Frank Anthony Banda Bio
Frank Anthony Banda (born August 10, 1993) is an American professional baseball pitcher who has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for multiple teams. He made his MLB debut with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2017 and has also played for the Tampa Bay Rays, New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Washington Nationals, Cleveland Guardians, and Los Angeles Dodgers. Banda won back-to-back World Series championships with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024 and 2025.
Early Life and Background
Frank Anthony Banda was born on August 10, 1993, in Corpus Christi, Texas, to parents Frank and Danette Banda. He grew up in Texas with four siblings. Banda attended Sinton High School in Sinton, Texas, where he played for the school’s baseball team.
Path to Professional Baseball
During his senior year of high school, the Arizona Diamondbacks selected Banda in the 33rd round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft. He did not sign and instead attended San Jacinto College. At San Jacinto College, Banda emerged as a standout pitcher, recording a 7-1 record with a 2.01 earned run average (ERA) and 73 strikeouts. His performance earned him National Junior College Athletic Association third-team All-American honors. The Milwaukee Brewers then selected Banda in the tenth round of the 2012 MLB draft, and he signed to begin his professional career.
Frank Anthony Banda Career
Minor League Development (2012–2016)
After signing with the Brewers in 2012, Banda made his professional debut with the Arizona League Brewers, where he posted a 2-3 record with a 5.83 ERA in 41 2/3 innings pitched. He played for Helena Brewers in 2013, going 3-4 with a 4.45 ERA in 14 starts. In 2014, he began the season with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, making 20 appearances with a 6-6 record and 3.66 ERA.
On July 31, 2014, the Brewers traded Banda and outfielder Mitch Haniger to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for outfielder Gerardo Parra. The Diamondbacks assigned him to the South Bend Silver Hawks, where he finished the season with a stellar 1.54 ERA in six starts. In 2015 with the Visalia Rawhide, Banda went 8-8 with a 3.32 ERA in 28 games, leading the league with 152 strikeouts and finishing third with 151 2/3 innings pitched. He was named a MiLB.com Organization All-Star and a post-season All-Star.
Arizona Diamondbacks Breakthrough (2014–2017)
Banda started 2016 with the Double-A Mobile BayBears and earned a promotion to the Triple-A Reno Aces in June. He was selected to play in the All-Star Futures Game that July. In 26 starts between Mobile and Reno, he compiled a 10-6 record with a 2.88 ERA and 152 strikeouts in 150 innings. He earned mid-season Southern League All-Star and MILB.com Organization All-Star honors. The Diamondbacks added him to their 40-man roster after the 2016 season.
Banda made his major league debut on July 22, 2017, against the Washington Nationals. He struck out the first batter he faced, Brian Goodwin, and allowed four runs on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings while recording five strikeouts. He finished the season with a 2-3 record and 5.96 ERA in 24 2/3 major league innings.
Tampa Bay Rays Era (2018–2020)
On February 18, 2018, the Diamondbacks traded Banda to the Tampa Bay Rays in a three-team trade involving the New York Yankees. He made his Rays debut on May 15 against the Kansas City Royals. However, his season took a significant turn when he was diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament on June 4, requiring Tommy John surgery that ended his 2018 season. He pitched only 14 2/3 innings for the Rays that year, allowing six earned runs. In 2019, Banda made 13 minor league rehab appearances before returning to the Rays in September. He appeared in just four games during the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, pitching seven innings before being designated for assignment on August 30.
San Francisco Giants and New York Mets (2020–2021)
On August 31, 2020, the Rays traded Banda to the San Francisco Giants for cash considerations. He elected free agency after the season and re-signed with the Giants on a minor league contract. He began 2021 with Triple-A Sacramento River Cats but struggled, posting a 3-2 record with a 6.86 ERA in 10 appearances. On July 2, 2021, the Giants traded Banda to the New York Mets in exchange for Will Toffey. He was selected to the active roster on July 19 and made five appearances for the Mets, recording a 7.36 ERA with seven strikeouts before being designated for assignment on July 31.
Pittsburgh Pirates (2021–2022)
The Pittsburgh Pirates claimed Banda off waivers on August 2, 2021. He made 25 appearances for Pittsburgh down the stretch, recording a 1-2 record with a 3.42 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 26 1/3 innings pitched. In 2022, Banda appeared in 23 games but struggled to a 6.41 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 19 2/3 innings. The Pirates designated him for assignment on June 27, 2022.
Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees (2022)
On July 2, 2022, the Toronto Blue Jays acquired Banda from the Pirates for cash considerations. He pitched in seven games for the Blue Jays, allowing three runs in 6 1/3 innings before being designated for assignment on August 2. He became a free agent on August 6. Banda signed with the Seattle Mariners on August 9, 2022, and made four appearances for Triple-A Tacoma before opting out of his contract on August 25. He signed with the New York Yankees on August 28, 2022, but was designated for assignment on September 3 after allowing three runs in just 2/3 of an inning across two appearances. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, where he appeared in six games before electing free agency.
Washington Nationals and Cleveland Guardians (2023–2024)
On January 4, 2023, Banda signed a minor league deal with the Washington Nationals. He made the Opening Day roster and appeared in 10 games, registering a 6.43 ERA with six strikeouts in seven innings. He was designated for assignment on April 30 and sent outright to Triple-A Rochester Red Wings, where he made 33 appearances. He elected free agency after the season. On January 30, 2024, Banda signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Guardians. He performed well in 12 games for Triple-A Columbus Clippers, recording a 2.12 ERA with 25 strikeouts across 17 innings pitched.
Los Angeles Dodgers Era (2024–2025)
On May 17, 2024, the Guardians traded Banda to the Los Angeles Dodgers for cash considerations. He was added to the major league roster on May 19 and made his Dodgers debut that same day in an extra-innings game against the Cincinnati Reds. Banda was placed on the injured list on September 10 after fracturing his left hand by hitting a solid object following a poor performance. He rejoined the roster on September 26. In 48 games for the Dodgers in 2024, he posted a 3-2 record with a 3.08 ERA in 49 2/3 innings. In the postseason, he pitched eight innings over 10 games, allowing only one run on six hits as the Dodgers won the 2024 World Series championship.
In the 2025 season, Banda appeared in a team-high 71 games, finishing with a 5-1 record and 3.18 ERA in 65 innings. In the postseason, he pitched one scoreless inning in the 2025 NLDS, 1 2/3 scoreless innings in the 2025 NLCS, and allowed six runs on six hits including two home runs in three innings of the 2025 World Series. The Dodgers won the series in seven games, giving Banda his second consecutive World Series championship.
Driving Style and Strengths
Banda has developed into a reliable bullpen arm throughout his MLB career. His ability to pitch effectively in multiple roles has allowed him to carve out a lasting major league career across nine different organizations. His experience as both a starter and reliever provides versatility to any pitching staff.
Notable Events and Milestones
His most significant career milestones include his MLB debut in 2017, his World Series championships in 2024 and 2025 with the Dodgers, and his resilience returning from Tommy John surgery in 2018. His back-to-back championship wins represent the pinnacle of his professional achievements.
Frank Anthony Banda Career Wins
Throughout his MLB career spanning from 2017 through 2025, Banda has accumulated a 17-9 win-loss record with a 4.44 earned run average and 253 strikeouts. His career includes significant contributions across multiple organizations and two World Series championships.
Los Angeles Dodgers Highlights
Banda’s most successful period came with the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2024 to 2025. In 2024, he went 3-2 with a 3.08 ERA in 48 regular season appearances, then contributed eight innings of one-run ball in the postseason to help win the World Series. In 2025, he led the team with 71 appearances, posting a 5-1 record with a 3.18 ERA in 65 innings. He played a role in all three postseason series as the Dodgers captured their second consecutive championship.
Other Career Performance
Before joining the Dodgers, Banda showed promise as a prospect with the Diamondbacks organization, earning All-Star Futures Game selection in 2016. His most complete minor league season came in 2015 with Visalia Rawhide, when he led the league with 152 strikeouts. His 2021 season with the Pittsburgh Pirates saw him post a 3.42 ERA in 26 1/3 innings over 25 appearances.
| Statistic | Career Total |
|---|---|
| Win-Loss Record | 17-9 |
| Earned Run Average | 4.44 |
| Strikeouts | 253 |
Frank Anthony Banda Family
Family Background and Baseball Lineage
Banda was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, to Frank and Danette Banda. He has four siblings. His baseball career began in his hometown of Sinton, Texas, where he developed his skills at Sinton High School before advancing to the collegiate level at San Jacinto College.
Personal Life
Banda has a son who was born in December 2018. On November 2, 2022, his brother Mathew Banda, a 27-year-old Navy veteran, and another individual were killed by an intoxicated driver driving the wrong way on the Corpus Christi Harbor Bridge.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked Banda’s second year with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He emerged as a key bullpen piece, leading the team with 71 appearances and establishing himself as a reliable option out of the bullpen. His 5-1 record and 3.18 ERA demonstrated his effectiveness in high-leverage situations. The Dodgers entered the postseason as defending champions and advanced through the National League playoffs. Banda contributed scoreless innings in the NLDS and NLCS before facing challenges in the 2025 World Series. Despite difficult moments in the championship series, the Dodgers won the World Series in seven games, giving Banda his second consecutive title. On February 6, 2026, the Dodgers designated Banda for assignment, and he was subsequently traded to the Minnesota Twins on February 12, 2026, for international pool salary considerations.