Roberto Osuna facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Roberto Osuna |
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Osuna with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.
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| Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks – No. 54 | |||
| Pitcher | |||
| Born: February 7, 1995 Juan José Ríos, Sinaloa, Mexico |
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| Professional debut | |||
| MLB: April 8, 2015, for the Toronto Blue Jays | |||
| NPB: June 24, 2022, for the Chiba Lotte Marines | |||
| MLB statistics (through 2020 season) |
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| Win–loss record | 14–18 | ||
| Earned run average | 2.74 | ||
| Strikeouts | 348 | ||
| Saves | 155 | ||
| NPB statistics (through 2024 season) |
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| Win–loss record | 7–6 | ||
| Earned run average | 1.85 | ||
| Strikeouts | 97 | ||
| Saves | 60 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
MLB
NPB
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Roberto Osuna Quintero Jr. (born February 7, 1995) is a Mexican professional baseball pitcher. He plays for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). Before that, he played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays and Houston Astros.
Osuna joined the Blue Jays from Mexico when he was just 16. He made his MLB debut in 2015 at age 20. This made him the youngest pitcher ever for the Blue Jays. He was also the first MLB player born in 1995. In 2017, he was chosen as an All-Star. In April 2018, he became the youngest pitcher in MLB history to get 100 saves. He was only 23 years and 62 days old.
Later in 2018, Osuna was suspended by MLB for 75 games. While suspended, the Astros traded for him. The next season, he led the American League with 38 saves. In 2020, Osuna had an elbow injury. The Astros released him after that season. He has played baseball overseas since then.
Early Life and Baseball Beginnings
Roberto Osuna was born in Juan José Ríos, Sinaloa, Mexico. When he was 11, he stopped school to help his family. He picked vegetables to earn money. At 16, the Toronto Blue Jays signed him. They gave him a $1.5 million signing bonus.
His father, also named Roberto, was a pitcher in the Mexican League for 22 seasons. He taught young Roberto how to pitch after their workday. Roberto's uncle, Antonio Osuna, also pitched in MLB for 11 seasons.
Professional Baseball Career
Starting in the Minor Leagues
Osuna began his professional career in 2011. He played for the Diablos Rojos del México in the Mexican League. He pitched 19 and two-thirds innings. He had a 0–1 record and a 5.49 earned run average (ERA).
In August 2011, the Blue Jays officially got Osuna. He started the 2012 season with the Bluefield Blue Jays. He then moved up to the Vancouver Canadians. There, he struck out 13 batters in one game. This was a team record. In 2012, he had a 2–0 record and a 2.27 ERA.
In 2013, Osuna was ranked among MLB's Top 100 Prospects. He started with the Lansing Lugnuts. He later had an elbow injury. He tried to rest it, but needed Tommy John surgery in June. After surgery, he was still a top prospect. He was ranked 58th in MLB and second for the Blue Jays.
Osuna returned to pitching in July 2014. He played for the Gulf Coast League Blue Jays. Then he moved to the Dunedin Blue Jays. He pitched 22 innings that year. By 2015, he was the sixth-best prospect for the Blue Jays.
Playing for the Toronto Blue Jays
Making His MLB Debut in 2015
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Osuna was invited to spring training in 2015. He was not expected to make the main team. But he impressed the Blue Jays coaches. On March 31, it was confirmed he would join the team as a reliever.
He made his MLB debut on April 8, 2015. He pitched against the New York Yankees. He was 20 years and 60 days old. This made him the youngest pitcher to play for Toronto. He quickly became a key player in the bullpen. He had a 1.38 ERA in his first 10 games.
Osuna got his first win on May 18. He pitched one and two-thirds scoreless innings. He was the youngest Blue Jays pitcher to earn a win. On June 22, he earned his first career save. He finished the 2015 season with a 1–6 record and 20 saves. His ERA was 2.58. He was the youngest player in the American League.
In the 2015 American League Division Series, Osuna got a save in the final game. He became the youngest pitcher in American League history to get a postseason save. He pitched five and two-thirds innings in the series without letting anyone on base. He finished fourth in the American League Rookie of the Year voting.
Becoming a Closer in 2016
Before the 2016 season, Osuna competed to be the team's closer. Manager John Gibbons chose Osuna for the role. He got his first save of the season on Opening Day, April 3. He became the youngest pitcher in MLB history to get an Opening Day save.
On August 13, Osuna earned his 46th career save. This tied a record for saves before age 22. He broke the record on August 17. On September 4, he got his 30th save of the season. He was the 11th pitcher in Blue Jays history to do this. This save was also his 50th career save. He became the youngest pitcher in MLB history to reach 50 saves.
Osuna ended the 2016 season with a 4–3 record. He had a 2.68 ERA and 36 saves. He pitched 74 innings in 72 games. In the playoffs, he pitched nine innings without giving up a run. He also got his first postseason win.
All-Star Season in 2017
Osuna started the 2017 season on the disabled list with a neck issue. On June 24, it was shared that he was dealing with anxiety. By then, he had 19 saves and a 2.48 ERA. He had also become the youngest player in MLB history to reach 75 career saves.
He returned to pitching the next day. On July 7, Osuna was named an American League All-Star. He earned his 35th save on August 31. This made him the first Blue Jays player to have two seasons in a row with at least 35 saves. He finished the season with 39 saves. He had a 3–4 record and a 3.38 ERA.
Reaching 100 Saves in 2018
Osuna signed a one-year, $5.3 million contract for 2018. On April 10, he recorded his 100th career save. He was the youngest pitcher in MLB history to reach 100 saves. On June 22, Osuna was suspended for 75 games by MLB. The suspension was effective from May 8.
Playing for the Houston Astros
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On July 30, 2018, the Blue Jays traded Osuna to the Houston Astros. He returned to playing on August 5. In 2018, between both teams, he had a 2–2 record and 21 saves. His ERA was 2.37.
In 2019, Osuna led the American League with 38 saves. He also finished 56 games. He had a 2.63 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 65 innings. In the playoffs, he had a 3.60 ERA and 2 saves. The Astros lost the World Series that year.
On August 4, 2020, it was suggested Osuna needed Tommy John surgery for his elbow. He chose to rest his arm instead. He only pitched in 4 games in the short 2020 season. He had 1 save. On October 29, 2020, the Astros released him.
Return to Mexico and Move to Japan
On May 11, 2021, Osuna signed again with the Diablos Rojos del México. He finished the season with a 3–0 record and a 1.09 ERA. He also had 12 saves. In 2022, he had a 2–0 record and a 1.35 ERA with 6 saves.
On June 9, 2022, Osuna signed with the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan. In the 2022 season, he pitched in 29 games. He had a 4–1 record, a 0.91 ERA, and 10 saves.
Playing for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
On December 8, 2022, Osuna signed with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks. In 2023, he played in 49 games. He had a 0.92 ERA and 42 strikeouts. He also had a 3–2 record and 26 saves. On November 11, 2023, Osuna signed a new 4-year contract with the Hawks.
In 2024, Osuna had a 0–3 record and a 3.76 ERA. He recorded 24 saves.
Images for kids
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Osuna outside a courthouse in Toronto.
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Osuna with the Chiba Lotte Marines.
See also
- List of baseball players who underwent Tommy John surgery
- List of Major League Baseball players from Mexico
