Brandon Waddell Bio
Brandon David Waddell, born on June 3, 1994, in Houston, Texas, is an American professional baseball pitcher currently in the New York Mets organization. A left-handed starter and reliever, Waddell has competed at the highest levels of professional baseball across multiple continents, including Major League Baseball (MLB), the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) League, and the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL). He made his MLB debut in 2020 with the Pittsburgh Pirates and has since built a versatile international résumé. As of 2025, Waddell is on a minor league deal with the Mets, working to contribute at the major league level.
Over the course of his career, Waddell has worn the uniforms of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles, St. Louis Cardinals, Doosan Bears, and Rakuten Monkeys. His travels between organizations and countries reflect a player who has adapted to varied competition and continued to perform as a starting pitcher. In December 2024, Waddell signed a contract that runs through the 2025 season, continuing his journey as a professional pitcher in the New York Mets system.
Early Life and Background
Brandon David Waddell grew up in Houston, Texas, where he attended Clear Lake High School. While in high school, he took college-level courses at the University of Houston–Clear Lake, beginning his academic path early. Growing up in the Houston area placed him in a region with a deep baseball culture, and his development as a young pitcher led him to pursue college baseball at a competitive program. His family background and local community in Houston helped shape his early approach to the sport.
After high school, Waddell enrolled at the University of Virginia, where he played college baseball for the Virginia Cavaliers. He completed his studies in three years, earning a degree in economics, and was admitted to the master’s program in the School of Education and Human Development at Virginia. Waddell’s time as a Cavalier was marked by significant postseason appearances and helped establish him as one of the top college pitchers in the nation.
Path to Baseball
Waddell’s path to professional baseball was defined by his contributions on the national stage with the Virginia Cavaliers. In 2014, he started a must-win game two of the College World Series, helping Virginia win that contest. In 2015, he returned to the College World Series and earned the win in the deciding game, cementing his reputation as a big-game pitcher. His academics and athletics both flourished during his college years, and his performance drew attention from MLB scouts.
The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Waddell in the fifth round of the 2015 MLB draft, beginning his professional career. He signed with the Pirates and received a $315,000 signing bonus, and quickly moved into the minor league system. His combination of college experience, postseason poise, and strong academics made him a promising prospect for the Pittsburgh organization.
Brandon Waddell Career
Early Career (2015–2019)
Waddell made his professional debut in 2015 with the West Virginia Black Bears of the Low-A New York-Penn League. He spent the full 2015 season in West Virginia, posting a 1–1 record with a 5.75 ERA in six games, adjusting to professional hitters. The following year, he began with the Bradenton Marauders of the High-A Florida State League and was promoted to the Altoona Curve of the Double-A Eastern League in May 2016. Between both levels, he recorded an 11–9 record and a 3.49 ERA, demonstrating steady progress through the system.
In 2017, Waddell spent the entire season with Altoona, where he went 3–3 with a 3.55 ERA in 15 games. He then split the 2018 and 2019 seasons between Altoona and the Indianapolis Indians of the Triple-A International League, refining his craft as a starter. By the end of the 2019 season, he had established himself as a reliable arm in the upper levels of the Pittsburgh farm system, setting the stage for his first major league opportunity.
Pittsburgh Pirates Era (2020)
Waddell’s major league journey began on August 9, 2020, when the Pittsburgh Pirates selected his contract to the 40-man roster. Five days later, on August 14, he made his MLB debut against the Cincinnati Reds, fulfilling a lifelong goal. His time in the Pirates organization had been years in the making, and his debut marked the end of a long climb through Pittsburgh’s minor league ranks.
Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles, and St. Louis Cardinals Era (2021)
On October 30, 2020, the Minnesota Twins claimed Waddell off waivers. He was designated for assignment in February 2021, outrighted, and invited to spring training as a non-roster invitee. On April 7, 2021, Waddell’s contract was selected to the 40-man and active rosters, but he recorded an 11.25 ERA in four appearances and was designated for assignment on May 7, 2021. The Baltimore Orioles claimed him off waivers on May 8, 2021, and Waddell pitched one scoreless inning for Baltimore before being designated for assignment on June 4. The St. Louis Cardinals then claimed him off waivers on June 6, 2021.
Waddell made four appearances for the Cardinals in 2021, going 0–1 with a 6.75 ERA and seven strikeouts. On April 4, 2022, he was designated for assignment by the Cardinals and outrighted to the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds on April 7. He was released by St. Louis on July 13, 2022, closing his initial MLB chapter.
Doosan Bears and Rakuten Monkeys Era (2022–2024)
On July 17, 2022, Waddell signed with the Doosan Bears of the Korea Baseball Organization, launching his international career. He made 11 starts for Doosan down the stretch, logging a 5–3 record and 3.60 ERA with 40 strikeouts across 65 innings pitched. On January 14, 2023, he signed with the Rakuten Monkeys of the Chinese Professional Baseball League, where he posted a 5–5 record and 3.30 ERA with 60 strikeouts across 71 innings in 12 starts. He made an Opening Day start for the Monkeys in his CPBL debut on April 1, 2023.
On June 12, 2023, the Monkeys completed a contract transfer with the Doosan Bears, and Waddell returned to Korea. In 18 starts during his second stint with Doosan, he registered an 11–3 record and 2.49 ERA with 100 strikeouts across 104⅔ innings. On December 21, 2023, Waddell re-signed with the Bears on a one-year, $1 million contract. In 2024, he posted a 7–4 record with a 3.12 ERA and 75 strikeouts across 75 innings before becoming a free agent following the season.
New York Mets Era (2025–Present)
On December 16, 2024, Waddell signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets, beginning his latest chapter. He began the 2025 season with the Triple-A Syracuse Mets, posting a 1–1 record and 1.54 ERA with 21 strikeouts across his first five starts. On April 30, 2025, the Mets selected Waddell’s contract, adding him to the active roster. In 11 appearances for New York, he recorded a 3.45 ERA with 22 strikeouts across 31⅓ innings pitched. Waddell was designated for assignment following the acquisition of another player on December 17 and cleared waivers, being sent outright to Triple-A Syracuse on December 19.
Notable Events and Milestones
Waddell’s most notable moment came in 2015 when he earned the win in the deciding game of the College World Series for the Virginia Cavaliers. His MLB debut on August 14, 2020, against the Cincinnati Reds marked the realization of a professional dream after years in the minor leagues. In 2023, he turned in one of the strongest stretches of his career with the Doosan Bears, going 11–3 with a 2.49 ERA, and in 2025, he earned his first major league appearances with the New York Mets.
Brandon Waddell Career Wins
Brandon Waddell has accumulated wins across multiple professional baseball leagues in the United States and abroad. He has recorded victories in the minor leagues, the KBO League, and the CPBL, along with a win in the deciding game of the 2015 College World Series.
Doosan Bears Highlights
During his first stint with the Doosan Bears in 2022, Waddell made 11 starts and recorded a 5–3 record with a 3.60 ERA. In his second stint in 2023, he posted an 11–3 record with a 2.49 ERA and 100 strikeouts across 104⅔ innings. In 2024, he went 7–4 with a 3.12 ERA and 75 strikeouts across 75 innings pitched.
Rakuten Monkeys Highlights
Waddell made an Opening Day start for the Rakuten Monkeys in his CPBL debut on April 1, 2023, earning the win. In 12 starts for Rakuten, he registered a 5–5 record and 3.30 ERA with 60 strikeouts in 71 innings pitched.
Brandon Waddell Family
Family Background and Education
Waddell grew up in Houston, Texas, where he attended Clear Lake High School and took college-level courses at the University of Houston–Clear Lake. He earned a degree in economics from the University of Virginia in three years and was admitted to the master’s program in the School of Education and Human Development at Virginia. His academic path has been a defining element of his off-field identity.
Personal Life
Waddell’s personal life, including marital status, is not publicly detailed in available sources. He has spent much of his professional career traveling between organizations in the United States and overseas, building a global baseball résumé.
2025 Season Performance
Waddell entered the 2025 season with the Triple-A Syracuse Mets, where he posted a 1–1 record and 1.54 ERA with 21 strikeouts across his first five starts. His strong early-season performance led to his contract being selected by the Mets on April 30, 2025, adding him to the major league roster.
In 11 appearances for New York, Waddell recorded a 3.45 ERA with 22 strikeouts across 31⅓ innings pitched, providing steady work out of the bullpen and in spot-start situations. Waddell was designated for assignment by the Mets following the acquisition of another player on December 17, cleared waivers, and was sent outright to Triple-A Syracuse on December 19.
Waddell’s 2025 campaign demonstrated his continued ability to compete at the major league level, and his prior track record in the KBO League established him as a resilient international pitcher. With his contract running through 2026, Waddell remains a depth option in the New York Mets organization going forward.