{{short description|American baseball player (born 1980)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}} {{good article}} {{Infobox baseball biography | image = Brandon Medders on June 16, 2009.jpg | caption = Medders with the San Francisco Giants | name = Brandon Medders | position = Relief pitcher | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1980|1|26}} | birth_place = Tuscaloosa, Alabama, U.S. | bats = Right | throws = Right |debutleague = MLB | debutdate = June 20 | debutyear = 2005 | debutteam = Arizona Diamondbacks |finalleague = MLB | finaldate = May 19 | finalyear = 2010 | finalteam = San Francisco Giants |statleague = MLB | stat1label = Win–loss record | stat1value = 16–7 | stat2label = Earned run average | stat2value = 3.61 | stat3label = Strikeouts | stat3value = 175 | teams = *Arizona Diamondbacks ({{Baseball year|2005}}–{{Baseball year|2008}}) *San Francisco Giants ({{Baseball year|2009}}–{{Baseball year|2010}}) }} '''Brandon Edward Medders''' (born January 26, 1980) is a former professional relief pitcher. He played for the Arizona Diamondbacks (2005–2008) and San Francisco Giants (2009–2010) of Major League Baseball (MLB). Medders threw a four-seam fastball, a curveball, a slider, a changeup, and a cutter.
A Tuscaloosa, Alabama, native, Medders won the Southeastern Conference (SEC) championship with Mississippi State University as a junior in 2001, then signed with the Diamondbacks, the third MLB team in the last four years to draft him. He spent four seasons in the minor leagues, pitched with Arizona on three separate stints in 2005, then posted a 3.64 earned run average (ERA) in 60 games for them in 2006. After pitching inconsistently in 2007, he was outrighted off of Arizona's 40-man roster in 2008, becoming a free agent following the season.
A non-roster invitee to the Giants' spring training in 2009, Medders made the team's roster. In 61 games, he had a 3.01 ERA. After posting a 7.20 ERA in 2010, Medders was outrighted off the 40-man roster in June, once again becoming a free agent after the season.
==Early life== Brandon Edward Medders was born on January 26, 1980, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He attended Tuscaloosa's Hillcrest High School, graduating in 1998. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays selected him in the 37th round of the 1998 Major League Baseball (MLB) draft, but he chose to attend Tuscaloosa's Shelton State Community College.<ref name="MLB">{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/player/brandon-medders-430665|title=Brandon Medders Stats, Fantasy & News|work=MLB.com|access-date=September 6, 2021}} (Note: May need to click "View More Bio Info+" to see some information.)</ref> He was then selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 18th round of the 1999 MLB draft, but he decided to transfer to Mississippi State University.<ref name=BR/> As a junior in 2001, he won six games and recorded six saves.<ref name="MSU">{{cite web|url=https://hailstate.com/sports/2016/5/25/933511|title=Diamondbacks Call Up Former Diamond Dog Brandon Medders|work=Mississippi State University|access-date=September 6, 2021}}</ref> Mississippi State won its first Southeastern Conference (SEC) championship since 1987, and Medders was named to the SEC All-Tournament Team.<ref name="Ledger">{{cite news|title=All-Tournament Teams|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/185760814/|work=The Clarion-Ledger|date=May 22, 2001|language=en|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 6, 2021}}</ref> In his two years at Mississippi State, he had a 7–4 record and a 3.21 earned run average (ERA).<ref name="MSU"/> He was then drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the eighth round of the 2001 MLB draft, this time choosing to sign.<ref name=BR/>
==Arizona Diamondbacks== ===2001–2004 (minors)=== Medders made his professional debut in 2001 with the Class A advanced Lancaster JetHawks of the California League. In 31 games, he had a 1–2 record, a 1.32 ERA, 53 strikeouts, 15 walks, and 26 hits allowed in 41 innings pitched. He also registered three saves.<ref name="minors">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=medder001bra|title=Brandon Medders Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=September 6, 2021}}</ref> Medders remained with Lancaster in 2002, serving as a starting pitcher for part of the year and also as the team's closer. In 43 games (12 starts), he had a 4–8 record, a 5.38 ERA, 104 strikeouts, 36 walks, and 111 hits allowed in {{frac|98|2|3}} innings.<ref name="minors"/> His 15 saves ranked fourth in the California League, behind Jared Hoerman's 29, Mike Frick's 23, and Frank Bludau's 22.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/leader.cgi?type=pitch&id=6df00d98|title=2002 California League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=September 6, 2021}}</ref> This was the only year in which Medders made any starts.<ref name="minors"/>
In 2003, Medders pitched for the Class AA El Paso Diablos of the Texas League.<ref name="minors"/> Appearing in 56 games, he had a 5–3 record, seven saves, a 4.41 ERA, 72 strikeouts, 26 walks, and 65 hits allowed in {{frac|69|1|3}} innings pitched. He pitched for the Class AAA Tucson Sidewinders of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) in 2004. In 11 games, he had no record, a 4.26 ERA, 17 strikeouts, four walks, and 15 hits allowed in {{frac|12|2|3}} innings pitched.<ref name="minors"/> He tore a labrum in his right shoulder during the year, requiring surgery to repair the injury.<ref>{{cite news|last=Brazzle|first=Ken|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/580244191/?terms=Brandon%20Medders%20torn%20labrum&match=1|title=Healthy Medders nears top speed|work=Tucson Citizen|via=Newspapers.com|date=April 8, 2006|access-date=September 6, 2021}}</ref>
===2005–2006=== Medders began 2005 with Tucson.<ref>{{cite news|last=Pedersen|first=Brian J.|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/221614223/?terms=Brandon%20Medders&match=1|title=Bullpen has been solid at Tucson Electric Park|work=Arizona Daily Star|via=Newspapers.com|date=April 21, 2005|access-date=September 6, 2021}}</ref> On June 19, the Diamondbacks purchased his contract after Russ Ortiz was injured and Matt Herges was designated for assignment.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/652626065/?terms=Brandon%20Medders&match=1|title=Transactions|work=The Miami Herald|via=Newspapers.com|date=June 19, 2005|access-date=September 6, 2021}}</ref> He made his MLB debut the next day, pitching a scoreless eighth inning in an 8–3 loss to the San Francisco Giants.<ref name="MLB"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SFN/SFN200506200.shtml|title=Arizona Diamondbacks at San Francisco Giants Box Score, June 20, 2005|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=September 6, 2021}}</ref> He was scored upon in one of six outings, posting a 3.38 ERA before being demoted to Tucson on July 2.<ref name="2005 Medders">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=meddebr01&t=p&year=2005|title=Brandon Medders 2005 Pitching Gamelogs|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=September 6, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Reaves|first=Joseph A.|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/126730631/?terms=Brandon%20Medders%20demoted&match=1|title=Lyon says he's encouraged after short bullpen session|work=Arizona Republic|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 3, 2005|access-date=September 6, 2021}}</ref> Five days later, he was recalled by Arizona after Shawn Estes was injured.<ref>{{cite news|last=Piecoro|first=Nick|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/580205047/?terms=Brandon%20Medders&match=1|title=Foot injury to sideline Estes|work=Arizona Republic|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 8, 2005|access-date=September 6, 2021}}</ref> On July 18, he pitched a scoreless top of the 11th inning and earned his first MLB win when Arizona scored in the bottom of the inning to defeat the Florida Marlins 8–7.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ARI/ARI200507180.shtml|title=Florida Marlins at Arizona Diamondbacks Box Score, July 18, 2005|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=September 6, 2021}}</ref> He pitched scoreless ball in four appearances on his second stint before getting sent to Tucson on August 2 so the Diamondbacks could add left-hander Buddy Groom to the roster.<ref>{{cite news|last=Piecoro|first=Nick|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/125719180/?terms=Brandon%20Medders&match=1|title=Team mulls naming interim GM|work=Arizona Republic|date=August 3, 2005|access-date=September 6, 2021}}</ref> Recalled a third time on August 19 after Brian Bruney was sent down, Medders remained with Arizona for the rest of the season.<ref name="MLB"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/650243437/?terms=Brandon%20Medders&match=1|title=Notes|work=The Sacramento Bee|date=August 20, 2005|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 6, 2021}}</ref> In 36 games for Tucson, he had a 3–2 record, eight saves, a 2.48 ERA, 44 strikeouts, 18 walks, and 31 hits allowed in {{frac|36|1|3}} innings.<ref name="minors"/> With Arizona in 27 games, he went 4–1 with a 1.78 ERA, 31 strikeouts, 11 walks, and 21 hits allowed in {{frac|30|1|3}} innings.<ref name=BR/>
In 2006, Medders suffered a muscle group strain that caused him to miss spring training.<ref name="Secondary">{{cite news|last1=McManaman|first1=Bob|title=Proud of 'D', Estrada says hitting secondary|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/125678882/|work=Arizona Republic|date=April 8, 2006|language=en|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 6, 2021}}</ref> He started the year rehabbing at Tucson before getting called up by the Diamondbacks on April 19.<ref>{{cite news|last=McManaman|first=Bob|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/125757434/?terms=Brandon%20Medders%20called%20up&match=1|title=Medders is ready for setup role|work=Arizona Republic|via=Newspapers.com|date=April 20, 2006|access-date=September 6, 2021}}</ref> On August 15, he had his longest outing of the year in the longest game in Colorado Rockies history, pitching a scoreless 16th-through-18th innings, striking out a season-high four batters, and earning the win in Arizona's 18-inning, 2–1 victory.<ref name="2006 Medders">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=meddebr01&t=p&year=2006|title=Brandon Medders 2006 Pitching Gamelogs|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=September 6, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=260815127|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906200332/https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=260815127|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 6, 2021|title=Longest game in Rockies' history turns into loss to D-backs|publisher=ESPN|date=August 16, 2006|access-date=September 6, 2021}}</ref> He had his lowest ERA for the team in the month of May, posting a figure of 0.61 in 11 games.<ref name="MLB"/> From June 3 through 6, he gave up nine runs in three games, but only one was earned; the rest were the result of three Diamondback errors.<ref name="2006 Medders"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ATL/ATL200606032.shtml|title=Arizona Diamondbacks at Atlanta Braves Box Score, June 3, 2006|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ARI/ARI200606060.shtml|title=Philadelphia Phillies at Arizona Diamondbacks Box Score, June 6, 2006|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref> In 60 games, he had a 5–3 record, a 3.64 ERA, 47 strikeouts, 28 walks, and 76 hits in {{frac|71|2|3}} innings.<ref name=BR/>
===2007–2008=== Medders started 2007 inconsistently. He was optioned to Tucson on June 8 after allowing eight home runs in {{frac|22|1|3}} innings.<ref>{{cite news|last=Piecoro|first=Nick|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/125975575/?terms=Brandon%20Medders&match=1|title=Team looks at cutting 8,000 seats at Chase|work=Arizona Republic|via=Newspapers.com|date=June 9, 2007|access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref> In 35 games with Tucson, he had a 5–3 record, five saves, a 4.69 ERA, 38 strikeouts, 24 walks, and 55 hits allowed in 48 innings.<ref name="minors"/> Recalled when rosters expanded, Medders pitched seven more innings for the Diamondbacks, allowing just one more home run.<ref name="2007 Medders">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=meddebr01&t=p&year=2007|title=Brandon Medders 2007 Pitching Gamelogs|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref> In 30 games for Arizona, he had a 1–2 record, a 4.30 ERA, 23 strikeouts, 16 walks, and 30 hits allowed in {{frac|29|1|3}} innings.<ref name=BR/> He did not pitch in the playoffs for the Diamondbacks, who won the National League (NL) West and swept the Chicago Cubs in the 2007 National League Division Series before getting swept by the Rockies in the 2007 National League Championship Series.<ref name="MLB"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ARI/2007.shtml|title=2007 Arizona Diamondbacks Statistics|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref>
After beginning 2008 with the Diamondbacks, Medders was surprised to be designated for assignment on May 22 and outrighted to Tucson on May 30. However, the Diamondbacks needed his roster spot for Doug Davis, who was returning from the disabled list.<ref name="Haller">{{cite news|last1=Haller|first1=Doug|title=Sick of the farm|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/126397839/|work=Arizona Republic|date=June 27, 2008|language=en|access-date=September 7, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In 18 games with Arizona, he had a 1–0 record, a 4.58 ERA, eight strikeouts, 11 walks, and 17 hits allowed in {{frac|19|2|3}} innings.<ref name="BR">{{cite web|title=Brandon Medders Stats|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/meddebr01.shtml|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=January 20, 2018|language=en}}</ref> With Tucson in 26 games, Medders had a 1–2 record, a 7.45 ERA, 33 strikeouts, 24 walks, and 45 hits allowed in {{frac|38|2|3}} innings.<ref name="minors"/> No longer on Arizona's 40-man roster, he was not recalled in September and became a free agent at the end of the season.<ref name="BR"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=meddebr01&t=p&year=2008|title=Brandon Medders 2008 Pitching Gamelogs|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref>
==San Francisco Giants== ===2009=== On January 9, 2009, Medders signed a minor league contract with the Giants with an invitation to spring training.<ref name="BR"/> Making the Opening Day roster, he spent the whole season with the ballclub.<ref name="MLB"/> From May 10 through June 9, he allowed just two runs (neither earned) in 13 innings over a 14-game span.<ref name="MLB"/> In the first game of a doubleheader against the Washington Nationals on June 4, Medders relieved Randy Johnson and pitched a scoreless seventh, preserving the lead in the 300th win of Johnson's career.<ref>{{cite web|last=Weiner|first=Steven C.|url=https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/june-4-2009-randy-johnson-wins-his-300th-career-game/|title=June 4, 2009: Randy Johnson wins his 300th career game|work=SABR|access-date=September 6, 2021}}</ref> Against Arizona on August 26, Medders picked up the only save of his MLB career, pitching a flawless ninth inning to preserve a 4–3 victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SFN/SFN200908260.shtml|title=Arizona Diamondbacks at San Francisco Giants Box Score, August 26, 2009|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref> He described what it was like to pitch in that game:
{{cquote|I got up with two outs in the eighth inning. That's plenty of time to get ready. It was like a roller coaster if I was going in or not. I saw [[Sergio Romo|[Sergio] Romo]] run down to the pen but I guess he couldn't get ready in time. It was a good opportunity for me. Saves don't mean much to me. It was just a matter of getting three outs.|||Brandon Medders, ESPN: August 26, 2009<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=290826126 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908002459/https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=290826126 |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 8, 2021 |title=Molina's homer carries Giants past D-backs|publisher=ESPN|date=August 26, 2009|access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref>}}
In 61 games, he had a 5–1 record, a 3.01 ERA, 58 strikeouts, 32 walks, and 63 hits allowed in {{frac|68|2|3}} innings.<ref name="BR"/> Among Giants relievers, only Brian Wilson threw more innings ({{frac|72|1|3}}) than Medders.<ref name="MLB"/>
===2010=== Medders avoided arbitration and agreed to a one-year $820,000 contract with the Giants on January 16, 2010.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gurnick|first=Ken|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100116&content_id=7928046&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |title=Medders, Giants agree to one-year deal|work=MLB.com|date=January 16, 2010 |access-date=January 16, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100120080241/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100116&content_id=7928046&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |archive-date=January 20, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Brandon Medders and Giants avoid arbitration, agree to $820,000, 1-year contract|url=https://www.guelphmercury.com/news-story/2760744-brandon-medders-and-giants-avoid-arbitration-agree-to-820-000-1-year-contract/|website=guelphmercury.com|access-date=May 25, 2018|date=January 15, 2010}}</ref> On May 21, he was placed on the disabled list.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/488169930/?terms=Brandon%20Medders&match=1|title=Transactions|work=The Calgary Herald|date=May 22, 2010|access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref> While on a rehab assignment with the PCL's Fresno Grizzlies, he was outrighted to Fresno on June 4 to make room on the Giants' 40-man roster for Pat Burrell.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=JohnSheaHey|number=15442396691|title=Official deal w/Medders|date=June 4, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire/_/section/mlb/id/5253185|title=Giants bring up Pat Burrell from minors|publisher=ESPN|date=June 4, 2010|access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref> In 14 games for San Francisco, he had no record, a 7.20 ERA, eight strikeouts, six walks, and 26 hits allowed in 15 innings.<ref name="BR"/> He pitched in 22 games for Fresno, earning a 2–1 record, one save, a 5.46 ERA, 26 strikeouts, 10 walks, and 28 hits allowed in 28 innings.<ref name="minors"/> No longer on San Francisco's 40-man roster, he was not recalled in September, and he was not on the postseason roster when the Giants defeated the Texas Rangers in the 2010 World Series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=meddebr01&t=p&year=2010|title=Brandon Medders 2010 Pitching Gamelogs|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Haft |first=Chris |url=http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101101&content_id=15949454&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=sf |title=Giants win the Series! Giants win the Series! |work=MLB.com |date=October 2, 2010 |access-date=March 22, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301004834/http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101101&content_id=15949454&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=sf |archive-date=March 1, 2012 }}</ref> After the season, he became a free agent.<ref name="MLB"/>
==Career statistics and pitching style== In 210 games, Medders had a 16–7 record, a 3.61 ERA, 175 strikeouts, 104 walks, and 233 hits allowed in {{frac|234|2|3}} innings.<ref name="BR"/> He threw a four-seam fastball, cut fastball (cutter), a curveball, a slider, and a changeup. The four-seam fastball averaged {{convert|90|mph}}, while the cutter averaged {{convert|89|mph}}. After not throwing the cutter more than 10% of the time with the Diamondbacks, Medders threw it over 30% of the time with the Giants. His curveball was his slowest pitch, averaging {{convert|72.5|mph}}; he threw it 25% of the time. The slider, which averaged {{convert|83.9|mph}}, was his choice 12.6% of the time. He rarely threw the changeup, which was his choice 3.3% of the time; it averaged {{convert|80.9|mph}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fangraphs.com/players/brandon-medders/8604/stats|title=Brandon Medders|work=Fangraphs|access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref>
==Personal life== Medders married fellow Tuscaloosa native Meredith Sims McGraw on September 12, 2002, in Tuscaloosa.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/DA/20020915/News/606114749/TL|title=for the record|work=Tuscaloosa News|date=September 15, 2002|access-date=September 6, 2021|archive-date=September 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906174109/https://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/DA/20020915/News/606114749/TL|url-status=dead}}</ref> The couple has one child, daughter Berkley.<ref name="MLB"/> Former Diamondback teammate Bruney is one of his best friends.<ref>{{cite news|last=McManaman|first=Bob|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/125769928/?terms=Brandon%20Medders%20called%20up&match=1|title=Bruney finds success with Yankees|work=Arizona Republic|date=September 21, 2006|access-date=September 6, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Baseballstats|mlb=430665|espn=6324|br=m/meddebr01|fangraphs=8604|brm=medder001bra}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Medders, Brandon}} Category:1980 births Category:Living people Category:Major League Baseball pitchers Category:Arizona Diamondbacks players Category:Lancaster JetHawks players Category:El Paso Diablos players Category:Tucson Sidewinders players Category:San Francisco Giants players Category:Baseball players from Tuscaloosa, Alabama Category:Mississippi State Bulldogs baseball players Category:Shelton State Buccaneers baseball players Category:Fresno Grizzlies players