Ryan Helsley

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126+13 innings pitched. [5] After his sophomore season, he was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the fifth round of the 2015 MLB draft and he signed. [6] [5]

Professional career

St. Louis Cardinals (2019–2025)

After signing, Helsley made his professional debut with the Johnson City Cardinals and spent all of 2015 there, posting a 2.01 ERA in 40+13 innings. [7] In 2016, he pitched for the Peoria Chiefs, where he posted a 10–2 record with a 1.61 ERA in 17 starts and was named a Midwest League All-Star. [8] Helsley started 2017 with the Palm Beach Cardinals and after going 8–2 with a 2.69 ERA in 17 games (16 starts), he was promoted to the Springfield Cardinals in July. [9] In six starts for Springfield, he was 3–1 with a 2.67 ERA. [10] He also made one start for the Memphis Redbirds at the end of the season. [11] Following the season, he was named the Florida State League Pitcher of the Year. [12] [13] Helsley began 2018 with Springfield and was promoted to Memphis during the season. However, shoulder fatigue ended his season in June. [14] In seven starts for Springfield, he was 3–2 with a 4.39 ERA, and in five starts for Memphis he pitched to a 2–1 record and a 3.71 ERA. [15] The Cardinals added Helsley to their 40-man roster after the 2018 season. [16]

Helsley began 2019 back with Memphis. [17] On April 16, he was called up to the major leagues for the first time. [18] He made his debut that night, throwing two and a third innings in relief and recording a single in his first major league at-bat. [19] Helsley was placed on the injured list on June 13 with right shoulder impingement, [20] and was reassigned to Memphis following his activation on July 3. Helsley was recalled for the final time on August 4, spending the remainder of his 2019 season in the St. Louis bullpen. Over 36+23 relief innings with the Cardinals, Helsley went 2–0 with a 2.95 ERA, striking out 32. [21] In that year's postseason, he pitched 5+13 innings with no earned runs and 8 strikeouts.

Helsley with the Cardinals in 2025 1717Game 03 2025 Astros-Cardinals Apr 14 -helsley.png
Helsley with the Cardinals in 2025

Helsley began the 2020 season with St. Louis. On August 7, it was announced he had tested positive for COVID-19. [22] Helsley finished the pandemic-shortened season with a 1–1 record, 5.25 ERA and one save in 12 innings of work. [23] In 2021, Helsley appeared in 51 games with the Cardinals in which he went 6-4 with a 4.56 ERA and 47 strikeouts over 47+13 innings before he was shut down in mid-August with knee and elbow injures. [24]

In 2022, Helsley compiled a first-half 5–1 record with a 0.73 ERA, 54 strikeouts, and seven saves over 37 innings, and was consequently selected to represent the Cardinals at the All-Star Game in Los Angeles. [25] On September 16, Helsley pitched an immaculate inning against the Cincinnati Reds striking out Kyle Farmer, Jake Fraley, and Donovan Solano in the 9th inning. [26] Helsley finished the 2022 season with 54 relief appearances in which he went 9–1 with a 1.25 ERA, 94 strikeouts, and 19 saves over 64+23 innings. [27] In the postseason, Helsley, who had jammed fingers on his throwing hand in his final regular-season appearance, was the loser in Game 1 of the 2022 National League Wild Card Series, allowing a single, two walks, and a hit batter in successive 9th inning plate appearances for four earned runs in a game the Philadelphia Phillies won 6–3. [28]

Helsley began the 2023 season in the St. Louis bullpen, and logged a 3.24 ERA in 22 appearances before he was placed on the injured list with a right forearm strain on June 12, 2023. [29] He was transferred to the 60-day injured list on July 24. [30] Helsley was activated on September 1. [31]

He was named NL Reliever of the Month for April 2024, with his 16 appearances, 10 saves, a 1.69 ERA, and 9.5-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio (19 strikeouts, 2 walks). [32] He recorded a Cardinals record 49th save on September 27, 2024. [33]

In 65 appearances for St. Louis in 2024, Helsley posted a 2.04 ERA with a 7–4 record along with 49 saves and 79 strikeouts. [34] After the season, he was named NL Reliever of the Year for the first time in his career. [35]

On June 28, 2025, Helsley recorded his 100th career save against the Cleveland Guardians. [36] Across 36 games for the Cardinals in 2025, he was 3–1 with a 3.00 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 36 innings pitched. [37]

New York Mets

On July 30, 2025, the Cardinals traded Helsley to the New York Mets in exchange for prospects Jesus Baez, Nate Dohm, and Frank Elissalt. [38] [39]

Personal life

Helsley is a Christian. [40] Helsley and his wife, Alex, married in July 2021. [41] Their first child, a daughter, was born in August 2022. [42]

Helsley is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation [43] and has some ability to speak the Cherokee language. [44]

During the 2019 National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves, Helsley was asked about the Braves' rallying cry "The Tomahawk Chop". Helsley said he found the fans' chanting and arm motions insulting and that the chop depicts natives "in this kind of caveman-type people way who aren't intellectual". Helsley's comments prompted the Braves to stop handing out foam tomahawks, playing the chop music, or showing the chop graphic when the series returned to Atlanta for game 5. The Braves released a statement saying they would "continue to evaluate how we activate elements of our brand, as well as the overall in-game experience" and that they would continue a "dialogue with those in the Native American community after the postseason concludes". [45]

He grew up a St. Louis Cardinals fan. [46]

References

  1. "Sequoyah, NSU ex Ryan Helsley gets name called to Cards | Sports". muskogeephoenix.com. April 16, 2019. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  2. Rains, Rob (March 12, 2018). "Cardinals prospect Ryan Helsley literally has a tribe supporting him". ksdk.com. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  3. Johnson, Ben (May 24, 2013). "Helsley hauls in honors | High School Sports". tahlequahdailypress.com. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  4. "Helsley Honored as MIAA Freshman of the Year". Goriverhawksgo.com (Press release). Northeastern State University. May 8, 2014. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  5. 1 2 "Cardinals selected Northeastern State's Ryan Helsley in 2015 MLB Draft". Oklahoman.com. June 9, 2015. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  6. Hollingsworth, Dillon (June 10, 2015). "Northeastern State's Ryan Helsley one of seven Oklahoma players to go on Day 2 of MLB Draft". TulsaWorld.com. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  7. Dave Eminian. "Chiefs Helsley celebrates his Cherokee Indian heritage; Alcantara strikes out 14 but Peoria loses, 5-4 - Sports - Journal Star - Peoria, IL". Pjstar.com. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  8. Dave Eminian (June 7, 2016). "Chiefs land five players on MWL Western Division All-Star team - Sports - Journal Star - Peoria, IL". Pjstar.com. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  9. Porter, Jared (August 1, 2017). "Report: Helsley promoted to Double-A Springfield | Sports". tahlequahdailypress.com. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  10. "Ryan Helsley Stats, Highlights, Bio – MiLB.com Stats – The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  11. Forde, Mitchell (July 23, 2017). "Minor league report: Helsley's success continues as confidence grows" . St. Louis Post-Dispatch . Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  12. "Sports". Tcpalm.com. September 7, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  13. "Ryan Helsley Tabbed as FSL Pitcher of the Year | Cardinals". Milb.com. August 28, 2017. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  14. RotoWire Staff (June 12, 2018). "Cardinals' Ryan Helsley: Dealing with shoulder fatigue at Memphis". CBSSports.com. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  15. "Ryan Helsley Stats, Highlights, Bio – MiLB.com Stats – The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  16. "Cardinals add four players to 40-man roster". MLB.com. November 20, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  17. "Palm Beach Cardinals release 2019 roster".
  18. "Ryan Helsley promoted to majors by St. Louis Cardinals". Tahlequah Daily Press. April 16, 2019. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
  19. "St. Louis Cardinals at Milwaukee Brewers Box Score, April 16, 2019". Baseball Reference. April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  20. FOX Sports Midwest (June 13, 2019). "Cards place Helsley on 10-day IL, recall Cabrera from Redbirds". FOX Sports. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  21. "RYAN HELSLEY, Relief Pitcher". October 21, 2019.
  22. "Cardinals' Ryan Helsley: Among positive COVID-19 cases". August 8, 2020.
  23. "Exit Interview 2020: Ryan Helsley". November 13, 2020.
  24. "Ryan Helsley | stltoday.com". October 12, 2021.
  25. "Cardinals' Nolan Arenado, Ryan Helsley named to NL All-Star team". July 10, 2022.
  26. "FOX Sports News, Scores, Schedules, Odds, Shows, Streams & Videos".
  27. "Ryan Helsley Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com .
  28. "Phillies 6, Cardinals 3 Final Score (10/07/2022) on MLB Gameday". MLB.com. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  29. "Cardinals' Ryan Helsley: Heads to IL with forearm strain". cbssports.com. June 12, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  30. "Cardinals' Ryan Helsley: Moved to 60-day IL". cbssports.com. July 24, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  31. "Cardinals' Ryan Helsley: Activated from injured list". cbssports.com. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  32. "Here are 8 MLB's top performers from March/April". MLB. May 3, 2024.
  33. Goold, Derrick. "No. 49! Ryan Helsley closes out history, secures Cardinals save record, winning record" . St. Louis Post-Dispatch . St. Louis Post-Dispatch . Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  34. "Ryan Helsley Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News". MLB.com. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  35. "Clase, Helsley named Relievers of the Year". MLB.com. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  36. Denton, John (June 28, 2025). "'Relentless' Cards upend Guards with biggest comeback win of the season". MLB.com. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
  37. "Ryan Helsley Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News". MLB.com. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  38. Denton, John (July 30, 2025). "Cards get 2 of Mets' top 15 prospects for Helsley". mlb.com. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
  39. Castillo, Jorge (July 30, 2025). "Mets again add to bullpen with trade for Cardinals' Ryan Helsley". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 31, 2025.
  40. Kruse, Ethan (March 30, 2021). "Ryan Helsley – Walking Daily". His Huddle. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  41. "Cardinals players' significant others react to being back at Busch Stadium".
  42. "Ryan Helsley on Instagram: "What an eventful week! Added another Helsley to the family and celebrated another trip around the sun! #GodIsGood #thankfulgratefulblessed"".
  43. "Chiefs' Helsley Pitches for His People". Centralillinoisproud.com. April 27, 2016. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  44. Goold, Derrick (April 29, 2019). "'All eyes on Helsley' as Cardinals pitcher represents family, town, Cherokee Nation". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . Archived from the original on July 10, 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  45. Edwards, Johnny (October 13, 2019). "Chiefs of Georgia native tribes call tomahawk chop 'inappropriate'". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
  46. Rodney Harwood. "A Proud Cherokee Family with An Ace: St. Louis Cardinals' Pitcher Ryan Helsley". Newsmaven.io. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
Ryan Helsley
Ryan Helsley of the Cardinals. 2024.png
Helsley with the Cardinals in 2024
New York Mets – No. 56
Pitcher
Born: (1994-07-18) July 18, 1994 (age 31)
Tahlequah, Oklahoma, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
April 16, 2019, for the St. Louis Cardinals