Brackman attendedNorth Carolina State University where he played two seasons as a dual-sport athlete, in basketball and baseball. During his freshman basketball season (2004–2005), he played center and forward averaging 7.4 points and 3.5 rebounds.[3]
In his freshman baseball season, he was 4–0 with a 2.09 ERA in 10 appearances as both a reliever starting pitcher.[4] He was starting pitcher of the first game of the 2005ACC baseball tournament, striking out five batters in seven innings to earn the victory against theMiami Hurricanes.[5] He was named a second-team preseason All-America player byBaseball America for 2006.[6]
After theWolfpack was defeated in the2006 NCAA tournament second round by Texas,[7] Brackman chose not to return to the basketball team the next season, and instead focused on developing his pitching with hopes of doing well in professional baseball.[8]
Brackman suffered a stress fracture to his hip in his sophomore year of baseball, limiting him to only seven games and a disappointing 1–4 record with a 6.09 ERA.[9][4] In the summer of 2006, he pitched for theOrleans Cardinals in theCape Cod League earning a 1–0 record with a 1.09 ERA.[9][10] This effort led toBaseball America ranking him the league's number two prospect.[11]
Brackman's junior year at NC State saw a return to his freshman-year numbers: in 13 games he struck out 74 batters in 78 innings with a 3.81 ERA and a record of 6–4.[4] Due to elbow injuries, he did not pitch in either the ACC nor the NCAA tournament.[12]
Brackman's injury record hurt his draft value, and he was not selected until the 30th pick of the2007 Major League Baseball Draft.[13] Following the draft, the Yankees signed Brackman to a guaranteed $4.5 million deal for four years including a $3.55 million signing bonus spread out over six years.[14] Brackman was represented by sports agentScott Boras.[15] The club also held options over Brackman for the 2011, 2012, and 2013 seasons which would have boosted the total value of his contract over $13 million if he met his bonus requirements.[14] As specified by his contract, the Yankees placed Brackman on the 40 man roster.[16]
The Yankees recommended that he seeDr. James Andrews in Alabama to address his lingering elbow concerns. Later in August 2007, he underwentTommy John surgery.[12] Brackman began the 2008 season on the 60-day disabled list, a procedural move to keep him on the 40-man roster. Despite this setback, the Yankees still considered him a "blue-chip prospect".[17] On February 1, 2008,Keith Law ofESPN ranked Brackman in the top 100 baseball prospects of 2008,[18][19] and bothBaseball America andBaseball Prospectus list him as in the Yankees' top ten prospects for 2009.[20]
The Yankees optioned Brackman to AAA at the beginning of the 2011 season.[25] Going into 2011, Brackman was rated the third-best prospect in the Yankees organization byBaseball America.[26] He struggled to throw strikes to begin the season, and considered quitting baseball entirely. Instead, Brackman altered his mechanics, which produced improved results.[27][28] He was promoted to the Yankees in September[29] and made his MLB debut on September 22.[30] Brackman allowed no runs over an inning and a third in relief against theTampa Bay Rays.[31]
Following the 2011 season, the Yankees declined his 2012 option, making him a free agent.[32][33]
On January 4, 2012, Brackman signed a one-year minor league contract with theCincinnati Reds.[34][35] He was designated for assignment at the end of July and outrighted to the minors.[36][37]
At the time he was drafted by the Yankees, Brackman threw a 92 to 97 mphfastball[40] that had touched 99 mph. He also has had atwo-seam fastball,knuckle curve, and achangeup in his repertoire.[40] His height and overhand action were cited by scouts as giving his pitches a desirable "downward plane".[41]
