| Brandon Waddell | |
|---|---|
 Waddell with theBradenton Marauders in 2016 | |
| New York Mets | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1994-06-03)June 3, 1994 (age 30) Houston, Texas, U.S. | |
Bats: Left Throws: Left | |
| Professional debut | |
| MLB: August 14, 2020, for the Pittsburgh Pirates | |
| KBO: August 5, 2022, for the Doosan Bears | |
| CPBL: April 1, 2023, for the Rakuten Monkeys | |
| MLB statistics (through 2021 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 0–1 |
| Earned run average | 5.68 |
| Strikeouts | 9 |
| KBO statistics (through 2024 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 23–10 |
| Earned run average | 2.98 |
| Strikeouts | 215 |
| CPBL statistics (through 2023 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 5–5 |
| Earned run average | 3.30 |
| Strikeouts | 60 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Brandon David Waddell (born June 3, 1994) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher in theNew York Mets organization. He has previously played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for thePittsburgh Pirates,Minnesota Twins,Baltimore Orioles, andSt. Louis Cardinals, in theKBO League for theDoosan Bears, and in theChinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) for theRakuten Monkeys. He made his MLB debut in 2020.
Waddell attendedClear Lake High School inHouston,Texas, and took college level courses at theUniversity of Houston–Clear Lake. He enrolled at theUniversity of Virginia to playcollege baseball for theVirginia Cavaliers baseball team.[1] Virginia reached the final round in the2014 College World Series, and he started the must win game two,[2] which Virginia won, but then went on to lose game three. With his extra credits, Waddell graduated from the University of Virginia in three years with a degree in economics, and has been admitted to the masters program in theSchool of Education and Human Development (formerly the Curry School of Education) at Virginia.[1] He pitched in the deciding game of the2015 College World Series,[3][4] earning the win.
ThePittsburgh Pirates selected Waddell in the fifth round of the2015 MLB draft. He signed with the Pirates, receiving a $315,000signing bonus.[5] Waddell made his professional debut with theWest Virginia Black Bears of theLow–ANew York-Penn League,[6] where he spent the whole season, going 1–1 with a 5.75 ERA in six games. He began the 2016 season with theBradenton Marauders of theHigh–AFlorida State League, and was promoted to theAltoona Curve of theDouble–AEastern League in May.[7] He pitched to a combined 11–9 record with a 3.49 ERA between both teams. Waddell spent 2017 with Altoona where he posted a 3–3 record with a 3.55 ERA in 15 games.[8] He split the 2018 and 2019 seasons between Altoona and theIndianapolis Indians of theTriple–AInternational League.
On August 9, 2020, Waddell had his contract selected to the40-man roster. He made his major league debut on August 14 against theCincinnati Reds.[9]
On October 30, 2020, theMinnesota Twins claimed Waddell off ofwaivers.[10] On February 11, 2021, Waddell was designated for assignment following the waiver claim ofKyle Garlick.[11] On February 13, Waddell was outrighted and invited tospring training as a non-roster invitee.[12] On April 7, 2021, Waddell was selected to the 40-man and active rosters.[13] After recording an 11.25 ERA in 4 appearances, Waddell was designated for assignment on May 7, 2021.[14]
On May 8, 2021, Waddell was claimed off of waivers by theBaltimore Orioles.[15] Waddell pitched 1.0 scoreless inning for Baltimore before being designated for assignment on June 4.[16]
On June 6, 2021, Waddell was claimed off waivers by theSt. Louis Cardinals.[17] Waddell made 4 appearances for the Cardinals in 2021, going 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA and 7 strikeouts. On April 4, 2022, Waddell was designated for assignment by the Cardinals. He was outrighted to the Triple-AMemphis Redbirds on April 7.[18] He was released on July 13.
On July 17, 2022, Waddell signed with theDoosan Bears of theKorea Baseball Organization. He made 11 starts for Doosan down the stretch, logging a 5-3 record and 3.60 ERA with 40 strikeouts in 65 innings pitched.
On January 14, 2023, Waddell signed with theRakuten Monkeys of theChinese Professional Baseball League.[19] On April 1, Waddell started an Opening Day victory for the Monkeys in his CPBL debut.[20] In 12 starts for Rakuten, he registered a 5–5 record and 3.30 ERA with 60 strikeouts in 71.0 innings pitched.
On June 12, 2023, the Monkeys completed a contract transfer with theDoosan Bears of theKBO League, with Waddell set to report to Doosan on June 16 after one final start with the Monkeys.[21] In 18 starts for Doosan, he registered an 11–3 record and 2.49 ERA with 100 strikeouts across104+2⁄3 innings of work.
On December 21, 2023, Waddell re–signed with the Bears on a one–year, $1 million contract.[22] In 2024, he posted a 7–4 record with a 3.12 ERA and 75 strikeouts across 75 innings pitched. Waddell became a free agent following the season.
On December 16, 2024, Waddell signed a minor league contract with theNew York Mets.[23]