{{short description|American baseball player (born 1990)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2013}} {{Infobox baseball biography | name = Brandon Maurer | image = File:Brandon_Maurer.JPG | width = 250 | caption = Maurer with the Seattle Mariners | position = Pitcher | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1990|7|3}} | birth_place = Newport Beach, California, U.S. | bats = Right | throws = Right | debutleague = MLB | debutdate = April 4 | debutyear = 2013 | debutteam = Seattle Mariners | finalleague = MLB | finaldate = September 25 | finalyear = 2018 | finalteam = Kansas City Royals | statleague = MLB | stat1label = Win–loss record | stat1value = 16–31 | stat2label = Earned run average | stat2value = 5.36 | stat3label = Strikeouts | stat3value = 326 | teams = * Seattle Mariners ({{mlby|2013}}–{{mlby|2014}}) * San Diego Padres ({{mlby|2015}}–{{mlby|2017}}) * Kansas City Royals ({{mlby|2017}}–{{mlby|2018}}) }} '''Brandon Eugene Maurer''' (born July 3, 1990) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Seattle Mariners, San Diego Padres, and Kansas City Royals.
From Costa Mesa, California, Maurer pitched at Orange Lutheran High School. The Mariners selected Maurer in the 23rd round of the 2008 MLB draft. After being overshadowed by other prospects, Maurer had a strong spring training showing with the Mariners in 2013 and made the team's Opening Day starting rotation. The Mariners traded Maurer to the Padres after the 2014 season, and he became a relief pitcher. The Padres traded Maurer to the Royals in 2017.
==Amateur career== Maurer competed in Little League Baseball in Costa Mesa, California as a pitcher. On July 30, 2002, at the age of 12, Maurer pitched a perfect game in a Little League all-star game.<ref name=draft/>
Maurer attended Orange Lutheran High School in Orange, California. Maurer played for the school's baseball team, which competes in the Trinity League, within the Southern Section of the California Interscholastic Federation. In 2007, his junior year, Maurer was used as a relief pitcher and had a 0.54 earned run average (ERA) and four saves.<ref>{{cite web|last=Fryer |first=Steve |url=http://www.ocvarsity.com/sports/senior-8813-last-year.html |title=Baseball Preview: O.C. Top 10 | senior, last, year – Sports |publisher=OC Varsity |date=March 3, 2008 |access-date=April 8, 2013}}</ref> As a senior in 2008, he earned second-team All-Trinity League honors and helped Orange Lutheran finish second in the league.<ref name=draft/> Though he was overshadowed by teammates Gerrit Cole and Aaron Gates,<ref name=":0">{{cite web |last=Stone |first=Larry |date=March 25, 2013 |title=Brandon Maurer could salvage Mariners' heretofore weak 2008 draft | Hot Stone League |url=http://blogs.seattletimes.com/hotstoneleague/2013/03/25/brandon-maurer-could-salvage-mariners-heretofore-weak-2008-draft/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130630073708/http://blogs.seattletimes.com/hotstoneleague/2013/03/25/brandon-maurer-could-salvage-mariners-heretofore-weak-2008-draft/ |archive-date=30 June 2013 |access-date=April 7, 2013 |website=The Seattle Times}}</ref><ref name=latimes>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/baseball/mlb/angels/la-sp-0426-angels-mariners-20130426,0,1131209.story|title=Angels can't solve Mariners' Brandon Maurer in 6–0 loss|first=Mike|last=DiGiovanna|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=April 25, 2013|access-date=April 26, 2013}}</ref> he earned notice from Major League Baseball teams. He accepted a scholarship from the Cal State Long Beach, to play college baseball for the Long Beach State Dirtbags.<ref name=draft/>
==Professional career== ===Seattle Mariners=== The Seattle Mariners drafted Maurer in the 23rd round, with the 702nd overall selection of the 2008 Major League Baseball draft. Maurer signed with the Mariners. Upon joining the Arizona League Mariners of the Rookie-level Arizona League, he threw as fast as {{convert|93|mph}}, with the team expecting that he would increase his velocity by approximately {{convert|2|to(-)|3|mph}} by adding {{convert|20|to(-)|30|lbs}}.<ref name="draft">{{cite web |last=Ratto |first=Mark |date=July 12, 2008 |title=Closer to the show |url=http://articles.dailypilot.com/2008-07-12/sports/dpt-spmaurer071308_1_costa-mesa-college-or-pros-league-days |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015171249/http://articles.dailypilot.com/2008-07-12/sports/dpt-spmaurer071308_1_costa-mesa-college-or-pros-league-days |archive-date=October 15, 2013 |access-date=April 7, 2013 |website=Daily Pilot}}</ref> By 2011, Maurer could throw as hard as {{convert|96|mph}}.<ref name="sleeper">{{cite web |last=Stone |first=Larry |date=November 9, 2011 |title=The Hot Stone League | Taijuan Walker tops Mariners' prospect list on Baseball Prospectus |url=http://seattletimes.com/html/thehotstoneleague/2016724484_taijuan_walker_tops_mariners_p.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130630073807/http://seattletimes.com/html/thehotstoneleague/2016724484_taijuan_walker_tops_mariners_p.html |archive-date=June 30, 2013 |access-date=April 8, 2013 |website=The Seattle Times}}</ref>
In 2009, Maurer pitched for the Pulaski Mariners of the Rookie-level Appalachian League.<ref>{{cite web |date=August 2, 2009 |title=Hosting Mariners fall to Princeton |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=RO&p_theme=ro&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=129DF8B88356F330&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |access-date=April 7, 2013 |publisher=Roanoke Times |via=Newsbank.com}}</ref> He pitched for the Clinton LumberKings of the Single-A Midwest League in 2010, and the Adelaide Bite of the Australian Baseball League (ABL) in the winter of 2010–11, reaching the ABL championship series.<ref>{{cite web |date=February 12, 2011 |title=Heat forces decider in baseball finals |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-02-12/heat-forces-decider-in-baseball-finals/1940550 |access-date=April 7, 2013 |website=ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)}}</ref> Maurer started the 2011 season with the LumberKings, and was promoted to the High Desert Mavericks of the High-A California League in May. Following his second start with High Desert, he was named the California League Pitcher of the Week for the week ending June 1.<ref>{{cite web|last=Martinez |first=Chris |url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-19880988 |title=Cal notes: Choice adds pop to Ports | MiLB.com News |publisher=Minor League Baseball |access-date=April 8, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-19770862 |title=Pitchers of the Week | MiLB.com News |publisher=Minor League Baseball |date=May 31, 2011 |access-date=April 8, 2013}}</ref>
Heading into the 2012 season, scouts viewed Maurer as a "sleeper" prospect.<ref name=sleeper/> Maurer pitched for the Jackson Generals of the Double-A Southern League in 2012. Though overshadowed by teammates Danny Hultzen and Taijuan Walker,<ref name=latimes/> Maurer was named the league's Most Outstanding Pitcher after going 9–2 with a 3.20 earned run average with 117 strikeouts in {{frac|137|2|3}} innings pitched.<ref>{{cite web|last=League |first=Southern |url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-37859160 |title=Maurer Named SL Most Outstanding Pitcher |publisher=Minor League Baseball |access-date=April 7, 2013}}</ref> On November 20, 2012, Maurer was added to the Mariners' 40-man roster to be protected from the Rule 5 draft.<ref>{{cite web |last=Johns |first=Greg |date=November 20, 2012 |title=Mariners part ways with Figgins a year early |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121120&content_id=40386458&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121128045954/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121120&content_id=40386458&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb |archive-date=2012-11-28 |work=MLB.com}}</ref>
In spring training in 2013, Maurer competed with Erasmo Ramírez, Jeremy Bonderman, and Blake Beavan for the final two spots in the Mariners' five-man starting rotation, behind Félix Hernández, Hisashi Iwakuma, and Joe Saunders.<ref name="weak">{{cite web |last=Baker |first=Geoff |date=March 20, 2013 |title=Unassuming Brandon Maurer pitching like superhero |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/unassuming-brandon-maurer-pitching-like-superhero/ |publisher=The Seattle Times}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> Allowing only two runs in 20 innings with 22 strikeouts and six walks in the Cactus League, Maurer made the Mariners' 25-man roster and rotation, skipping Triple-A. Maurer became the first member of the Mariners' 2008 draft class to reach the major leagues<ref name=weak/> and the first starter to skip Triple-A and debut for the Mariners since John Cummings and Mike Hampton in 1993. He reached MLB before more heralded prospects, such as Walker, Hultzen, and James Paxton.<ref>{{cite web |date=March 27, 2013 |title=Maurer makes jump to Mariners rotation |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/brandon-maurer-and-blake-beavan-earned-the-final-two-spots-in-the-mariners-rotation/c-43393996 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130330063628/http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130327&content_id=43393996&vkey=news_sea&c_id=sea |archive-date=March 30, 2013 |access-date=April 7, 2013 |website=MLB.com}}</ref> In his major league debut on April 4, he allowed six runs in six innings to the Oakland Athletics, including on home runs by Yoenis Céspedes and Josh Reddick, in a loss.<ref>{{cite web |last=Baker |first=Geoff |date=April 4, 2013 |title=A's take advantage of Brandon Maurer's mistakes in 8–2 win over Mariners |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/as-take-advantage-of-brandon-maurers-mistakes-in-8-2-win-over-mariners/ |access-date=April 7, 2013 |publisher=The Seattle Times}}</ref> After a second poor performance, Maurer earned his first win in his third start, on April 14.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://seattletimes.com/html/mariners/2020782133_mariners15.html|title=Brandon Maurer bounces back vs. Rangers for first major-league win|newspaper=The Seattle Times|first=Larry|last=Stone|date=April 14, 2013|access-date=April 20, 2013}}</ref> In his rookie season, he went 5–8 with a 6.30 ERA, starting 14 of his 22 games with the Mariners. He had similar poor results in 2014, going 1–4 with a 4.65 ERA in 38 games, 7 of them starts.<ref name=":1" />
===San Diego Padres=== On December 30, 2014, the Mariners traded Maurer to the San Diego Padres in exchange for Seth Smith.<ref>{{cite web |last=Crasnick |first=Jerry |author-link=Jerry Crasnick |date=December 30, 2014 |title=Mariners acquire Seth Smith |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/12099984/seattle-mariners-acquire-seth-smith-san-diego-padres-brandon-maurer |work=ESPN.com}}</ref> In the first half of the 2015 season, Maurer pitched to a 2.11 ERA. His performance diminished in the second half as he suffered from shoulder inflammation.<ref>{{cite web |date=August 12, 2015 |title=Padres lose setup man Brandon Maurer to shoulder injury |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/mlb/news/padres-lose-setup-man-brandon-maurer-to-shoulder-injury |access-date=March 23, 2016 |work=HardballTalk |publisher=NBC Sports}}</ref> Maurer's 2015 season ended with a 7–4 record and 3.00 ERA in 53 games.<ref name=":1" />
Maurer entered spring training in 2016 as a candidate for the starting rotation.<ref>{{cite web |author=Lin |first=Dennis |date=February 11, 2016 |title=Padres' Brandon Maurer looking forward to starting again |url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2016/feb/11/padres-maurer-looking-forward-starting-again/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160213091131/http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2016/feb/11/padres-maurer-looking-forward-starting-again/ |archive-date=2016-02-13 |access-date=March 23, 2016 |work=The San Diego Union-Tribune}}</ref> The Padres opted to keep Maurer in the bullpen for the 2016 season.<ref>{{cite web |author=Lin |first=Dennis |date=March 22, 2016 |title=Padres' Brandon Maurer moving back to bullpen |url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2016/mar/22/padres-move-brandon-maurer-back-to-bullpen/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325084226/http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2016/mar/22/padres-move-brandon-maurer-back-to-bullpen/ |archive-date=2016-03-25 |access-date=March 23, 2016 |work=The San Diego Union-Tribune}}</ref> The Padres named Maurer their closer after the team traded away Fernando Rodney to the Miami Marlins on June 30, 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-07-01 |title=Brandon Maurer to get ‘first crack’ at saves |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2016/07/01/brandon-maurer-to-get-first-crack-at-saves/ |access-date=2025-10-28 |website=San Diego Union-Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref> Maurer held the role for the rest of the season, saving 13 games. He entered 2017 as the incumbent closer for the Padres, saving20 games for the Padres despite having an ERA of 5.72 although his fielding independent pitching (FIP) had him with a 3.23 ERA. In his three seasons with the Padres, Maurer had an 8–13 record with 33 saves.
===Kansas City Royals=== On July 24, 2017, the Padres traded Maurer, Ryan Buchter, and Trevor Cahill to the Kansas City Royals for Matt Strahm, Travis Wood, and Esteury Ruiz.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 24, 2017 |title=Padres acquire Strahm and Wood from Royals |url=http://www.foxsports.com/san-diego/story/padres-acquire-strahm-and-wood-from-royals-072417 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170726103025/http://www.foxsports.com/san-diego/story/padres-acquire-strahm-and-wood-from-royals-072417 |archive-date=2017-07-26 |website=Fox Sports San Diego}}</ref> He was outrighted to the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers on May 3, 2018. In 37 games in 2018, Maurer registered an ERA of 7.76 in {{frac|31|1|3}} innings. He became a free agent on November 2.
===Pittsburgh Pirates=== On January 30, 2019, Maurer signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Todd |first=Jeff |date=2019-01-31 |title=Pirates Sign Brandon Maurer |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/01/pirates-to-sign-brandon-maurer.html |website=MLB Trade Rumors}}</ref> In 8 games split between the Low-A West Virginia Black Bears and Triple-A Indianapolis Indians, he compiled a 3–0 record and 2.89 ERA with 13 strikeouts across {{fraction|9|1|3}} innings pitched. Maurer elected free agency following the season on November 4.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Minor League Free Agents 2019 |url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2019/ |access-date=August 14, 2024 |website=Baseball America}}</ref>
==Personal life== Maurer is married.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Brandon Maurer Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News |url=https://www.mlb.com/player/brandon-maurer-543506 |access-date=2025-10-28 |website=MLB.com}}</ref> He has been described as a "laid back California surfer type".<ref>{{cite web |last=Baker |first=Geoff |date=April 4, 2013 |title=Brandon Maurer hopes to make his big-league debut on time | Mariners blog | Seattle Times |url=http://blogs.seattletimes.com/mariners/2013/04/04/brandon-maurer-hopes-to-make-his-big-league-debut-on-time/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021081905/http://blogs.seattletimes.com/mariners/2013/04/04/brandon-maurer-hopes-to-make-his-big-league-debut-on-time/ |archive-date=October 21, 2013 |access-date=April 8, 2013 |publisher=Blogs.seattletimes.com}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
==External links== {{Portal|Baseball}} {{baseballstats |mlb=543506 |espn=32595 |br=m/maurebr01 |fangraphs=sa455467 |brm=maurer001bra |retro=M/Pmaurb001}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Maurer, Brandon}} Category:1990 births Category:Living people Category:Sportspeople from Costa Mesa, California Category:Baseball players from Orange County, California Category:Lutheran High School of Orange County alumni Category:Major League Baseball pitchers Category:Seattle Mariners players Category:San Diego Padres players Category:Kansas City Royals players Category:Arizona League Mariners players Category:Pulaski Mariners players Category:Adelaide Bite players Category:Clinton LumberKings players Category:High Desert Mavericks players Category:Jackson Generals (Southern League) players Category:Tacoma Rainiers players Category:Peoria Javelinas players Category:Omaha Storm Chasers players Category:West Virginia Black Bears players Category:Indianapolis Indians players Category:American expatriate baseball players in Australia