Robert Glenn Ray…lives in Scottsdale, Arizona with his wife, Taylor, and three children: sons, Asher, and Brady, and daughter, Leighton...is a 2010 graduate of Brentwood (TN) High School…One of five players drafted out of Brentwood HS and the only player to appear in the Majors from Brentwood HS...had committed to be a two-way player at the University of Arkansas before signing with the Nationals...played on the same Nashville-area travel ball team as 2018 American League MVP Mookie Betts.
2021
Went 13-7 with a 2.84 ERA (61 ER, 193.1 IP) with 52 walks and 248 strikeouts...Cy Young – Named the 2021 American League Cy Young Award winner, receiving 29 of 30 first-place votes...Gerrit Cole-NYY received the only other first-place vote...Lead By Example – Ranked 1st among American League starters in ERA (2.84), strikeouts (248), innings pitched (193.1), games started (32), WHIP (1.045), ERA+ (154) and Baseball-Reference Wins Above Replacement (6.7)...All-MLB First Team – One of five starting pitchers named to the All-MLB First Team...Quality Outings – Led AL pitchers in quality starts (23), tied for 2nd-most in the Majors with Sandy Alcantara-MIA and trailing only Walker Buehler-LAD (28)...Watch Me Whiff – His 10 outings with at least 10 strikeouts were most among MLB pitchers, ranking just ahead of Gerrit Cole-NYY (9)...Raytios – Ranked 3rd in the American League in strikeouts per 9 innings (11.54) and strikeout-to walk ratio (4.77)...Follow The Leader – Became first pitcher to lead his respective league in ERA, strikeouts and WHIP in a season since Clayton Kershaw-LAD in 2013 and the first in the American League since Justin Verlander-DET in 2011...Pieces of Eight – His eight consecutive outings with at least 6.0 innings pitched and allowing 2 or fewer runs from July 28-Sept. 5 was the longest streak in the American League during the 2021 season...AL Pitcher of the Month – Won the award for the month of August, sporting a 1.76 ERA (8 ER, 41.0 IP) over six starts, allowing 27 hits and eight walks while recording 52 strikeouts with a 0.85 WHIP and a .188 batting average allowed...was his first career monthly award...200 Strikeouts – Recorded his 4th season with at least 200 strikeouts (2016, 2017, 2019, 2021)...One of six active pitchers with at least four 200+ strikeout seasons prior to turning 30 (Clayton Kershaw, Chris Sale, Madison Bumgarner, David Price, Justin Verlander)...Elite Company – Recorded 49 strikeouts and one walk over a six-start span from April 24- May 22, the 3rd pitcher in AL history to have 49+ strikeouts and no more than one walk over a six-start span in a single season, joining Pedro Martinez (2000) and Gerrit Cole (2021)...Left On Base – His 90.1 left-on-base percentage ranked highest in the Majors among qualified pitchers...ranked highest in Major League history in a season (min. 162 IP)...How It Started – Came off the 10-day injured list (left elbow contusion) for his season debut on April 12 vs. New York-AL and allowed two runs over 5.0 IP (3H, 1HR, 3BB, 3K)...Golden Win – Picked up his 1st win of 2021 and the 50th of his career on April 30 vs. ATL as he threw 6.2 IP allowing five hits and two earned runs (0BB, 5K)...went 12.2 innings without issuing a walk over his last two starts after tying his career high with six walks on April 18 at Kansas City...Ray Of Sunshine – Tossed 6.1 innings of one-run ball on June 8 at Chicago-AL with 5 hits, 0 BB, and 13 strikeouts...the 13 K’s were his most in a game since recording a career-high 14 on Sept. 4, 2017 at Los Angeles-NL...became the 2nd pitcher in Toronto history with 13+ strikeouts and 0 walks in a game, joining Roger Clemens (4x)...Missed It...By That Much – Took a no-hitter into the 7th inning on July 11 at Tampa Bay... tossed 7.0 scoreless innings, allowing 1 hit and one walk while striking out 11...14K – Recorded 14 strikeouts on Aug. 25 vs. Chicago-AL, tying a career-high previously set in 2017...went 7.0 IP, allowing 1 R on 5 H, walking one and striking out 14...Win #12 – Won his 12th game on Sept. 15 vs. Tampa Bay, tossing 7.0 innings of one-run ball with four hits, no walks, and 13 strikeouts...struck out 8+ batters for a 7th straight game, tying the longest streak in Blue Jays history (Roger Clemens in 1997; A.J. Burnett in 2007)...racked up 51 strikeouts against the Rays this season, the most vs. any opponent in a single season in franchise history...1,000 Innings – Tallied his 10th win on Aug. 30 vs. Baltimore, giving up two runs and four hits over 7.0 IP with a walk and 10 strikeouts...reached 1,000 career innings after the 1st out of the 6th frame…his 1,241 strikeouts to that point were the most in a player’s first 1,000 career innings in Major League history (2nd: Yu Darvish - 1,222)...Advanced Stats – Ranked in the 93rd percentile in strikeout percentage, 87th percentile in whiff percentage, 76th percentile in expected batting average, 75th percentile in fastball velocity, 73rd percentile in walk percentage and 70th percentile in chase rate...Dominate The Zone – His 2.4 walks per 9 innings pitched marked the largest decrease (7.8 BB/9 in 2020) among qualified starting pitchers from season to season in Major League history...via Elias Sports Bureau...AL Pitcher of the Week – Named AL Pitcher of the Week for Aug. 30-Sept. 5 (2-0, 1.32 ERA, 13.2 IP, 5 H, 4 BB, 20 K)...was his 2nd career weekly award (2016).
2020
Posted a 4.79 ERA (11 ER/20.2 IP) in five games (four starts) as a Blue Jay...Held a 7.84 ERA (27 ER/31.0 IP) in his seven games for the Diamondbacks...Recorded his 1,000th strikeout (Jorge Mateo) on Aug. 16 vs. SD and became the 2nd-fastest lefty since 1913 to reach the milestone (154 games and 810.0 innings pitched), trailing Randy Johnson (152 G) and Billy Wagner (757.2 IP)....Traded to the Blue Jays along with cash considerations in exchange for LHP Travis Bergen on Aug. 31...Made his Blue Jays debut on Sept. 1 at MIA with 3.1 innings of relief...Allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits with a walk and four strikeouts...Was his first relief appearance since Sept. 27, 2014 vs. MIN...Threw 5.0 frames of one-run ball to earn his 1st win as a Blue Jay on Sept. 12 vs. NYM (4H, 2BB, 5K)...Was his 2nd start of 5+ innings and one run this season (also Aug. 16 vs. SD)....Made his final start of the regular season on Sept. 23 vs. NYY...Threw 4.0+ innings, allowing one unearned run on three hits with four walks and five strikeouts...Was his only ER-free outing of the season...Pitched in Game 1 of the ALWC on Sept. 29 at TB and took the loss as he allowed one run over 3.0 innings of relief (1H, 1BB, 5K).
2019
Set career highs in strikeouts (235), strikeouts per 9.0 IP (12.13) and starts (33) and went 12-8 with a 4.34 ERA (84 ER in 174.1 IP) in his fifth season with the D-backs…tied a career high in innings pitched (also: 2016) and grounded into double plays (also: 13 in 2015-16)...His 235 strikeouts were the ninth most in a season in club history and 14th 200+ strikeout campaign by a D-back (his third time)…his 12.13 SO/9.0 IP trailed only Randy Johnson (13.41 in 2001 and 12.56 in 2000)...Ranked second among NL starters in strikeouts per 9.0 innings, trailing only Max Scherzer/WSH (12.69), and fi fth in strikeouts...Totaled 7 double-digit strikeout performances and ranks third in club history with 23... Struck out 5+ batters in 20 consecutive starts from April 26-Aug. 9, 1 game shy of his career high (21 from April 14-Aug. 2, 2016).
2018
Went 6-2 with a 3.93 ERA, .216 opponent average and 165 strikeouts in 24 starts during his fourth season with the D-backs...Became the only pitcher in Major League history to record 165+ strikeouts in fewer than 125.0 IP in a season (123.2 IP)…prior to Ray, the fewest innings needed for 165+ strikeouts was 135.2 IP by Rich Hill/LAD in 2017...Posted 12.01 strikeouts per 9.0 IP, the second-best rate in the NL and fifth best in the Majors, behind only Chris Sale/BOS (13.50), Gerrit Cole/HOU (12.40), Max Scherzer/WSH (12.24) and Justin Verlander/HOU (12.20) [min. 100.0 IP]...Limited left-handed hitters to a .124 average (13-for-105), the second-lowest mark in the Majors behind only Josh Hader/MIL (.090) [min. 100 BF]...On 10-day disabled list from April 30-June 27 with a strained left oblique.
2017
Established a career high in wins and ERA, going 15-5 with a 2.89 ERA in 28 starts...matched his career high with 218 strikeouts (also: 2016)...Named to his first NL All-Star Team (did not pitch)...Had 200+ strikeouts for the second straight season (12th in club history) and the third time a by pair of D-backs teammates (Zack Greinke): also Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling in 2001-02...Ranked among NL leaders in strikeouts per 9.0 IP (1st, 12.11), opponent average (2nd, .199), hits per 9.0 innings (2nd, 6.44), strikeouts (3rd), opponent slugging pct. (4th, .356), ERA (4th), opponent OPS (5th, .646) and baserunners per 9.0 IP (6th, 10.67)...His strikeout rate (32.8) was fourth best in the Majors behind Chris Sale (36.2), Max Scherzer (34.4) and Corey Kluber (34.1). POSTSEASON: Posted a 6.75 ERA with 9 strikeouts and 4 walks in 2 postseason appearances...threw 2.1 innings in relief in the Wild Card Game vs. Rockies.
2016
Set career highs in wins (8), starts (32), innings (174.1) and strikeouts (218) in his second season with the D-backs, going 8-15 with a 4.90 ERA (95 ER in 174.1 IP)...Was the fourth pitcher in team history (10th time) to reach the 200 strikeout plateau: Randy Johnson (5x, 1999-'02, '04), Dan Haren (2x, 2008-'09) and Curt Schilling (2x, 2001-'02)...Ranked among the NL leaders in strikeouts per 9.0 IP (2nd, 11.25), strikeouts-per-batter faced (4th, .281), strikeouts (T-4th) and swing-and-miss rate (5th, 26.8 pct.)...Is 1 of 2 pitchers all-time to record 218+ strikeouts in less than 175.0 innings in a single season, joining Kerry Wood in 1998 (233 K in 166.2 IP)...Was the 15th left-handed NL pitcher to record 200+ strikeouts in their age-24 season or younger, and the fi rst since Madison Bumgarner in 2014 (219)…since 1913, he was the fastest lefthanded pitcher in his age-24 or younger season to reach the 200-strikeout mark in a single season (159.1), surpassing the previous mark held by Indians' Sam McDowell in 1965 (161.1 IP) [source: STATS LLC]...His 11.25 strikeouts per 9.0 IP was the fi fth highest in team history, trailing Johnson in 2001 (13.41), 2000 (12.56), 1999 (12.06) and 2002 (11.56)...Logged 22 outings with 6+ strikeouts, tied for the fourthhighest total in the NL (also: Noah Syndergaard), behind Max Scherzer (31), Bumgarner (26) and Jose Fernandez (25)...Struck out 31.9 pct. of left-handed hitters (59-of-185), the thirdbest rate among NL starters (min. 150 BF)...Ranked third in the NL with 103 strikeouts after the All-Star Break (Scherzer, 120; Bumgarner, 105)...Averaged 95.29 mph on his 4-seam fastball, the second-highest average velocity in the Majors by a left-handed starter (James Paxton, 97.38)...Had 3 outings of 7.0+ shutout innings, becoming the third Dback to post 3+ starts of that nature since 2011 (Rubby De La Rosa, 3 in 2015; Ian Kennedy, 5 in 2011)...Struck out 5+ batters in 21 straight starts from April 14-Aug. 2, the fi fth-longest streak in team history, and the longest since Randy Johnson went 25 games from June 5, 2002-April 5, 2003...Recorded 10 strikeouts in 5.0 innings on July 23 @ Reds, the second pitcher in team history to strike out 10+ batters in 5.0-or-fewer innings (Max Scherzer, 11 K in 5.0 IP on Sept. 7, 2008 @ Dodgers)...Struck out 10+ batters in back-to-back starts on July 23 @ Reds (10) and July 28 @ Brewers (11), the fi rst D-back to do so since Patrick Corbin from July 7-12, 2013...Named the NL Player of the Week for the week of Aug. 15-21… was 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA (2 ER in 12.0 IP) with 18 strikeouts, including a career-high 13 strikeouts on Aug. 19 @ Padres...Recorded his 200th strikeout on Sept. 13 vs. Rockies (Jorge De La Rosa)...Hit .189 (10-for-53), up from .097 in 2015…ranked seventh among NL pitchers with a .283 slugging pct...Recorded his fi rst homer on June 6 vs. Rays, the fi rst D-backs pitcher to hit a home run since Wade Miley on April 22, 2013 @ Giants and the fi rst to do so @ Chase Field since Daniel Hudson on July 17, 2011 vs. Dodgers.
2015
Went 5-12 with a 3.52 ERA (50 ER in 127.2 IP) and 119 strikeouts in 23 starts in his first season with the D-backs...His 3.52 ERA was fourth best by a D-backs rookie starting pitcher (min. 20 GS), behind Brandon Webb (2.84 in 2003), Wade Miley (3.33 in 2012) and Josh Collmenter (3.38 in 2011)...Ranked among NL rookie leaders in ERA (second), starts (fourth), IP (fourth), strikeouts (fourth) opponent average (fifth, .255)... Suffered six losses when allowing three runs or fewer, tied for fifth most in the NL (also: Max Scherzer, Alex Wood and Jeremy Hellickson)...Owned a 2.49 ERA (20 ER in 72.1 IP) in 12 road starts...four of his five wins came on the road...Surrendered just nine home runs and his 0.63 home runs per 9.0 IP would rank as the ninth best in the NL if he qualified...yielded two homers to left-handers (141 PA)...His 3.52 ERA was the fourth lowest by a D-back with 12+ losses in team history...Recalled from Triple-A Reno as the 26th Man on May 6-2 @ Rockies and won his D-backs debut (1 ER in 6.0 IP)...His 1.08 ERA was the lowest by a pitcher in his first four starts as a D-back... Began the season with Reno and was 2-3 with a 3.67 ERA (17 ER in 41.2 IP) and 57 strikeouts in nine starts.
2014
Appeared in nine games (six starts) during first Major League season with the Tigers and went 1-4 with a 8.16 ERA (26 ER in 28.2 IP)... Allowed one run over his first three Major League games (two starts) (13.0 IP)... Recorded the win during in his Major League debut on May 6 vs. Astros (1 ER in 5.1 IP)... Went 7-6 with a 4.22 ERA (47 ER in 100.1 IP) and 75 strikeouts in 20 games (19 starts) for Triple-A Toledo... Owned a 1.53 ERA (5 ER in 29.1 IP) in six appearances (five starts) prior to his May 6 promotion to Detroit…his 1.53 ERA ranked fifth among Triple-A starters over that time... Went 1-1 with a 2.45 ERA (3 ER in 11.0 IP) and 13 strikeouts in four starts with Glendale in the Arizona Fall League... Traded to D-backs with INF Domingo Leyba in exchange for INF Didi Gregorius on Dec. 5... Entered the season ranked by Baseball America as the Tigers' No. 4 Prospect.
2013
Double A Harrisburg in the Washington Nationals organization...Tied for first in the Carolina League with three complete games...Compiled a 2-1 record and a 1.55 ERA (29.0IP/5ER) and 34 strikeouts in five starts during April...Had his contract transferred to Harrisburg on July 5...Fired a three-hit, nine-inning shutout on July 11 at Erie -- fanned a season-high 11 batters that same day...Posted a 5-2 record and a 3.72 ERA (58.0IP/24ER) and 60 strikeouts in 11 starts with Harrisburg...Rated as the fifth-best prospect in the Washington Nationals system following the season by Baseball America.
2012
Spent the entire 2012 season with Single A Potomac...Topped the Carolina League with 77 earned runs allowed, while he was second with 12 losses on the season...Sidelined April 6-May 3 with left biceps tendonitis...Tossed a season-best 8.0 innings and struck out a season-high nine batters on June 9 versus Lynchburg.
2011
Completed his first full season of professional baseball in 2011, appearing in 20 games with Single A Hagerstown...Named the South Atlantic League Player of the Week for the week ending May 16 -- did not allow a run while striking out 13 over 11.0 innings during the week...Posted a 2-0 record and a 0.38 ERA (24.0IP/1ER) and 21 strikeouts in 5 games started during May...Fanned a season-best nine batters on June 6 versus Greensboro...Compiled a 1.73 ERA (26.0IP/5ER) and 33 strikeouts in six games during July...Selected by the Nationals in the 12th round of the June 2010 draft and appeared in one.
2010
Selected by the Nationals in the 12th round of the June 2010 draft and appeared in one game with Single A Vermont.
