Brendan Donnelly

From BR Bullpen

Brendan Kevin Donnelly

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 6' 3", Weight 205 lb.
School Mesa State College
Debut April 9, 2002
Born July 4, 1971 in Washington, DC USA

[edit] Biographical Information

Brendan Donnelly pitched in the minors for almost a decade and played for six organizations before finally making his big league debut at age 30. He has pitched in the majors for six years so far, from 2002-2007. A workhorse, he has appeared in as many as 65 games in a season.

Donnelly was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the 27th round of the 1992 amateur draft and made his pro debut with their rookie affiliate that season, going 0-3 with a 3.67 ERA and 1 save in 9 games. He began the next season on the disabled list with an elbow injury and was released by the Sox before even appearing in a game. Two months later, he was signed by the Chicago Cubs, and he spent the rest of 1993 at Class A, where he went 4-0 with a 6.28 ERA and one save.

He was let go by the Cubs in the offseason and spent the next year playing in an independent league. In 1995, he joined the Cincinnati Reds organization and saved 14 games in Class A before being promoted to the AAA Indianapolis Indians late in the season. He played three more years in the Reds system before being let go prior to the 1999 season. He began that year in the independent Atlantic League before stints in the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Toronto Blue Jays organizations that season. He remained with the Jays system to start 2000 but was released in July. He then returned to the Cubs organization, appearing in 9 games for the Iowa Cubs before being granted free agency after the season.

Prior to the 2001 season, Donnelly was signed by the Anaheim Angels, and he finally reached the majors with the club the following season (2002). He played a key role in the Angels World Series victory, appearing in 5 Series games and only allowing 1 hit.

The next year, 2003 he had his finest big league season, posting a 1.58 ERA and striking out 79 in just 74 innings, and made the All-Star team.

On December 15, 2006 Donnelly was traded to the Boston Red Sox for pitcher Phil Seibel.

In July of 2008, Donnelly was assigned to the Kinston Indians in the Carolina League. He is trying to work his way back up to the majors following Tommy John surgery.