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Brandon League
Brandon League
Brandon League
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League pitching for the Seattle Mariners in 2010

Key Information

Brandon Paul League (born March 16, 1983) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, and Los Angeles Dodgers. He is a former closer and one-time All-Star.

Professional career

[edit]

Toronto Blue Jays

[edit]

He was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the second round of the 2001 MLB draft out of Saint Louis School, and was signed on July 3, 2001.[1] He made his major league debut on September 21, 2004 against the New York Yankees as he pitched a solid inning and a third.[2]

Following League's breakout season in 2006, he engaged in strength conditioning during the offseason, and at the behest of the Blue Jays, did not pitch until spring training. As a result, he overdeveloped some shoulder muscles, resulting in a significant drop in his fastball velocity.[3] League was placed on the 60-day disabled list and missed the majority of the 2007 season. Both his velocity and effectiveness recovered the following season.

Seattle Mariners

[edit]

On December 22, 2009, League was traded to the Seattle Mariners along with minor-league outfielder Johermyn Chávez for pitcher Brandon Morrow.[4] He signed a one-year, $1.08 million contract for 2010.[5] Because of an injury to David Aardsma, League started the 2011 season as the Mariners' closer.[6] He was selected to his first All-Star game as a relief pitcher for the 2011 All-Star game. In a 2011 interview, veteran outfielder Coco Crisp named League as one of the four toughest pitchers he had ever faced.[7] On June 8, 2012, League was one of six Mariners to throw a combined no-hitter against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Safeco Field.[8] After a series of blown saves, League was replaced by Tom Wilhelmsen as closer. In 21⁄2 seasons with the Mariners, League had converted a total of 52 saves in 69 chances with a 3.26 ERA.

Los Angeles Dodgers

[edit]
League pitching for the Dodgers in 2014

On July 30, 2012, League was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for minor leaguers Leon Landry and Logan Bawcom.[9] He became the Dodgers closer in September after Kenley Jansen was sidelined with an irregular heartbeat. In 28 games with the Dodgers, he was 2–1 with a 2.30 ERA and six saves.[1] On October 30, the Dodgers re-signed League to a three-year, $22.5 million deal with a vesting option worth $7.5 million for 2016.[10] On June 11, League was demoted from the closer role after blowing his fourth save in 17 chances, and he was replaced by Jansen.[11] He was used primarily in low pressure situations the rest of the season. Overall, in 2013, he was 6-4 with a 5.30 ERA in 58 appearances, with 14 early season saves.[1] In 2014, the Dodgers used League primarily in middle relief. He finished the season with a 2–3 record and a 2.57 ERA in 63 games.[1]

League underwent an MRI during spring training in 2015 which revealed serious shoulder damage, causing him to miss the first couple months of the season.[12] After spending a month rehabbing in the minors, League was designated for assignment on July 2, 2015.[13][14] He was released on July 10.[15]

New Britain Bees

[edit]

League did not play professional baseball at any level in 2016.[16] On January 7, 2017, League signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals that included an invitation to spring training.[17] He was released prior to the start of the season on March 19.[18]

On April 20, 2017, League signed with the New Britain Bees of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[19] In 44 appearances for the Bees, he compiled a 2-3 record and 4.57 ERA with 38 strikeouts and 1 save across 43+1⁄3 innings pitched. League became a free agent after the season.

Coaching career

[edit]

On January 30, 2025, the Cleveland Guardians hired League to serve as the pitching coach for their Triple-A affiliate, the Columbus Clippers.[20]

Pitching style

[edit]

League's main pitch is a very hard sinker averaging 96 mph. (In 2011, he had the hardest sinker of any relief pitcher, at 97.3 mph.)[21] He also has an upper-80s slider that he uses primarily early in the count to right-handed hitters. He also has a splitter that he uses as a strikeout pitch. The splitter has a whiff rate of 55%.[22]

Personal life

[edit]

League resides in Honolulu, and is hapa Yonsei. His maternal great-grandparents were born and raised in Fukuoka prefecture on Kyushu Island in Japan.[23]

League's wife, Sasha League, attended Mt. Carmel High School in San Diego, California. She holds a psychology major from the University of Hawaii. They have been married since 2005. Brandon and Sasha League have four daughters.[24]

After his playing career, League founded Parallel X League, a Southern California-based clothing line, in 2019.[24]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Brandon League

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Brandon Paul League (born March 16, 1983) is an American former and current coach in the . A right-handed reliever, he played ten seasons in (MLB) from 2004 to 2014, appearing in 498 games with a career record of 27 wins, 35 losses, a 3.65 (), and 74 saves. Drafted by the Blue Jays in the second round of the 2001 MLB June Amateur Draft from , League debuted with the Blue Jays in 2004 and spent his first six seasons there before being traded to the Seattle Mariners in 2009. His most notable success came with the Mariners in 2011, when he was selected as an and recorded 37 saves, posting a 2.79 over 65 appearances as their primary closer. After signing a three-year, $22.5 million contract with the following the 2012 season, League served as their closer in 2013, recording 15 saves in 2012 before injuries and performance issues limited him to a setup role in subsequent years. He finished his MLB career with the Dodgers in 2014, appearing in 38 games with a 5.57 , and briefly attempted a comeback in the with the Dodgers' organization in 2015 and independent in 2017. Transitioning to coaching after his playing days, League joined the ' system in 2025 as the pitching coach for their Triple-A affiliate, the .

Early life and amateur career

Childhood and education

Brandon League was born on March 16, 1983, in . His family relocated to during his childhood, where he grew up on the island of Oahu. League attended , a private Catholic high school in Honolulu, , completing his secondary education there in 2001. During his early years in , League was exposed to through local youth activities and sports, alongside other pursuits like and football, fostering his initial interest in the game. This foundation in Hawaiian athletics transitioned into focused development during his high school years at .

High school baseball and draft

League attended in , , where he emerged as a standout right-handed for the Crusaders team. As a senior in 2001, he earned recognition as a three-time all-state selection, highlighting his consistent dominance on the mound throughout high school. His pitching prowess was marked by a that reached speeds of up to 96 mph, contributing to his reputation as one of the top arms in the state. League's senior season solidified his status as Hawaii's premier baseball prospect, culminating in him being named the 2000-2001 Gatorade Hawaii Player of the Year for baseball. This accolade underscored his leadership and performance, positioning him as a highly regarded talent both locally and nationally ahead of the amateur draft. Scouts praised his 6-foot-2 frame, loose three-quarter arm action, and ability to command a moving fastball in the mid-90s, which helped him stand out among prep pitchers. On June 5, 2001, the Toronto Blue Jays selected League in the second round (59th overall) of the MLB June Amateur Draft out of . He signed with the organization on July 3, 2001, receiving a of $660,000 as part of his initial contract. This agreement marked his entry into professional baseball, where he was viewed as a promising power arm with significant upside.

Professional playing career

Minor leagues and debut

Following his selection by the Toronto Blue Jays in the second round (59th overall) of the out of in , , Brandon League began his professional career in the . Signed on , 2001, he was assigned to the Rookie-level Medicine Hat Bucks in the Pioneer League, where he posted a 2–2 record with a 4.66 over 38.2 innings in nine starts, striking out 38 batters. In 2002, League advanced to the Short Season A-level Auburn Doubledays in the , a Blue Jays affiliate, where he emerged as a standout performer with a 7–2 record, 3.15 , and 72 strikeouts in 85.2 innings across 16 appearances (16 starts). His strong season earned him promotion within the organization, highlighting his potential as a with a mid-90s and developing command. League continued his ascent in 2003, splitting time between the Class A Charleston Alley Cats in the and the in the . With Charleston, he excelled with a 2–3 record, 1.91 , and 61 strikeouts in 70.2 over 12 starts, demonstrating improved control and effectiveness against more advanced hitters. Promoted to midseason, he went 4–3 with a 4.75 in 13 appearances (12 starts) over 66.1 , finishing the year with combined totals of 6–6, a 3.28 , and 95 strikeouts in 137 . This progression from Rookie ball to solidified his status as one of the Blue Jays' top pitching prospects entering 2004. On September 20, 2004, League was called up to the major leagues from as part of the Blue Jays' September roster expansion. He made his MLB debut the following day, September 21, against the New York Yankees at , entering in relief in the fifth inning with one runner on base and two outs, trailing 3–1. League pitched 1.1 scoreless innings, allowing one hit with no walks or strikeouts, though the Blue Jays lost 5–3. Assigned primarily as a reliever, he appeared in two more games that season, totaling 4.2 innings with a 0.00 ERA, three hits allowed, one walk, and two strikeouts across his three outings. In his initial major league exposure, League faced challenges adapting to the faster pace and higher-caliber competition, including sharper breaking balls from opponents and the need for quicker decision-making in high-leverage situations, but his sinker-heavy approach showed promise in limiting damage during limited innings. Touted as a future bullpen asset upon call-up, his debut performance underscored his ground-ball tendencies and arm strength, setting the stage for further development in the majors.

Toronto Blue Jays

League made his major league debut with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2004, initially serving in middle relief roles after being called up from the minors. Over the next few seasons, he split time between the majors and Triple-A Syracuse, appearing in limited games while refining his command as a reliever. From 2004 to 2009, League established himself in the Blue Jays , evolving from a middle reliever to a more prominent setup role, particularly in 2006 and 2009 when he recorded 12 and 9 holds, respectively. In 168 total appearances with , he posted a 7-10 record, 4.03 , 2 saves, and 154 strikeouts over 202.1 innings pitched. Notable performances included his 2006 season, where he achieved a 2.53 in 33 games with 1 save, and 2009, his most active year with 67 appearances, a 4.58 , and a career-high 76 strikeouts. On December 23, 2009, the Blue Jays traded League and outfielder Johermyn Chávez to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for starting pitcher .

Seattle Mariners

League was acquired by the Seattle Mariners from the Toronto Blue Jays on December 23, 2009, in a for pitcher . During the 2010 season, he established himself as a reliable setup reliever, making 70 appearances with 6 saves and a 3.42 over 79 . With incumbent closer David Aardsma sidelined for the entire 2011 season following hip surgery, League transitioned into the primary closer role. He excelled in the position, appearing in 65 games and securing 37 saves while posting a 2.79 and 1.08 across 61.1 innings. His dominant performance, which included ranking third in the in saves, led to his selection for the 2011 . Across his tenure with the Mariners from 2010 to 2012, League logged 181 relief appearances, a 3.28 , and 52 saves in 184.1 innings. His time in concluded on July 30, 2012, when he was traded to the for minor leaguers Leon Landry and Logan Bawcom.

Los Angeles Dodgers

League was acquired by the from the Mariners on July 30, 2012, in exchange for minor league prospects Leon Landry and Logan Bawcom. In 28 appearances with the Dodgers that season, he posted a 2-1 record with a 2.30 , six saves, and 27 strikeouts over 27.1 innings. Following his solid performance after the trade, the Dodgers re-signed League as a on October 30, 2012, to a three-year contract worth $22.5 million, with a club option for 2016; the deal was influenced by his recent appearances and closing success in . League entered the 2013 season as the Dodgers' primary closer but struggled significantly, recording a 5.30 over 58 appearances with 14 saves, a 6-4 record, and 39 strikeouts in 55.1 innings. After blowing multiple saves early in the year, including his fourth on June 10, he lost the closer role to and was demoted to Triple-A Albuquerque on June 11. He was recalled later that season but continued to face challenges in regaining his form. In 2014, League transitioned to a middle relief role and showed improvement, achieving a 2.57 in 63 appearances with a 2-3 record, no saves, and 38 across 63 . However, his overall effectiveness waned due to a low strikeout rate of 5.4 per nine and persistent control issues. League began the 2015 season on the disabled list with right shoulder inflammation, missing the entire year while undergoing rehabilitation. After completing a minor league rehab assignment, he was on July 2, 2015, and released by the Dodgers on July 10, 2015, ending his tenure with the organization.

Independent leagues and comebacks

Following his release by the in July 2015, Brandon League did not appear in any professional games during the 2016 season. He returned to organized in 2017, signing a minor league contract with the on January 7 that included an invitation to . League pitched in spring training games but was released by the Royals on March 20 without recording an appearance in the regular season or a return to the major leagues. On April 20, 2017, League signed with the New Britain Bees of the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. In 44 relief appearances for the Bees that season, he posted a 2–3 record with a 4.57 ERA over 43⅓ innings, allowing 52 hits, 20 walks, and 3 home runs while striking out 38 batters. League recorded 1 save and finished 14 games, serving primarily as a middle reliever for the team, which finished fourth in the league's Liberty Division with a 58–81 record. League was released by the Bees following the 2017 season, after which he considered retirement from amid ongoing challenges in regaining major league form. He ultimately retired from playing after that year, having not appeared in affiliated since 2014.

Coaching career

Instructional and early roles

Following his release from the Kansas City Royals organization in March 2017 after a minor league attempt, Brandon League transitioned into instructional roles within . Based in , where he has resided since retiring from professional play, League began focusing on training programs for amateur players, emphasizing functional development and proper techniques derived from his Major League experience. He operates the Parallel X League in , offering pitching instruction, training, and recovery programs. League's early coaching efforts centered on youth and amateur pitchers, sharing insights into mechanics, mindset, and honed during his 11-year MLB career, which included an selection in and 74 career saves. In June 2024, leveraging his status as an alumnus of in , , he joined the coaching staff for a youth camp organized by fellow graduate and prospect Lomavita, assisting in sessions aimed at developing the next generation of players. This involvement highlighted his commitment to informal instruction, where he actively passed down practical knowledge from his time as a professional reliever. These initial forays into private and community-based coaching in and served as a foundation, allowing League to refine his teaching approach before pursuing more structured professional opportunities in organized .

Minor league positions

On January 30, 2025, the Cleveland Guardians announced the hiring of Brandon League as one of two pitching coaches for their Triple-A affiliate, the . In this position, League contributed to development by emphasizing mechanics training, pitch sequencing, and in-game strategy to prepare prospects for major league opportunities. During the 2025 International League season, the Clippers' pitching staff, under the guidance of League and co-coach Cody Buckel, compiled a 4.73 across 1,254.2 , with 1,315 strikeouts and 667 walks allowed. The team finished with a 64-81 overall record, reflecting a challenging campaign amid high prospect turnover to the Guardians' major league roster. While specific player testimonials from the season were not widely reported, League's role positioned him for potential advancement within the Guardians' player development system, leveraging his major league experience.

Pitching style

Repertoire and mechanics

League relied primarily on a two-seam sinker as his main pitch, averaging around 92-94 mph with pronounced tailing action that induced heavy ground-ball contact. He complemented this with a thrown in the low-80s mph range for swing-and-miss potential and a that exhibited diving, sinking movement at 88-92 mph, often mirroring the sinker's arm-side run to deceive hitters. His delivery featured a low three-quarters arm slot, bordering on sidearm, which amplified the sink and run on his pitches, contributing to a career ground-ball rate of 60.5% by generating weak contact and double-play opportunities. This unconventional mechanic, developed during his minor-league progression, allowed League to attack the lower zone effectively but required precise command to avoid walks. Transitioning from starter to full-time reliever in the late 2000s, League's rose from a 90-91 mph average in starting roles to peaks nearing 96 mph in shorter outings, enabling a more streamlined repertoire focused on the sinker-slider-changeup combination. This shift maximized his ground-ball induction during his tenure as Seattle's closer from 2010 to 2012.

Effectiveness and evolution

League's effectiveness as a stemmed primarily from his ability to generate ground balls, which minimized the risk of extra-base hits and capitalized on double plays. Throughout his major league career, he maintained a 60.5% ground-ball rate, one of the highest among relievers, allowing his sinker to induce infield contact that played to the strengths of the defenses behind him. This approach was particularly successful in high-leverage situations, where weak contact limited scoring opportunities. His pinnacle of effectiveness came in 2011 with the Seattle Mariners, where League excelled as a closer, achieving a 2.79 over 61.1 innings while securing 37 saves. Opponents batted just .239 against him that year, largely due to the devastating combination of his sinker and , which together accounted for the majority of his pitches and produced a high rate of ground-ball outs. This sinker-slider duo not only suppressed but also contributed to his selection by forcing hitters into inefficient swings. Later in his career, however, League's style exposed certain weaknesses, notably a vulnerability to home runs when his command faltered. In , he surrendered 1.33 home runs per nine innings, a sharp increase that inflated his to 5.30 and led to his demotion from the closer's role. This issue arose partly from fly balls turning into long balls in less favorable ballparks, highlighting the risks of his sinker-dependent against power hitters. To sustain his viability, League adapted by fully committing to a relief role after beginning as a starter in the , where longer outings had strained his arm. This transition allowed him to maximize his pitches' movement in shorter bursts, though a post-2011 drop in sinker —from 97.3 mph to around 94 mph by —stemmed from recurring issues and reduced his margin for error. Overall, these evolutions underscored a marked by a 3.61 and 375 strikeouts across 532.1 , where ground-ball induction provided consistent value amid evolving physical challenges.

Personal life

League married Sasha League in 2005. As of 2020, they have four daughters. The family has resided in .

References

  1. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/leagubr01.shtml
  2. https://www.mlb.com/player/brandon-league-434181
  3. https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/6135/brandon-league
  4. https://www.si.com/onsi/minor-league-baseball/news/former-seattle-mariners-all-star-brandon-league-takes-coaching-job-for-cleveland-guardians-affiliate-columbus-clippers
  5. https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Brandon_League
  6. https://www.honolulumagazine.com/out-of-the-park/
  7. https://www.khon2.com/sports/former-mlb-all-star-and-saint-louis-alum-brandon-league-holds-hawaii-close-to-his-heart-with-clothing-line/
  8. https://www.baseballamerica.com/players/11916-brandon-league/
  9. https://playeroftheyear.gatorade.com/winner/Brandon-League/20156
  10. http://archives.starbulletin.com/2001/06/03/sports/story2.html
  11. https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/trades.php?p=leagubr01
  12. https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/player/_/id/5404
  13. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=league001bra
  14. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/prospects-given-chance-to-shine-with-the-big-club/article1004231/
  15. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=leagubr01&t=p&year=2004
  16. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA200409210.shtml
  17. https://komonews.com/sports/mariners/ms-closer-job-wide-open-with-aardsma-out-11-21-2015
  18. https://www.mlb.com/news/dodgers-sign-brandon-league-to-three-year-contract/c-40128550
  19. https://dodgersway.com/2014/03/11/time-cut-brandon-league/
  20. https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/dodgersnow/la-sp-dn-daily-league-20141119-story.html
  21. https://www.espn.com/los-angeles/mlb/story/_/id/12572149/brandon-league-los-angeles-dodgers-injured-right-shoulder-least-two-months
  22. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/07/brandon-league-designated-for-assignment-dodgers.html
  23. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/03/royals-release-brandon-league-trade-brandon-dulin-to-white-sox.html
  24. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?id=60237034
  25. https://www.khon2.com/sports/former-mlb-all-star-brandon-league-returns-to-hawaii/
  26. https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-guardians-announce-2025-player-development-staff-assignment
  27. https://www.milb.com/news/guardians-clippers-announce-2025-triple-a-field-staff
  28. https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/stats_minor/2025~14025/
  29. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/688836-mlb-power-rankings-the-7-best-sinkerballers-in-the-game-today
  30. https://www.fangraphs.com/players/brandon-league/3731/stats?position=P
  31. https://blogs.fangraphs.com/qa-brendan-ryan-shortstop-supreme/
  32. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/734853-mlb-power-rankings-the-25-hardest-throwers-in-the-majors-right-now
  33. https://www.brooksbaseball.net/landing.php?player=434181
  34. https://artoffatherhood.net/brandon-league-talks-fatherhood-playing-in-the-mlb-parallel-league/
  35. https://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/hot-property/la-fi-hotprop-brandon-league-20180216-story.html
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