Brandon Hughes (baseball)
American baseball player (born 1995)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Brandon Kenneth Hughes (born December 1, 1995) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks.
_(cropped).jpg)
| Brandon Hughes | |
|---|---|
Hughes with Michigan State in 2017 | |
| Free agent | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: December 1, 1995 Royal Oak, Michigan, U.S. | |
Bats: Switch Throws: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| May 17, 2022, for the Chicago Cubs | |
| MLB statistics (through 2024 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 2–6 |
| Earned run average | 4.75 |
| Strikeouts | 106 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
Career
Amateur career
Hughes attended Stevenson High School in Sterling Heights, Michigan. He then enrolled at Michigan State University, where he played college baseball for the Michigan State Spartans.[1]
Hughes played collegiate summer baseball for the Kalamazoo Growlers of the Northwoods League in 2015.[2]
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs selected Hughes in the 16th round of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft as an outfielder. The Cubs converted him from an outfielder into a pitcher in 2019.[3]
Hughes was called up to the majors for the first time on May 17, 2022.[4] He made his MLB debut that day. Hughes made five relief appearance for the Cubs, giving up two runs in 7.0 innings pitched while striking out 9 before he was removed from the 40-man roster and returned to Triple-A on May 28.[5] On May 30, Hughes was selected back to the active roster.[6] On August 18, Hughes earned his first career save after pitching a scoreless ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles.[7]
In 2023, Hughes made 17 appearances out of the Cubs' bullpen, but struggled to a 7.24 ERA with 17 strikeouts across 13+2⁄3 innings of work. On June 24, 2023, it was announced that Hughes would undergo a debridement surgery on his left knee, promptly ending his season.[8] He was non-tendered and became a free agent on November 17.
Arizona Diamondbacks
On February 1, 2024, Hughes signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.[9] In 10 appearances for the Triple–A Reno Aces, he logged a 1.84 ERA with 12 strikeouts across 14+2⁄3 innings pitched. On April 30, the Diamondbacks selected Hughes' contract, adding him to the major league roster.[10] On August 2, Hughes was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Reno.[11] On September 14, the Diamondbacks added Hughes back to their active roster.[12] In 15 total appearances for the Diamondbacks, he struggled to an 8.15 ERA with 21 strikeouts across 17+2⁄3 innings pitched. On November 22, the Diamondbacks non–tendered Hughes, making him a free agent.[13]
Chicago Cubs (second stint)
On January 31, 2025, Hughes signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs.[14] In 21 appearances for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, he struggled to a 2-5 record and 6.33 ERA with 29 strikeouts and two saves over 27 innings of work. Hughes was released by the Cubs organization on July 13.[15]