The Toronto Blue Jays made an improbable run to the World Series in 2025, yet came up one win short of winning their first championship since 1993. Although the season ended in disappointment, there is good reason they remain contenders next year.
A huge part of that will be right-hander Shane Bieber, who opted in to his $16 million player option with Toronto rather than test unrestricted free agency.
Bieber arrived with the Blue Jays at the trade deadline in a deal with the Cleveland Guardians.
The 30-year-old veteran started seven games, going 5–2 with a 3.57 ERA and 37 strikeouts across 40 1/3 innings. He continued to be a reliable arm in Toronto’s run to the Fall Classic, appearing in five postseason games with a 3.86 ERA and 18 strikeouts.
With Bieber’s future in 2026 secured as a member of the Blue Jays, his journey through baseball continues to come full circle. The place where his career first began, Laguna Hills High School, recently honored him in a special way. The school renamed its bullpen the “Shane Bieber Bullpen,” a tribute to the former standout who once took the mound there before rising to the major leagues.
The dedication reflects not only Bieber’s success at the professional level but also the pride his community takes in his accomplishments. Bieber acknowledged the gesture by reposting an image of the bullpen on his Instagram story, adding the caption “an honor.”
Bieber’s path to MLB has been defined by perseverance. As a senior at Laguna Hills High School in 2013, he posted an 8-4 record with a 1.40 ERA, earning a chance to walk on at the University of California, Santa Barbara after receiving little recruiting attention elsewhere.
His steady rise continued when the Cleveland Indians selected him in the fourth round of the 2016 MLB Draft. Bieber debuted in 2018 and quickly established himself as one of the league’s best arms, collecting an ERA title, a Gold Glove, two All-Star selections and even the pitching Triple Crown during his tenure in Cleveland.
Yet injuries in recent seasons slowed his dominance, sapping velocity and limiting his consistency. Now, with his health trending upward and his role secured in Toronto, Bieber enters 2026 determined to recapture the form that once made him one of baseball’s most feared pitchers.
Related: Blue Jays’ Ernie Clement Receives Honor One Month After World Series Loss
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Dec 4, 2025, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
