Ryan was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 12th round of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft out of Auburndale High School in Auburndale, Florida. After spending a year with the Tigers' rookie-level squad, Ryan played with the West Michigan Whitecaps for 2011 and 2012. in 2013 Ryan spent all of the 2013 season with the high Class-A Lakeland Flying Tigers, where he was 12–7 with a 3.17 earned run average and 1.19 WHIP in 142 innings. Ryan began the 2014 season with the Double-A Erie SeaWolves, where he was 7–10 with a 4.55 ERA in 21 starts. He allowed 140 hits and 32 walks in 126 innings with 78 strikeouts. Ryan was then promoted to the Triple-AToledo Mud Hens, where he was 3–0 with a 1.64 ERA and.184 average against in five starts, allowing 21 hits and five walks in 33 innings. Ryan made his major league debut on August 30, 2014, in game two of a doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox. During his debut, Ryan pitched six shutout innings, allowing five hits, while walking two and recording one strikeout, in an 8–4 win. Ryan pitched in five more 2014 games, all out of the Tiger bullpen, appearing in innings total. Ryan started the 2015 season with the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens. On May 27, Ryan was called up on short notice to start for Alfredo Simón in a road game against the Oakland Athletics. Although he didn't arrive in time to start, he appeared in relief and was credited with a win, allowing one run in three innings. Ryan made 16 appearances in the 2015 season, six as a starter, and had a 2–4 record with a 4.47 ERA. Ryan made the Tigers out of spring training in 2016, and pitched the entire season in long and middle relief. He went 4–2 with a 3.07 ERA and 1.13 WHIP, while striking out 35 batters in innings. On November 2, 2017, he was outrighted to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens. During the 2017 season, he posted a 4.96 ERA and a 1.82 WHIP in 48 games with the Mud Hens. He elected free agency on November 6, 2017.
Chicago Cubs
On December 28, 2017, Ryan signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs. On April 5, 2019 the Cubs called up Ryan to shake-up their struggling bullpen.
Pitch Selection
Ryan is a control pitcher, featuring low walk and strikeout rates. He throws a 4-seam fastball and a sinker with similar velocities; both are in the 87-90 MPH range, topping out at about 93 MPH. He also throws a cut fastball in the mid-80s, a changeup in the low 80s, and an occasional curveball in the upper 70s.
