The Toronto Blue Jays’ 2024 Minor League Pitcher of the Year, Ryan Jennings, made a very surprising announcement this week. He is retiring from baseball at 26-years-old, on the cusp of making the big leagues.
After attending Louisiana Tech University for two years, the Blue Jays selected Jennings in the fourth round of the 2022 MLB Draft. Before choosing to retire, he had reached Triple-A within the Toronto Blue Jays’ Minor League system. In 2025, he was the Blue Jays’ 22nd-ranked prospect.
The right-hander had his best season in 2024, winning Minor League Pitcher of the Year with the squad. Prior to the Blue Jays elevating him to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats in Double-A, the right-hander started in High-A with the Vancouver Canadians. He finished the season with a 1.93 ERA in 21 games, including 12 starts, between the two levels. Jennings posted a 0.90 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, picked up two saves, and held opposing teams to a .135 batting average against in Double-A.
On May 16, 2025, the Blue Jays promoted Ryan Jennings to Triple-A Buffalo, where he struck out 54 batters in just 36 innings, but struggled with his control.
Jennings was one of 27 non-roster invitees to Spring Training this year, along with many other top prospects in the Blue Jays’ system. According to Jays Centre, he was one of the young players “who could impact the big league team.” The organization optioned Jennings to Triple-A Buffalo on March 27, 2026, and he began the season on the 7-day disabled list after making two appearances with the Blue Jays during spring training.
Ryan Jennings announced his retirement on Instagram
On Monday, Jennings announced on his Instagram account that, after toiling for five seasons in the Minor Leagues and being so close to making the Major Leagues, where the minimum guaranteed salary is $780,000, he had retired from baseball.
He finishes his professional baseball career with a record of 7-13 with a 3.07 ERA and 1.37 WHIP and 213 strikeouts over 170 innings in 83 games.
“A few weeks ago I decided to retire from the game of baseball,” he wrote. “What an unbelievable blessing this journey was! From championships to call-ups and everything I between I can’t explain how grateful I am to have gotten this opportunity.
“The relationships I built through this game I will cherish for the rest of my life. People who pushed me to be better both physically and in my walk with Christ. Reignigting [sic] my faith was the single most important moment through this entire journey. What a blessing it was!
“Lastly thank you to my unbelievably supportive wife who has been along for the ride since Varisty [sic] high school baseball back in 2016! She has done more for me than I can begin to explain and I am grateful for her each day.
“This next chapter holds a lot to be seen and we are really excited for what’s next! Thank you to everyone who supported me along the way and mostly thank you God for this great blessing!”