John Brebbia

{{Infobox baseball biography

|image = John Fulboam Brebbia 2017.jpg

|name = John Brebbia

|caption = Brebbia with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2017

|team = Detroit Tigers

|number = 49

|position = Pitcher

|bats = Left

|throws = Right

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1990|5|30}}

|birth_place = Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = May 28

|debutyear = 2017

|debutteam = St. Louis Cardinals

|statyear = April 18, 2025

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 16–21

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 3.73

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 397

|teams =

St. Louis Cardinals ({{mlby|2017}}–{{mlby|2019}})
San Francisco Giants ({{mlby|2021}}–{{mlby|2023}})
Chicago White Sox ({{mlby|2024}})
Atlanta Braves ({{mlby|2024}})
Detroit Tigers ({{mlby|2025}}–present)

}}

John Fulboam Brebbia (born May 30, 1990) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the St. Louis Cardinals, San Francisco Giants, Chicago White Sox, and Atlanta Braves.

Brebbia played college baseball for Elon University. The New York Yankees selected Brebbia in the 30th round of the 2011 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut for the Cardinals in 2017, and pitched for them through 2019. He had Tommy John surgery in 2020. He played for the Giants from 2021 to 2023.

Early life and amateur career

Brebbia grew up in Sharon, Massachusetts and attended Sharon High School through his junior year. He transferred to Wellington High School in Wellington, Florida for his senior year to improve his chances of earning a college baseball scholarship.{{cite web|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/redsox/2017/08/15/john-brebbia-grew-rooting-for-red-sox-but-now-pitches-for-cardinals/iRgzqePG0AH5BN0hJTaOyM/story.html|title=John Brebbia grew up rooting for Red Sox but now pitches for Cardinals|publisher=The Boston Globe|access-date=April 9, 2018}} As a senior at Wellington, he had a 10–1 win–loss record, a 0.83 earned run average (ERA), and recorded an 18-strikeout game.{{cite web|url=http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/palmbeachpost/pdf/sports/prepbasball.pdf|title=Baseball – Big Schools First Team|last=Dorsey|first=Steve|date=June 1, 2008|website=alt.coxnewsweb.com|access-date=December 16, 2018}}

After high school, Brebbia attended Elon University where he was a pitcher for the Elon Phoenix. During his freshman year, Brebbia helped the Phoenix secure an at-large bid to the 2009 NCAA Division I baseball tournament. In 2011, his junior year, he went 7–1 with a 1.76 ERA in 27 relief appearances. He was named First Team All-Southern Conference.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/player/john-brebbia-605154|title=John Brebbia Stats, Fantasy & News|website=MLB.com}} In 2010 and 2011, he played collegiate summer baseball for the Orleans Firebirds of the Cape Cod Baseball League.{{cite web|url=https://baseball.pointstreak.com/player.html?playerid=56682&seasonid=239 |title=#30 John Brebbia |publisher=pointstreak.com |accessdate=July 20, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://baseball.pointstreak.com/player.html?playerid=150023&seasonid=532 |title=#30 John Brebbia |publisher=pointstreak.com |accessdate=July 20, 2021}}{{cite web|author=RUSS CHARPENTIER |url=https://www.capecodtimes.com/article/20110701/SPORTS/110629695 |title=Cape League Extra: Brebbia's big year |publisher=capecodtimes.com |date= July 1, 2011|access-date=August 2, 2019}}

Professional career

=New York Yankees=

The New York Yankees selected Brebbia in the 30th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft.{{cite web|url=http://gotowncrier.com/2013/07/pitcher-john-brebbia-recalls-his-days-in-wellington/ |title=Pitcher John Brebbia Recalls His Days In Wellington |website=Gotowncrier.com |date=July 5, 2013 |access-date=May 27, 2017}} He signed and made his professional debut that same season with the Staten Island Yankees of the Low–A New York-Penn League, where he was 0–1 with a 0.00 ERA in eight innings.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=brebbi000joh|title=John Brebbia Amateur, College, Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} He spent the 2012 season with the Charleston RiverDogs of the Single–A South Atlantic League and pitched to a 3–1 record with two saves and a 2.96 ERA in {{frac|21|2|3}} innings over 29 relief appearances. He spent 2013 with Charleston and the Tampa Yankees of the High–A Florida State League; he was a combined 0–5 with one save and a 4.06 ERA in {{frac|68|2|3}} innings pitched in relief. He was released by the organization on December 13, 2013.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/player/john-brebbia-605154|title=John Brebbia Stats, Fantasy & News|website=Minor League Baseball}}{{Cite web |last=Pavlovic |first=Alex |date=2023-07-06 |title=How Brebbia's unique MLB path led to key Giants bullpen role |url=https://www.nbcsportsbayarea.com/mlb/san-francisco-giants/how-brebbias-unique-mlb-path-led-to-key-giants-bullpen-role/1639012/ |access-date=2025-04-25 |website=NBC Sports Bay Area & California |language=}}

=Sioux Falls Canaries=

On January 7, 2014, Brebbia signed with the Sioux Falls Canaries of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball.{{Cite web|url=https://aabaseball.com/transactions/2014-transactions/|title=American Association of Professional Baseball - 2014 Transactions}} In 34 games with the Canaries, he pitched to a 3–2 record with one save and a 3.31 ERA, while striking out 10.5 batters/9 IP (5th-best in the league). Brebbia later said he rediscovered his love for the sport while pitching in the independent leagues. He also began growing his beard in 2014.

=Laredo Lemurs=

On December 22, 2014, Brebbia was traded to the Laredo Lemurs alongside AJ Kirby-Jones and Joe Testa for Byron Minnich, Harrison Kain, Jeremy Strawn, Josh Strawn, Tyler Pearson, Gerardo Avila, and cash. In 2015 with Laredo, Brebbia had a 7–2 record with a 0.98 ERA (second-best in the league), in 51 games (third-most), with 19 saves (third-best), an 0.762 WHIP (second-lowest), 4.8 hits per 9 innings (second-best), and 11.1 strikeouts per 9 innings (fourth-best).{{cite web|url=https://www.ksfy.com/content/sports/Former-Canaries-Pitcher-John-Brebbia-Reaches-Major-Leagues-424873874.html|title=Former Canaries Pitcher John Brebbia Reaches Major League's|date=May 28, 2017 |publisher=KSFY-TV|access-date=April 13, 2019}}

=St. Louis Cardinals=

On September 21, 2015, Brebbia signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks and was assigned to the Double-A Mobile BayBears.

The St. Louis Cardinals selected Brebbia from the Diamondbacks in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft at the December 2015 Winter Meetings.{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com/midwest/story/st-louis-cardinals-dfa-miguel-socolovich-call-up-john-brebbia-bullpen-shakeup-052717 |title=Cardinals DFA Socolovich, call up Brebbia in bullpen shakeup |publisher=FOX Sports Midwest|date=May 27, 2017 |access-date=May 28, 2017}} In 2016, Brebbia played with both the Springfield Cardinals of the Double-A Texas League and Memphis Redbirds of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/cardinals/press-release/cardinals-purchase-rhp-john-brebbia-from-memphis-232750540 |title=Cardinals purchase RHP John Brebbia from Memphis | St. Louis Cardinals |work=Mlb.com |date=May 27, 2017 |access-date=April 13, 2019}} He was 5–5 with a 5.03 ERA and 68 strikeouts in 68 innings over 43 games.

Brebbia began the 2017 season with Memphis. There he was 1–1 with three saves, a 1.69 ERA and 29 strikeouts in {{frac|26|2|3}} innings pitched {{cite web |title=John Brebbia Stats, Highlights, Bio |url=https://www.milb.com/player/john-brebbia-605154 |access-date=May 17, 2018 |publisher=Minor League Baseball}} when the Cardinals promoted him to the major league on May 27, 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/cardinals-call-up-john-brebbia-to-join-bullpen-c232835780 |title=Cardinals call up John Brebbia to join bullpen|work=MLB.com |first=Owen |last=Perkins|date=May 27, 2017 |access-date=May 28, 2017}} He made his major league debut against the Colorado Rockies on May 28 and remained with the Cardinals for the rest of the season. He finished his 2017 rookie campaign with a 2.44 ERA, 11 walks and 51 strikeouts in {{frac|51|2|3}} innings, and a 0.929 WHIP, leading all Major League rookie relievers in ERA and WHIP.

He began 2018 with Memphis but was recalled to St. Louis and optioned back to Memphis multiple times during the season. For Memphis, he was 2–0 with two saves, a 4.61 ERA and 24 strikeouts in {{frac|13|2|3}} innings. In 45 relief appearances for St. Louis, he was 3–3 with two saves and a 3.20 ERA, striking out 60 batters in {{frac|50|2|3}} innings pitched.{{cite web|url=https://www.kmov.com/sports/st-louis-cardinals-player-grades-bullpen/article_cc2452f8-c799-11e8-b8cb-7f5bc9257887.html|title=St. Louis Cardinals 2018 player grades: Bullpen|last=Schaeffer|first=Brenden|website=KMOV|language=en|access-date=December 16, 2018}} On October 29, 2018, Brebbia was selected to the MLB All-Star team at the 2018 MLB Japan All-Star Series, pitching in three games in the series.{{cite web | url=http://www.japan-baseball.jp/jp/news/press/20181029_5.html | title=2018日米野球 MLBオールスターチームコーチ・出場予定選手発表 | work=野球日本代表侍ジャパンオフィシャルサイト | language=ja | date=October 29, 2018 | access-date=December 5, 2018 }}

Brebbia returned to St. Louis' bullpen for in 2019. Over 66 appearances during the regular season he went 3–4 with a 3.59 ERA, striking out 87 batters over {{frac|72|2|3}} relief innings.{{cite web|url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/john-brebbia-relief-pitcher/article_5d7b6c93-d375-5bf6-b84b-b42d6b4b3aeb.html|title=JOHN BREBBIA, Relief Pitcher|website=STLtoday.com|date=October 21, 2019 }}

After first trying platelet-rich injection (PRP) treatment for a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow Brebbia underwent Tommy John surgery on June 1, 2020, causing him to miss the 2020 season.{{Cite web|url=https://aroundthefoghorn.com/2020/12/21/sf-giants-sign-rhp-john-brebbia/|title=SF Giants Sign Former St. Louis Cardinals Reliever John Brebbia|date=December 21, 2020}} On December 2, Brebbia was non-tendered by the Cardinals.{{cite web|author=FOX Sports Midwest |url=https://www.foxsports.com/midwest/story/st-louis-cardinals-non-tender-john-brebbia-rangel-ravelo-120220 |title=Cardinals non-tender John Brebbia, Rangel Ravelo |work=FOX Sports |date=December 2, 2020 |accessdate=June 21, 2021}} In his three seasons with the Cardinals, Brebbia had a 3.14 ERA, and 10.2 K/9.{{Cite web|url=https://aroundthefoghorn.com/2021/05/28/sf-giants-key-bullpen-rehab-assignment/|title=SF Giants: Key Bullpen Arm to Begin Triple-A Rehab Assignment|date=May 28, 2021}}

=San Francisco Giants=

On December 21, 2020, Brebbia signed a one-year, $800,000 contract with the San Francisco Giants.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/12/giants-sign-john-brebbia.html|title=Giants Sign John Brebbia|website=MLB Trade Rumors|date=December 21, 2020 }} On February 17, 2021, Brebbia was placed on the 60-day injured list as he continued to recover from Tommy John surgery.{{cite web|url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/giants/article/Jake-McGee-signing-is-official-Giants-could-use-15957237.php|title=Giants' Jake McGee signing official; 'nice candidate' to be new closer|first=John|last=Shea|date=February 18, 2021|website=San Francisco Chronicle}} He was activated off of the injured list on June 20, recovering from Tommy John surgery faster than the normal 13–15 month recovery timeframe.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/06/giants-reinstate-john-brebbia-move-aaron-sanchez-to-60-day-il.html|title=Giants Reinstate John Brebbia, Move Aaron Sanchez To 60-Day IL|website=MLB Trade Rumors|date=June 20, 2021 }}

In the 2021 regular season for the Giants, Brebbia was 0–1 with a 5.89 ERA. He pitched 18.1 innings over 18 games. For the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats, he was 3–0 with a 2.93 ERA in 17 games (two starts) in which he pitched 15.1 innings.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=brebbi000joh|title=John Brebbia Amateur, College, Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} On November 30, Brebbia signed a $838,000 contract with the Giants, avoiding salary arbitration.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/arbtracker2022|title=Arbitration Tracker For 2022|access-date=March 23, 2022|website=MLBTradeRumors}}

In 2022 with the Giants, Brebbia was 6–2 with a 3.18 ERA in 68 innings, as he pitched in a league-leading 76 games (11 starts).{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/brebbjo01.shtml|title=John Brebbia Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}

On January 13, 2023, Brebbia agreed to a one-year, $2.3 million contract with the Giants, avoiding salary arbitration.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/01/2023-mlb-arbitration-tracker.html|title=2023 MLB Arbitration Tracker|access-date=January 13, 2023|website=MLBTradeRumors}} He pitched in 29 games for San Francisco, posting a 3.14 ERA with 36 strikeouts, before he was placed on the injured list with a Grade 2 lat strain on June 17.{{Cite web|title=Giants' John Brebbia: Placed on IL with lat strain|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/giants-john-brebbia-placed-on-il-with-lat-strain/|access-date=August 1, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} On July 31, he was transferred to the 60-day injured list.{{Cite web|title=Giants' John Brebbia: Moves to 60-day IL|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/giants-john-brebbia-moves-to-60-day-il/|access-date=August 1, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} Brebbia was activated from the injured list on September 5.{{cite news |title=San Francisco Giants activate John Brebbia from injured list |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/38335307/san-francisco-giants-activate-john-brebbia-injured-list |access-date=September 5, 2023 |agency=Reuters |publisher=ESPN.com |date=September 5, 2023}}

=Chicago White Sox=

On January 26, 2024, Brebbia signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract with the Chicago White Sox.{{Cite web |title=White Sox add righty reliever Brebbia on 1-year deal |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/john-brebbia-white-sox-deal |access-date=May 17, 2024 |website=MLB.com |language=en}} In 54 appearances for Chicago, he struggled to an 0–6 record and 6.29 ERA with 58 strikeouts over {{fraction|48|2|3}} innings pitched. Brebbia was designated for assignment by the White Sox on August 27.{{Cite web|title=White Sox Designate John Brebbia For Assignment|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/08/white-sox-designate-john-brebbia-for-assignment.html|access-date=August 27, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} He was released two days later.{{Cite web|title=White Sox Release John Brebbia|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/08/white-sox-release-john-brebbia.html|access-date=August 29, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}

=Atlanta Braves=

On August 31, 2024, Brebbia signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves.[https://www.milb.com/transactions/2024-08-31 Minor League Baseball] The next day, he was subsequently selected to the team's major league roster.{{cite news |last1=Toscano |first1=Justin |title=Why Braves added right-handed reliever John Brebbia at start of September |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/why-braves-added-right-handed-reliever-john-brebbia-at-start-of-september/PS5QXB4DH5CZVJZJKTGPQEZ2RM/ |access-date=September 1, 2024 |work=Atlanta Journal Constitution |date=September 1, 2024}} In 5 games for Atlanta, Brebbia posted a 2.70 ERA with 9 strikeouts across {{fraction|6|2|3}} innings pitched.

=Detroit Tigers=

On February 12, 2025, Brebbia signed a one-year, $2.75 million contract with the Detroit Tigers.{{Cite web|title=Tigers Sign John Brebbia|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/02/tigers-sign-john-brebbia.html|access-date=February 12, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} He started the season with a 1.00 ERA in 8 appearances before being placed on the injured list on April 19 with a right forearm strain.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-19 |title=Tigers Place John Brebbia On 15-Day Injured List |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/04/tigers-place-john-brebbia-on-15-day-injured-list.html |access-date=2025-04-25 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Ramsey |first=Jared |title=Detroit Tigers place reliever John Brebbia on 15-day IL with right triceps strain |url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2025/04/19/detroit-tigers-injury-update-john-brebbia-reliever-15-day-il/83172861007/ |access-date=2025-04-25 |website=Detroit Free Press |language=en-US}}

Pitching style

Brebbia throws a mid-90s fastball, an 80 mph slider, and occasionally a changeup.{{Cite web|url=http://www.brooksbaseball.net/landing.php?605154|title=BrooksBaseball.net Player Card: John Brebbia|website=www.brooksbaseball.net}}

Personal life

Brebbia's wife, Amanda, gave birth to their son in June 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/cardinals-notebook-carpenter-hits-il-with-illness-back-spasms/article_fc0628bc-14b7-5695-b8df-a35c83020303.html|title=Cardinals notebook: Carpenter hits IL with illness, back spasms|first=Derrick|last=Goold|website=STLtoday.com|date=July 3, 2019 }} They live in Smyrna, Georgia.

Brebbia enjoys using spreadsheets.

Brebbia shaves prior to each baseball season, then grows his beard during the season.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.facebook.com/FanDuelSportsNetworkMidwest/videos/10160237565640254/ |title=4.3K views · 118 reactions {{!}} John Brebbia on growing out his beard {{!}} John Brebbia, who is growing out his beard for the rest of the season after his annual Opening Day shave: "I don't like the beard, but at the same time I... {{!}} By FanDuel Sports Network Midwest {{!}} Facebook |language=en |access-date=2025-04-25 |via=www.facebook.com}} He shaved off his beard in stages during the 2018 MLB Japan All-Star Series.{{Cite web |date=2018-11-14 |title=John Brebbia's facial hair has gone through a stunning evolution in the Japan All-Star Series |url=https://www.mlb.com/cut4/john-brebbia-s-facial-hair-has-changed-through-the-japan-all-star-series-c300681 |access-date=2025-04-25 |website=MLB.com |language=}}