Brandon Brennan
| IP | 57 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 4.263 |
| WHIP | 1.316 |
| BB/9 | 4.895 |
| SO/9 | 8.684 |
- Full name Brandon Sean Michael Brennan
- Born 07/26/1991 in Mission Viejo, CA
- Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 207 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Orange Coast CC
- Debut 03/21/2019
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Drafted in the 4th round (141st overall) by the Chicago White Sox in 2012 (signed for $320,800).
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Brennan had a strong season as a starter for a powerhouse Orange Coast team. His durable 6-foot-4, 220-pound frame gives him a chance to be an innings-eating starter, though he might fit better in relief as a professional. His fastball generally sits around 89-91 mph with solid sink, though he has run it up to 93-94 at times this spring. His slider is inconsistent, sometimes showing decent three-quarters tilt and flashing average or slightly better on occasion, but more often resembles a below-average spinner. He seldom uses his changeup, which has a chance to be serviceable. Brennan is most effective when he stays tall and maintains his high-three-quarters arm slot, but he has a tendency to get rotational in his delivery and drop his slot, causing his stuff to flatten out.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Brennan doubled as a quarterback at Capistrano Valley High in Southern California, but he showed more ability on the diamond. He spent one year at Oregon before transferring to Orange Coast (Calif.) JC and landing with the White Sox as a fourth-round pick in 2012. Brennan had Tommy John surgery in July 2013, returned to action less than a year later and finished 2014 with six starts at high Class A Winston-Salem. He combines a prototype, 6-foot-4 pitcher's frame with an athletic delivery and heavy sink on a plus fastball that tops out at 96 mph and sits 92-94. Brennan doesn't miss many bats and has below-average control, but his sinker-heavy approach generates one of the highest groundball rates in the system. His inconsistent, low-80s slider ranges from flat to average but still is his best secondary weapon. The lack of a reliable changeup, and the fact he hasn't yet made it through a full season unscathed, could consign Brennan to a relief role, where his sinker/slider repertoire fit nicely. -
Brennan was also a starting quarterback at Capistrano Valley High in Southern California, but he was better at baseball. He pitched in the 2009 Under Armour All-America Game and was a 40th-round pick of the Rockies in 2010. Brennan headed to Oregon instead, then transferred to Orange Coast (Calif.) JC. After the White Sox drafted him, he struggled to get going thanks to Tommy John surgery that ended his 2013 season in June. He returned to game action less than a year later and finished his breakout season at high Class A Winston-Salem in 2014. He combines size and athletic ability with easy velocity, sitting in the 92-94 mph range and touching 97. His slider is his best secondary pitch, though a wandering release point causes it to flatten out too often. It has late bite when he's on top of it and features solid low-80s power. Brennan's changeup is just a show-me pitch at this stage. He has the body and the plus fastball to develop as a starter but may lack the feel for pitching. If he winds up in the bullpen, he could move quickly. He's expected to start 2015 in the Double-A Birmingham rotation. -
Like Chris Beck, who was selected two rounds ahead of him last June, Brennan passes the eye test for a big league starter. He has a power pitcher's build and a low-90s fastball that has the sink the White Sox look for at hitter-friendly U.S. Cellular Field. Brennan began his college career at Oregon but redshirted as a freshman, prompting his transfer to California juco power Orange Coast for 2012. Eager to get his pro career started, he gave up a Houston commitment to sign for $320,800. Brennan's fastball sits at 91-93 mph, and he uses his high three-quarters arm slot to generate armside run and heavy sink, producing plenty of groundouts. His slider and changeup are still works in progress, but he has made strides with them since turning pro. He also needs to improve his substandard command. The difference between him and Beck lies largely with Beck's changeup and ability to change speeds. Brennan looks like he could develop into a workhorse, though he could wind up as a reliever if his secondary pitches don't get better. He'll open next season in the Kannapolis rotation.
Draft Prospects
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Brennan had a strong season as a starter for a powerhouse Orange Coast team. His durable 6-foot-4, 220-pound frame gives him a chance to be an innings-eating starter, though he might fit better in relief as a professional. His fastball generally sits around 89-91 mph with solid sink, though he has run it up to 93-94 at times this spring. His slider is inconsistent, sometimes showing decent three-quarters tilt and flashing average or slightly better on occasion, but more often resembles a below-average spinner. He seldom uses his changeup, which has a chance to be serviceable. Brennan is most effective when he stays tall and maintains his high-three-quarters arm slot, but he has a tendency to get rotational in his delivery and drop his slot, causing his stuff to flatten out.
Minor League Top Prospects
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After redshirting during his freshman season with Oregon, Brennan transferred to Orange Coast (Calif.) JC and pitched his way into the fourth round of the 2012 draft. As with his Great Falls teammate Beck, Brennan didn't blow anyone away with his debut but his stuff offers promise for the future. Brennan normally works at 91-93 with his fastball, which features heavy sink and generates plenty of groundouts. He also throws an average slider and a changeup that has a chance to become average in the future. If he can improve his below-average command, he has the makings of an innings-eating starter.
