Connor Michael Brogdon Bio
Connor Michael Brogdon is an American professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the Cleveland Guardians in Major League Baseball. Born on January 29, 1995, in Clovis, California, Brogdon was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 10th round of the 2017 MLB Draft after a successful collegiate career at Fresno City College and Lewis-Clark State College. He made his MLB debut in August 2020 with the Phillies and has since played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels, and Cleveland Guardians. Throughout his MLB career spanning from 2020 through 2026, Brogdon has compiled a 15-12 win-loss record with a 4.43 earned run average and 209 strikeouts across his appearances in relief.
Early Life and Background
Connor Michael Brogdon was born in Clovis, California, on January 29, 1995, and grew up in Madera, California. He attended Liberty High School in Madera, where he played baseball alongside future San Francisco Giants prospect J.J. Santa Cruz. Brogdon demonstrated strong pitching abilities during his high school career, attracting attention from MLB scouts. The Atlanta Braves selected him in the 40th round of the 2013 MLB Draft, but he chose not to sign and instead pursued his collegiate baseball career.
Although Brogdon initially signed a National Letter of Intent to play for Fresno State, he decided to attend Fresno City College instead. During his two seasons at Fresno City College, he established himself as a dominant pitcher, posting a 9-0 win-loss record with a 1.85 earned run average. His exceptional performance earned him the Central Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year award. After his sophomore year, Brogdon transferred to Lewis-Clark State College in Idaho to continue his baseball development.
Path to Professional Baseball
At Lewis-Clark State College, Brogdon served as a starting pitcher and continued to excel on the mound. In his first season with the Warriors, he went 6-0 with a 2.81 earned run average, recording 48 strikeouts across 11 starts covering 51 and one-third innings pitched. The following year, he posted an 8-1 record in 15 appearances and led the team in innings pitched with 80 and one-third. Most notably, Brogdon was part of the Lewis-Clark State College team that won the NAIA World Series championship in 2017, marking the pinnacle of his collegiate career.
Despite his success, Brogdon’s pitching velocity declined during his senior season, dropping from the mid-90 mph range to the mid-80 mph range. Philadelphia Phillies scout Hilton Richardson noted concerns about the workload Brogdon carried during his collegiate career. Nevertheless, the Phillies selected Brogdon in the 10th round, 293rd overall, in the 2017 MLB Draft. He signed with the team for a $5,000 signing bonus and became the highest Lewis-Clark State draft pick since Beau Mills, who was taken in the first round in 2008.
Connor Michael Brogdon Career
Draft and Minor Leagues (2017-2019)
Brogdon made his professional debut on June 26, 2017, with the Low-A Williamsport Crosscutters. Although initially signed as a starting pitcher, he was moved to the bullpen to make room in the rotation for other top prospects. In 16 appearances with the Crosscutters, he posted a 3-1 record with a 2.34 earned run average across 34 and two-thirds innings pitched. The following season, Brogdon advanced to the Single-A Lakewood BlueClaws and continued his strong performance, going 5-3 with a 2.47 earned run average overall, including a remarkable 1.42 earned run average in 38 relief innings.
In 2019, Brogdon continued his ascent through the Phillies farm system. He began with the High-A Clearwater Threshers, making only 10 appearances before earning promotions to Double-A Reading Phillies and then Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Across all three minor league levels that season, he combined for a 6-2 record and a 2.61 earned run average in 51 total appearances. His consistent performance positioned him for a potential MLB call-up in the near future.
Philadelphia Phillies (2020-2024)
Following the cancellation of the 2020 Minor League Baseball season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Phillies invited Brogdon to their alternate training site in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He was called up to the MLB roster on August 11, 2020, and made his major league debut on August 13 against the Baltimore Orioles. Although his debut was challenging, as he gave up a solo home run on his first pitch and another two-run homer, Brogdon showed improvement as the season progressed. He recorded 14 strikeouts in 8 and two-thirds shutout innings during September and earned his first career win on September 18 in a doubleheader against the Toronto Blue Jays. For the season, he finished 1-0 with a 3.97 earned run average in 11 and one-third innings pitched.
Brogdon became a reliable member of the Phillies bullpen over the following seasons. In 2022, he went 2-2 with two saves and a 3.27 earned run average in 47 relief appearances, recording 50 strikeouts across 44 innings. The 2023 season saw him appear in 27 games with a 4.03 earned run average and 26 strikeouts in 29 innings pitched. However, the 2024 season began poorly for Brogdon, as he allowed a grand slam to Spencer Steer of the Cincinnati Reds and was designated for assignment on April 2 after posting a 27.00 earned run average in just three appearances.
Los Angeles Dodgers (2024)
On April 6, 2024, Brogdon was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for prospect Benony Robles. He made only one appearance for the Dodgers before being placed on the injured list with plantar fasciitis in his right foot on April 13. He was transferred to the 60-day injured list on May 19. Brogdon was removed from the 40-man roster and outrighted to the minors on November 14. He rejected the assignment and elected free agency the following day, concluding his brief tenure with the Dodgers organization.
Los Angeles Angels (2025)
On December 23, 2024, Brogdon signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels. He began the 2025 season with the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees, where he struggled early with a 12.89 earned run average across his initial 13 outings. On May 6, 2025, the Angels selected Brogdon’s contract and added him to their active roster. He appeared in 43 total games for Los Angeles, compiling a 3-2 record with a 5.55 earned run average and 49 strikeouts across 47 innings. The Angels designated him for assignment on August 17, 2025, and he cleared waivers before being sent outright to Salt Lake on August 19. He rejected the assignment and elected free agency but re-signed with the Angels on a minor league contract on August 28. The Angels added him back to their active roster on September 12. Following the season, he was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Salt Lake, and he elected free agency once again.
Cleveland Guardians (2026-Present)
The Cleveland Guardians signed Brogdon to a one-year, $900,000 contract on December 3, 2025. He made 15 appearances for the Guardians through early May 2026, compiling a 2-2 record with a 5.28 earned run average and 14 strikeouts across 15 and one-third innings, along with one save. On May 8, 2026, Brogdon was designated for assignment following the promotion of prospect Franco Aleman. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-A Columbus Clippers on May 14, remaining in the Guardians organization.
Pitcher Profile and Strengths
Brogdon operates primarily with a three-pitch repertoire consisting of a fastball, changeup, and a hybrid cut-slider pitch. His average fastball velocity reached 96 miles per hour during the 2020 MLB season, showing improvement over his minor league velocity. He has expressed a goal of sustaining 97 miles per hour fastball speeds over longer stretches during appearances. Brogdon developed his changeup while playing with the Reading Phillies, capable of reaching speeds up to 83 miles per hour. The cut-slider represents his newest pitch, developed during his 2019 minor league campaign. Originally intended as a starting pitcher, Brogdon transitioned to a relief role in the minor leagues and has continued as a bullpen specialist throughout his MLB career.
Connor Michael Brogdon Career Highlights
Throughout his professional career, Brogdon has accumulated meaningful statistics across multiple MLB organizations. His career MLB record stands at 15 wins and 12 losses with a 4.43 earned run average and 209 total strikeouts through May 7, 2026. He has appeared in over 100 major league games, primarily as a relief pitcher, and has recorded multiple saves throughout his career.
Professional Career Achievements
Among Brogdon’s most significant career moments, his first MLB win on September 18, 2020, stands out as a milestone achievement early in his major league career. His strong finish to the 2020 season with 14 strikeouts in less than nine shutout innings demonstrated his potential as a reliable bullpen option. Brogdon’s ability to pitch effectively at the major league level across multiple organizations, from the Phillies to the Dodgers, Angels, and Guardians, reflects his adaptability and persistence in professional baseball. His contributions to the 2017 NAIA World Series championship team at Lewis-Clark State College also represent a career highlight from his collegiate career.
Connor Michael Brogdon Family
Personal Background
Connor Michael Brogdon was born and raised in Clovis, California, and attended Liberty High School in Madera, California. While specific details about his family members are not widely available in public sources, his baseball background includes connections to other prospects from his high school, notably San Francisco Giants prospect J.J. Santa Cruz, with whom he attended Liberty High School. Brogdon’s path to professional baseball demonstrates his commitment to developing his craft through the collegiate ranks rather than signing immediately out of high school, eventually earning a spot in professional baseball through his performance at the NAIA level.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a significant year for Brogdon as he sought to establish himself as a consistent MLB contributor after an injury-plagued stint with the Dodgers in 2024. Beginning the year in Triple-A with Salt Lake, he struggled early with an elevated earned run average before earning a call-up to the Angels active roster in May. His 43 appearances for Los Angeles provided him with substantial innings and experience, though his 5.55 earned run average indicated some challenges adapting to American League lineups. The Angels cycling him between the active roster, minor leagues, and eventually releasing him demonstrated the competitive nature of MLB bullpen roles. His subsequent re-signing and return to the Angels roster in September showed the organization’s continued interest in his abilities. Moving forward, Brogdon’s experience with four MLB organizations and his ability to record saves position him as a versatile bullpen option as he continues his professional career with the Guardians organization.