| Brandon Workman | |
|---|---|
 Workman with the Red Sox in 2013 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1988-08-13)August 13, 1988 (age 37) Arlington, Texas, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| July 10, 2013, for the Boston Red Sox | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| July 29, 2021, for the Boston Red Sox | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 26–22 |
| Earned run average | 4.02 |
| Strikeouts | 343 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Brandon Carlin Workman (born August 13, 1988) is an American former professionalbaseballpitcher. He made hisMajor League Baseball (MLB) debut in 2013 and played in MLB for theBoston Red Sox,Philadelphia Phillies, andChicago Cubs. He throws and bats right-handed, and is listed at 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 m) and 235 pounds (107 kg).
Workman attendedBowie High School inBowie, Texas.[1] He was a four-year letter winner, playingshortstop andpitcher. As a senior and captain of the team, Workman had a 10–2win–loss record with a 0.81earned run average (ERA) and 171strikeouts in 76 innings. As a hitter, hebatted .481, and earned first-team All-State honors twice, first-team Louisville Slugger High School All-American recognition, and Rawlings All-Region honors. Workman was drafted by thePhiladelphia Phillies in the third round of the2007 MLB draft, but opted to attend college.
Workman attended theUniversity of Texas at Austin, where he playedcollege baseball for theTexas Longhorns.[1] During his freshman season, Workman went 5–2 and was named to the honor roll. During his sophomore season, Workman went 3–5 and held a 4.72 ERA inBig 12 Conference play. Workman would then have an excellent junior season, before entering the MLB draft. Workman also played for theWareham Gatemen of theCape Cod Baseball League in 2008 and 2009, and was a Cape Cod Baseball League All-Star, posting a 3.44 ERA as a freshman.[2][3][4]
The Red Sox drafted Workman in the second round (57th overall pick) of the2010 MLB draft, and signed him for asigning bonus of $800,000.[5] He spent the 2011 season with theClass AGreenville Drive, appearing in 26 games (all starts) with a 6–7 record and 3.71 ERA.
In 2012, Workman was named the Red Sox's 2012 Minor League Pitcher of the Year, after pitching 20 games (all starts) for theSalem Red Sox and leading theClass A-AdvancedCarolina League in fewest baserunners per nine innings, while ranking second inwalks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP) and fourth in ERA. He was promoted to thePortland Sea Dogs of theClass AAEastern League where he appeared in five games (all starts) and had a 3–1 record and 3.96 ERA.
Workman started the 2013 season with Portland, appearing in 11 games (10 starts) with a 5–1 record and 3.43 ERA. He was promoted to thePawtucket Red Sox of theClass AAAInternational League, where he would appear in six games (all starts) with a 3–1 record and 2.80 ERA.
Workman was promoted to Boston in July 2013, after a season-ending foot injury toAndrew Miller. In his major league debut against theSeattle Mariners on July 10, Workman pitched two innings in relief, gave up three runs, and struck out four.[6] During his first start he brought a no-hitter into the seventh. He gave up his first hit and managerJohn Farrell let him stay in the game. He subsequently gave up two runs leading them to an extra inning loss. Through the remainder of the2013 Red Sox season, Workman posted a 6–3 record with 4.97 ERA over 20 regular season appearances (3 starts), and did not allow an earned run during seven postseason appearances. He pitched a perfect 8th inning in the decisive Game 6 of the2013 World Series, setting up Boston closerKoji Uehara. Workman also recorded his first professionalat bat in Game 3 of the World Series, striking out on three consecutive pitches.[7]
On May 30, 2014, Workman was ejected from a game atFenway Park after throwing a high pitch behindEvan Longoria of theTampa Bay Rays.[8] The incident occurred after Rays pitcherDavid Price had thrown at two Red Sox batters.[9] On June 3, Workman was fined and suspended for six games.[10] After losing an appeal, he began serving his suspension on June 18.[11] Overall, for the2014 Red Sox, Workman appeared in 19 games (15 starts) and had a 1–10 record with 5.17 ERA. He also appeared in 11 games (all starts) with Triple-A Pawtucket, compiling a 7–1 record with 4.11 ERA.
In April 2015, Workman was placed on thedisabled list with elbow soreness.[12] He underwent aplatelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection and was ordered not to throw for several weeks.[13] When that was unsuccessful, he underwentTommy John surgery in June 2015.[14] As a result, he missed the entire 2015 season, and during the 2016 season made just ten appearances with Bostonfarm teams, pitching a total of 20 innings and giving up 17earned runs (7.65 ERA).
In December 2016, Workman signed a one-year contract worth $635,000 with the Red Sox.[15] He was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket to start the 2017 season; he would make 18 relief appearances with the PawSox, with a 1.55 ERA and 1.000 WHIP. Workman was called up by the Red Sox on May 2,[16] and made his first MLB appearance since 2014 on May 4, pitching three scoreless innings.[17] With the2017 Red Sox, Workman posted a 3.18 ERA and 1.21 WHIP over39+2⁄3 innings of relief work.[18]
In January 2018, Workman and the Red Sox avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $835,000 deal for the 2018 season.[19] Having worn uniform number 67 with the Red Sox since his MLB debut,[20] Workman changed to uniform number 44 for 2018.[21] Workman was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket prior to the start of the2018 Boston Red Sox season, following limited success during spring training (9 appearances, 5.59 ERA, 1.76 WHIP).[22] On June 5, Workman was called up to Boston afterDrew Pomeranz was placed on the disabled list.[23] Workman made 21 relief appearances during June and July, pitching18+2⁄3 innings with a 2.89 ERA. He was returned to Triple-A on July 26, when the Red Sox addedNathan Eovaldi to the active roster.[24]
Workman was recalled to Boston from July 31 until August 12,[24][25] whenChris Sale was on the disabled list, making five relief appearances and allowing one run in5+2⁄3 innings (1.59 ERA). Workman was again called up on August 18, when Sale went back on the disabled list.[25] For the season, Workman made 43 relief appearances with Boston, compiling a 6–1 record with 3.27 ERA and 37 strikeouts in41+1⁄3 innings.[26] Workman was on Boston's postseason Roster for theALDS andALCS, making three relief appearances and allowing a combined five runs in one inning pitched.[26] He was replaced on the roster by Pomeranz for theWorld Series,[27] which the Red Sox went on to win over theLos Angeles Dodgers.[28]
Workman was included on Boston'sOpening Day roster to start the 2019 season.[29] For the season, he appeared in 73 games, compiling a 10–1 record with 16 saves, while striking out 104 batters in71+2⁄3 innings.[26] He finished the 2019 season as Boston’s closer, and was namedAL Reliever of the Month for September when he pitched11+1⁄3 innings without allowing an earned run and converted all seven save opportunities.[30]
Workman made seven appearances with Boston during the start-delayed 2020 season, registering four saves and a 4.05 ERA.[26]
On August 21, 2020, Workman was traded to thePhiladelphia Phillies along withHeath Hembree and cash forNick Pivetta andConnor Seabold.[31] On August 22, Workman made his Phillies debut.[32] On August 23, he earned his first Phillies save.[33] On August 26, Workman earned the save against the Washington Nationals in back-to-back Phillies wins and managerJoe Girardi's 1,000th win as an MLB manager.[34]
Workman struggled mightily during the Phillies' run for a playoff spot. He allowed 23 hits and 11 runs over 13 innings and had a record of 1–4.[35] Statistically, he was one of the worst pitchers of the 2020 MLB season.[36] He became a free agent following the season.
On February 17, 2021, Workman agreed to a major league contract with theChicago Cubs with a base salary of $1 million and an additional $2 million available in incentives.[37] On April 29, 2021, Workman wasdesignated for assignment after pitching to a 6.75 ERA, allowing 9 runs in 8 innings pitched.[38] He was released on April 30.[39]
On May 6, 2021, Workman signed a minor-league contract with theBoston Red Sox organization and was assigned to the Triple-AWorcester Red Sox.[40] At the start of June, Workman opted out of his minor-league contract, triggering a two-day window for the Red Sox to either promote Workman to the major league roster or release him.[41] On June 3, Workman was added to Boston's active roster, withColten Brewer being designated for assignment to clear roster space.[42] Workman made his 2021 Red Sox debut later that day; in closing out a 5–1 win against theHouston Astros, he allowed a home run byYuli Gurriel.[43] On July 29, Workman was designated for assignment to clear room on the40-man roster forKyle Schwarber.[44] On August 1, Workman elected free agency.[45] Overall in his second stint with the Red Sox, Workman made 19 relief appearances, pitching to a 1–0 record with 4.95 ERA while striking out 14 batters in 20 innings.[46]
On March 14, 2022, Workman signed a minor league contract with theTexas Rangers.[47] Workman was released by the Rangers organization on April 5.[48]
Workman retired from professional baseball in May 2022 and is currently working as a real estate agent, according to his Linkedin.[49]
Workman grew up aTexas Rangers fan.[50] He and Taylor Caswell were engaged in March 2015,[51] and married on November 21, 2015 inWichita Falls, Texas.[52] They have one son together.[53]