Connor Brogdon Bio
Connor Michael Brogdon is an American professional baseball pitcher who currently plays for the Cleveland Guardians of Major League Baseball (MLB). Born on January 29, 1995, in Clovis, California, Brogdon has built his career as a relief pitcher after originally being developed as a starter. Over the course of his professional journey, he has played for the Philadelphia Phillies, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Los Angeles Angels, and now the Guardians.
After a collegiate path that included a national championship at the NAIA level, Brogdon was drafted by the Phillies in 2017 and reached the majors three years later. He has since bounced between organizations, contributing out of the bullpen and continuing to refine his three-pitch arsenal.
Early Life and Background
Connor Michael Brogdon was born on January 29, 1995, in Clovis, California. He grew up in the Central Valley region and attended Liberty High School in nearby Madera, where he played alongside fellow prospect J.J. Santa Cruz. Even at the high school level, Brogdon drew the attention of major league scouts for his arm strength and mound presence.
In the 2013 MLB Draft, the Atlanta Braves selected Brogdon in the 40th round. Rather than sign a professional contract at that early stage, he chose to continue his education and pursue a college career. Although he initially signed a National Letter of Intent with Fresno State, he instead began his collegiate career at Fresno City College, where he quickly established himself as one of the top junior college pitchers in California.
Across two seasons at Fresno City College, Brogdon posted an outstanding 9–0 win–loss record with a 1.85 earned run average, earning Central Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year honors. After his sophomore year, he transferred to Lewis–Clark State College in Idaho, where the coaching staff deployed him as a starting pitcher and helped raise his profile ahead of the next draft.
Path to Professional Baseball
At Lewis–Clark State College, Brogdon continued his rapid development. In his first season with the program, he went 6–0 with a 2.81 ERA and 48 strikeouts across 11 starts and 51+1⁄3 innings. The following year, he recorded an 8–1 mark in 15 games, led the team in innings pitched with 80+1⁄3, and helped the Warriors win the 2017 NAIA World Series championship.
Despite his heavy junior and senior workloads, Brogdon’s fastball velocity began to dip from the mid-90s into the mid-80s by the end of his college career. Philadelphia Phillies scout Hilton Richardson noted that the heavy usage may have taken a toll on the young pitcher. Nevertheless, the Phillies selected Brogdon in the 10th round, 293rd overall, of the 2017 MLB Draft, making him the highest Lewis–Clark draft pick since Beau Mills.
Connor Brogdon Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
Brogdon signed with the Phillies for a $5,000 bonus and made his professional debut on June 26, 2017, with the Low-A Williamsport Crosscutters. Originally slated as a starting pitcher, he was moved into the bullpen to make room for prospects Spencer Howard and Connor Seabold. Across 16 appearances and 34+2⁄3 innings, he posted a 3–1 record and a 2.34 ERA.
In 2018, Brogdon was named to the Single-A Lakewood BlueClaws’ preliminary Opening Day roster and finished 5–3 with a 2.47 ERA, including a 1.42 mark across 38 relief innings. The following season, he climbed through three levels, pitching for the High-A Clearwater Threshers, the Double-A Reading Phillies, and the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Across 51 appearances in 2019, he combined for a 6–2 record and a 2.61 ERA.
Philadelphia Phillies Breakthrough (2020–2024)
With the minor league season canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Phillies invited Brogdon to an alternate training site in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He was officially added to the major league roster on August 11, 2020, and made his MLB debut on August 13 against the Baltimore Orioles. Although he surrendered home runs on his very first pitch to Pedro Severino and later to Rio Ruiz, Brogdon rebounded in September, striking out 14 batters in 8+2⁄3 scoreless innings and earning his first career win on September 18 against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Brogdon earned a win in the 2021 season opener against the Atlanta Braves on April 1, but his first runs allowed came on April 20 when he gave up two three-run homers to the San Francisco Giants. In 2022, after some early struggles, he settled into a reliable relief role, going 2–2 with two saves and a 3.27 ERA across 47 appearances. The 2023 season saw him pitch in 27 contests with a 4.03 ERA. After a rough start to 2024, in which he posted a 27.00 ERA in just two innings, Brogdon was designated for assignment on April 2 and later traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Los Angeles Dodgers (2024)
On April 6, 2024, the Phillies traded Brogdon to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for Benony Robles. He made just one appearance for the Dodgers before being placed on the injured list with plantar fasciitis in his right foot on April 13. He was later transferred to the 60-day injured list and, on November 14, was removed from the 40-man roster and outrighted to the minors. He rejected the assignment and elected free agency the following day.
Los Angeles Angels (2025)
Brogdon signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels on December 23, 2024, and began 2025 with the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees, where he struggled to a 12.89 ERA in his first 13 outings. The Angels selected his contract on May 6, but designated him for assignment on August 17. After clearing waivers and rejecting an outright assignment to Salt Lake, he briefly became a free agent before re-signing with the Angels on August 28 and returning to the active roster on September 12. He finished the year with a 3–2 record and a 5.55 ERA across 43 appearances and 47 innings for Los Angeles, then elected free agency again in October after being removed from the 40-man roster.
Cleveland Guardians Era (2026–Present)
On December 3, 2025, the Cleveland Guardians signed Connor Michael Brogdon to a one-year, $900,000 contract. The move gave the veteran reliever a fresh opportunity within a new organization looking to add experienced bullpen depth. He is expected to compete for a role in the Guardians’ relief corps.
Driving Style and Strengths
Brogdon operates primarily with a three-pitch mix: a four-seam fastball, a changeup, and a hybrid cutter-slider. In 2020, his average fastball velocity sat at about 96 mph, and he has publicly stated a goal of sustaining 97 mph over longer outings. He developed his changeup during his time with the Reading Phillies, while the cut-slider became his newest weapon during his 2019 minor league stint.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature moments, Brogdon earned the win in the Phillies’ 2021 season opener against the Atlanta Braves, recorded his first MLB win against the Toronto Blue Jays in September 2020, and was part of the 2017 NAIA World Series championship team at Lewis–Clark State College. His MLB career line through the 2025 season included a 13–10 record, a 4.36 ERA, and 195 strikeouts.
Connor Brogdon Career Highlights
Across his MLB career, Connor Michael Brogdon has compiled a 13–10 record with a 4.36 ERA and 195 strikeouts through the 2025 season. His journey from a 10th-round draft pick to a multi-organizational big league reliever highlights both his perseverance and his resilience through injuries and roster changes.
Major League Highlights
Brogdon’s most memorable MLB moments include his debut with the Phillies in August 2020, his first career win later that September, and his winning appearance in Philadelphia’s 2021 season opener. He also turned in a solid 2022 campaign, going 2–2 with two saves and a 3.27 ERA across 47 relief appearances. With the Angels in 2025, he appeared in 43 games, going 3–2 with 49 strikeouts in 47 innings.
Other Performances
Beyond the majors, Brogdon posted a combined 6–2 record and a 2.61 ERA across three minor league levels in 2019, and he was a key contributor to the 2017 NAIA World Series championship team at Lewis–Clark State College. His two-year run at Fresno City College, where he went 9–0 with a 1.85 ERA, also stands out as a foundational chapter of his career.
Connor Brogdon Family
Family Background and Education
Connor Michael Brogdon grew up in Clovis, California, and attended Liberty High School in nearby Madera. He continued his education at Fresno City College before transferring to Lewis–Clark State College, where he balanced rigorous academics with a championship-level pitching workload. His college experiences helped shape both his competitive drive and his professional outlook.
Personal Life
Brogdon has kept most of his personal life private, and detailed information about his marital status, spouse, or children is not publicly confirmed. He continues to be recognized primarily for his accomplishments on the mound rather than for off-field headlines.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was a turbulent year for Connor Michael Brogdon. After signing a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Angels in late December 2024, he opened the year with the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees and struggled early, posting a 12.89 ERA in his first 13 outings. The Angels selected his contract on May 6, giving him another chance at the major league level.
Across 43 total appearances with Los Angeles, Brogdon finished 3–2 with a 5.55 ERA and 49 strikeouts over 47 innings. He bounced on and off the active roster, including a designation for assignment in August and a brief stint in free agency before returning to the Angels in September. Despite the inconsistency, his experience and three-pitch repertoire kept him in demand.
Brogdon’s 2025 journey ultimately ended in October when the Angels removed him from the 40-man roster and he elected free agency once more. His performance across the year reinforced both his bullpen value and the challenges of maintaining consistency, setting the stage for his December 2025 signing with the Cleveland Guardians as he prepared for the next chapter of his career.