Ryan Kreidler
Position: IF/OF
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 208 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 11/12/1997
Drafted: 4th Round, 112th overall, 2019 (Tigers)
How Acquired: Waiver claim (from Tigers)
College: UCLA
Bonus: $517,400
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: Eligible
Minor League Free Agency: 2025
Options Left: 0
Overview
Kreidler is a glove-first utility infielder with good athleticism and an above-average arm. He’s played all over the field, but mostly at short and third. He has average speed. His bat hasn’t matched his fielding. He has some power, but has significant problems making contact. In 211 plate appearances in the majors at the time the Pirates acquired him, he hadn’t hit at all. Kreidler’s spent a great deal of time injured so far in his career. The Pirates claimed him off waivers from Detroit in late August 2025.
2019-22
Kreidler played in short season ball after being drafted. He just held his own at the plate and struck out a lot. He didn’t play in the pandemic season.
In 2021, Kreidler played two-thirds of the season in AA and them moved up to AAA. He put up solid numbers in AA, including 15 home runs and a .754 OPS. He got hot in AAA, with a .954 OPS and another seven home runs.
Kreidler returned to AAA in 2022, but two stints on the injured list cost him about two months. In 50 games at the level, he continued to hit for decent power but struggled to make contact, striking out in over a third of his at-bats. Detroit added him to the roster in September and called him up. He had a .477 OPS in the majors in 84 plate appearances.
2023-25
In 2023, Kreidler again missed a chunk of the season with injuries. He got into 50 games in AAA and had an .810 OPS with 11 home runs. He also got into 11 games with the Tigers, going 2-for-18. In 2024, Kreidler again missed about two months with injuries. He played in 48 games in AAA and struggled, with a .655 OPS. In 65 plate appearances with the Tigers, he batted just .119 with no power and strikeouts in a third of his at-bats.
Kreidler again spent most of 2025 in AAA. His hitting improved to 251/374/410, with a good walk rate, but he again struck out in a third of his at-bats. He got into 17 games with the Tigers and batted just .105 with no extra base hits and strikeouts in half his at-bats. The Pirates claimed him off waivers in late August and he got into 15 games with Indianapolis. He batted .163 with one home run and a lot of strikeouts. The team called him up for the first week in September but he didn’t get into any games. Shortly after the season, the Pirates designated Kreidler for assignment.
Stats
Transactions
June 11, 2016: Drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 35th round, 1064th overall pick.
June 4, 2019: Drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 4th round, 112th overall pick; signed on June 19.
September 1, 2025: Contract purchased by the Detroit Tigers.
August 24, 2025: Claimed off waivers from the Detroit Tigers by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
October 13, 2025: Designated for assignment by the Pittsburgh Pirates.