Ryan Jeffers

Ryan Jeffers's Biography

Ryan Michael Jeffers, a highly accomplished American professional baseball player, was born on June 3, 1997. Currently, he is a distinguished catcher and a designated hitter for the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball (MLB). After exhibiting an impressive performance, Jeffers began his MLB career in 2020. Born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina, Jeffers’ journey into baseball started at a young age, gaining him notable recognition even at high school.

At Sanderson High School in Raleigh, Jeffers played an instrumental role in earning his team numerous victories throughout his junior and senior years. During his senior year in 2015, Jeffers’ impressive record included a respectable batting average of .398 and two home runs. After high school, he remained undrafted in the 2016 MLB draft, but this didn’t hinder his journey. Jeffers seized an opportunity to further his baseball career and education at the University of North Carolina in Wilmington. Under the committed tutelage of the UNC Wilmington Seahawks baseball team, Jeffers moved forward in his baseball career.

Jeffers’ freshman year in 2017, saw him participating in 13 matches where he performed impressively, hitting .348 with one home run and five RBIs. In the summer of the same year, he played for the Wilmington Sharks in the Coastal Plain League. As he transitioned into his sophomore year in 2018, he showcased unwavering dedication by participating in 52 out of 53 games, notching up an impressive .328 batting average along with ten home runs and 32 RBIs. This stellar performance earned Jeffers a First-Team All-CAA honor. Upon completing the season, Jeffers represented the Upper Valley Nighthawks in the New England Collegiate Baseball League earning additional All-Star honors.

In his junior season in 2018, Jeffers continued demonstrating his relentless dedication and unique skills. He showed off a .315/.460/.635 slash line, 16 home runs, and 59 RBIs over 62 starts. This extraordinary performance lead to his second consecutive First-Team All-CAA selection, affirming his growing reputation.

Following his commendable junior season, Jeffers was picked by the Minnesota Twins in the second round with the 59th overall selection of the 2018 Major League Baseball Draft. His MLB journey commenced with Elizabethton Twins, and later in July, he was promoted to the Cedar Rapids Kernels. Over 64 games between the two teams, Jeffers continued to make his mark, slashing .344/.444/.502 with seven home runs and 33 RBIs.

With the dawn of 2019, he started the year playing for the Fort Myers Miracle. Owing to his exceptional talent, he earned his spot as a Florida State League All-Star before progressing to the Pensacola Blue Wahoos in July. Throughout the year, Jeffers participated in 103 games across both teams, posting .264/.341/.421 with 14 home runs and 49 RBIs.

In the MLB 2020 season, on August 20, Jeffers’ contract was officially selected by the Twins for their active roster. The very same day, he made his major league debut against the Milwaukee Brewers, successfully recording two hits, including an RBI over three at-bats in a decisive 7–1 win. By the end of the season, Jeffers showcased his capabilities by batting .273/.355/.436 with three home runs and seven RBIs over 26 games.

The following year, in 2021, Jeffers showcased his abilities and talent with the Twins, posting .199/.270/.401 with 14 home runs and 35 RBIs over 85 games. However, in 2022, injuries hampered his performance, leading to being placed on the injured list due to a right thumb contusion on July 16. He was activated off the injured list on September 27. In a total of 67 games that year, Jeffers’ stats were .208/.285/.363, with 7 home runs and 27 RBI.

Off the baseball field, Jeffers is a loving husband to Lexi. They got married in 2019 and have been together through thick and thin. Despite his demanding professional career, Jeffers continues to share a beautiful bond with his wife, proving he is equally dedicated to his family as his profession.