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John Brebbia

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John Brebbia
Brebbia with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2017
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1990-05-30) May 30, 1990 (age 35)
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
MLB debut
May 28, 2017, for the St. Louis Cardinals
MLB statistics
(through June 14, 2025)
Win–loss record16–21
Earned run average4.00
Strikeouts408
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams

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

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

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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.[1] 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.[2]

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.[3] In 2010 and 2011, he played collegiate summer baseball for the Orleans Firebirds of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[4][5][6]

Professional career

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New York Yankees

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The New York Yankees selected Brebbia in the 30th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft.[7] 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.[8] 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 21+2⁄3 innings over 29 relief appearances.[8] 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 68+2⁄3 innings pitched in relief.[8] He was released by the organization on December 13, 2013.[9][10]

Sioux Falls Canaries

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On January 7, 2014, Brebbia signed with the Sioux Falls Canaries of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball.[11] 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).[8] Brebbia later said he rediscovered his love for the sport while pitching in the independent leagues. He also began growing his beard in 2014.[10]

Laredo Lemurs

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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.[11] 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).[8][12]

St. Louis Cardinals

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On September 21, 2015, Brebbia signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks and was assigned to the Double-A Mobile BayBears.[3]

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.[13] 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.[14] He was 5–5 with a 5.03 ERA and 68 strikeouts in 68 innings over 43 games.[8]

Brebbia began the 2017 season with Memphis. There he was 1–1 with three saves, a 1.69 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 26+2⁄3 innings pitched [15] when the Cardinals promoted him to the major league on May 27, 2017.[16] 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 51+2⁄3 innings, and a 0.929 WHIP, leading all Major League rookie relievers in ERA and WHIP.[3]

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 13+2⁄3 innings.[8] In 45 relief appearances for St. Louis, he was 3–3 with two saves and a 3.20 ERA, striking out 60 batters in 50+2⁄3 innings pitched.[17] 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.[18][3]

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 72+2⁄3 relief innings.[19]

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.[20][3] On December 2, Brebbia was non-tendered by the Cardinals.[21] In his three seasons with the Cardinals, Brebbia had a 3.14 ERA, and 10.2 K/9.[22]

San Francisco Giants

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On December 21, 2020, Brebbia signed a one-year, $800,000 contract with the San Francisco Giants.[23][24] On February 17, 2021, Brebbia was placed on the 60-day injured list as he continued to recover from Tommy John surgery.[25] 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.[26][27]

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.[28] On November 30, Brebbia signed a $838,000 contract with the Giants, avoiding salary arbitration.[29]

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).[30]

On January 13, 2023, Brebbia agreed to a one-year, $2.3 million contract with the Giants, avoiding salary arbitration.[31][32] 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.[33][10] On July 31, he was transferred to the 60-day injured list.[34] Brebbia was activated from the injured list on September 5.[35]

Chicago White Sox

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On January 26, 2024, Brebbia signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract with the Chicago White Sox.[36][37] In 54 appearances for Chicago, he struggled to an 0–6 record and 6.29 ERA with 58 strikeouts over 48+2⁄3 innings pitched. Brebbia was designated for assignment by the White Sox on August 27.[38][39] He was released two days later.[40]

Atlanta Braves

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On August 31, 2024, Brebbia signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves.[41] The next day, he was subsequently selected to the team's major league roster.[42] In 5 games for Atlanta, Brebbia posted a 2.70 ERA with 9 strikeouts across 6+2⁄3 innings pitched.

Detroit Tigers

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On February 12, 2025, Brebbia signed a one-year, $2.75 million contract with the Detroit Tigers.[43][44] 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.[45][46] In 19 appearances for Detroit, he struggled to a 7.71 ERA with 20 strikeouts across 18+2⁄3 innings pitched. On June 15, Brebbia was designated for assignment by the Tigers.[47][48] After clearing waivers on June 19, Brebbia was released by Detroit.[49][50]

Pitching style

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Brebbia throws a mid-90s fastball, an 80 mph slider, and occasionally a changeup.[22][51]

Personal life

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Brebbia's wife, Amanda, gave birth to their son in June 2019.[52] They live in Smyrna, Georgia.[3]

Brebbia enjoys using spreadsheets.[10]

Brebbia shaves prior to each baseball season, then grows his beard during the season.[10][53] He shaved off his beard in stages during the 2018 MLB Japan All-Star Series.[54]

References

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  1. ^ "John Brebbia grew up rooting for Red Sox but now pitches for Cardinals". The Boston Globe. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  2. ^ Dorsey, Steve (June 1, 2008). "Baseball – Big Schools First Team" (PDF). alt.coxnewsweb.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 2, 2018. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "John Brebbia Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com.
  4. ^ "#30 John Brebbia". pointstreak.com. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  5. ^ "#30 John Brebbia". pointstreak.com. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  6. ^ RUSS CHARPENTIER (July 1, 2011). "Cape League Extra: Brebbia's big year". capecodtimes.com. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  7. ^ "Pitcher John Brebbia Recalls His Days In Wellington". Gotowncrier.com. July 5, 2013. Retrieved May 27, 2017.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g "John Brebbia Amateur, College, Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com.
  9. ^ "John Brebbia Stats, Fantasy & News". Minor League Baseball.
  10. ^ a b c d e Pavlovic, Alex (July 6, 2023). "How Brebbia's unique MLB path led to key Giants bullpen role". NBC Sports Bay Area & California. Retrieved April 25, 2025.
  11. ^ a b "American Association of Professional Baseball - 2014 Transactions".
  12. ^ "Former Canaries Pitcher John Brebbia Reaches Major League's". KSFY-TV. May 28, 2017. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
  13. ^ "Cardinals DFA Socolovich, call up Brebbia in bullpen shakeup". FOX Sports Midwest. May 27, 2017. Retrieved May 28, 2017.
  14. ^ "Cardinals purchase RHP John Brebbia from Memphis | St. Louis Cardinals". Mlb.com. May 27, 2017. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
  15. ^ "John Brebbia Stats, Highlights, Bio". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  16. ^ Perkins, Owen (May 27, 2017). "Cardinals call up John Brebbia to join bullpen". MLB.com. Retrieved May 28, 2017.
  17. ^ Schaeffer, Brenden. "St. Louis Cardinals 2018 player grades: Bullpen". KMOV. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
  18. ^ "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". 野球日本代表 侍ジャパン オフィシャルサイト (in Japanese). October 29, 2018. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  19. ^ "JOHN BREBBIA, Relief Pitcher". STLtoday.com. October 21, 2019.
  20. ^ "SF Giants Sign Former St. Louis Cardinals Reliever John Brebbia". December 21, 2020.
  21. ^ FOX Sports Midwest (December 2, 2020). "Cardinals non-tender John Brebbia, Rangel Ravelo". FOX Sports. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  22. ^ a b "SF Giants: Key Bullpen Arm to Begin Triple-A Rehab Assignment". May 28, 2021.
  23. ^ Rogers, Anne (December 21, 2020). "Brebbia moves on, signs deal with Giants". MLB.com. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
  24. ^ Harrigan, Thomas (December 21, 2020). "Giants ink Brebbia, on mend from TJ surgery". MLB.com. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
  25. ^ Shea, John (February 18, 2021). "Giants' Jake McGee signing official; 'nice candidate' to be new closer". San Francisco Chronicle.
  26. ^ Guardado, Maria (June 20, 2021). "Brebbia joins Giants after Tommy John". MLB.com. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
  27. ^ Crowley, Kerry (June 21, 2021). "SF Giants finally add free agent signee to their bullpen, move starter to 60-day IL". Mercury News. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  28. ^ "John Brebbia Amateur, College, Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com.
  29. ^ "Arbitration Tracker For 2022". MLBTradeRumors. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  30. ^ "John Brebbia Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball-Reference.com.
  31. ^ "Giants agree to terms with remaining eight arbitration-eligible players". MLB.com. January 13, 2023. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
  32. ^ Guardado, Maria (January 13, 2023). "Giants settle with Webb, seven others ahead of arb deadline". MLB.com. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
  33. ^ "Giants' John Brebbia: Placed on IL with lat strain". cbssports.com. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  34. ^ "Giants' John Brebbia: Moves to 60-day IL". cbssports.com. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  35. ^ "San Francisco Giants activate John Brebbia from injured list". ESPN.com. Reuters. September 5, 2023. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  36. ^ "White Sox add righty reliever Brebbia on 1-year deal". MLB.com. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  37. ^ "White Sox, John Brebbia finalize $5.5 million, 1-year deal". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 26, 2024. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
  38. ^ Van Schouwen, Darryl (August 27, 2024). "White Sox designate John Brebbia for assignment". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
  39. ^ "White Sox announce four roster moves". MLB.com. August 27, 2024. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
  40. ^ "White Sox Release John Brebbia". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  41. ^ Minor League Baseball
  42. ^ Toscano, Justin (September 1, 2024). "Why Braves added right-handed reliever John Brebbia at start of September". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
  43. ^ "Relief pitcher John Brebbia agrees to 1-year/$2.75M deal with Tigers". ESPN.com. Associated Press. February 13, 2025. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
  44. ^ Beck, Jason (February 12, 2025). "Tigers sign righty Brebbia to 1-year deal with club option for 2026". MLB.com. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
  45. ^ "Tigers place RHP John Brebbia on IL with triceps strain". ESPN.com. April 19, 2025. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
  46. ^ Ramsey, Jared. "Detroit Tigers place reliever John Brebbia on 15-day IL with right triceps strain". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved April 25, 2025.
  47. ^ Romo, Christian. "Detroit Tigers designate John Brebbia for assignment, call up RHP Tyler Owens". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
  48. ^ "Tigers veteran RHP John Brebbia designated for assignment". ESPN.com. June 15, 2025. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
  49. ^ "Tigers Release John Brebbia". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
  50. ^ "Fantasy MLB News Today | RotoWire". www.rotowire.com. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
  51. ^ "BrooksBaseball.net Player Card: John Brebbia". www.brooksbaseball.net.
  52. ^ Goold, Derrick (July 3, 2019). "Cardinals notebook: Carpenter hits IL with illness, back spasms". STLtoday.com.
  53. ^ 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. Retrieved April 25, 2025 – via www.facebook.com.
  54. ^ "John Brebbia's facial hair has gone through a stunning evolution in the Japan All-Star Series". MLB.com. November 14, 2018. Retrieved April 25, 2025.
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