| Brad Bergesen | |
|---|---|
 Bergesen with the Baltimore Orioles in 2009 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1985-09-25)September 25, 1985 (age 39) Concord, California, U.S. | |
Batted: Left Threw: Right | |
| Professional debut | |
| MLB: April 21, 2009, for the Baltimore Orioles | |
| NPB: April 2, 2013, for the Chunichi Dragons | |
| Last appearance | |
| MLB: October 1, 2012, for the Arizona Diamondbacks | |
| NPB: July 26, 2013, for the Chunichi Dragons | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 19–25 |
| Earned run average | 4.61 |
| Strikeouts | 225 |
| NPB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 2–2 |
| Earned run average | 3.71 |
| Strikeouts | 22 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Bradley Steven Bergesen (born September 25, 1985) is an American former professionalbaseballpitcher. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theBaltimore Orioles andArizona Diamondbacks, and inNippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for theChunichi Dragons. He has been a pitching coach in thePhiladelphia Phillies organization since 2018, currently with theReading Fightin Phils since 2025.
Bergesen was called up to the Baltimore Orioles from the Triple-ANorfolk Tides to make his first major-league start on April 21, 2009.[1] He pitched 52⁄3 innings for the win against theChicago White Sox, allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks, striking out four. Bergesen's starts for the next month would be much rockier, as his ERA quickly increased and sat at 5.49 after a start on May 24.
Bergesen's year turned around dramatically at this point. From May 29 through July 30 (a span of 12 starts), he pitched at least six innings each start and allowed more than three earned runs only once. He had a particularly impressive stretch from May 29 to June 14, when over four starts he pitched 32 innings and allowed just six runs (an ERA of only 1.69). The start on June 14 was his first careercomplete game, an 11–2 victory over theAtlanta Braves.
Bergesen continued to pitch well over the course of the year, emerging as the Orioles' most dependable starting pitcher as the summer continued. Unfortunately for the Orioles, his final start would be on July 30, against theKansas City Royals. Bergesen was pitching another solid game, having allowed only one run thus far, and was one out away from getting out of a jam in the seventh inning when the Royals'Billy Butler hit a line drive straight into Bergesen's left shin. Bergesen collapsed immediately upon being hit, and the ball rolled back towards Orioles catcherMatt Wieters, who threw Butler out at first. Bergesen managed to get up quickly, slap gloves with Wieters, and hobble into the Orioles' dugout unassisted before collapsing in the tunnel. X-rays and an MRI did not reveal any bone fracture, but the injury would end Bergesen's season.
Bergesen finished the2009 season with 19 starts, 1231⁄3 innings pitched, a WHIP of 1.28, and an ERA of 3.43. Many writers have suggested that if Bergesen had continued to pitch as well as he had and had not been injured, he would have been a strong candidate forRookie of the Year.
On April 20, 2010, Bergesen was optioned to Norfolk.[2]
On May 14, 2011, Bergesen threw a complete-game shutout of theTampa Bay Rays. Bergesen did not allow a single base hit throughout the last six innings of the game. It was his fourth career complete game, but it was his first complete-game shutout of his career.[3]
On May 29, 2011, Bergesen was optioned to Triple-ANorfolk, giving up his spot in his rotation toBrian Matusz.[4]
In June, he returned to MLB in a relief role in exchange forJeremy Accardo.[5]
Bergesen wasdesignated for assignment on May 12, 2012, he cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A on May 17. He was later re-added to the 40-man roster on July 17, but was designated for assignment again the next day.
On July 20, 2012, he was claimed off waivers by theArizona Diamondbacks. He was released on November 28.
On November 30, 2012, he signed with theChunichi Dragons ofNippon Professional Baseball.[6] In 14 appearances (11 starts), Bergesen was 2–2 with a 3.71 ERA, but he posted a meager 3.7 strikeouts per 9 innings.
On May 22, 2015, After sitting out the 2014 season, Bergesen signed with theYork Revolution of theAtlantic League of Professional Baseball.[7] He became a free agent after the 2015 season. In 10 games 8.1 innings of relief he went 0-0 with a 3.24 ERA with 5 strikeouts and 1 save.
On February 28, 2017, After sitting out the 2016 season, Bergesen signed with theLancaster Barnstormers of theAtlantic League of Professional Baseball.[citation needed] He became a free agent following the season. In 25 starts 136.2 innings he went 9-9 with a 4.74 ERA with 84 strikeouts.
Bergesen was hired by thePhiladelphia Phillies to be the pitching coach with theSingle-ALakewood BlueClaws for the 2018 season.[8] He was promoted in a similar capacity to theHigh-AClearwater Threshers in 2019 and theDouble-AReading Fightin Phils beginning in 2020.[9]
Bergesen was named pitching coach for the High-A affiliateJersey Shore BlueClaws for the 2024 season. On February 7, 2025, Bergesen was named as the pitching coach for Double-Reading.[10]
Brad Bergesen is afinesse pitcher andgroundball pitcher who relies primarily on asinker (sinking/two-seam fastball). He also uses aslider andchangeup, the slider being his typical strikeout pitch.
Because his fastball averages a speed of about 89 mph, Bergesen relies on good control of his pitches and avoids walks, rather than striking many batters out. His ability to get many ground balls (50.1% ground ball rate in 2009) helps him limit hits to singles and get extra outs via thedouble play. Though he still allows many home runs.