Brad Brach, Relief Pitcher, Atlanta Braves
Date of Birth: 4/12/1986
Birthplace: Freehold, New Jersey
College: Monmouth University
Brad Brach, relief pitcher for the Atlanta Braves, was first drafted in 2008 by the San Diego Padres. He pitched in the Padres' minor league system from 2008 through most of 2011, pitching just 7.0 innings in 9 games with the Padres in 2011.
In 2012, his first full season in the majors, Brach pitched in 67 games with the Padres. He finished the season with a 3.78 ERA in 66.2 innings. The following season, his time was split between the majors and the minors. In 33 games with the Padres, he had a 3.19 ERA in 31.0 innings.
Brach was traded to the Baltimore Orioles on November 25, 2013. He pitched in 46 games in 2014 and he had a 3.18 ERA. The following season, he pitched a career high 79.1 innings in 62 games and he had a 2.72 ERA.
Brach had career highs in games played (71), strikeouts (92 to 25 walks), and wins (10 to 4 losses) in 2016. He finished the season with a career low ERA of 2.05 in 79.0 innings. In the postseason, he pitched 1.1 innings in 1 game and he gave up 2 hits and no runs. He struck out 2 batters and walked 1.
Brach finished the 2017 season with 4 wins and 5 losses, 18 saves, 70 strikeouts to 26 walks, and a 3.18 ERA in 68.0 innings in 67 games.
The Orioles traded Brach to the Braves on July 29, 2018. He finished the 2018 season with 2 wins and 4 losses, 12 saves, 60 strikeouts to 28 walks, and a 3.59 ERA in 62.2 innings in 42 games with the Orioles and 27 games with the Braves. In the postseason, he pitched 1.1 innings in 2 games and he gave up 2 hits, including a home run, and 1 run.
Brach became a free agent on October 29, 2018. He signed with the Chicago Cubs on February 11, 2019. The Cubs released him on August 5, 2019, and three days later, he signed with the New York Mets. He finished the 2019 season with 5 wins and 4 losses, 60 strikeouts to 31 walks, and a 5.47 ERA in 54.1 innings in 42 games with the Cubs and 16 games with the Mets.
Brach pitched in 14 games in 2020. He finished the season with 1 win and no losses, 14 strikeouts to 14 walks, and a 5.84 ERA in 12.1 innings.
The Mets released Brach on February 16, 2021. Six days later, he signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals. After being sent to the Royals' alternative site on April 26th, he elected free agency. He signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds on May 1st. He spent time on the IL in 2021 with right shoulder impingement. He finished the season with 1 win and 2 losses, 1 save, 33 strikeouts to 18 walks, and a 6.30 ERA in 30.0 innings in 35 games with the Reds.
The Reds released Brach on September 16, 2021. He signed a minor league contract with the Braves on March 19, 2022.
Career pitching statistics for Brach through 2021 include:
- 531 games played
- 552.2 innings pitched
- 38-29 win-loss record
- 589 strikeouts to 264 walks
- 3.55 ERA
Personal Life
Brach is married to singer and songwriter Jenae Cherry.
Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Brad Brach
ESPN - Brad Brach