3 teams traded this former Idaho pitcher. Now he’s a National League All-Star
One of the top relievers in Major League Baseball hails from The College of Idaho. Now the longtime journeyman has proof.
The National League added Riley O’Brien to its All-Star roster Wednesday, bringing in the St. Louis closer after three pitchers were ruled unavailable for Tuesday’s game in Philadelphia.
O’Brien, 31, followed up a breakout 2025 campaign by becoming one of the best closers in baseball for the Cardinals. He ranks second in the National League and fourth in MLB with 22 saves in 26 opportunities. And he’s put up a 3.72 ERA while striking out 35 in 36 ⅓ innings.
The Cardinals entered the season without a declared closer, but O’Brien quickly snatched the role after a calf strain kept him from playing with South Korea during the World Baseball Classic. His dominance in the bullpen is one of the key reasons the Cardinals (47-43) have surprised many experts this summer.
The All-Star selection adds to a whirlwind career for the former Yote. Originally drafted by Tampa Bay in the eighth round, O’Brien has spent time with four Major League organizations. The Rays traded him to Cincinnati in 2020. The Reds then flipped him to Seattle in 2022, and after a season with his hometown Mariners, the Cardinals acquired him for cash.
O’Brien made one MLB appearance with the Reds and the Mariners before finding a role in St. Louis the past three seasons. He took off last year, finishing the season as the closer and posting a 2.06 ERA in 42 appearances.
O’Brien was one of three roster replacements after Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes, Milwaukee’s Jacob Misiorowski and Miami’s Max Meyer originally made the National League roster. All three are scheduled to start their club’s final games before the All-Star breaks, leaving them unavailable for the game Tuesday.
This story was originally published July 8, 2026 at 12:40 PM.
