Brandon Waddell
Brandon David Waddell (born June 3, 1994) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the St. Louis Cardinals organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles, and Cardinals. Career. Amateur career. Waddell attended Clear Lake High School in Houston, Texas, and took college level courses at the University of Houston–Clear Lake. He enrolled at the University of Virginia to play college baseball for the Virginia Cavaliers baseball team. Virginia reached the final round in the 2014 College World Series, and he started the must win game two , 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 the Curry School of Education at Virginia. He pitched in the deciding game of the 2015 College World Series, earning the win. Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Waddell in the fifth round of the 2015 MLB draft. He signed with the Pirates, receiving a $315,000 signing bonus. Waddell made his professional debut with the West Virginia Black Bears of  the Class A-Short Season New York-Penn League, where he spent the whole season, going 1–1 with a 5.75 ERA in six games. He began the 2016 season with the Bradenton Marauders of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League, and was promoted to the Altoona Curve of the Class AA Eastern League in May. 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. He split the 2018 and 2019 seasons between Altoona and the Indianapolis  Indians of the Class AAA International League. On August 9, 2020, Waddell had his contract selected to the 40-man roster. He made his major league debut on August 14 against the Cincinnati Reds. Minnesota Twins. On October 30, 2020, the Minnesota Twins claimed Waddell off of waivers. On February 11, 2021, Waddell was designated for assignment following the waiver claim of Kyle Garlick. On February 13, Waddell was outrighted and invited to spring training as a non-roster invitee. On April 7, 2021, Waddell was selected to the 40-man and active rosters. After recording an 11.25 ERA in  4 appearances, Waddell was designated for assignment on May 7, 2021. Baltimore Orioles. On May 8, 2021, Waddell was claimed off of waivers by the Baltimore Orioles. Waddell pitched 1.0 scoreless inning for Baltimore before being designated for assignment on June 4. St. Louis Cardinals. On June 6, 2021, Waddell was claimed off waivers by the St. Louis Cardinals. 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-A Memphis Redbirds on  April 7.