The pitcher who threw a perfect game, then lost it.
In short: Imagine pitching eight innings of flawless baseball, only to see the streak break in the ninth. Drew Rasmussen’s career is a study in resilience, defined by high-stakes perfection, grueling surgeries, and a steady climb from an underdog draft pick to an All-Star powerhouse.
Drew Rasmussen's journey to the Major Leagues was anything but linear. After attending Mt. Before his first year, the Arizona Diamondbacks selected him during the 39th round of the 2014 MLB draft following his time at Oregon State University and Spokane High School. His collegiate career, however, provided a historic highlight: on March 21, 2015, as a freshman for the Beavers, he pitched the only perfect game in the program's history during a 3–0 victory over Washington State.
His path to stardom was nearly derailed by physical setbacks. Despite being drafted 31st overall by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2017, he did not sign with them. Instead, after undergoing his second Tommy John surgery in September 2017, he was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the sixth round of the 2018 draft. He spent years navigating the minor leagues and the bullpen before being traded to the Rays on May 21, 2021, in a deal for Willy Adames and Trevor Richards.
Rasmussen eventually found his footing as a dominant starter. In 2022, he suffered the heartbreak of losing an eight-inning perfect game on August 14 but still earned American League Pitcher of the Month honors for that same month with a 1.57 ERA. After undergoing an internal brace procedure in 2023, he returned to peak form in 2025 and 2026. By July 2026, he was again Pitcher of the Month, posting a staggering 0.82 ERA over five starts.
His recent career has been marked by elite performance under pressure. During the ALDS on October 3, 2025, he surpassed Gerrit Cole by striking out 10 while allowing just one hit across eight innings. These milestones represent a transition from a high-ceiling prospect to a cornerstone of the Rays' rotation, proving that durability and skill can overcome significant orthopedic hurdles.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Drew Rasmussen
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