Connor Brogdon
Brogdon with the Williamsport Crosscutters in 2017
Philadelphia Phillies – No. 75
Pitcher
Born: (1995-01-29) January 29, 1995 (age 29)
Clovis, California, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
August 13, 2020, for the Philadelphia Phillies
MLB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Win–loss record10–7
Earned run average3.55
Strikeouts143
Teams

Connor Michael Brogdon[1] (born January 29, 1995) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Brogdon was born in Clovis, California, and attended Liberty High School in Madera. Although he was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 40th round of the 2013 MLB Draft, he decided to attend Fresno City College rather than sign with the team. After two seasons there, he transferred to Lewis–Clark State College, where he was part of the 2017 NAIA World Series championship team.

The Phillies drafted Brogdon in the 10th round of the 2017 MLB Draft. He was originally intended to be a starting pitcher but became a reliever in the minor leagues to make room in the starting rotation. Brogdon played for three seasons in the Phillies' farm system and was invited to an alternative training site after the 2020 minor league season was canceled. He made his MLB debut on August 13, 2020, giving up three runs to the Baltimore Orioles, but he improved his performance in September.

Early life

Brogdon was born in Clovis, California on January 29, 1995,[1] and attended Liberty High School in Madera[2] alongside San Francisco Giants prospect J.J. Santa Cruz.[3] The Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB) drafted Brogdon in the 40th round of the 2013 MLB Draft, but he elected to attend college instead. Although Brogdon signed a National Letter of Intent to play for Fresno State, he instead attended Fresno City College.[4] In his two seasons with Fresno City College, Brogdon had a 9–0 win–loss record and a 1.85 earned run average (ERA), and he was named the Central Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year.[5]

After his sophomore year, Brogdon transferred to Lewis–Clark State College,[6] where he was used as a starting pitcher.[7] In his first season at Lewis–Clark, Brogdon posted a 6–0 record, a 2.81 ERA, and 48 strikeouts in 11 games started and 51+1⁄3 innings pitched.[8] The next year, Brogdon recorded an 8–1 record in 15 games, led the team in innings pitched with 80+1⁄3, and was part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) World Series-winning team.[9][10] His pitching velocity began to suffer in his senior season, dropping from the mid-90 mph (140 km/h) range to the mid-80 mph (130 km/h) range. Philadelphia Phillies scout Hilton Richardson told The Athletic, "I don't want to say they abused him, but he got worked a lot."[7]

Professional career

Minor league system

The Phillies selected Brogdon in the 10th round, 293rd overall, in the 2017 MLB Draft. He was the highest Lewis–Clark draft pick since Beau Mills, who was taken in the first round.[11] He signed with the team that year for a $5,000 signing bonus.[7] Brogdon made his professional debut on June 26, 2017, with the Class A Short Season Williamsport Crosscutters, pitching 1+1⁄3 innings in a 9–5 loss against the Auburn Doubledays.[12][13] Initially signed as a starting pitcher, Brogdon was moved to the Crosscutters' bullpen to make room in the starting rotation for Spencer Howard and Connor Seabold.[10] In 16 appearances and 34+2⁄3 innings with the Crosscutters that season, Brogdon posted a 3–1 record and a 2.34 ERA.[14]

The next season, Brogdon was named to the preliminary Opening Day roster for the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws alongside Crosscutters teammate Howard.[15] Overall, he went 5–3 with a 2.47 ERA, but his ERA was only 1.42 in his 38 innings as a reliever.[16] Brogdon continued to ascend through the farm system the next season, beginning 2019 with the Class A-Advanced Clearwater Threshers. He made only 10 appearances with the Threshers before receiving a promotion to the Double-A Reading Phillies. After only 15 games, he was promoted again to the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs.[17] Across all three minor-league teams that year, Brogdon had a combined 6–2 record and a 2.61 ERA in 51 appearances.[18]

Philadelphia Phillies

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, MLB canceled the 2020 Minor League Baseball season.[19] The Phillies chose to invite a handful of relievers, including Brogdon, to an alternative training site in Allentown, Pennsylvania, in case they were needed in the majors. Brogdon was officially called up to the Phillies' roster on August 11, 2020.[20] He made his MLB debut on August 13, appearing in the eighth inning to relieve Austin Davis against the Baltimore Orioles. On Brogdon's first pitch, Pedro Severino hit a solo home run. After recording two outs, Brogdon surrendered another home run, this one a two-run blast, to Rio Ruiz. He was then pulled, having thrown 38 pitches in his debut.[21] His performance improved in September, as he recorded 14 strikeouts in 8+2⁄3 shutout innings that month.[22] Brogdon recorded his first career win on September 18, 2020, in the second game of a doubleheader against the Toronto Blue Jays.[23] He finished the season with a 1–0 record and a 3.97 ERA in 11+1⁄3 innings pitched.[24]

The Phillies called on Brogdon to pitch in the tenth inning of the season opener against the Atlanta Braves on April 1, 2021. He threw a shutout inning and was credited with the win.[25][26] Brogdon did not allow a run in the 2021 MLB season until April 20, when he gave up two three-run home runs to Alex Dickerson and Wilmer Flores of the San Francisco Giants, causing the Phillies to lose 10–6.[27]

Going into the 2022 season, some sportswriters expressed concern about Brogdon's performance in spring training: his fastball velocity had decreased from 96.1 mph (154.7 km/h) to 92–93 mph (148–150 km/h), while he had trouble commanding breaking balls.[28] He told The Philadelphia Inquirer that the 2021–22 MLB lockout had negatively impacted his practice regimen, because he did not know when the 2022 MLB season would begin, and that he was "just treading water" in spring training.[29] After allowing two runs in 2⁄3 of an inning during the Phillies' 9–6 loss to the New York Mets on April 13, Brogdon was sent back down to Triple-A.[30]

In the 2022 regular season with the Phillies, he was 2–2 with two saves and a 3.27 ERA in 47 relief appearances covering 44 innings with 50 strikeouts.[31]

Pitcher profile

Brogdon relies primarily on a three-pitch repertoire: a fastball, a changeup, and a hybrid of a cutter and a slider.[6] In 2020, his average fastball velocity was 96 mph (154 km/h),[32] an improvement over his minor league speed. Speaking after the 2020 season, Brogdon has said that his focus, as he continues his baseball career, is to be able to sustain 97 mph (156 km/h) fastball speeds over longer stretches at the mound.[7] He developed his changeup while playing with the Reading Phillies, and is capable of reaching speeds up to 83 mph (134 km/h) with it.[10][33] The "cut-slider" is his newest pitch, developed during his 2019 stint in the minors.[20]

References

  1. ^ a b "Connor Brogdon Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com. Advanced Media Group. Archived from the original on March 31, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  2. ^ "Connor Brogdon - Baseball". Lewis-Clark State College Athletics. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  3. ^ "Brogdon confident entering 2021". Madera Tribune. February 17, 2021. Archived from the original on April 2, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  4. ^ "Former Liberty standout reaches the majors". Madera Tribune. August 15, 2020. Archived from the original on September 29, 2020. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  5. ^ Galaviz, Anthony (May 7, 2015). "JC baseball: Fresno City ace Connor Brogdon won't settle for personal perfection with state title still in sight". The Fresno Bee. Archived from the original on August 30, 2019. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  6. ^ a b DeGeorge, Matthew (August 13, 2020). "Phillies Notebook: Connor Brogdon continues to play video game after getting call to bigs". Delaware County Daily Times. Archived from the original on September 26, 2020. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  7. ^ a b c d Gelb, Matt (March 5, 2021). "Phillies righty Connor Brogdon's rise from $5,000 signing bonus to 97 mph in majors". The Athletic. Archived from the original on April 2, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  8. ^ "Lewis-Clark State's Brogdon picked in 10th by Phillies". Lewiston Morning Tribune. June 14, 2017. Archived from the original on April 2, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  9. ^ "LCSC's Brogdon is selected by Phillies in 10th round of MLB draft". LC Warriors. June 13, 2017. Archived from the original on September 9, 2017. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  10. ^ a b c Salisbury, Jim (April 2, 2021). "Meet the guy who pitched in and helped Connor Brogdon become a big-leaguer". NBC Sports Philadelphia. Archived from the original on April 2, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  11. ^ Jacobsen, Sarah (June 15, 2017). "Six LC Warrior baseball players drafted to the majors". KLEW-TV. Archived from the original on February 12, 2019. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  12. ^ "Connor Brogdon 2017 Minor Leagues Game Logs & Splits". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 2, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  13. ^ Houghtaling, Jeremy (June 26, 2017). "Auburn Doubledays take big lead early, hang on to top Williamsport Crosscutters". The Citizen. Archived from the original on April 2, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  14. ^ "Connor Brogdon Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  15. ^ "BlueClaws Announce 2018 Preliminary Opening Day Roster". MiLB.com. Advanced Media Group. March 30, 2018. Archived from the original on April 2, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  16. ^ Ebenau, Vin (August 14, 2020). "100 Lakewood BlueClaws have now gone from the Shore to the Show". WOBM-FM. Archived from the original on January 24, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  17. ^ Franco, Angel (July 31, 2019). "Pitching prospect Connor Brogdon could be the Phillies' next man up". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on August 30, 2019. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  18. ^ Zolecki, Todd (August 12, 2020). "Brogdon primed for struggling 'pen, debut". MLB.com. Advanced Media Group. Archived from the original on April 2, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  19. ^ West, Jenna (June 30, 2020). "Minor League Baseball's 2020 Season Canceled". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on November 18, 2020. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  20. ^ a b Breen, Matt (August 12, 2020). "Before joining the Phillies, Connor Brogdon had a video game to finish". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on October 1, 2020. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  21. ^ "Rough MLB debut for LCSC's Brogdon". Lewiston Morning Tribune. August 14, 2020. Archived from the original on January 30, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  22. ^ Zolecki, Todd (March 17, 2021). "'I belong here': Brogdon regains confidence". MLB.com. Advanced Media Group. Archived from the original on March 19, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  23. ^ Maaddi, Rob (September 18, 2020). "Harper's bat helps Phillies sweep slumping Blue Jays in doubleheader". CBC.ca. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
  24. ^ "Connor Brogdon Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 25, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  25. ^ Moore, Tom (April 2, 2021). "Phillies follow-up: What we learned from bullpen and defense on Opening Day win over Braves". The Morning Call. Archived from the original on April 2, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  26. ^ "LCSC's Brogdon posts win on Opening Day". Lewiston Morning Tribune. April 2, 2021. Archived from the original on April 2, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  27. ^ Pavlovic, Alex (April 21, 2021). "Why Giants had Phillies reliever starstruck in rough outing". NBC Sports Bay Area. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  28. ^ Carr, Alex (March 31, 2022). "Should the Phillies be Worried About Connor Brogdon?". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  29. ^ Coffey, Alex (March 30, 2022). "Phillies' Connor Brogdon struggling to regain velocity: 'I feel like now I'm just treading water'". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  30. ^ "Phillies' Connor Brogdon: Sent to Triple-A". CBS Sports. RotoWire. April 13, 2022. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  31. ^ "Connor Brogdon Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball-Reference.com.
  32. ^ Breen, Matt (April 2, 2021). "Connor Brogdon could play a key role in Phillies' bullpen with sharper mindset and stronger fastball". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on April 2, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  33. ^ Housenick, Tom (August 27, 2019). "New ball, new level, new slider? No problem for IronPigs reliever Connor Brogdon". The Morning Call. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020. Retrieved April 2, 2021.

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