Brandon was acquired by the Cubs at the 2018 trade deadline for RHP Jhon Romero ... has appeared in nine major league seasons with Milwaukee (2010-15), Minnesota (2016-17), Washington (2017-18) and the Cubs ... Has gone 17-17 with 48 saves and a 3.48 ERA (142 ER/367.1 IP) in 368 career outings, all in relief ... Was named an American League All-Star in 2017 with the Twins, his first All-Star selection ... went 2-1 with a 2.29 ERA (10 ER/39.1 IP) and 27 saves prior to the All-Star Break to earn the nod ... Has appeared in three postseason games, all in the 2017 NLDS vs. the Cubs ... allowed two runs in 3.1 innings ... Named a Southern League mid-season All-Star in 2010 ... Pitched two seasons (2007-08) with the Winnipeg Goldeyes of the independent Northern League and a half season (2009) with the St. Paul Saints of the independent American Association ... Originally drafted by Pittsburgh in the 40th round of the 2004 draft ... attended Pasadena City College and Dixie State (Utah) College ... graduated from Palo Verde High School in Las Vegas, Nevada.
2018
Brandon posted a 4.60 ERA (31 ER/60.2 IP) in 70 relief appearances between Washington and the Cubs ... acquired by Chicago, July 31, for minor league pitcher Jhon Romero ... Went 1-2 with two saves and a 3.59 ERA (17 ER/42.2 IP) in 45 relief outings with the Nationals to begin the season ... struck out 31 batters, while walking 13 ... Had a 2.14 ERA (8 ER/33.2 IP) in 35 road games, the 11th-best mark in the N.L. (min. 30.0 IP) ... Went 2-1 with five holds and a 7.00 ERA (14 ER/18.0 IP) in 25 outings with the Cubs ... Was placed on the disabled list from June 10-25 with Washington with a right forearm flexor strain ... Posted a 2.03 ERA (3 ER/13.1 IP) in 13 July appearances, his best monthly ERA of the season ... Recorded a hold in three-straight games with Chicago from August 3-6 ... Allowed no runs in 16 of his 25 appearances with the Cubs.
2017
Began the season with the Minnesota Twins, where he recorded 28 saves en route to being named an American League All-Star...The Nationals acquired him moments before the trade deadline in exchange for Minor League LHP Tyler Watson...In a career-high 72 games between Minnesota and Washington, he recorded 29 saves and a 3.03 ERA while allowing just five home runs. His 29 saves in 2017 were a career-high and ranked 12th in all of Major League Baseball...He went 2-1 with one save, 10 holds and a 3.46 ERA in 27 games with the Nationals...Was one of 11 different Nationals relievers to secure at least one save for Washington this season, most in the Major Leagues...He did not allow a run in any of his first seven appearances out of Washington's bullpen and posted scoreless appearances in 12 of his final 14 outings...He offered scoreless relief in 22 of his 27 appearances with the Nationals...He made his first career Postseason appearance in 2017, allowing just one hit in 3.1 innings pitched across three National League Division Series games. He did not allow either of his two inherited runners to score.
2016
Was an invite to Twins spring training, reassigned to minor league camp March 29 and began season at Triple-A Rochester...Appeared in 10 games for the Red Wings, going 4-1, 3.52 ERA (15.1 IP, 6 ER) with three walks and 11 strikeouts...Had contract selected by Minnesota May 7 (Tommy Milone outrighted and Casey Fien claimed off waivers by Los Angeles-NL)...10 of first 11 appearances were scoreless May 7-June 2, posting a 1.59 ERA in that span...Recorded first career save June 8 vs. Miami with 1.0 scoreless inning and one strikeout...Became Twins closer June 8 and converted eight straight save opportunities June 8-July 23...Did not allow a home run in 30 straight appearances (31.0 IP) June 21-September 15...Posted an ERA of 1.85 (24.1 IP, 5 ER) in 24 road games, compared to 4.20 (30.0 IP, 14 ER) in 30 home games...Allowed just two of 18 inherited runners to score (11.1%), lowest percentage among Twins relievers...Went 17-for-20 in save opportunities, 14th most saves in the AL...Issued just eight walks, tied for third fewest in baseball (minimum 50.0 IP).
2015
Began season at Triple-A Colorado Springs in Milwaukee organization...appeared in one game for the Sky Sox before being placed on 7-day disabled list April 11, with a tear in right middle finger; reinstated April 21...designated for release or assignment April 23 and reported back to Colorado Springs roster...made six appearances for the Sky Sox before having contract selected by Milwaukee May 8...appeared in seven games for the Brewers before being placed back on 15-day disabled list May 27 with left patella tendinitis...appeared in three games (1 start) on rehab assignment in early August; reinstated August 12 and optioned from Milwaukee to Colorado Springs...combined to go 1-2, 4.91 ERA (29.1 IP, 16 ER) with nine walks and 24 strikeouts in 27 games (1 start) at all three levels combined...elected free agency October 5.
2014
Went 3-3 with a 3.24 ERA in 64 relief appearances...On the 15-day disabled list from 4/12-4/23 with a strained right rotator cuff, retroactive to 4/9...Retired 40 of 64 first batters faced (62.5%)...Stranded 26 of 37 inherited runners (70.3%)...His wins came on 4/4 at Boston, 8/15 at Los Angeles and 9/16 at St. Louis...Signed a one-year contract on 12/2, avoiding arbitration
2013
Went 3-3 with a 2.69 ERA in 71 relief appearances...Was his first full season in the Major Leagues...Ranked second on the team in appearances (71), trailing only lefty Michael Gonzalez (75)...Posted a 2.09 ERA over his last 59 appearances (64.2ip, 15er), lowering his overall ERA from 5.84 to 2.69.....did not allow an earned run over his last 9 outings (9ip, 2r, 0er)...Retired 52 of 71 first batters faced (73.2%)...Stranded 16 of 21 inherited runners (76.2%)...Notched wins on 4/14 at St. Louis, 4/16 vs. San Francisco and 7/29 at Chicago-NL.
2012
Began the season on the 15-day disabled list with right elbow infl ammation ... was placed on the DL on 3/29, retroactive to 3/26. Went a combined 0-4 with a 2.87 ERA and 9 saves in 45 relief appearances between Class-A Brevard County (6g), Double-A Huntsville (31g) and Triple-A Nashville (8g). From 5/1-5/16 was on a rehab assignment at Class-A Brevard County and went 0-1 with a 3.00 ERA in 6 appearances. Was reinstated from the disabled list on 5/16 and optioned to Double-A Huntsville, where he went 0-2 with a 3.28 ERA and 9 saves in 31 appearances. Earned the save in a fi ve pitcher no-hitter on 8/2 vs. Chattanooga (1ip, 1k) ... marked the most pitchers used in a no-hitter in the history of the Southern League (3-1 win). Joined Triple-A Nashville in mid-August and went 0-1 with a 1.54 ERA in 8 appearances. Contract was selected by Milwaukee on 9/3. Went 3-0 with a 3.78 ERA in 14 relief appearances with the Brewers. Notched wins on 9/7 at St. Louis, 9/15 vs. New York-NL and 9/23 at Washington.
2011
Was limited to just 9 relief appearances with the Brewers due to injury and went 1-1 with a 3.68 ERA. ... Made his first career Opening Day roster. ... Was optioned to Triple-A Nashville on 4/5 after making his only appearance on 4/3 at Cincinnati. ... Made 1 appearance with Nashville and was recalled on 4/11 after Takashi Saito was placed on the 15-day disabled list. ... Recorded his first Major League win in a 6-3, 12-inning victory on 4/18 at Philadelphia as he tossed 2.0 scoreless innings (1h, 1bb). ... Was placed on the 15-day disabled list on 5/13, retroactive to 5/5, with right triceps tendinitis. ... Underwent season-ending surgery on 7/26 (Dr. William Raasch). ... Following the season pitched for the Peoria Javelinas in the Arizona Fall League.
2010
Began the season at Double-A Huntsville, where he went 1-0 with a 0.40 ERA and 10 savesin 20 relief appearances ... held opponents to a .141 batting average ... Was a Southern League All-Star ... Was promoted to Triple-A Nashville in June and went 3-0 with a 2.36 ERA and 6 saves in 22relief appearances ... held opponents to a .196 batting average ... Contract was selected by Milwaukee on 9/7 ... Went 0-1 with a 7.36 ERA in 7 relief appearances with the Brewers ... Made his Major League debut on 9/10 vs. Chicago-NL (1.1ip, 1h, 2k, 1wp) ... his first careerstrikeout victim was Micah Hoffpauir ... Following the season pitched for the Surprise Rafters in the Arizona Fall League and went 1-0with a 3.14 ERA and 2 saves in 11 relief appearances.
2009
Began the season with the St. Paul Saints of the independent American Association and went8-3 with a 2.79 ERA in 14 games (11 starts) ... Ranked third in the American Association in ERA ... Contract was purchased by Milwaukee on 7/24 ... Spent the remainder of the season at Double-A Huntsville, where he went 1-2 with a 4.54 ERAin 9 games (6 starts)
2008
Spent his second straight season with the Winnipeg Goldeyes of the independent NorthernLeague and went 7-6 with a 4.65 ERA in 20 games (19 starts)
2007
Went 5-2 with a 4.07 ERA and 1 save in 29 games (8 starts) with theWinnipeg Goldeyes of the independent Northern League
2006
Was released by San Diego on 4/1 ... Missed the entire season.....underwent arthroscopic surgery on hisright shoulder on 9/15
2005
Went 3-2 with a 3.11 ERA and 1 save in 30 relief appearancesbetween the Rookie Arizona Padres, Class-A Eugene and Class-AFort Wayne
2004
In his first professional season went 3-2 with a 2.19 ERA and 9saves in 24 relief appearances between the Rookie Arizona Padresand Class-A Eugene
