Anthony Banda Bio
Frank Anthony Banda, known professionally as Anthony Banda, is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). Born on August 10, 1993, in Corpus Christi, Texas, Banda has built a career as a left-handed relief pitcher after being selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the tenth round of the 2012 MLB draft. He played college baseball for San Jacinto College, where his performance earned him National Junior College Athletic Association third-team All-American honors. Across his professional career, Banda has suited up for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tampa Bay Rays, New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Washington Nationals, and Cleveland Guardians.
Standing out as a durable and versatile left-handed reliever, Banda is a two-time World Series champion, having helped the Dodgers capture championships in 2024 and 2025. His path through professional baseball has included stops at every level of the minor leagues, injury setbacks, and a series of short stints in the majors before finding a long-term home in the Dodgers bullpen. His career reflects persistence, with multiple organizations giving him opportunities to develop into a reliable late-inning option.
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 a family with four siblings, a household that helped shape his early love for sports. Banda attended Sinton High School in Sinton, Texas, where he played for the school’s baseball team and developed the skills that would eventually lead to a professional career. The South Texas region has long produced talented baseball players, and Banda used his high school years to refine his craft as a left-handed pitcher.
Before graduating, Banda received his first taste of professional recognition when the Arizona Diamondbacks selected him in the 33rd round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft. Deciding to continue his development, he chose not to sign and instead attended San Jacinto College, a program known for producing major league talent. At San Jacinto, Banda posted a 7–1 record with a 2.01 earned run average and 73 strikeouts, earning NJCAA third-team All-American honors. His success in junior college positioned him as a more polished prospect heading into the next draft.
Path to Professional Baseball
Banda’s decision to attend San Jacinto College paid off when the Milwaukee Brewers selected him in the tenth round of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft. He signed with the Brewers and made his professional debut that same year with the Arizona League Brewers, where he posted a 2–3 record with a 5.83 ERA in 41 2/3 innings. The following season, he advanced to the Helena Brewers, pitching to a 3–4 record and 4.45 ERA in 14 starts. In 2014, Banda began the year with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, making 20 appearances, including 14 starts, with a 6–6 record and 3.66 ERA.
On July 31, 2014, the Brewers traded Banda and Mitch Haniger to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for Gerardo Parra, marking a major turning point in his career. The Diamondbacks assigned him to the South Bend Silver Hawks, where he finished the season strong, making six starts with a 1.54 ERA. Banda spent 2015 with the Visalia Rawhide, going 8–8 with a 3.32 ERA in 28 games, including 27 starts, and one shutout. He led the league with 152 strikeouts, finished second in starts, and third with 151 2/3 innings, earning MiLB.com Organization All-Star and postseason All-Star honors.
Anthony Banda Career
Early Career (2012-2016)
Banda began 2016 with the Mobile BayBears and was promoted to the Reno Aces in June, where he was also selected to play in the All-Star Futures Game that July. In 26 starts between Mobile and Reno, he pitched to a 10–6 record and 2.88 ERA, with 152 strikeouts across 150 innings. His performance earned him mid-season Southern League All-Star and MILB.com Organization All-Star selections. The Diamondbacks added him to their 40-man roster after the 2016 season, a clear sign that he was nearing major league readiness.
He started the 2017 season pitching for Reno, continuing to refine his skills against upper-level minor league competition. Throughout his development years, Banda worked on his command and pitch repertoire, learning the demands of starting pitching in the minor leagues. The combination of high strikeout totals and growing experience against advanced hitters helped him transition from a promising prospect to a major league-ready arm.
Arizona Diamondbacks Debut (2017)
Banda made his major league debut on July 22, 2017, against the Washington Nationals, taking the loss in that game. He struck out the first batter he faced, Brian Goodwin, and allowed four runs on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings while striking out five. The Diamondbacks optioned him back to Reno the next day, but he was recalled twice more during the season. He finished 2017 with a 2–3 record and 5.96 ERA in 24 2/3 innings at the major league level. In 22 starts for Reno, he went 8–7 with 12 wild pitches, 116 strikeouts, 51 walks, and a 5.39 ERA, providing a foundation of experience that would serve him well in future seasons.
Tampa Bay Rays Era (2018-2020)
On February 18, 2018, the Diamondbacks traded Banda to the Tampa Bay Rays in a three-team trade that also involved the New York Yankees. Banda began the 2018 season with the Durham Bulls and made his Rays debut on May 15 against the Kansas City Royals. His momentum was halted on June 4 when he was diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament requiring Tommy John surgery, effectively ending his 2018 season and half of the following year. He pitched 14 2/3 innings for the Rays in 2018, allowing six earned runs.
In 2019, Banda made 13 rehab appearances in the minor leagues, posting a 2–4 record and 5.67 ERA. He returned to the Rays with a relief appearance on September 8 and pitched a total of four innings over three games, allowing three runs. Banda made only four appearances in the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season, pitching seven innings and allowing eight earned runs before being designated for assignment on August 30. On August 31, 2020, the Rays traded him to the San Francisco Giants for cash considerations, beginning a new chapter of his career.
New York Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates (2021-2022)
On July 2, 2021, Banda was traded to the New York Mets in exchange for Will Toffey. He was assigned to the Triple-A Syracuse Mets, where he allowed six earned runs in 10 1/3 innings. On July 19, Banda was selected to the active roster and made five appearances for the Mets, pitching to a 7.36 ERA with seven strikeouts before being designated for assignment on July 31. On August 2, 2021, the Pittsburgh Pirates claimed him off waivers, and Banda made 25 appearances for Pittsburgh down the stretch, recording a 1–2 record and 3.42 ERA with 25 strikeouts in 26 1/3 innings.
In 2022, Banda pitched in 23 games for the Pirates but struggled to a 6.41 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 19 2/3 innings of work. On June 27, he was designated for assignment, and on July 2, 2022, he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays 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 and becoming a free agent on August 6 after rejecting an outright assignment to the minors.
New York Yankees and Washington Nationals (2022-2023)
On August 9, 2022, Banda signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners, pitching four innings for the Tacoma Rainiers and allowing one earned run. On August 25, he opted out and became a free agent, then signed a one-year major league contract with the New York Yankees on August 28. He was designated for assignment on September 3 after allowing three runs on two hits and five walks in 2/3 of an inning across two appearances. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders on September 5, where he appeared in six games and allowed five earned runs in 7 1/3 innings. On October 24, Banda elected free agency.
On January 4, 2023, Banda signed a minor league deal with the Washington Nationals, and on March 30, his contract was selected after he made the Opening Day roster. He made 10 appearances for Washington, registering a 6.43 ERA with six strikeouts in seven innings pitched. On April 30, he was designated for assignment, cleared waivers, and was sent outright to the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings on May 4. In 33 games for the Red Wings, he pitched 65 1/3 innings, made 10 starts, and allowed 55 earned runs for a 9.23 ERA. On October 13, Banda elected free agency, once again looking for a new opportunity.
Cleveland Guardians and Los Angeles Dodgers (2024-Present)
On January 30, 2024, Banda signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Guardians, recording a 2.12 ERA with 25 strikeouts across 17 innings pitched in 12 games for the Triple-A Columbus Clippers. On May 17, 2024, the Guardians traded him to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for cash considerations, and he was added to the major league roster on May 19. He pitched in an extra-innings game against the Cincinnati Reds that same day. Banda was placed on the injured list on September 10 after fracturing his left hand by hitting a solid object following a poor performance the previous day, but he rejoined the roster on September 26. In 48 games for the Dodgers in 2024, he went 3–2 with a 3.08 ERA in 49 2/3 innings. He then pitched eight innings over 10 postseason games, allowing only one run on six hits as the Dodgers won the 2024 World Series.
Driving Style and Strengths
Banda has carved out his role as a left-handed relief pitcher who thrives on limiting hard contact and generating swings and misses in high-leverage situations. His ability to bounce back from injury setbacks and adapt to relief work has defined his career in recent seasons. Working with the Dodgers coaching staff, he has refined his approach to attacking hitters with a combination of fastball command and secondary offerings.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Banda’s career came in the 2024 World Series, where he posted an exceptional postseason performance by allowing only one run across eight innings over 10 games. His 2024 regular-season ERA of 3.08 across 48 games established him as a reliable bullpen arm. In 2025, he appeared in a team-high 71 games, finishing with a 5–1 record and 3.18 ERA in 65 innings, cementing his role as a trusted late-inning option for the Dodgers.
Anthony Banda Career Wins
Anthony Banda’s career wins span multiple major league organizations, though his most significant achievements have come as a reliever rather than as a primary starting pitcher. His win totals in recent seasons reflect his role as a reliable bullpen arm, particularly during his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he has contributed to back-to-back World Series championships in 2024 and 2025.
MLB Career Highlights
Across his major league career, Banda has accumulated wins with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Los Angeles Dodgers. His 2024 season with the Dodgers saw him go 3–2 in 48 games, while his 2025 campaign produced a 5–1 record across 71 appearances, tying him for one of the most utilized relief roles on the team. These win totals reflect his consistent availability and effectiveness as a left-handed reliever in high-leverage situations.
Other Performances
Beyond his major league appearances, Banda has posted strong numbers at various minor league levels, including his standout 7–1 record with a 2.01 ERA at San Jacinto College and a 10–6 record with a 2.88 ERA in 26 starts across Mobile and Reno in 2016. His development in the minor leagues laid the foundation for his major league success.
Anthony Banda Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Frank Anthony Banda was born to parents Frank and Danette Banda and grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas, with four siblings. His family provided the foundation for his baseball journey, and he has spoken about the deep roots that connect him to the South Texas community where he grew up.
Personal Life
Banda has a son who was born in December 2018. In a tragic personal event on November 2, 2022, Banda’s brother, Mathew Banda, a 27-year-old Navy veteran, and 37-year-old Betsy Mandujano were killed by an intoxicated driver going the wrong way on the Corpus Christi Harbor Bridge. The loss deeply affected the Banda family and remains a significant part of his personal story.
2025 Season Performance
Anthony Banda’s 2025 season represented the peak of his major league career in terms of usage and reliability. Pitching in a team-high 71 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers, he finished with a 5–1 record and 3.18 ERA across 65 innings, establishing himself as one of the most trusted left-handed relievers in the Dodgers bullpen. His ability to appear in such a high volume of games reflected both his durability and the coaching staff’s confidence in his performance against both left-handed and right-handed hitters.
In the postseason, Banda continued to deliver in critical moments, pitching one scoreless inning in the 2025 NLDS and 1 2/3 scoreless innings in the 2025 NLCS. The 2025 World Series proved more challenging, as he allowed six runs on six hits, including two home runs, and one walk across three innings. Despite those struggles, the Dodgers ultimately won the series in seven games to claim the championship, giving Banda his second consecutive World Series title.
Heading into the next chapter of his career, Banda’s 2025 performance solidified his place in the Dodgers organization and demonstrated that he can handle the workload of a high-leverage relief role over a full season. His combination of strikeout ability, ground-ball tendencies, and postseason experience makes him a valuable asset for any contender looking for a proven left-handed reliever.