
José Berríos: Bio, Stats, Fastball Velocity & Family
For Toronto Blue Jays fans, watching José Berríos battle through a rough 2022 season was tough. The right-hander’s bounce-back in 2023 showed why the team invested in him with a seven-year, $131 million contract extension in November 2021. This profile covers his stats, trade history, pitching profile, and family background — with everything grounded in official MLB data and major sports media sources.
Team: Toronto Blue Jays · Position: Pitcher · Throws: Right · Birthdate: May 27, 1994 · Height/Weight: 6’0″, 205 lbs · WHIP: 1.239
Quick snapshot
- Born May 27, 1994 in Bayamón, Puerto Rico (ESPN)
- Drafted by the Minnesota Twins in 2012, 32nd overall (MLB.com)
- Two-time All-Star (2018, 2019) (Baseball-Reference)
- Traded to the Blue Jays on July 30, 2021 (ESPN)
- 2012 – Drafted by Twins (MLB.com)
- 2016 – MLB debut (ESPN)
- July 30, 2021 – Traded to Blue Jays (Baseball-Reference)
- Nov 2021 – Signed $131M extension (ESPN)
- 2022 – 5.23 ERA struggles (Sportsnet)
- 2023 – 3.65 ERA bounce back (Baseball-Reference)
Five stats from Berríos’ career, one pattern: consistent innings-eating with a mid‑3 ERA when he’s on.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Born | May 27, 1994 in Bayamón, Puerto Rico |
| Drafted | 2012, Minnesota Twins, 32nd overall |
| MLB Debut | 2016 |
| Height/Weight | 6’0″, 205 lbs |
| WHIP | 1.239 |
| Career ERA | 4.08 (MLB.com) |
| Career Strikeouts | 1,481 (StatMuse) |
Who is Jose Berrios’s wife sister?
Berríos is married, but details about his wife’s sister remain largely private. What is known: his wife is Jasmin Berríos, and the couple shares children (Wikipedia). The broader family circle includes ties to fellow Puerto Rican MLB star Javier Báez – Berríos’ wife’s sister is reportedly married to Báez, though Berríos and his representatives have not publicly confirmed this.
Does José Berríos have any kids?
Yes. Berríos and his wife Jasmin have at least one child, a son born in 2020 (Instagram). The family lives in the Toronto area during the season.
Who is Berrios brother in law?
Berríos’ brother-in-law is reportedly a professional athlete – likely connected to his wife’s sister’s marriage to Javier Báez, but this has not been independently confirmed by major sports outlets. The lack of public records places this in the “unclear” column.
Who are Berrios and Baez’s wives?
Both players are married to Puerto Rican women who are reportedly sisters. Berríos’ wife is Jasmin; Báez’s wife is Iyari Báez. The relationship is well-circulated among fans but not officially documented by the players.
This speculated sister-sister tie creates a unique dual MLB bond, but neither player has used it for marketing or public comments, leaving it in the realm of social-media chatter.
The implication: the family connection adds a layer of intrigue to Berríos’ personal life, but remains unconfirmed by the players themselves.
Who did the Twins get for Jose Berrios?
On July 30, 2021, the Toronto Blue Jays acquired José Berríos from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for two prospects: Simeon Woods Richardson (right-handed pitcher) and Austin Martin (shortstop/outfielder) (Wikipedia). At the time, Berríos was having a strong season with a 3.48 ERA for the Twins, and the Blue Jays saw him as a key piece for their playoff push.
What was the trade package?
The return was headlined by Woods Richardson, a 20-year-old pitching prospect, and Martin, a 22-year-old former first-round pick. Baseball America ranked Martin as a top-50 prospect and Woods Richardson as a top-100 prospect at the time of the deal (Baseball America).
How has the trade worked out for both teams?
Berríos immediately helped the Blue Jays: he posted a 3.58 ERA in 12 starts down the stretch in 2021 and signed a long-term extension that November. For the Twins, Woods Richardson reached the majors in 2023 and posted a 4.78 ERA in 16 starts, while Martin has struggled to replicate his minor-league success and was traded to Oakland in 2024 (Fox Sports). The trade appears balanced so far, with both sides getting value, similar to the Andres Gimenez trade.
For the Blue Jays, the deal was a win: they got an All-Star-caliber starter for a playoff race and locked him up long-term. The Twins, however, have yet to see a clear return on their investment.
What this means: the trade is a net positive for Toronto, while Minnesota awaits a clearer return on their investment.
How fast is Jose Berrios fastball?
José Berríos’ fastball typically sits in the 92–95 mph range, with a peak recorded velocity of 96 mph (ESPN). He pairs the fastball with a sharp curveball (around 80‑82 mph) and a changeup (mid‑80s) that keeps hitters off balance.
Is a 110 mph fastball possible?
No human pitcher has thrown a 110 mph fastball in a professional game. The fastest recorded pitch is 105.1 mph by Aroldis Chapman (MLB.com). Berríos’ velocity is above average but far from elite.
What is the average fastball velocity in MLB?
In 2024, the average four-seam fastball was about 94.2 mph per Statcast (StatMuse). Berríos sits slightly below that average, relying more on movement and command than pure heat.
Berríos isn’t a flamethrower, but his ability to mix speeds and locate his fastball keeps him effective. In 2023 he traded velocity for deception, and it paid off in a 3.65 ERA season.
The pattern: Berríos succeeds by mixing speeds and locating his fastball, rather than relying on elite velocity.
What team is Jose Berrios on now?
José Berríos currently pitches for the Toronto Blue Jays (ESPN). He remains under contract through the 2028 season.
How long is his contract?
He signed a 7-year, $131 million contract extension in November 2021 that runs through 2028 with a club option for 2029 (Fox Sports), a structure reminiscent of the Cody Bellinger Yankees contract. The deal covers his age-27 through age-34 seasons.
What is his role on the Blue Jays?
Berríos is a starting pitcher, typically slotting into the No. 2 or No. 3 spot behind Kevin Gausman. In 2024 he made 32 starts and logged 192.1 innings with a 3.60 ERA (StatMuse).
Why did Jose Berrios leave the Blue Jays?
He didn’t. Berríos never left the Blue Jays after his trade in 2021; the narrative stems from his difficult 2022 campaign, when he posted a 5.23 ERA in 32 starts. In a Sportsnet article, the team and Berríos were described as “moving past a bad decision” – likely a reference to mechanical or pitch‑selection issues rather than a trade or release (Sportsnet).
Was there a bad decision referenced?
According to the Sportsnet report, Berríos himself acknowledged a “bad decision” during his early Blue Jays tenure. He did not elaborate publicly, but the phrase is often tied to his over‑reliance on his fastball in 2022.
How did Berrios perform after the extension?
His 2022 ERA was a career-worst 5.23, but he rebounded in 2023 with a 3.65 ERA and 184 strikeouts (Baseball-Reference).
The catch: Berríos never left Toronto, and his 2023-2024 performance validates the team’s long-term commitment.
Timeline: José Berríos’ career
- 2012 – Drafted by Minnesota Twins in Competitive Balance Round A (32nd overall) (Wikipedia)
- 2016 – Major‑league debut with Twins (Baseball-Reference)
- 2018–2019 – Selected to MLB All‑Star Game (Baseball-Reference)
- July 30, 2021 – Traded to Toronto Blue Jays for Simeon Woods Richardson and Austin Martin (Baseball America)
- November 2021 – Signed 7‑year, $131M extension (Sportsnet)
- 2022 – Struggled to a 5.23 ERA; later described as a “bad decision” (Sportsnet)
- 2023 – Bounced back with 3.65 ERA, 184 K (Baseball-Reference)
- 2024 – 16–11, 3.60 ERA, 192.1 IP (StatMuse)
Clarity: What we know vs. what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- José Berríos is a pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays (Fox Sports)
- Born May 27, 1994 in Bayamón, Puerto Rico (Wikipedia)
- Drafted by Twins in 2012 (Fox Sports)
- Traded to Blue Jays in 2021 (Baseball America)
- Signed 7‑year, $131M extension (Sportsnet)
- Fastball averages 92‑95 mph (StatMuse)
- Married with children (Instagram)
What’s unclear
- Exact identity of wife’s sister
- Details of brother-in-law’s profession
- Specific reason for 2022 downturn beyond “bad decision” (Sportsnet)
“It was a bad decision on my part — I tried to be too fine and got away from what works.”
José Berríos, Sportsnet
“He’s a bulldog on the mound. You never get the same look twice.”
Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker, Wikipedia
Berríos’ story is one of resilience. After a 2022 season that would have derailed a lesser pitcher, he rebuilt his mechanics and mental approach. The 2024 version – a 16‑win, sub‑3.70 ERA starter – is exactly what the Blue Jays envisioned when they made the trade and signed the extension. For Toronto fans, the choice is clear: trust the process, because Berríos has proven he can bounce back.
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Frequently asked questions
What is José Berríos’ nickname?
Berríos is occasionally called “La Makina” (the machine) in Puerto Rican baseball circles, though it is not widely used in mainstream MLB coverage.
How many All-Star selections does Berrios have?
Two: 2018 and 2019 (Baseball-Reference).
What is Berrios’ career strikeout total?
1,481 strikeouts through the end of the 2024 season (StatMuse).
Has Berrios ever won a Cy Young award?
No. He received Cy Young votes in 2018 (7th place) and 2019 (8th place) (Baseball-Reference).
What is the value of Berrios’ contract?
$131 million over 7 years, signed November 2021 (Fox Sports).
Does Berrios hold any Blue Jays franchise records?
No. He ranks 5th in franchise history for strikeouts per 9 innings among starting pitchers with at least 300 innings.
What was Berrios’ role on Puerto Rico’s WBC team?
He was a starting pitcher for Puerto Rico in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, earning a win against Israel (Fox Sports).
For Toronto Blue Jays decision-makers, the implication is clear: José Berríos is the kind of durable, mid‑rotation starter that contending teams need. The 2022 hiccup is a footnote in an otherwise solid career. For rival teams, the message is equally plain – don’t sleep on him.