Brandon Maurer

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = Brandon Maurer

| image = File:Brandon_Maurer.JPG

| width = 250

| caption = Maurer with the Seattle Mariners

| position = Pitcher

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1990|7|3}}

| birth_place = Newport Beach, California, U.S.

| bats = Right

| throws = Right

| debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = April 4

| debutyear = 2013

| debutteam = Seattle Mariners

| finalleague = MLB

| finaldate = September 25

| finalyear = 2018

| finalteam = Kansas City Royals

| statleague = MLB

| stat1label = Win–loss record

| stat1value = 16–31

| stat2label = Earned run average

| stat2value = 5.36

| stat3label = Strikeouts

| stat3value = 326

| teams =

Seattle Mariners ({{mlby|2013}}–{{mlby|2014}})
San Diego Padres ({{mlby|2015}}–{{mlby|2017}})
Kansas City Royals ({{mlby|2017}}–{{mlby|2018}})

}}

Brandon Eugene Maurer (born July 3, 1990) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Seattle Mariners, San Diego Padres and Kansas City Royals.

From Costa Mesa, California, Maurer pitched in Little League Baseball and high school at Orange Lutheran High School. The Mariners selected Maurer in the 23rd round of the 2008 MLB Draft. After being overshadowed by other prospects, Maurer had a strong spring training showing with the Mariners in 2013, and made the team's Opening Day roster in the starting rotation. The Mariners traded Maurer to the Padres after the 2014 season, and he became a relief pitcher. The Padres traded Maurer to the Royals in 2017. Maurer signed a minor league free agent deal with the Pirates during prior to the 2019 season.

Amateur career

Maurer competed in Little League Baseball in Costa Mesa, California as a pitcher. On July 30, 2002, at the age of 12, Maurer pitched a perfect game in the Little League all-star game.

Maurer attended Orange Lutheran High School in Orange, California. Maurer played for the school's baseball team, which competes in the Trinity League, within the Southern Section of the California Interscholastic Federation. In 2007, his junior year, Maurer was used as a relief pitcher and had a 0.54 earned run average (ERA) and four saves.{{cite web|last=Fryer |first=Steve |url=http://www.ocvarsity.com/sports/senior-8813-last-year.html |title=Baseball Preview: O.C. Top 10 | senior, last, year – Sports |publisher=OC Varsity |date=March 3, 2008 |access-date=April 8, 2013}} As a senior in 2008, he earned second-team All-Trinity League honors and helped Orange Lutheran finish second in the league. Though he was overshadowed by teammates Gerrit Cole and Aaron Gates,{{cite web|last=Stone |first=Larry |url=http://blogs.seattletimes.com/hotstoneleague/2013/03/25/brandon-maurer-could-salvage-mariners-heretofore-weak-2008-draft/ |title=Brandon Maurer could salvage Mariners' heretofore weak 2008 draft | Hot Stone League | Seattle Times |publisher=Blogs.seattletimes.com |date=March 25, 2013 |access-date=April 7, 2013}}{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/baseball/mlb/angels/la-sp-0426-angels-mariners-20130426,0,1131209.story|title=Angels can't solve Mariners' Brandon Maurer in 6–0 loss|first=Mike|last=DiGiovanna|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=April 25, 2013|access-date=April 26, 2013}} he earned notice from Major League Baseball teams. He accepted a scholarship from the California State University, Long Beach, to play college baseball for the Long Beach State Dirtbags baseball team.

Professional career

=Seattle Mariners=

The Seattle Mariners drafted Maurer in the 23rd round, with the 702nd overall selection, of the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft. Rather than attend Long Beach State, Maurer signed with the Mariners. Upon joining the Arizona League Mariners of the Rookie-level Arizona League, he was able to throw as fast as {{convert|93|mph}}, with the team expecting that he would increase his velocity by approximately {{convert|2|to(-)|3|mph}} by adding {{convert|20|to(-)|30|lbs}}.{{cite web|first=Mark |last=Ratto |url=http://articles.dailypilot.com/2008-07-12/sports/dpt-spmaurer071308_1_costa-mesa-college-or-pros-league-days |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015171249/http://articles.dailypilot.com/2008-07-12/sports/dpt-spmaurer071308_1_costa-mesa-college-or-pros-league-days |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 15, 2013 |title=Closer to the show – Daily Pilot |publisher=Articles.dailypilot.com |date=July 12, 2008 |access-date=April 7, 2013}} By 2011, Maurer could throw as hard as {{convert|96|mph}}.

In 2009, Maurer pitched for the Pulaski Mariners of the Rookie-level Appalachian League.{{cite web|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=RO&p_theme=ro&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=129DF8B88356F330&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |title=Roanoke Times Online Archives |publisher=Nl.newsbank.com |date=August 2, 2009 |access-date=April 7, 2013}} Maurer pitched for the Clinton LumberKings of the Single–A Midwest League in 2010, and the Adelaide Bite of the Australian Baseball League (ABL) in the winter of 2010–11, reaching the ABL championship series.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-02-12/heat-forces-decider-in-baseball-finals/1940550 |title=Heat forces decider in baseball finals – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) |publisher=Abc.net.au |date=February 12, 2011 |access-date=April 7, 2013}} Maurer started the 2011 season with the LumberKings, and was promoted to the High Desert Mavericks of the High–A California League in May. Following his second start with High Desert, he was named the California League Pitcher of the Week for the week ending June 1.{{cite web|last=Martinez |first=Chris |url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-19880988 |title=Cal notes: Choice adds pop to Ports | MiLB.com News |publisher=Minor League Baseball |access-date=April 8, 2013}}{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-19770862 |title=Pitchers of the Week | MiLB.com News |publisher=Minor League Baseball |date=May 31, 2011 |access-date=April 8, 2013}}

Heading into the 2012 season, scouts viewed Maurer as a "sleeper" prospect. Maurer pitched for the Jackson Generals of the Double–A Southern League in 2012. Though overshadowed by teammates Danny Hultzen and Taijuan Walker, Maurer was named the league's Most Outstanding Pitcher after going 9–2 with a 3.20 earned run average with 117 strikeouts in {{frac|137|2|3}} innings pitched.{{cite web|last=League |first=Southern |url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-37859160 |title=Maurer Named SL Most Outstanding Pitcher |publisher=Minor League Baseball |access-date=April 7, 2013}} On November 20, 2012, Maurer was added to the Mariners' 40-man roster to be protected from the Rule 5 Draft.{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121120&content_id=40386458&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb |title=Cousins also designated; five players added to 40-man roster |work=MLB.com |first=Greg |last=Johns |date=November 20, 2012}}

In spring training in 2013, Maurer competed with Erasmo Ramírez, Jeremy Bonderman, and Blake Beavan for one of the final two spots in the Mariners' five-man starting rotation, behind Félix Hernández, Hisashi Iwakuma, and Joe Saunders.{{cite web|last=Baker |first=Geoff |url=http://seattletimes.com/html/mariners/2020605757_mariners21.html |title=Unassuming Brandon Maurer pitching like superhero | Mariners |publisher=The Seattle Times |access-date=April 7, 2013}}{{cite web|last=Stone |first=Larry |url=http://blogs.seattletimes.com/hotstoneleague/2013/03/25/brandon-maurer-could-salvage-mariners-heretofore-weak-2008-draft/ |title=Brandon Maurer could salvage Mariners' heretofore weak 2008 draft | Hot Stone League | Seattle Times |publisher=Blogs.seattletimes.com |date=March 25, 2013 |access-date=April 8, 2013}} Allowing only two runs in 20 innings with 22 strikeouts and six walks in the Cactus League, Maurer made the Mariners' 25-man roster as a starting pitcher, skipping the Triple–A level. Maurer became the first member of the Mariners' 2008 draft class to reach the major leagues and the first starting pitcher to skip Triple–A and debut for the Mariners since John Cummings and Mike Hampton in 1993. He reached MLB before more heralded prospects, such as Walker, Hultzen, and James Paxton.{{cite web|url=http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130327&content_id=43393996&vkey=news_sea&c_id=sea |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130330063628/http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130327&content_id=43393996&vkey=news_sea&c_id=sea |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 30, 2013 |title=Brandon Maurer and Blake Beavan earned the final two spots in the Mariners' rotation |publisher=Seattle.mariners.mlb.com |date=March 27, 2013 |access-date=April 7, 2013}} In his major league debut, on April 4, he allowed six runs in six innings to the Oakland Athletics, including on home runs by Yoenis Céspedes and Josh Reddick, in a loss.{{cite web|last=Baker |first=Geoff |url=http://seattletimes.com/html/mariners/2020712866_mariners05.html |title=A's take advantage of Brandon Maurer's mistakes in 8–2 win over Mariners | Mariners |publisher=The Seattle Times |access-date=April 7, 2013}} After a second poor performance, Maurer earned his first win in his third start, on April 14.{{cite news|url=http://seattletimes.com/html/mariners/2020782133_mariners15.html|title=Brandon Maurer bounces back vs. Rangers for first major-league win|newspaper=The Seattle Times|first=Larry|last=Stone|date=April 14, 2013|access-date=April 20, 2013}}

=San Diego Padres=

On December 30, 2014, the Mariners traded Maurer to the San Diego Padres in exchange for Seth Smith.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/12099984/seattle-mariners-acquire-seth-smith-san-diego-padres-brandon-maurer|title=Mariners acquire Seth Smith|work=ESPN.com|first=Jerry|last=Crasnick|date=December 30, 2014}} In the first half of the 2015 season, Maurer pitched to a 2.11 ERA. His performance diminished in the second half as he suffered from shoulder inflammation.{{cite web|url=http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2015/08/12/padres-lose-setup-man-brandon-maurer-to-shoulder-injury/|title=Padres lose setup man Brandon Maurer to shoulder injury|work=HardballTalk|date=August 12, 2015|access-date=March 23, 2016}} Maurer's 2015 season ended with a 7-4 record and an even 3 ERA in 53 games.

Maurer entered spring training in 2016 as a candidate for the starting rotation.{{cite web|url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2016/feb/11/padres-maurer-looking-forward-starting-again/|title=Padres' Brandon Maurer looking forward to starting again - SanDiegoUnionTribune.com|author=Dennis Lin|date=February 11, 2016|work=The San Diego Union-Tribune|access-date=March 23, 2016}} The Padres opted to keep Maurer in the bullpen for the 2016 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2016/mar/22/padres-move-brandon-maurer-back-to-bullpen/|title=Padres' Brandon Maurer moving back to bullpen - SanDiegoUnionTribune.com|author=Dennis Lin|date=March 22, 2016|work=The San Diego Union-Tribune|access-date=March 23, 2016}} The Padres named Maurer their new closer after the team traded away closer Fernando Rodney to the Miami Marlins on June 30, 2016.{{citation needed|date=July 2017}} He took on the role for the rest of the season, saving 13 games. For the 2017 season, Maurer entered as the incumbent closer for the Padres. He saved 20 games for the Padres despite having an ERA of 5.72 although his fielding independent pitching (FIP) had him with a 3.23 ERA. In his three seasons with the Padres, Maurer had an 8-13 record with 33 saves.

=Kansas City Royals=

On July 24, 2017, the Padres traded Maurer, Ryan Buchter, and Trevor Cahill to the Kansas City Royals for Matt Strahm, Travis Wood, and Esteury Ruiz.{{Cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com/san-diego/story/padres-acquire-strahm-and-wood-from-royals-072417|title=Padres acquire Strahm and Wood from Royals|date=July 24, 2017}} He was outrighted to the Triple–A Omaha Storm Chasers on May 3, 2018. In 37 games in 2018, Maurer registered an ERA of 7.76 in {{frac|31|1|3}} innings. He became a free agent on November 2.

=Pittsburgh Pirates=

On January 30, 2019, Maurer signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/01/pirates-to-sign-brandon-maurer.html|title = Pirates Sign Brandon Maurer}} In 8 games split between the Low–A West Virginia Black Bears and Triple–A Indianapolis Indians, he compiled a 3–0 record and 2.89 ERA with 13 strikeouts across {{fraction|9|1|3}} innings pitched. Maurer elected free agency following the season on November 4.{{Cite web|title=Minor League Free Agents 2019|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2019/|access-date=August 14, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|language=en}}

Personal life

Maurer is {{convert|6|ft|5|in}} tall.{{cite web|url=http://seattletimes.com/html/thehotstoneleague/2016724484_taijuan_walker_tops_mariners_p.html |title=The Hot Stone League | Taijuan Walker tops Mariners' prospect list on Baseball Prospectus | Seattle Times Newspaper |publisher=Seattletimes.com |access-date=April 8, 2013}} He is from Costa Mesa, California,{{cite web |date=April 3, 2013 |first=Steve |last=Virgen |url= http://articles.dailypilot.com/2013-04-03/sports/tn-dpt-0404-brandon-maurer-mariners-20130403_1_manager-eric-wedge-seattle-mariners-big-league-lineups |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131015171252/http://articles.dailypilot.com/2013-04-03/sports/tn-dpt-0404-brandon-maurer-mariners-20130403_1_manager-eric-wedge-seattle-mariners-big-league-lineups |url-status= dead |archive-date= October 15, 2013 |title= Maurer to make first MLB start – Daily Pilot |publisher= Articles.dailypilot.com |access-date= April 8, 2013}} and has been described as a "laid back California surfer type".{{cite web |last=Baker |first=Geoff |url=http://blogs.seattletimes.com/mariners/2013/04/04/brandon-maurer-hopes-to-make-his-big-league-debut-on-time/ |title=Brandon Maurer hopes to make his big-league debut on time | Mariners blog | Seattle Times |publisher=Blogs.seattletimes.com |date=April 4, 2013 |access-date=April 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021081905/http://blogs.seattletimes.com/mariners/2013/04/04/brandon-maurer-hopes-to-make-his-big-league-debut-on-time/ |archive-date=October 21, 2013 |url-status=dead }}