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Cory Rasmus

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Cory Rasmus
Rasmus with the Angels in 2014
Pitcher
Born: (1987-11-06) November 6, 1987 (age 38)
Columbus, Georgia, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
May 22, 2013, for the Atlanta Braves
Last MLB appearance
October 1, 2016, for the Los Angeles Angels
MLB statistics
Win–loss record4–5
Earned run average4.17
Strikeouts121
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams

Cory Taylor Rasmus (born November 6, 1987) is an American former professional baseball player. He pitched in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Angels from 2013 to 2016. He was the first round selection of Atlanta in the 2006 MLB draft and pitched in three MLB games for the franchise in 2013. He was traded to the Angels that July for Scott Downs.

Rasmus is the younger brother of MLB player Colby Rasmus. He and his brother played in the 1999 Little League World Series (LLWS), and his daughter and nephew played in the 2026 LLWS.

Playing career

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Amateur career

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Rasmus was a high school All-American as a pitcher at Russell County High School in Seale, Alabama. Teaming with Kasey Kiker, Russell County won a high school national championship in 2005. Rasmus threw a 97-mile-per-hour (156 km/h) fastball in the fall of 2005.[1]

Atlanta Braves

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The Atlanta Braves selected Rasmus in the first round, with the 38th overall selection, of the 2006 MLB draft. He signed for a $900,000 signing bonus. After his debut professional season, Baseball America ranked his curveball as the best in Atlanta's minor league system.[1] He missed the 2007 season with a shoulder injury and pitched four games in 2008 in the Gulf Coast League.[2] He was named the Appalachian League pitcher of the week after winning consecutive games in August 2009. He was a South Atlantic League mid-season All-Star in 2010. He missed most of the 2011 season with injuries. He converted to a relief pitcher role in 2012, tying for the Mississippi Braves lead with 50 games pitched. After the season, he played in the Arizona Fall League,[3] and the Braves added him to their 40-man roster.[4]

Rasmus played for the Triple-A Gwinnett Braves in 2013 until he was called up to the Braves on May 18.[5] He made his major league debut on May 22, working 1+2⁄3 innings and striking out three while giving up home runs to Aaron Hicks and Oswaldo Arcia.[6] On May 27, Rasmus pitched to his older brother Colby Rasmus for the first time in an MLB game, allowing a double.[7] This was the first time that a player pitched to his brother in an MLB game since June 13, 2010.[8]

Rasmus was optioned back to Gwinnett on May 29 when Jordan Walden was activated from the disabled list.[9] Rasmus returned to Atlanta, pitching three innings in the first game of a doubleheader on June 18, allowing a home run to John Buck of the New York Mets.[10]

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim / Los Angeles Angels

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On July 29, 2013, Atlanta traded Rasmus to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for Scott Downs. Rasmus was then optioned to the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees[2][11] and was called back up the majors on August 23.[12]

Rasmus started the 2014 season in Triple-A Salt Lake. He was recalled by the Angels on May 5.[13] In MLB, Rasmus shifted between the bullpen and starting rotation, spot starting in six games for the Angels. As a starter, he averaged fewer than five innings pitched in each start. He finished the season with a 2.57 earned run average in 30 games, six of them starts.[14] He finished Game 3 of the American League Division Series, throwing 2+2⁄3 scoreless innings as the Kansas City Royals swept the Angels.[15][16]

In 2015 and 2016, Rasmus didn't show the same level of success from his rookie season.[14] On July 6, 2016, the team announced that Rasmus would need core muscle surgery, ending his season and his tenure in MLB. Rasmus was designated for assignment on November 7.[17] After clearing waivers, Rasmus was assigned to Triple-A, but he rejected the minor league assignment and elected free agency on November 16.[18][19]

Tampa Bay Rays

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On February 1, 2017, Rasmus signed a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays.[20] After dealing with an injury in spring training, he was released on April 7.[21][14]

Player profile

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Rasmus was known for his fastball that reached 97 mph (156 km/h) and a good curveball as a high schooler and after he was drafted.[1] Years later when he pitched in MLB, his fastball averaged 92.4 mph (148.7 km/h). His offspeed pitches included his curve as well as a changeup and slider. He allowed home runs and walks more often than the MLB average while having a lower strikeout rate.[22]

Personal life

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Rasmus is the younger brother of former MLB outfielder Colby Rasmus.[23] Both brothers played for Phenix City National Little League during the 1999 Little League World Series (LLWS). Phenix City won the United States championship game,[24] before losing in the finals to the Hirakata Little League team from Osaka, Japan, 5–0.[25][26] Their younger brother was a catcher in the St. Louis Cardinals' minor league organization until retiring in June 2014.[27] Another younger brother played college baseball in 2011 and 2012.[28] Their father was drafted by the Angels in 1986,[29] playing three seasons in the minors before retiring.[23] He coached Rasmus and Colby in Little League and high school.[30][24]

Rasmus's wife played college softball for the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles. Their daughter, Kinley, pitched for Phenix City in the 2026 LLWS.[31][32] She had eight strikeouts in a loss to Soundview Little League of the Northwest Region, tying a record for most strikeouts by a girl in a LLWS game previously set by Mo'ne Davis. Kinley's cousin took the loss in the game.[33] Rasmus is an assistant coach for his daughter's team.[30] Former MLB catcher Jeff Mathis is Rasmus's wife's brother.[31][28][34]

Rasmus was the valedictorian of his high school class.[1]

Following his playing career, Rasmus became a real estate agent.[35]

References

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  1. 1 2 3 4 "Cory Rasmus Stats & Scouting Report". Baseball America. Archived from the original on February 26, 2026. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  2. 1 2 Bowman, Mark (July 30, 2013). "Braves get their lefty reliever, trade for Downs". MLB.com. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
  3. ↑ Atlanta Braves 2013 Media Guide. p. 134.
  4. ↑ Bowman, Mark (November 20, 2012). "Bethancourt among five added to Braves' 40-man". MLB.com. Archived from the original on November 28, 2012. Retrieved May 22, 2012.
  5. ↑ Price, Kevin; Mitchell, David (May 18, 2013). "Update:Braves call up Cory Rasmus; his debut will have to wait". Ledger-Enquirer.com. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
  6. ↑ Price, Kevin (May 22, 2013). "Update: Cory Rasmus talks about making his Major League debut for Atlanta Braves". Columbus Ledger-Enquirer. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Oh, brothers: Colby Rasmus doubles against Cory Rasmus in rare fraternal matchup". Yahoo! Sports. May 28, 2013. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  8. ↑ "Angels handle crosstown rival to wrap up 14-game road trip". ESPN. Associated Press. June 13, 2010. Archived from the original on June 17, 2010. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  9. ↑ "Braves activate Walden, send Cory Rasmus back to AAA". WTVM. Associated Press. May 30, 2013. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Matt Harvey flirts with no-hitter as Mets hold off Braves". ESPN. Associated Press. June 19, 2013. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  11. ↑ Fletcher, Jeff (July 29, 2013). "Angels trade Downs to Braves for reliever". Orange County Register. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  12. ↑ Price, Kevin (August 23, 2013). "Angels call up Cory Rasmus". Ledger-Enquirer. Archived from the original on November 10, 2013. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
  13. ↑ Gonzalez, Alden (May 5, 2014). "Halos bolster bullpen with righty Rasmus". MLB.com.
  14. 1 2 3 "Cory Rasmus Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball Reference. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  15. ↑ "Cory Rasmus Postseason Pitching Game Logs". Baseball Reference. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  16. ↑ Fletcher, Jeff (October 6, 2014). "Royals sweep Angels out of ALDS". Orange County Register. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  17. ↑ Dierkes, Tim (November 7, 2016). "Angels Designate Cory Rasmus For Assignment". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
  18. ↑ Todd, Jeff (November 14, 2016). "Minor MLB Transactions: 11/14/16". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  19. ↑ Adams, Steve (November 16, 2016). "Shane Robinson, Cory Rasmus Elect Free Agency". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  20. ↑ Sanford, Adam (February 1, 2017). "Tampa Bay Rays Sign Cory Rasmus and David Carpenter to Minor League Deals". DRaysBay. SB Nation. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  21. ↑ "Rays Release Cory Rasmus". MLB Trade Rumors. April 7, 2017.
  22. ↑ "Cory Rasmus - Stats - Pitching". FanGraphs.
  23. 1 2 Toman, Chris (May 28, 2013). "Colby bests Cory in Rasmus family face-off". MLB.com. Retrieved July 11, 2014.
  24. 1 2 "Phenix rising". Sports Illustrated. September 14, 1999. Archived from the original on June 26, 2001.
  25. ↑ "BASEBALL; Osaka Wins Little League Title Game". The New York Times. Associated Press. August 29, 1999. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  26. ↑ "1999 Little League World Series". Little League. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  27. ↑ Karraker, Patrick (June 11, 2014). "Cardinals Minor-Leaguer Casey Rasmus Retires". Arch Authority. FanSided.
  28. 1 2 Mader, Daniel (August 19, 2026). "Rasmus family tree: Meet LLWS star Kinley, former MLB dad Cory and uncle Colby, more about Alabama roots". Sporting News. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  29. ↑ Matthews, Alan (March 2, 2005). "Rasmus Brothers Keep It In The Family". Baseball America. Retrieved July 11, 2014.[dead link]
  30. 1 2 "Daughter of former big leaguer leads her Alabama team to 1st LLWS in 27 years". MLB.com. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  31. 1 2 Young, Matt (August 11, 2026). "Kinley Rasmus, ex-Astro Colby Rasmus' niece, has become Little League sensation". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  32. ↑ Smarr, Emilee. "Meet Kinley Rasmus, star girl pitcher for Alabama Little League World Series team". Montgomery Advertiser. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  33. ↑ Hoefling, Jon. "What were Kinley Rasmus' stats in first LLWS game vs. Washington?". USA Today. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  34. ↑ Post, J.J. (August 19, 2026). "Alabama's Kinley Rasmus brings extensive family tree to LLBWS". ESPN. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  35. ↑ "Cory Rasmus - Licensed Real Estate Salesperson". BHHS First Magnolia. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
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