JT Brubaker
Brubaker with the Altoona Curve in 2018
Pittsburgh Pirates – No. 34
Pitcher
Born: (1993-11-17) November 17, 1993 (age 30)
Springfield, Ohio, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
July 26, 2020, for the Pittsburgh Pirates
MLB statistics
(through 2022 season)
Win–loss record9–28
Earned run average4.99
Strikeouts324
Teams

Jonathan Trey Brubaker (born November 17, 1993) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2020.

Early life and amateur career

Brubaker attended Tecumseh High School in New Carlisle, Ohio, and the University of Akron, where he played college baseball for the Akron Zips.[1] In 2015, his junior year, he had a 5–4 win–loss record with a 3.63 earned run average (ERA) over 15 games started.[2] He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the sixth round of the 2015 Major League Baseball draft.[3]

Professional career

Brubaker signed with Pittsburgh for a $200,000 signing bonus[4] and made his professional debut that season with the West Virginia Black Bears, compiling a 6–4 record with a 2.82 ERA over 15 starts.[5] In 2016, he played for the West Virginia Power and the Bradenton Marauders where he pitched to a combined 6–11 record with a 4.44 ERA in 26 starts between the two clubs, and in 2017, he pitched with the Altoona Curve, going 7–6 with a 4.44 ERA in 26 games (24 starts).

Brubaker began 2018 with Altoona and was promoted to the Indianapolis Indians in May.[6] In 28 starts between both teams, he went 10–6 with a 2.81 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP.[7] After the season, the Pirates named Brubaker their minor league pitcher of the year.[8][9] The Pirates added him to their 40-man roster after the season.[10] He returned to Indianapolis to begin 2019, but appeared in only six games during the season due to injury.

Brubaker made the Opening Day roster in 2020 and made his major league debut on July 26, pitching 2 scoreless innings against the St. Louis Cardinals. He finished the shortened 2020 season with a 1–3 record, a 4.94 ERA and 48 strikeouts in 47+1⁄3 innings. In 2021, he went 5–13 with a 5.36 ERA and 129 strikeouts in 124+1⁄3 innings over 24 starts. In 2022, Brubaker made 28 starts for Pittsburgh, logging a 3-12 record and 4.69 ERA with 147 strikeouts in 144.0 innings pitched.

On January 13, 2023, Brubaker agreed to a one-year, $2.275 million contract with the Pirates, avoiding salary arbitration.[11] Brubaker was placed on the injured list to begin the 2023 season due to forearm/elbow discomfort.[12] On April 12, Brubaker underwent Tommy John surgery, ending his season.[13]

Personal life

Brubaker and his wife, Darci, had their first child, a son, in August 2022.[14]

References

  1. ^ Jablonski, David (June 16, 2018). "Tecumseh grad Brubaker 'one call away' from big leagues". Springfield News-Sun. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  2. ^ "On the record: University of Akron pitcher J.T. Brubaker drafted in sixth round by Pittsburgh Pirates". Akron Beacon Journal. June 9, 2015.
  3. ^ Alexander, Elton (June 9, 2015). "Akron Zips hurler J.T. Brubaker selected by Pirates in the MLB draft". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  4. ^ Dreker, John (June 15, 2015). "Pirates Agree to Deal With 22nd Round Pick, Plus Bonus Information - Pirates Prospects".
  5. ^ Jablonski, David (September 22, 2018). "Pirates name Tecumseh grad Brubaker their minor league pitcher of the year". Dayton Daily News.
  6. ^ Shetler, Jason (May 8, 2018). "J.T. Brubaker Gets Promotion to Indianapolis". Bucco Nation.
  7. ^ "J.T. Brubaker Stats, Highlights, Bio – MiLB.com Stats – The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved December 28, 2018.
  8. ^ DiPaola, Jerry (September 21, 2018). "Pirates recognize minor-leaguers J.T. Brubaker, Ke'Bryan Hayes". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  9. ^ Jablonski, David (February 22, 2018). "Pirates name Tecumseh grad Brubaker their minor league pitcher of the year". Springfield News-Sun. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  10. ^ Berry, Adam (November 20, 2018). "Pirates add four prospects to 40-man roster". MLB.com. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  11. ^ "2023 MLB Arbitration Tracker". MLBTradeRumors. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  12. ^ "Pirates' JT Brubaker: Headed for IL with forearm issue". cbssports.com. 27 March 2023. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
  13. ^ "Pirates' JT Brubaker: Undergoes Tommy John surgery". cbssports.com. 12 April 2023. Retrieved 2023-04-12.
  14. ^ "New dad JT has 'a little rust' in 1st start back". MLB.com.

External links

Pittsburgh Pirates current roster
Pittsburgh Pirates Opening Day starting pitchers
Categories