From Wichita to Baltimore: Ryan Helsley’s Journey Through the NBC World Series to Orioles Closer

Ryan Helsley signed a two-year, $28 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles in late November 2025, continuing a career path that includes roots in the National Baseball Congress World Series. For those who follow the NBC’s tradition of developing talent, Helsley’s journey from Eck Stadium to a major league closer role reflects the value of elite summer competition.

Championship Run at the NBC World Series

In the summer of 2014, Northeastern State University right-hander Ryan Helsley took the mound for the Santa Barbara Foresters during the NBC World Series. He made a key relief appearance in the championship game, striking out two batters to help the Foresters capture the title against the Seattle Studs, one of multiple championships the program has earned in Wichita.

“The summer I played for the Santa Barbara Foresters was some of the most fun I’ve had playing baseball,” Helsley said when he was named the NBC’s 2023 Graduate of the Year. His time competing against top amateur talent provided high-pressure experience that helped prepare him for the major leagues.

From College to the Cardinals

Helsley went undrafted out of Sequoyah High School in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and attended Northeastern State University, where he compiled a 14-8 record with a 4.06 ERA over two seasons and recorded 151 strikeouts. The St. Louis Cardinals selected him in the fifth round of the 2015 MLB Draft, making him one of the most highly drafted players in NSU program history.

Historic 2024 Season

Helsley’s 2024 season established him among the game’s top relievers. He won the Trevor Hoffman Award as the National League’s best reliever and earned first-team All-MLB honors after recording a league-leading 49 saves with a 2.04 ERA, setting a Cardinals single-season franchise record for saves. Read about Helsey’s outlook going into 2025’s Spring Training.

The Graduate of the Year Award, presented annually since 1975 based on MLB performance in the previous season, places Helsley among past recipients including Aaron Judge, Alex Gordon, Tim Anderson, and fellow Forester Jeff McNeil.

The 2025 Season and Free Agency

The 2025 season brought challenges. Helsley posted a 3.00 ERA and recorded 21 saves in 36 outings for the Cardinals before being traded to the New York Mets on July 30, and he later moved out of high-leverage roles after struggling in New York.

Despite those difficulties, Helsley maintained premium velocity—his fastball averaged 99.3 mph in 2025, ranking near the top of all major league pitchers. Baltimore’s front office focused on that underlying skill set and the track record that made him a two-time All-Star.

Baltimore Bound

As the offseason “Hot Stove” period picked up in late November and early December 2025, Helsley became one of the more notable relievers on the free agent market. The timing aligned with Baltimore’s need in the late innings, as closer Félix Bautista is recovering from shoulder surgery and is not expected back until at least August 2026.

The contract includes an opt-out clause after the 2026 season, giving Helsley the option to return to free agency if he performs at an All-Star level. For Baltimore, coming off a 75-87 season and a last-place finish in the AL East, he adds a proven late-inning option to a bullpen that struggled in 2025.

Manager Craig Albernaz indicated at the MLB Winter Meetings that Helsley is expected to open 2026 as the team’s closer.

NBC Legacy

Helsley’s path from the 2014 NBC World Series championship to a major league closer role fits squarely with the tournament’s mission of providing elite amateur players with competition against top talent. The Santa Barbara Foresters have produced dozens of current and former major leaguers, including Jeff McNeil, Matt McLain, Josh Jung, and Garrett Crochet.

Looking Ahead

As Helsley prepares for his first season in an Orioles uniform, he brings 105 career saves, two All-Star selections, and memories of that championship summer in Wichita. “It just seemed like a great fit, honestly,” Helsley said about joining Baltimore, pointing to the team’s young core and new coaching staff.

For the National Baseball Congress, Helsley’s continued success underscores the tournament’s role in player development. As the NBC World Series approaches its 91st edition in the summer of 2026, Helsley will take the mound at Camden Yards knowing that part of his path to the majors was shaped on the fields of Wichita, Kansas.