Brandon Cunniff

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = Brandon Cunniff

| image =

| team =

| number =

| position = Pitcher

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1988|10|7}}

| birth_place = Arcadia, California, U.S.

| bats = Right

| throws = Right

| debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = April 7

| debutyear = 2015

| debutteam = Atlanta Braves

| finalleague = MLB

| finaldate = September 30

| finalyear = 2016

| finalteam = Atlanta Braves

| statleague = MLB

| stat1label = Win–loss record

| stat1value = 4–2

| stat2label = Earned run average

| stat2value = 4.50

| stat3label = Strikeouts

| stat3value = 53

| teams =

Atlanta Braves ({{mlby|2015}}–{{mlby|2016}})

}}

Brandon Michael Cunniff (born October 7, 1988) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Atlanta Braves.

Career

Cunniff attended Norco High School and the California State University, San Bernardino.

=Florida Marlins=

Cunniff was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 27th round of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft out of California State University San Bernardino. He spent his first professional season with the rookie–level Gulf Coast League Marlins and Low–A Jamestown Jammers, making 18 appearances before being released on March 31, 2011.{{cite news|last1=Bowman|first1=Mark|title=From independent ball to bigs: Cunniff living dream|url=http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/116844632/from-independent-ball-to-major-leagues-braves-reliever-brandon-cunniff-living-dream|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411040048/http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/116844632/from-independent-ball-to-major-leagues-braves-reliever-brandon-cunniff-living-dream|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 11, 2015|access-date=April 8, 2015|work=MLB.com|date=April 7, 2015}}

=River City Rascals=

Following his release from the Marlins organization, Cunniff joined the River City Rascals of the Frontier League. In 44 appearances for the team in 2011, he logged a 4-0 record and 1.54 ERA with 53 strikeouts and nine saves across {{fraction|46|1|3}} innings pitched. Cunniff made 28 appearances for the Rascals in 2012, compiling a 2-0 record and 1.83 ERA with 55 strikeouts and four saves across {{fraction|34|1|3}} innings pitched.{{Cite web|title=Miners Acquire Cunniff from River City|url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/miners-acquire-cunniff-from-river-city/n-4462722|access-date=May 29, 2025|website=oursportscentral.com|language=en}}

=Southern Illinois Miners=

On August 3, 2012, Cunniff was traded to the Southern Illinois Miners of the Frontier League in exchange for Albert Ayala.{{Cite web|title=Miners get Cunniff|url=https://thesouthern.com/news/miners-get-cunniff/article_7227ef54-ddac-11e1-805a-001a4bcf887a.html|access-date=May 29, 2025|website=thesouthern.com|language=en}} In nine appearances down the stretch, he posted a 1-0 record and 2.70 ERA with 10 strikeouts and four saves over 10 innings of work.

Cunniff made 12 scoreless appearances for the Miners to begin the 2013 campaign, recording 23 strikeouts and eight saves across 12 innings pitched.{{Cite web|title=Brandon Cunniff - Frontier League - player|url=https://baseball.pointstreak.com/player.html?playerid=367846&seasonid=11475|access-date=May 29, 2025|website=baseball.pointstreak.com|language=en}}

=Atlanta Braves=

Cunniff signed with the Atlanta Braves in June 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.frontierleague.com/2013/06/21/miners-brandon-cunniff-has-contract-purchased/|title=MINERS BRANDON CUNNIFF HAS CONTRACT PURCHASED|work=Frontier League|access-date=April 1, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyrepublicannews.com/article/20130624/SPORTS/130629767/1020/SPORTS|title=Miners closer Cunniff signed by Atlanta Braves|author=Justin Walker|work=The Daily Republican|date=November 4, 2007 |access-date=April 1, 2015}} He compiled a 1.99 ERA in 20 appearances at Single–A Lynchburg. The next year, Cunniff made nine more appearances with Lynchburg until a promotion to the Southern League's Mississippi Braves. At the Double–A level, Cunniff pitched in 33 games, recording a 2.05 ERA.

The Braves added Cunniff to the team's 40-man roster on November 19, 2014, in order to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.{{cite web|url=http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/101960388/top-prospect-jose-peraza-among-braves-roster-additions|title=Top prospect Peraza among Braves' roster additions|work=MLB.com|access-date=April 1, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304113953/http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/101960388/top-prospect-jose-peraza-among-braves-roster-additions|url-status=dead}} He was invited to spring training in 2015, and sent to the minors as one of the final cuts. After Craig Kimbrel and Melvin Upton, Jr. were traded to the San Diego Padres on April 6, Cunniff was called up.{{cite news|last1=Bowman|first1=Mark|title=Grilli gets first shot to serve as Braves closer|url=http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/116606188/jason-grilli-gets-first-shot-to-serve-as-braves-closer|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150408162918/http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/116606188/jason-grilli-gets-first-shot-to-serve-as-braves-closer|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 8, 2015|access-date=April 6, 2015|work=MLB.com|date=April 6, 2015}} Cunniff went on the disabled list for the first time in his career on June 26, 2015, after suffering a groin strain.{{cite news|last1=Cunningham|first1=Michael|title=Braves place pitcher Cunniff on DL|url=http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/baseball/braves-place-pitcher-cunniff-on-dl/nmmq4/|access-date=December 18, 2015|work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|date=June 26, 2015}} He was designated for assignment on December 18.{{cite news|title=Friday's Sports Transactions|url=http://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/article/Friday-s-Sports-Transactions-6708258.php|access-date=December 18, 2015|work=San Francisco Chronicle|date=December 18, 2015}} Cunniff cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-A Gwinnett Braves on December 23.{{Cite web|title=Outrighted: Rondon, Monell, Cunniff, Robertson|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/12/outrighted-rondon-monell-cunniff-robertson.html|access-date=April 18, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}

Due to a loss of effectiveness arising from a heavy workload in his first MLB season, Cunniff was not invited to spring training in 2016. Instead, he began the season with the Gwinnett Braves. After two months, Cunniff was demoted to Mississippi, and later called up on August 3 from the Triple–A level.{{cite news|last1=Bowman|first1=Mark|title=Kemp on meeting Aaron: 'That was crazy'|url=http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/193444838/matt-kemp-meets-legend-hank-aaron/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160805184537/http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/193444838/matt-kemp-meets-legend-hank-aaron/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 5, 2016|access-date=August 4, 2016|work=MLB.com|date=August 3, 2016}} Cunniff was optioned back to Gwinnett on August 12.{{cite news|last1=Bowman|first1=Mark|title=Braves promote Hursh, Morris to bolster bullpen|url=http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/195142022/braves-call-up-jason-hursh-akeel-morris/|access-date=August 13, 2016|work=MLB.com|date=August 12, 2016|archive-date=August 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160813140747/http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/195142022/braves-call-up-jason-hursh-akeel-morris/|url-status=dead}} He spent the rest of August between the major and minor league levels.{{cite news|last1=James|first1=Pat|title=Vizcaino lands on DL with shoulder inflammation|url=http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/198546934/braves-arodys-vizcaino-injures-shoulder/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160831155641/http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/198546934/braves-arodys-vizcaino-injures-shoulder/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 31, 2016|access-date=September 4, 2016|work=MLB.com|date=August 30, 2016}}{{cite news|last1=Webeck|first1=Evan|title=Braves place Blair on DL with left knee sprain|url=http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/199329306/braves-place-blair-on-dl-with-left-knee-sprain/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160905125923/http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/199329306/braves-place-blair-on-dl-with-left-knee-sprain/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 5, 2016|access-date=September 4, 2016|work=MLB.com|date=September 3, 2016}} Cunniff was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Triple-A Gwinnett on November 2.{{Cite web|title=Outrighted: Red Sox, Angels, ChiSox, Braves, Pirates, Giants|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/11/outrighted-angels-chisox-braves-pirates-giants.html|access-date=April 9, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} He elected free agency five days later on November 7.{{Cite web|title=Minor League Free Agents 2016|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2016/?amphtml|access-date=2023-05-29|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 8, 2016 |language=en}}

=Miami Marlins (second stint)=

On January 18, 2017, Cunniff signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins organization.{{cite web|url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/01/marlins-sign-brandon-cunniff-minors.html|title=Minor MLB Transactions: 1/18/17|last1=Todd|first1=Jeff|last2=Adams|first2=Steve|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=January 18, 2017|access-date=January 18, 2017}} On April 14, while pitching for the Triple-A New Orleans Baby Cakes, Cunniff pitched the ninth inning of a combined no-hitter against the Iowa Cubs, with Scott Copeland pitching the first 7 innings and Hunter Cervenka taking care of the eighth.{{Cite web|url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/baseball/iowa-cubs/2017/04/14/new-orleans-pitchers-no-hit-iowa-cubs-scott-copeland-2017/100469844/|title = Three New Orleans pitchers combine to no hit Iowa Cubs|website = The Des Moines Register}} In 36 games for New Orleans, he posted a 4.45 ERA with 54 strikeouts and 3 saves in {{fraction|54|2|3}} innings pitched. He elected free agency following the season on November 6.{{Cite web|title=Minor League Free Agents 2017|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2017/?amphtml|access-date=July 15, 2023|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 7, 2017 |language=en}}

=Bravos de León=

On April 5, 2018, Cunniff signed with the Bravos de León of the Mexican League. In 15 appearances for León, he posted an 0-1 record and 2.45 ERA with 10 strikeouts across {{fraction|14|2|3}} innings pitched. Cunniff was released by the Bravos on July 3.

=New Britain Bees=

On July 14, 2018, Cunniff signed with the New Britain Bees of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. In 26 appearances for the Bees, he compiled a 2-0 record and 3.54 ERA with 25 strikeouts over 28 innings of work. Cunniff became a free agent following the season.

=Tigres de Quintana Roo=

On February 19, 2019, Cunniff signed with the Tigres de Quintana Roo of the Mexican League. In 7 appearances for Quintana Roo, he struggled to an 0-2 record and 10.80 ERA with 6 strikeouts across {{fraction|6|2|3}} innings pitched. Cunniff was released by the Tigres on April 25.

=Olmecas de Tabasco=

On May 17, 2019, Cunniff signed with the Olmecas de Tabasco of the Mexican League. In 19 appearances for Tabasco, he registered a 1-3 record and 4.63 ERA with 17 strikeouts across {{fraction|23|1|3}} innings pitched. Cunniff was released by the Olmecas on July 16.

=Lincoln Saltdogs=

On January 21, 2022, Cunniff signed with the Lincoln Saltdogs of the American Association of Professional Baseball.[https://aabaseball.com/transactions/ American Association 2022 Transactions] In 11 appearances for the Saltdogs, he recorded a 1–1 record and 5.11 ERA with 10 strikeouts and 7 saves across {{fraction|12|1|3}} innings pitched. On June 16, Cunniff was released by the Saltdogs.