Attended Carrollton American Heritage Academy for his first three years of high school and starred as a pitcher and shortstop, leading the conference in 23 different offensive categories...for his senior year, transferred to Marcus High School, which is in Flower Mound, TX, a suburb of Dallas...Played baseball and football (defensive back) at Marcus HS, where he graduated in 2011...was tackled and suffered a torn ACL during senior season, ending his football career...received a scholarship to play baseball at Texas Tech but elected to play professional baseball after being drafted by Boston in the 11th round of the June 2007 draft...signed by Red Sox scout Jim Robinson...Played five seasons (2008-12) in the Red Sox minor league system before being selected by Minnesota in the 2012 Rule 5 Draft...was selected fourth overall, three picks after the Astros selected RHP Josh Fields first overall...After spending his first five and a half MLB seasons in Minnesota, the Astros traded for Pressly just before the trade deadline in 2018...he immediately improved, crediting this improvement to a change in pitch mix and location...he began throwing his curveball more and throwing his fastball up in the zone...both changes play into his huge spin rate numbers on those pitches...he finished the 2021 season with a spin rate on his curveball in the 100th percentile of all pitchers, while his fastball spin rate checked in at the 97th percentile...The Astros signed Pressly to a two-year contract extension on March 20, 2019 to cover the 2020-21 seasons...the deal also included an option for the 2022 season, which vested upon him reaching 60 appearances in 2022...is eligible for free agency following the 2022 season.
2021
Had the best season of his career, recording a 2.25 ERA (16ER/64IP) with 81 strikeouts, 0.97 WHIP, and a .208 opponent batting average in 64 appearances...Made his seventh career OPENING DAY roster and his third consecutive with the Astros...His saves (26) and ERA (2.25) were his best for a single season, while his 0.97 WHIP was his second best (had 0.90 WHIP in 2019)...His 92.9% save pct. (26 SV, 28 opp.) ranked tied for third all-time in club history for a single season...Among AL relievers, ranked second in save perc. (92.9%), fourth in saves (26), eighth in WHIP (0.97) and ninth in ERA (2.25)...Recorded a dominant POSTSEASON, notching a 0.93 ERA (1ER/9.2IP) with 14 strikeouts and two walks...recorded his only save of the postseason in Game 1 of the ALCS vs. BOS.
2020
Stepped into the closer role and notched a career-high 12 saves over 23 games...ranked tied for third in the AL in saves...Successfully converted 11 of his last 13 save chances of the season, spanning his final 18 games...posted a 2.08 ERA (4ER/17.1IP) with four walks and 25 strikeouts in that span...Made his sixth-career OPENING DAY roster....reached 400.0 career innings on Aug. 16 vs. SEA...Earned the save in both games of the doubleheader on Aug. 29 vs. OAK, becoming the third pitcher in franchise history to get a save in both games of a doubleheader (per Elias), joining Todd Jones (Aug. 4, 1995 at PIT) and Fred Gladding (July 20, 1969 vs. SD)...threw 19 pitches between both games, striking out four batters...Pitched in seven postseason games, capturing four saves with a 2.45 ERA (2ER/7.1IP), one walk and eight strikeouts...was scoreless in six of his seven outings...Got the save in Game 2 of the Wild Card Series at MIN with two strikeouts in a scoreless ninth inning, clinching a series victory for Houston against his former club...pitched in three games in the ALDS, capturing a save in Game 2...appeared in three ALCS games, earning the win in Game 5 and saves in Games 4 and 6.
2019
30-year-old was named to his first career All-Star Team and was one of the most dominant relief pitchers in the Majors...among AL relievers, ranked tied for first in holds (31), sixth in WHIP (0.88) and tied for sixth in strikeoutto-walk ratio (6.00)...posted a career-best 2.32 ERA (14ER/54.1IP)...posted the longest scoreless appearance streak in MLB history, a 40-game streak that began on Aug. 15, 2018 and ended on May 24, 2019 vs. BOS (Bradley Jr. homer)...overtook Craig Kimbrel's MLB record streak of 38 games that was set in 2011...his scoreless streak was tied for the second-longest by a reliever in terms of innings pitched (39IP) in the Expansion Era (since 1961) with RHP Brad Ziegler 39IP in 2008), trailing only RHP Gregg Olson (41IP from 1989-90)...his 39.0-inning scoreless streak marked a new franchise record...Roy Oswalt previously held the record at 32.1 innings pitched in 2008...also posted a 32-game road scoreless streak, which tied the fifth-longest streak in MLB history and was longest since LHP Javier Lopez' MLB-record tying 39-game streak from 2013-2014...held left-handed hitters to a .124 opponent batting average with a .361 OPS (.165 OBP/.196 SLG)...posted the second-best opponent OPS against lefties in the Majors (min. 90 batters faced)...posted a 0.75 ERA (2ER/24IP) with 29 strikeouts in 24 games at
home this year...shut down division opponents in 2019, posting a 1.26 ERA (4ER/28.2IP) with 33 strikeouts in 29 games against the AL West...in Astros wins, recorded a 0.96 ERA (5ER/46.1IP) with 60 strikeouts in 46 games..was scoreless in 47 of 55 games this season... started the year on the Astros Opening Day roster in what was his first full season with Houston...was placed on the 10-Day Injured List on July 30 with right knee soreness...activated from the 10-Day Injured List on Aug. 9...placed on the 10-Day Injured List on Aug. 22 after having arthroscopic surgery on his right knee...activated from the 10-Day Injured List on Sept. 20...scoreless in four games to end the year (4IP) following his return from the IL...appeared in 10 games in the postseason, tied for the second-most among all pitchers with Joe Smith, trailing only Will Harris (12 games)...went 1-0 with an 11.12 ERA (7ER/5.2IP) in his 10 games, stranding 10-of-11 inherited runners...was scoreless in seven out of 10 postseason games...earned his first career postseason win in Game 4 of the ALCS at NYY, throwing 0.2 scoreless innings while striking out one batter...notched his only hold of the postseason in Game 5 of the ALCS at NYY, recording 0.1 of a scoreless inning... made one rehab appearance with Double A Corpus Christi, throwing 1.0 scoreless inning with two strikeouts on Aug. 26.
2018
Was one of the most electric relievers in the game in what was his sixth Major League season...split his season between the Twins and Astros and combined to lead the AL with 77 appearances, which ranked tied for third in the Majors...posted a career-best strikeouts per 9 innings ratio (12.80), which ranked ninth in among AL relievers... ranked fourth among AL relievers in strikeouts (101) and eighth in ERA (2.54)...set career highs in appearances and strikeouts...started the season on the Twins Opening Day roster...was acquired by the Astros on July 27 in exchange for two prospects: RHP Jorge Alcala and OF Gilberto Celestino...in his 26 games with Houston, posted an 0.77 ERA (2ER/23.1IP) with 32 strikeouts, three walks and just 11 hits allowed (.138 opponent batting average) ...ended the season on an active and career-long 21-game scoreless streak (18.0 IP)...was the third-longest active scoreless innings streak in the Major Leagues...was the sixth-longest scoreless appearance streak in Astros history...pitched in five games in the postseason, posting a 1.80 ERA (1ER/5IP) with seven strikeouts and one hit allowed...marked his firstcareer postseason appearances...entered the Game 1 of the ALDS vs. CLE in the 6th inning with the bases loaded and one out in what was his first career postseason appearance...threw a wild pitch on his first pitch to allow a run to score...induced a ground ball and fanned Edwin Encarnacion to end the inning...returned to the mound and worked a scoreless 7th inning...recorded holds in each of his first three postseason appearances, Games 1 and 2 of the ALDS vs. CLE, and Game 1 of the ALCS at BOS.
2017
Made Twins Opening Day roster for third time in career ... Had two different stints with Triple-A Rochester, going 2-0, 0.90 ERA (10.0 IP, 1 ER) in seven games ... Went 1-2, 8.25 ERA (24.0 IP, 22 ER) in first 25 appearances April 5-July 1; went 1-1, 2.41 ERA (37.1 IP, 10 ER) in final 32 games ... Struck out five batters without allowing a hit in 2.0 innings May 18 vs. Colorado (Game 1), becoming one of just six Twins relievers all-time to strike out five-plus and not allow a hit in 2.0 innings or fewer, joining Joe Nathan, Juan Rincon, Grant Balfour, Mike Trombley and Rick Aguilera ... Posted season-high 9.1 scoreless inning streak July 30-August 15 ... Posted a career-best .229 opponent batting average...also set a career high with 8.95 strikeout-per-9.0 IP ratio ... Finished with 57 appearances, the second-most of his career (72 in 2016) ... Went 2-1, 2.88 ERA (25.0 IP, 8 ER) in 25 home games and 0-2, 5.94 ERA (36.1 IP, 24 ER) in 32 home games ... Held right-handed hitters to a .196 batting average and left-handed hitters to a .281 batting average ... Combined to go 4-3, 4.16 (71.1 IP, 33 ER) with 24 walks and 76 strikeouts in 64 games between Rochester and Minnesota
2016
Made Twins Opening Day roster for second time in career and first since 2013; spent entire season with Twins. Posted a 1.98 ERA (13.2 IP, 3 ER) with one walk and 14 strikeouts in 14 June games. Held opponents scoreless in 50 of 72 appearances. Set career-highs in games (72), innings pitched (75.1), wins (6) and strikeouts (67). Held left-handed hitters to a .252 (30-for-119) average, compared to .275 (49-for-178) for right-handers. Posted an ERA of 2.41 (37.1 IP, 10 ER) in 37 home games, compared to 4.97 ERA (38.0 IP, 21 ER) in 35 road games. Struck out multiple batters in 19 games, including tying his career-high of four, April 24 at Washington. Led Twins in games (72) and holds (14) and tied for third in wins (6). Ranked fourth in AL in relief innings pitched (75.1) and tied for fourth in games (72).
2015
Optioned from Twins spring training to Triple-A Rochester March 21. A Appeared in seven games for the Red Wings and was recalled by Minnesota May 1 when Tim Stauffer was placed on disabled list....Earned win in his first appearance, tossing a season-high 2.2 scoreless innings May 3 vs. Chicago-AL....Posted 2.84 ERA (12.2 IP, 4 ER) in 12 June games...Did not allow a home run on the season, one of two pitchers in baseball with a minimum of 25.0 innings pitched to not allow a homer, St. Louis' Adam Wainwright being the other....Placed on 15-day disabled list July 6 with right lat strain and did not return...transferred to 60-day disabled list August 3 when the Twins selected contract of Tyler Duffey from Rochester.
2014
Optioned from Twins spring training to Triple-A Rochester March 24...Posted a 2.04 ERA (17.2 IP, 4 ER) with one save in nine May games...Recorded at least one strikeout in 24 straight games April 26-July 8, fanning 45 in 42.1 innings during that time...Did not allow a home run in first 25 appearances (43.0 IP) April 6-June 20; first home run allowed was to Jose Pirela June 24 at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre...Converted six of seven save opportunities for the Red Wings...Recalled July 24 and spent rest of season with Minnesota...Eight of first nine appearances for the Twins were scoreless July 24-August 15, posting a 0.75 ERA in that span...Combined to go 3-4, 2.94 ERA (88.2 IP, 29 ER) with 29 walks and 77 strikeouts in 60 games between Rochester and Minnesota.
2013
Made Twins Opening Day roster, his first with a major league club. Made major league debut April 4 vs. Detroit, tossing 1.0 scoreless innings with one hit allowed and one strikeout. Earned first major league win May 8 at Boston, tossing a career-high 4.0 scoreless innings with two hits allowed. Did not allow a home run in first 23 appearances (34.0 IP) April 4-June 22; allowed first home run June 26 at Miami to Placido Polanco. Posted a 1.20 ERA (30.0 IP, 4 ER) in first 21 games April 4-June 14 with opponents hitting .200 (22-for-110) ... posted ERA's of 1.69 (10.2 IP, 2 ER) in seven April games and 1.10 (16.1 IP, 2 ER) in 10 May games. Appeared in 49 games, tied for eighth most for a rookie in club history; pitched 76.2 innings, sixth most for a rookie reliever in club history. Ranked 10th among AL rookies in innings pitched, first among relievers - third among all MLB relievers ... tied for fifth among AL rookies in appearances.
2012
Started season with Single-A Salem (Boston). ... 12 of first 13 appearances were starts; overall went 4-3, 5.85 (60.0 IP, 39 ER) in 12 starts and 1-0, 7.88 (16.0 IP, 14 ER) in eight relief
appearances for the Salem Red Sox. ... Promoted to Double-A Portland July 15. ... Seven of final 10 appearances were scoreless July 29-September 2, posting a 1.86 ERA (19.1 IP, 4 ER). ... Held right-handed batters to a .190 batting average (11-for-58) and left-handed batters to a .293 batting average (12-for-41) for the Sea Dogs. ... Combined to go 7-5, 5.38 (103.2 IP, 62 ER) with 36 walks and 82 strikeouts in 34 games (12 starts) between both levels. ... Pitched for Surprise Saguaros in the Arizona Fall League, going 0-0, 3.86 (14.0 IP, 6 ER) with one save, one walk and 18 strikeouts in 10 games. ... Selected by Minnesota in the major league phase of the Rule 5 Draft (4th overall) December 6, 2012.
2011
Spent entire season with Single-A Salem...went 3-0, 2.33 (19.1 IP, 5 ER) in four April starts...tossed at least 5.0 innings in 17 of 26 games...
tied for first in Carolina League in starts (26)...led Salem in innings pitched (130.0).
2010
Spent entire season with Single-A Greenville...held opponents to three runs-or-fewer in 22 of 24 starts, including 11 straight from July
4-August 30, going 3-1, 2.56 (59.2 IP, 17 ER) in that span...tied for second on the club in starts (24)...ranked seventh among Red Sox minor
leaguers in ERA (3.72).
2009
Spent entire season with Single-A Lowell...went 3-0, 0.84 (21.1 IP, 2 ER) in first four starts June 22-July 8...ranked first on the club in
strikeouts-per-9.0 IP (9.65)...tied for first on the club in strikeouts (64) and tied for second in wins (6)...made one playoff appearance, allowing
one run in 3.0 innings pitched.
2008
Spent first professional season with GCL Red Sox, going 1-4, 3.79 (40.1 IP, 17 ER) in 10 games (9 starts)...went 0-4, 4.21 (36.1 IP, 17
ER) in his nine starts.
