PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Joe Ryan is a player on the rise.

This summer he is rocketing up the minor league rankings. M-L-B Pipeline rates the hard-throwing righty as one of the top -20 prospects in the Rays organization. But he’s not thinking about making it to the majors – yet.

“That’s definitely a little far ahead for me to look and I’m just focused on making each start,” said Ryan, who has an ERA well under 2.00 this season in Port Charlotte.

Ryan lives in the here and now. That’s how he’s lived since his childhood in, California.

“He grew up in the mountains north of San Francisco and spent a lot of time hiking, surfing, snowboarding, sail-boating; all kinds of activities, mostly in the mountains,” said Stone Crabs broadcaster John Vittas.  

“I played baseball during baseball season and water polo in the summer, go into the winter and the fall,” said Ryan. “It was part of the routine. I think it just keeps everything fresh and you’re just doing a lot of different things.”

The freedom to do multiple sports and activities allowed Joe to fall in love with baseball. And his true love began the same way it does for a lot of kids.

“My dad and I would play catch in the street or draw a line and throw bullpens or go on flat grounds in the driveway,” said Ryan. “We always kept it fun and played games with whatever we were doing.”

Ryan never considered baseball to be the main sport for him as he grew up. Then he got to high school and realized he could do some special things with when on the mound.

“I think it was junior year of high school is when I kind of got more serious about it and knew I could throw pretty hard,” said Ryan.

Joe was drafted by the Rays in the seventh round of the 2018 MLB Draft out of Division II Stanislaus State. He’s impressed his coaches ever since he arrived in Port Charlotte.

“The ability to stay calm and under control and slow things down is really unprecedented at this level,” said Stone Crabs pitching coach Doc Watson.  

“He’s going to be a good one, let me tell you that,” said Stone Crabs manager Jeff Smith. “And I know based on right there him having fun on the mound, pitching and having tremendous confidence in his ability and I love to see it.” 

Ryan is a true student of the game. He studies old Nolan Ryan videos and has an intense focus that reminds his pitching coach of a former Stone Crab – reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell.

“He’s in constant learn mode,” Watson said. “He is a sponge. He learns it and he applies it.”

Joe Ryan is the name you should know as summer comes to a close. He could one day be pitching at the Trop. But all that matters to Joe Ryan is that he is doing what he loves and enjoying every moment on the mound.