Bryan Baker

Active

Tampa Bay Rays · Pitcher

Age 316' 6" · 235 lbsThrows Right

FBaseball Overview

Baker continues to thrive in a high-leverage relief role for Tampa Bay, establishing himself as a reliable closer with 21 saves already in 2026 while maintaining an elite 1.95 ERA and 0.87 WHIP through 32 innings pitched. His strikeout rate remains solid at nearly 10 per nine innings, providing valuable peripheral support in deeper leagues, though his 4-4 record last season shows he's been used primarily in save situations rather than as a traditional win source. The 31-year-old represents a safe, proven option at closer for fantasy managers seeking consistency in ERA and WHIP, with save opportunities his primary appeal in this Tampa Bay bullpen. His modest downside risk stems from age and the ever-present volatility of closer roles, but his recent run of dominance makes him a dependable late-draft target for saves-focused strategies.

MLB Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2021	Toronto Blue Jays	1	0	0	0	0	0.00	1.00	1	1.0	0
2022	Baltimore Orioles	66	2	4	3	1	3.49	1.23	76	69.2	26
2023	Baltimore Orioles	46	0	4	3	0	3.60	1.27	51	45.0	24
2024	Baltimore Orioles	19	0	1	1	0	5.01	1.16	23	23.1	7
2025	2 teams▼	73	0	4	4	3	4.06	1.11	83	68.2	17
2026	Tampa Bay Rays	36	0	1	0	23	1.83	0.82	37	34.1	11
Career	Totals	241	2	14	11	27	3.57	1.14	271	242	85

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Minor League Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2016	Grand Junction Rockies	11	11	3	4	0	6.00	1.56	41	48.0	12
2017	Asheville Tourists	26	2	7	2	0	1.66	0.99	57	54.1	13
2018	2 teams▼	49	0	5	3	2	3.68	1.73	67	51.1	37
2019	2 teams▼	49	0	3	6	12	3.17	1.31	71	54	36
2021	Buffalo Bisons	39	0	6	1	11	1.31	0.85	48	41.1	17
2023	Norfolk Tides	13	0	1	1	0	6.75	1.88	18	13.1	8
2024	Norfolk Tides	32	0	2	1	6	5.17	1.28	43	31.1	16
Career	Totals	219	13	27	18	31	3.56	1.32	345	293.2	139

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Game Log2026 season

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Pitching Analytics2026 season · via Baseball Savant

Click for year to year changes

FB Velo97.0 mph

Avg Spin2118 rpm

Whiff %31.4%

K %28.0%

BB %8.3%

Hard Hit %31.3%

Barrel %6.0%

xERA2.55

xBA Against0.185

xSLG Against0.282

BA Against0.143

SLG Against0.244

What These Stats Mean

FB Velo — Average fastball velocity. Harder throwers generate more swings and misses, setting up every other pitch in their arsenal. Velocity is the foundation of strikeout upside.

Avg Spin — Average spin rate across all pitches. Higher spin creates more movement and makes pitches harder to square up — elite spinners run better strikeout and batting average against numbers.

Whiff % — Swings-and-misses per swing. The most direct measure of a pitcher's ability to miss bats and the best leading indicator of strikeout rate.

K % — Strikeout rate per batter faced. The core fantasy pitching stat — high K% means reliable strikeout totals that hold up even in shorter starts.

BB % — Walk rate per batter faced. The primary control metric. High BB% tanks ERA and WHIP and keeps baserunners on constantly. Elite starters typically run below 7%.

Hard Hit % — Percentage of batted balls hit 95 mph or harder against. Low hard-hit% means weak contact, protecting both ERA and the defense behind the pitcher.

Barrel % — Percentage of batted balls barreled against. The most direct home run predictor — low barrel% pitchers rarely give up long balls.

xERA — Expected ERA based on contact quality allowed, removing the effect of sequencing, luck, and defense. Better predictor of future ERA than ERA itself.

xBA Against — Expected batting average opponents should hit based on contact quality. A gap between xBA and actual BA indicates unsustainable luck in either direction.

xSLG Against — Expected slugging allowed based on contact quality. High xSLG against predicts future extra-base damage; low xSLG means the pitcher is genuinely suppressing power.

BA Against — Actual batting average opponents are hitting — a key WHIP component. Check xBA to see if the number is sustainable.

SLG Against — Actual slugging allowed. Captures hits, doubles, triples, and home runs — lower means the pitcher is limiting the power damage he gives up.

GB% — Ground ball rate. High GB% pitchers generate double plays, limit home runs, and keep the ball in the park — great for protecting ERA and WHIP ratios.

FB% — Fly ball rate. High FB% pitchers give up more air contact — dangerous when combined with high exit velocity, less so when contact is soft.

Loading player data...

Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2021

Toronto Blue Jays

0.00

1.00

1.0

2022

Baltimore Orioles

3.49

1.23

69.2

2023

Baltimore Orioles

3.60

1.27

45.0

2024

Baltimore Orioles

5.01

1.16

23.1

2025

2 teams▼

4.06

1.11

68.2

2026

Tampa Bay Rays

1.83

0.82

34.1

Career

Totals

241

3.57

1.14

271

242

Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2016

Grand Junction Rockies

6.00

1.56

48.0

2017

Asheville Tourists

1.66

0.99

54.1

2018

2 teams▼

3.68

1.73

51.1

2019

2 teams▼

3.17

1.31

2021

Buffalo Bisons

1.31

0.85

41.1

2023

Norfolk Tides

6.75

1.88

13.1

2024

Norfolk Tides

5.17

1.28

31.1

Career

Totals

219

3.56

1.32

345

293.2

139