{{Short description|American baseball player (born 1992)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}} {{Infobox baseball biography |name = Brandon Leibrandt |image = Brandon Leibrandt (51009624888) (cropped).jpg |caption = Leibrandt with the New Jersey Blasters in 2020 |team = Cincinnati Reds |number = |width = 250 |position = Pitcher |birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1992|12|13}} |birth_place = Alpharetta, Georgia, U.S. |bats = Left |throws = Left |debutleague = MLB |debutdate = August 23 |debutyear = 2020 |debutteam = Miami Marlins |debut2league= CPBL |debut2date = June 21 |debut2year = 2025 |debut2team = CTBC Brothers |statleague = MLB |statyear = 2024 season |stat1label = Win–loss record |stat1value = 0–0 |stat2label = Earned run average |stat2value = 5.28 |stat3label = Strikeouts |stat3value = 8 |stat2league = CPBL |stat2year = 2025 season |stat21label = Win–loss record |stat21value = 7–3 |stat22label = Earned run average |stat22value = 1.94 |stat23label = Strikeouts |stat23value = 55 |teams = * Miami Marlins ({{mlby|2020}}) * Cincinnati Reds ({{mlby|2024}}) * CTBC Brothers ({{by|2025}}) }} '''Brandon Charles Leibrandt''' (born December 13, 1992) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Cincinnati Reds organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Miami Marlins, and in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) for the CTBC Brothers.
==Career== ===Amateur career=== Leibrandt attended Marist School in Brookhaven, Georgia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mcall.com/sports/ironpigs-phillies/mc-ironpigs-pawtucket-0627-20170627-story.html|title=Brandon Leibrandt must throw opponents for a curve more often than he did in his IronPigs debut|first=Tom|last=Housenick|website=mcall.com|date=June 28, 2017 }}</ref> As a pitcher on the school's baseball team, he had a 13–0 win–loss record with an 0.71 earned run average (ERA) in 79 innings pitched with 120 strikeouts and 11 walks as a senior.<ref name="seminoles1">{{cite web|url=https://seminoles.com/sports/baseball/roster/brandon-leibrandt/ |title=Brandon Leibrandt |work=Florida State Seminoles |publisher=Seminoles.com |date=December 13, 1992 |accessdate=April 26, 2019}}</ref> Leibrandt was named ''Baseball America'' High School third team All-American in 2011 and ESPN Rise first team.<ref name="seminoles1"/>
Leibrandt enrolled at FSU to play college baseball for the Florida State Seminoles. As a freshman in 2012, he was 8–3 with a 2.82 ERA in 19 starts (tied for third-most in the country), and as a sophomore he finished with a 10–4 record and a 3.44 ERA.<ref name="seminoles1"/> In 2013, Leibrandt played collegiate summer baseball with the Brewster Whitecaps of the Cape Cod Baseball League.<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://pointstreak.com/baseball/player.html?playerid=487152 |title=#39 Brandon Leibrandt – Profile |publisher=pointstreak.com |date= |accessdate=May 6, 2020}}</ref> As a junior he was 4–1 with a 1.83 ERA, before he was injured and had his season cut short.<ref name="seminoles1"/> The Philadelphia Phillies selected Leibrandt in the sixth round of the 2014 MLB draft.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/11045487/luke-dykstra-brandon-leibrandt-drafted-day-2 |title=Luke Dykstra, Brandon Leibrandt drafted on Day 2 |publisher=Espn.go.com |date=June 6, 2014 |access-date=May 10, 2018}}</ref>
===Philadelphia Phillies=== Leibrandt signed and spent 2014 with the GCL Phillies and Williamsport Crosscutters, pitching to a combined 3–5 record and 2.82 ERA with 67 strikeouts and an 0.97 WHIP in 60.2 innings. In 2015, he played for the Clearwater Threshers where he compiled a 7–3 record, 3.11 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in 17 starts. He was a Florida State League Mid-Season All Star, and an MiLB Phillies Organization All Star. In 2016, he returned to Clearwater, but pitched in only six games due to injury. He spent 2017 with both the Reading Fightin Phils and Lehigh Valley IronPigs, posting a combined 11–5 record and 3.62 ERA in 25 total starts between the two clubs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/player/brandon-leibrandt-605335|title=Brandon Leibrandt Stats, Highlights, Bio – MiLB.com Stats – The Official Site of Minor League Baseball|publisher=Minor League Baseball|access-date=March 25, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mcall.com/sports/baseball/ironpigs/mc-ironpigs-pawtucket-0627-20170627-story.html |title=Brandon Leibrandt must throw opponents for a curve more often than he did in his IronPigs debut – The Morning Call |work=themorningcall.com |publisher=Mcall.com |date= |accessdate=May 10, 2018 |last1=Housenick |first1=Tom }}</ref>
Leibrandt returned to Lehigh Valley in 2018, going 4–1 with a 1.42 ERA and an 0.87 WHIP in 20 games (six starts), and struck out 32 batters in 50.2 innings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/player/brandon-leibrandt-605335|title=Brandon Leibrandt Stats, Highlights, Bio – MiLB.com Stats – The Official Site of Minor League Baseball|publisher=Minor League Baseball|access-date=December 27, 2018}}</ref><ref name="calltothepen1">{{cite web|last=Chase |first=Benjamin |url=https://calltothepen.com/2018/10/13/philadelphia-phillies-2018-minor-league-awards/ |title=Philadelphia Phillies 2018 minor league awards |publisher=Calltothepen.com |date=October 13, 2018 |accessdate=August 20, 2020}}</ref> He last pitched on June 30, and underwent Tommy John surgery, missing the remainder of the 2018 season and the 2019 season.
The Phillies released Leibrandt on May 29, 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mcall.com/sports/ironpigs-phillies/mc-spt-phillies-minor-leaguers-released-20200602-zyeoiigzqfetfo5ow77mrczcae-story.html|title=Ali Castillo, Brandon Leibrandt among Phillies minor leaguers released|first=Tom|last=Housenick|website=mcall.com|date=June 3, 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mcall.com/sports/ironpigs-phillies/mc-spt-phillies-independent-league-baseball-leibrandt-leiter-20200812-2rakr2uo6zcuxitiz5nbpsjsh4-story.html|title=Former Phils pitching prospects Mark Leiter, Brandon Leibrandt meet again in independent ball|first=Tom|last=Housenick|website=mcall.com|date=August 12, 2020 }}</ref>
===Somerset Patriots=== On June 3, 2020, Leibrandt signed with the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.atlanticleague.com/stats/transactions/|title = Atlantic League Professional Baseball: Transactions}}</ref> With the 2020 Atlantic League cancelled by the COVID-19 pandemic,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Independent Atlantic League cancels season due to virus|url=https://apnews.com/0aff8aa0f137ab7b3a081993bcd71b2b|date=June 19, 2020|website=AP NEWS|access-date=June 20, 2020}}</ref> Leibrandt was assigned to the New Jersey Blasters as part of the SOMERSET Professional Baseball Series, a twelve game series organized by the Patriots for the 2020 season.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Somerset Patriots |title=SOMERSET Professional Baseball Series Rosters Announced |url=https://patch.com/new-jersey/bridgewater/somerset-professional-baseball-series-rosters-announced |access-date=September 7, 2024 |work=The Bridgewater Patch |agency=Patch.com |publisher=Patch Media |date=July 9, 2020}}</ref>
===Miami Marlins=== On August 10, 2020, the Miami Marlins selected Leibrandt's contract from Somerset.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theunionjournal.com/marlins-sign-brandon-leibrandt-mlb-trade-rumors/|title=Marlins Sign Brandon Leibrandt – MLB Trade Rumors | The Union Journal|first=Miriam|last=Jackson|date=August 6, 2020}}</ref> Leibrandt was promoted to the major leagues on August 18.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://patch.com/new-jersey/bridgewater/lhp-brandon-leibrandts-journey-somerset-mlb|title=LHP Brandon Leibrandt's Journey From Somerset To MLB|date=August 18, 2020|publisher=NJ Patch|work=patch.com|location=Bridgewater, New Jersey|accessdate=August 20, 2020}}</ref> He made his major league debut on August 23 against the Washington Nationals. On the season, Leibrandt appeared in five big league games, notching a 2.00 ERA with three strikeouts in 9 innings pitched. He was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to the Triple–A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp on October 29, and became a free agent on November 2.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Full List of 2020-2021 MiLB Free Agents|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/full-list-of-2020-2021-milb-free-agents/|access-date=September 21, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 2, 2020 |language=en}}</ref>
On April 5, 2021, Leibrandt re-signed with the Marlins on a minor league contract.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/04/minor-mlb-transactions-4521.html|title = Minor MLB Transactions: 4/5/21| date=April 5, 2021 }}</ref> Leibrandt split the season between Jacksonville and the Double–A Pensacola Blue Wahoos, posting a cumulative 5.68 ERA with 74 strikeouts in {{fraction|88|2|3}} innings of work across 21 games. He elected free agency following the season on November 7.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2021-22-minor-league-free-agents-for-all-30-mlb-teams/|title = 2021–22 Minor League Free Agents for All 30 MLB Teams| date=November 9, 2021 }}</ref>
===Chicago Cubs=== On February 28, 2022, Leibrandt signed with the Wild Health Genomes of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.atlanticleague.com/stats/transactions/|title = Atlantic League Professional Baseball: Transactions}}</ref> However, he was released by the team on March 7 prior to the ALPB season.
On March 16, 2022, Leibrandt signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.milb.com/player/brandon-leibrandt-605335 | title=Brandon Leibrandt Stats, Fantasy & News }}</ref> Leibrandt split time between the Double–A Tennessee Smokies and Triple–A Iowa Cubs, pitching to a cumulative 4–4 record and 4.67 ERA with 68 strikeouts in {{fraction|69|1|3}} innings of work across 21 games (8 starts). He was released by the Cubs organization on August 5.
===High Point Rockers=== On April 28, 2023, Leibrandt signed with the High Point Rockers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.atlanticleague.com/stats/transactions/ | title=Transactions – Atlantic League Pro Baseball }}</ref> He made 3 starts for the Rockers, posting a 5.40 ERA with 9 strikeouts in {{fraction|11|2|3}} innings pitched. Leibrandt was released by the team on May 14.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.atlanticleague.com/stats/transactions/ | title=Transactions – Atlantic League Pro Baseball }}</ref> On July 31, Leibrandt re–signed with the Rockers.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.atlanticleague.com/stats/transactions/ | title=Transactions – Atlantic League Pro Baseball }}</ref> He totaled a 3.26 ERA with 53 strikeouts across 12 starts for the club in 2023.
On April 19, 2024, Leibrandt re–signed with the Rockers.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2024 Transactions|url=http://baseball.pointstreak.com/transactions.html?leagueid=174&seasonid=33927|access-date=April 22, 2024|website=baseball.pointstreak.com|language=en}}</ref> In 4 starts for the club, Leibrandt compiled an 0.93 ERA with 24 strikeouts across {{fraction|19|1|3}} innings pitched.
===Cincinnati Reds=== On May 24, 2024, Leibrandt's contract was purchased by the Cincinnati Reds organization.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Transactions|url=http://baseball.pointstreak.com/transactions.html?leagueid=174&seasonid=33927|access-date=May 24, 2024|website=baseball.pointstreak.com|language=en}}</ref> In 15 starts for the Triple–A Louisville Bats, he registered a 3–4 record and 4.46 ERA with 63 strikeouts across {{fraction|72|2|3}} innings of work. On August 29, the Reds selected Leibrandt's contract, adding him to their active roster. He made his Reds debut that same day, pitching {{fraction|2|1|3}} innings of scoreless relief in a Reds win.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Reds Designate Casey Kelly For Assignment|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/08/reds-designate-casey-kelly-for-assignment.html|access-date=August 29, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=August 29, 2024 |language=en}}</ref> Leibrandt was designated for assignment by Cincinnati on October 28.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McDonald |first=Darragh |date=October 28, 2024 |title=Reds Designate Brandon Leibrandt, Amed Rosario For Assignment |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/10/reds-designate-brandon-leibrandt-amed-rosario-for-assignment.html |access-date=2025-11-24 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}}</ref> He cleared waivers and elected free agency on October 30.
===New York Yankees=== On November 8, 2024, Leibrandt signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees organization.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Yankees' Brandon Leibrandt: Nets minors deal from Yankees|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/yankees-brandon-leibrandt-nets-minors-deal-from-yankees/|access-date=November 8, 2024|website=cbssports.com|language=en}}</ref> In 10 appearances (nine starts) for the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, he logged a 1-0 record and 2.85 ERA with 37 strikeouts and one save across 41 innings pitched. Leibrandt was released by the Yankees organization on June 10.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McDonald |first=Darragh |date=June 12, 2025 |title=Yankees Release Brandon Leibrandt To Sign In CPBL |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/06/yankees-release-brandon-leibrandt-to-sign-in-cpbl.html |access-date=2025-10-31 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}}</ref>
===CTBC Brothers=== On June 12, 2025, Leibrandt signed with the CTBC Brothers of the Chinese Professional Baseball League.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://x.com/gocpbl/status/1933097975221547017?s=46&t=UN5XGiNzRq3-vt33N7zCTw|title=x.com}}</ref> Leibrandt made 14 starts for the Brothers, compiling a 7-3 record and 1.94 ERA with 55 strikeouts across {{fraction|83|1|3}} innings pitched.
===Cincinnati Reds (second stint)=== On December 27, 2025, Leibrandt signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Reds Sign Garrett Hampson, Josh Staumont, Brandon Leibrandt To Minors Contracts|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/01/reds-sign-garrett-hampson-josh-staumont-brandon-leibrandt-to-minors-contracts.html|access-date=January 13, 2026|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}</ref>
==Personal life== Leibrandt in the son of former MLB pitcher Charlie Leibrandt, who won the 1985 World Series with the Kansas City Royals.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Reds pitcher joins team, poised to join exclusive club in franchise history|url=https://dayton247now.com/sports/content/reds-pitcher-joins-team-poised-join-exclusive-club-franchise-history-father-son-bell-griffey-moore-perez-rose-leibrandt-rhett-lowder-casey-kelly|access-date=December 2, 2024|website=dayton247now.com|language=en}}</ref>
==See also== *List of second-generation Major League Baseball players
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{baseballstats|mlb=605335|espn=39868|br=l/leibrbr01|fangraphs=16135|brm=leibra000bra|retro=L/Pleibb001}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Leibrandt, Brandon}} Category:1992 births Category:Living people Category:American expatriate baseball players in Taiwan Category:American expatriate baseball players in the Dominican Republic Category:Baseball players from Fulton County, Georgia Category:Brewster Whitecaps players Category:Cincinnati Reds players Category:Clearwater Threshers players Category:CTBC Brothers players Category:Estrellas Orientales players Category:Florida Complex League Phillies players Category:Florida State Seminoles baseball players Category:High Point Rockers players Category:Iowa Cubs players Category:Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp players Category:Lehigh Valley IronPigs players Category:Louisville Bats players Category:Major League Baseball pitchers Category:Miami Marlins players Category:Pensacola Blue Wahoos players Category:Players of American football from Fulton County, Georgia Category:Reading Fightin Phils players Category:Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders players Category:Sportspeople from Alpharetta, Georgia Category:Tennessee Smokies players Category:Williamsport Crosscutters players Category:21st-century American sportsmen