardbarker. Archived from the original on March 19, 2025. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
  33. ^ "Former Yote Riley O'Brien Records First MLB Win, Save Two Days Apart". yoteathletics.com. Archived from the original on August 9, 2025. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
  34. ^ "4 US-born players of Korean descent join Korean squad for World Baseball Classic". The Korea Times. February 6, 2026. Archived from the original on February 7, 2026. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  35. ^ Herlich, Tim (April 20, 2021). "Eddie O'Brien". Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
  36. ^ Kim, Jaeho (September 25, 2025). "n/a". Maeil Business Newspaper. Retrieved November 9, 2025.
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