Andrew Brackman

Andrew Brackman
Andrew Brackman playing basketball for North Carolina State University, 2009
Pitcher
Born: (1985-12-04) December 4, 1985 (age 38)
Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
September 22, 2011, for the New York Yankees
Last MLB appearance
September 28, 2011, for the New York Yankees
MLB statistics
Games pitched3
Earned run average0.00
Strikeouts0
Teams
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  United States
World University Championship
Gold medal – first place 2006 Havana National team

Andrew Warren Brackman (born December 4, 1985) is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher who played for the New York Yankees in 2011.

High school career

Brackman attended Moeller High School in Cincinnati, Ohio.[1][2]

College career

Brackman attended North 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 2005 ACC baseball tournament, striking out five batters in seven innings to earn the victory against the Miami Hurricanes.[5] He was named a second-team preseason All-America player by Baseball America for 2006.[6]

After the Wolfpack was defeated in the 2006 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 the Orleans Cardinals in the Cape Cod League earning a 1–0 record with a 1.09 ERA.[9][10] This effort led to Baseball 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]

Professional career

New York Yankees

Brackman's injury record hurt his draft value, and he was not selected until the 30th pick of the 2007 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 agent Scott 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 see Dr. James Andrews in Alabama to address his lingering elbow concerns. Later in August 2007, he underwent Tommy 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 of ESPN ranked Brackman in the top 100 baseball prospects of 2008,[18][19] and both Baseball America and Baseball Prospectus list him as in the Yankees' top ten prospects for 2009.[20]

Brackman spent 2009 pitching for the Class A Charleston RiverDogs, where he struggled.[21] Baseball America named him the Yankees' tenth best prospect for 2010.[22] Brackman had a strong 2010 season with the Class A Advanced Tampa Yankees and Class AA Trenton Thunder.[23][24]

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 by Baseball 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 the Tampa Bay Rays.[31]

Following the 2011 season, the Yankees declined his 2012 option, making him a free agent.[32][33]

Cincinnati Reds

On January 4, 2012, Brackman signed a one-year minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds.[34][35] He was designated for assignment at the end of July and outrighted to the minors.[36][37]

Chicago White Sox

On January 30, 2013, Brackman signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox.[38][39] He was later released on August 6.[37]

Pitching style

At the time he was drafted by the Yankees, Brackman threw a 92 to 97 mph fastball[40] that had touched 99 mph. He also has had a two-seam fastball, knuckle curve, and a changeup in his repertoire.[40] His height and overhand action were cited by scouts as giving his pitches a desirable "downward plane".[41]

References

  1. ^ "Minor League Report: Young pitchers". MLB.com. 2008-02-21. Archived from the original on 26 February 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-27.
  2. ^ "Andrew Brackman - 2006 - Baseball". NC State University Athletics. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  3. ^ "Brackman's talent will stay on display at N.C. State". CBS.Sportsline.com. 2005-05-23. Archived from the original on 2005-05-24. Retrieved 2008-02-27.
  4. ^ a b c "Andrew Brackman - Baseball Stats - The Baseball Cube". TheBaseballCube.com. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  5. ^ "NC State Upsets Miami in ACC Tourney". NC State University Athletics. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  6. ^ "Cape League dominates pre-season All-American team". Wicked Local. 2007-02-13. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  7. ^ "2006 Men's NCAA Tournament Summary". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  8. ^ StateFans (2006-09-15). "Sources: Brackman Will Not Play Basketball in 2006-07". StateFans Nation. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  9. ^ a b "Brackman, busy with baseball, hasn't decided on return". ESPN. 2006-10-05. Retrieved 2008-02-27.
  10. ^ "2006 Orleans Cardinals". TheBaseballCube.com. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  11. ^ "Andrew Brackman Stats & Scouting Report". College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects - Baseball America. 2017-05-20. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  12. ^ a b King, George (2007-08-27). "Yanks's top pick to have surgery". New York Post. Retrieved 2008-02-27.
  13. ^ "Yankees 2007 Major League Baseball Draft | MLB.com". baseballsavant.com. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  14. ^ a b Kepner, Tyler (2007-08-17). "Good News on the Health of the Yankees' Top Pick". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-02-27.
  15. ^ McGrath, Ben (2007-10-22). "The Extortionist". The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  16. ^ "Yankees Agree to Deal With First-Rounder Andrew Brackman". CSTV.com. 2007-08-15. Archived from the original on December 2, 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-27.
  17. ^ "Hank Steinbrenner: I'll look at big picture for Cashman contract talks". New York Daily News. 2008-03-02. Archived from the original on 2008-03-02. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  18. ^ "ESPN - Top 100 prospects of 2008 - MLB". Insider.espn.go.com. 2008-02-01. Retrieved 2010-09-21.
  19. ^ River Ave. Blues | Keith Law's Top 100 Prospects Archived February 5, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  20. ^ "BaseballAmerica.com: Prospects: Top 10 Prospects: New York Yankees". 2008-04-30. Archived from the original on 2008-04-30. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  21. ^ "BaseballAmerica.com: Prospects: Prospect Hot Sheet: Prospect Hot Sheet: July 24". 2009-07-27. Archived from the original on 2009-07-27. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  22. ^ New York Yankees Top 10 Prospects, 2010 Archived 2017-09-23 at the Wayback Machine, Baseball America. Published December 16, 2009. Retrieved December 23, 2009.
  23. ^ Bontemps, Tim (2010-06-26). "Yankees promote Brackman to Double-A". New York Post. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  24. ^ Weiner, Rick. "Andrew Brackman: What a Long, Strange Trip It's Been for the NY Yankees Prospect". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  25. ^ "Yankees decline options on Berkman, Wood, Johnson | The Lohud Yankees Blog". 2010-10-30. Archived from the original on 2010-10-30. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  26. ^ Shpigel, Ben (2011-02-21). "Girardi Impressed by Brackman's Evolution". The New York Times.
  27. ^ Bontemps, Tim (2011-08-20). "Yankees prospect 'Brack' in business". NYPOST.com. Retrieved 2011-09-23.
  28. ^ Star-Ledger, Marc Carig/The (2011-09-07). "Yankees' Andrew Brackman rebounds from struggles, returns to team". nj. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  29. ^ "Pena among callups filling out Yankees' roster | yankees.com: News". 2012-11-07. Archived from the original on 2012-11-07. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  30. ^ McCarron, Anthony (2011-09-23). "Yankees' Dellin Betances and Andrew Brackman debut | New York Daily News". Nydailynews.com. Retrieved 2011-09-23.
  31. ^ Caldwell, Dave (22 September 2011). "Rays Roll Over Yankees' Reserves". The New York Times. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  32. ^ Shah, Ronit (2011-11-01). "Yankees Decline Andrew Brackman's Option". MLB Daily Dish. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  33. ^ "Pitcher Andrew Brackman released by Yankees". silive. Associated Press. 2011-11-02. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  34. ^ "Cincinnati Reds sign former New York Yankees top pick Andrew Brackman | MLB.com: News". 2012-01-21. Archived from the original on 2012-01-21. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  35. ^ "Moeller's Andrew Brackman comes home to Reds | Cincinnati.com | cincinnati.com". 2012-01-09. Archived from the original on 2012-01-09. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  36. ^ "Reds Designate Andrew Brackman For Assignment". MLB Trade Rumors. 2012-07-31. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  37. ^ a b "Andrew Brackman Stats, Fantasy & News". MiLB.com. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  38. ^ Matt Eddy [@MattEddyBA] (January 30, 2013). "#WhiteSox sign RHP Andrew Brackman to minor lge deal. He joins LHPs Trevor Reckling, Daniel Moskos & David Purcey as reclamation projects" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  39. ^ A, Nate (2013-01-31). "Minor pitching moves". MLB Daily Dish. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  40. ^ a b "Draft Report: Andrew Brackman". Baseballexchange.wordpress.com. 10 June 2007. Retrieved 2010-09-21.
  41. ^ "The Official Site of Major League Baseball: Events: 2007 DraftTracker". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved 2010-09-21.

External links