| Caleb Ferguson | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Ferguson with the Dodgers in 2023 | |
| Cincinnati Reds – No. 46 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1996-07-02)July 2, 1996 (age 29) Columbus, Ohio, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 6, 2018, for the Los Angeles Dodgers | |
| MLB statistics (through 2025 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 24–17 |
| Earned run average | 3.66 |
| Strikeouts | 365 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Caleb Paul Ferguson (born July 2, 1996) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher for theCincinnati Reds ofMajor League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for theLos Angeles Dodgers,New York Yankees,Houston Astros,Pittsburgh Pirates, andSeattle Mariners.
Growing up inWest Jefferson, Ohio, Ferguson learned to throw acurveball after a pitching coach gave him ayo-yo.[1] Ferguson attendedWest Jefferson High School. He added 5 miles per hour to his fastball every year in high school.[2] As a senior in 2014, he underwentTommy John surgery. Despite the injury, theLos Angeles Dodgers drafted him in the 38th round of the2014 Major League Baseball draft. He signed with the Dodgers, forgoing his commitment to playcollege baseball atWest Virginia University, though Ferguson said the Mountaineers were considering revoking his scholarship offer following his injury.[3][4][2]
Ferguson made his professional debut the year after he was drafted, with theArizona League Dodgers in 2015, pitching to a 0–3 record and 8.59 ERA in14+2⁄3 innings.[5] In 2016, he played for the Arizona League Dodgers,Ogden Raptors, andGreat Lakes Loons, compiling a 3–4 record and 2.31 ERA in 14 games (12 starts).[5] He pitched 2017 with theRancho Cucamonga Quakes[6] where he was 9–4 with a 2.87 ERA in 25 games (24 starts).[7] Ferguson started 2018 with theTulsa Drillers and was promoted to theOklahoma City Dodgers during the season.[8]
The Dodgers promoted Ferguson to the major leagues to make his debut as the starting pitcher against thePittsburgh Pirates on June 6, 2018.[9] He hit the first batter he faced and wound up allowing four runs on three hits, three walks, and two hit batters with three strikeouts in only 12⁄3 innings.[10] He picked up his first MLB win on June 23 against theNew York Mets with four scoreless relief innings.[11] Ferguson recorded his first major league save on July 2, against the Pirates, pitching three scoreless innings to end a 17—1 blowout.[12]
Ferguson became a key member of the Dodgers' bullpen in the second half of the season. He had one of the best ERAs of any relievers and threw the highest percentage of pitches in the strike zone of any Dodger reliever.[13] He was 7–2 with a 3.49 ERA in 29 games (three starts).[14] He was effective in the playoffs, allowing no hits or runs in three innings over six appearances, but was left off theWorld Series roster.[14]
In 2019, Ferguson pitched in 46 games for the Dodgers with a 1–2 record and 4.84 ERA, while making two starts.[14] During thepandemic-shortened 2020 season, Ferguson appeared in 21 games and was 2–1 with a 2.89 ERA.[14] In mid-September, he suffered damage to hisulnar collateral ligament and underwent his secondTommy John surgery.[15] On February 19, 2021, he was placed on the 60-day injured list as he continued to recover from surgery.[16] He rejoined the Dodgers in the 2022 season, where he pitched in 37 games and allowed seven runs in34+2⁄3 innings for a 1.82 ERA.[14]
On January 13, 2023, Ferguson agreed to a one-year, $1.1 million contract with the Dodgers, avoidingsalary arbitration[17] and he pitched in 68 games (including seven starts as anopener) with a 7–4 record and 3.43 ERA in 2023.[14] He increased his salary to $2.4 million for 2024 in his third time in arbitration.[18]
On February 5, 2024, the Dodgers traded Ferguson to theNew York Yankees in exchange forMatt Gage andChristian Zazueta.[19] In 42 appearances for the Yankees, Ferguson compiled a 5.13 ERA with 41 strikeouts across33+1⁄3 innings of work.
On July 30, 2024, the Yankees traded Ferguson to theHouston Astros in exchange for pitcher Kelly Austin and cash.[20] Ferguson made 20 appearances for Houston, going 0–1 with a 3.86 ERA, one home run allowed, and 26 strikeouts in 21 innings. In theAmerican League Wild Card Series (ALWCS), he threw one pitch, with an advancing base runner thrown out at second base ending the inning.[21][14] Following the season, Ferguson electedfree agency.[22]
On January 10, 2025, Ferguson signed a one-year, $3 million contract with thePittsburgh Pirates.[23] In 45 appearances for Pittsburgh, Ferguson compiled a 2–2 record and 3.74 ERA with 34 strikeouts across43+1⁄3 innings pitched.
On July 30, 2025, Ferguson was traded to theSeattle Mariners for minor league pitcher Jeter Martinez.[24] As the Mariners' second left-handed reliever, working in lower leverage situations thanGabe Speier, Ferguson had a 3–2 record and 3.27 ERA, throwing 22 innings in 25 games for Seattle.[25][14]
On December 18, 2025, Ferguson signed a one-year, $4.5 million contract with theCincinnati Reds.[26]
Ferguson is married and has a child.[27]
Ferguson's father and brother played college football. Ferguson quit football in 9th grade to focus on baseball.[2]
· ESPN · Baseball Reference · Fangraphs · Baseball Reference (Minors) · Retrosheet · Baseball Almanac