Brandon David Waddell (born June 3, 1994) is an American professional baseball pitcher currently in the New York Mets organization. The Houston, Texas native made his Major League Baseball debut in 2020 and has since played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles, St. Louis Cardinals, Doosan Bears in the KBO League, and Rakuten Monkeys in the CPBL before joining the Mets. Waddell attended Clear Lake High School and went on to play college baseball at the University of Virginia, where he helped the Virginia Cavaliers reach the College World Series finals in both 2014 and 2015. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the fifth round of the 2015 MLB Draft.
Brandon Waddell Bio
Brandon David Waddell was born on June 3, 1994, in Houston, Texas. He grew up in the Houston area and attended Clear Lake High School, where he developed his skills as a baseball pitcher. After high school, Waddell initially took college-level courses at the University of Houston–Clear Lake before enrolling at the University of Virginia to play for the Virginia Cavaliers baseball team. He was a standout left-handed pitcher for Virginia and graduated from the University of Virginia in three years with a degree in economics, demonstrating both his athletic and academic dedication. Waddell was also admitted to the master’s program in the School of Education and Human Development at Virginia.
Early Life and Background
Waddell grew up in Houston, Texas, where he attended Clear Lake High School. His early exposure to baseball in Texas, a state known for producing numerous professional baseball talent, provided him with a strong foundation for his future career. After completing high school, Waddell continued his academic and athletic journey at the collegiate level. He first attended the University of Houston–Clear Lake before transferring to the University of Virginia, where he would become a key contributor to their baseball program.
Path to Professional Baseball
At the University of Virginia, Waddell established himself as a reliable starting pitcher for the Virginia Cavaliers. His most notable collegiate achievement came during the 2015 College World Series, where he pitched in the deciding game and earned the victory, helping Virginia advance in the tournament. In 2014, Waddell also started a must-win game two in the College World Series finals, a game Virginia won before ultimately dropping game three. His performances on the big stage demonstrated his ability to perform under pressure, a trait that would serve him well in professional baseball.
Brandon Waddell Career
Amateur and Draft Career (2014–2015)
Waddell’s collegiate career at the University of Virginia was highlighted by two appearances in the College World Series finals. In 2014, he started the must-win game two against the University of Virginia opponent, which Virginia won, though they lost the decisive game three. In 2015, Waddell pitched in the championship game and earned the win. His success in these high-pressure situations caught the attention of MLB scouts. The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Waddell in the fifth round of the 2015 MLB Draft. He signed with the Pirates shortly after being drafted, receiving a $315,000 signing bonus to begin his professional career.
Pittsburgh Pirates Minor League System (2015–2020)
Waddell made his professional debut in 2015 with the West Virginia Black Bears of the Low-A New York-Penn League. He appeared in six games, posting a 1-1 record with a 5.75 earned run average. The following season in 2016, Waddell began with the Bradenton Marauders of the High-A Florida State League before earning a promotion to the Altoona Curve of the Double-A Eastern League in May. He combined to go 11-9 with a 3.49 earned run average between both teams, showing promising development as a starting pitcher. In 2017, Waddell remained with Altoona and pitched to a 3-3 record with a 3.55 earned run average in 15 games. He spent the 2018 and 2019 seasons split between Altoona and the Indianapolis Indians of the Triple-A International League, continuing to refine his craft at the upper levels of the minor leagues. On August 9, 2020, the Pirates selected Waddell’s contract and added him to the 40-man roster, paving the way for his major league debut.
Major League MLB Journey (2020–2021)
Waddell made his major league debut on August 14, 2020, for the Pittsburgh Pirates against the Cincinnati Reds. He appeared in two games for the Pirates that season before being claimed off waivers by the Minnesota Twins on October 30, 2020. Waddell began 2021 with the Twins but struggled in four appearances, recording an 11.25 earned run average. The Twins designated him for assignment on May 7, 2021. The Baltimore Orioles claimed Waddell off waivers the following day, and he pitched 1.0 scoreless inning before being designated for assignment again on June 4. The St. Louis Cardinals then claimed him on June 6, 2021. Waddell made four appearances for the Cardinals in 2021, going 0-1 with a 6.75 earned run average and seven strikeouts. St. Louis designated him for assignment in April 2022, and he was outrighted to Triple-A Memphis before being released in July 2022.
Korea and Taiwan Years (2022–2024)
Looking to revitalize his career overseas, Waddell signed with the Doosan Bears of the Korea Baseball Organization on July 17, 2022. He made 11 starts for Doosan down the stretch, posting a 5-3 record with a 3.60 earned run average and 40 strikeouts in 65 innings pitched. On January 14, 2023, Waddell signed with the Rakuten Monkeys of the Chinese Professional Baseball League. He started on Opening Day and earned a victory in his CPBL debut on April 1. In 12 starts for Rakuten, he registered a 5-5 record with a 3.30 earned run average and 60 strikeouts in 71 innings. In June 2023, the Monkeys completed a contract transfer sending Waddell back to the Doosan Bears. He thrived in his return to Korea, going 11-3 with a 2.49 earned run average and 100 strikeouts in 104 and two-thirds innings across 18 starts. On December 21, 2023, Waddell re-signed with the Bears on a one-year, $1 million contract. In 2024, he continued his strong work with Doosan, posting a 7-4 record with a 3.12 earned run average and 75 strikeouts across 75 innings. He became a free agent after the season.
New York Mets (2025–Present)
On December 16, 2024, Waddell signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets organization. He began the 2025 season with the Triple-A Syracuse Mets and posted impressive numbers, going 1-1 with a 1.54 earned run average and 21 strikeouts over his first five starts. On April 30, 2025, the Mets selected Waddell’s contract, adding him to their active roster for the first time since 2021. In 11 appearances for New York, he recorded a 3.45 earned run average with 22 strikeouts across 31 and one-third innings pitched. Following the acquisition of Drew Romo, the Mets designated Waddell for assignment on December 17, 2025. He cleared waivers two days later and was sent outright to Triple-A Syracuse, remaining in the Mets organization.
Driving Style and Strengths
Waddell has established himself as a versatile pitcher capable of contributing both as a starter and reliever throughout his career. His time in Korea demonstrated his ability to log heavy innings and maintain effectiveness deep into games, as shown by his 11 wins and 100 strikeouts with the Doosan Bears in 2023. His international experience across multiple leagues has allowed him to adapt to different styles of play and hitter tendencies.
Notable Events and Milestones
Waddell’s career has been marked by several significant milestones. His victory in the deciding game of the 2015 College World Series helped Virginia advance in the national tournament. His major league debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates in August 2020 represented the culmination of his journey from the minor leagues. His successful stints in Korea, where he accumulated a 23-10 record with a 2.98 earned run average and 215 strikeouts across his time with the Doosan Bears, showcased his ability to excel internationally.
Brandon Waddell Career Statistics
Waddell has accumulated wins across multiple international leagues throughout his professional career. His most successful stretch came in the KBO League with the Doosan Bears, where he posted dominant numbers over three seasons. His MLB career spans four teams across the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
KBO League Highlights
In the KBO League with the Doosan Bears, Waddell established himself as a reliable starting pitcher. Across his three seasons with the Bears from 2022 to 2024, he accumulated a 23-10 win-loss record with a 2.98 earned run average and 215 strikeouts. His best statistical season came in 2023, when he went 11-3 with a 2.49 earned run average and 100 strikeouts in 104 and two-thirds innings.
Other Professional Leagues
Waddell also performed well during his time in the CPBL with the Rakuten Monkeys in 2023, going 5-5 with a 3.30 earned run average and 60 strikeouts in 71 innings. In his brief MLB appearances, he went 0-1 with a 4.09 earned run average and 31 strikeouts across multiple teams.
| League | Team(s) | W-L Record | ERA | Strikeouts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB | Pirates, Twins, Orioles, Cardinals | 0-1 | 4.09 | 31 |
| KBO | Doosan Bears | 23-10 | 2.98 | 215 |
| CPBL | Rakuten Monkeys | 5-5 | 3.30 | 60 |
Brandon Waddell Education
Waddell attended Clear Lake High School in Houston, Texas, for his secondary education. He then attended the University of Houston–Clear Lake before transferring to the University of Virginia to play college baseball for the Virginia Cavaliers. He graduated from the University of Virginia in three years with a degree in economics, demonstrating his ability to balance academic and athletic commitments. Additionally, Waddell was admitted to the master’s program in the School of Education and Human Development at the University of Virginia, showing his continued interest in educational pursuits beyond his baseball career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a significant chapter in Waddell’s career as he returned to Major League Baseball after nearly four years. Signed to a minor league contract with the New York Mets in December 2024, Waddell began the season with Triple-A Syracuse and immediately demonstrated his readiness for a call-up. His performance with the Syracuse Mets was exceptional, as he posted a 1-1 record with a 1.54 earned run average and 21 strikeouts over his first five starts. This strong start earned him a promotion to the major league roster on April 30, 2025. Waddell appeared in 11 games for the Mets, recording a 3.45 earned run average with 22 strikeouts across 31 and one-third innings. His ability to transition successfully from Triple-A to the majors showed his continued development as a pitcher. Following the acquisition of Drew Romo, the Mets designated Waddell for assignment in December, but he cleared waivers and remained in the organization with an outright assignment to Triple-A Syracuse.