Ryan O’Rourke joined the Holy Cross baseball team as a volunteer assistant coach in 2020. O’Rourke, a Worcester native, comes to The Hill with a decade of professional playing experience under his belt.
Over the last 10 seasons, including four at the MLB level, O’Rourke has pitched over 550 innings while playing in six different countries. He was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 13th round of the 2010 MLB Draft. After successful years in the Minor Leagues and being named a Baseball America Organizational All-Star, O’Rourke made his Major League debut on July 7, 2015 against the Baltimore Orioles, pitching one no-hit inning with a strikeout.
O’Rourke went to Saint John’s in Shrewsbury before attending Merrimack College, graduating in 2010 with a degree in finance. He is the highest MLB Draft selection in the Warriors’ history, leaving the program with five school records, and still holds program records in single-season strikeouts and career ERA. He was a 2010 Northeast 10 All-Conference First Team selection and a two-time Merrimack Pitcher of the Year. Additionally, he was one of seven Division II players to win a Rawlings Gold Glove Award and was one of 35 semifinalists for the Division II Player of the Year.
By using lineage from his grandfather Patrick, O’Rourke is also a member of Ireland’s national team, alongside current Holy Cross pitcher Liam Dvorak. O’Rourke has won multiple community service awards and is currently an ambassador for United Heroes League, which aims to bring sports equipment to military families.
