Former Kansas baseball pitcher Ryan Zeferjahn makes MLB debut

Five years after being drafted by the Boston Red Sox, an ex-KU baseball standout has finally made his Major League Baseball debut.

Former Jayhawks pitcher Ryan Zeferjahn (born in Topeka, Kansas) made his long-awaited major league appearance on Sunday. Zeferjahn originally entered professional baseball with the Red Sox organization as a third-round pick (No. 107 overall) in the 2019 MLB Draft but was traded to the Los Angeles Angels’ Triple-A affiliate the Salt Lake Bees last month.

While pitching in the minor league, Zeferjahn accumulated an 8-17 record with a 4.82 ERA. He improved his numbers this year with a 3.33 ERA in 30 games pitched – including a 2.35 ERA in 7.2 innings pitched with the Bees.

Zeferjahn was finally called up to the majors on Friday as the Angels visited the Toronto Blue Jays. On Sunday, he finally got the chance to take the mound – throwing four strikeouts and allowing one hit and two earned runs. He was the first former Jayhawk to be called up to the majors since pitcher Wes Benjamin made his MLB appearance nearly four years ago on Aug. 16, 2020, for the Texas Rangers.

While playing at KU from 2017 to 2019, Zeferjahn compiled a 17-12 record with a 4.68 ERA and 260 strikeouts (third most in program history). After being drafted No. 107 overall in 2019, he became the sixth highest MLB draft pick in school history.

With his debut Sunday, Zeferjahn officially became the 27th Jayhawk in KU baseball history to play in the majors.