Brandon Laird

Brandon Laird
Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters – No. 5
Third baseman
Born: (1987-09-11) September 11, 1987
Cypress, California
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
July 22, 2011, for the New York Yankees
MLB statistics
(through 2013 season)
Batting average .197
Home runs 6
Runs batted in 16
Teams

Brandon J. Laird (born September 11, 1987) is an American professional baseball third baseman for the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball. Previously, he played for the New York Yankees and the Houston Astros in Major League Baseball.

High school and college career

Laird attended La Quinta High School in Westminster, California. He was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 27th round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft, but did not sign, opting to attend Cypress College.

Professional career

New York Yankees

Laird was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 27th round of the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft, and signed with the Yankees.

On August 2, 2010, Laird was promoted from Double A Trenton Thunder to Triple A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees.[1] Laird was named both the Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year of the Eastern League in 2010, following a breakout season.[2] Following the 2010 season, he was added to the Yankees' 40 man roster in order to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft.[3]

Laird was promoted to the majors for the first time on July 18, 2011, when Ramiro Peña was placed on the disabled list.[4] On Friday July 22, 2011 at Yankee Stadium, Laird made his Major League debut, and got his first Major League hit and RBI against Oakland Athletics pitcher Craig Breslow on a single to center field. He scored his first run earlier in the game, scoring on a single by Nick Swisher after working a walk off of A's pitcher Joey Devine. The Yankees designated Laird for assignment on August 27, 2012.[5]

Houston Astros

Laird was claimed by the Houston Astros on September 1, 2012.[6] Laird started the 2013 season with the Triple-A Oklahoma City RedHawks. The Astros promoted Laird to the big leagues on April 18, 2013, after Brett Wallace was optioned to Oklahoma City. Laird had been hitting .353 in 12 games to earn his promotion.[7] He was outrighted off the roster on October 2, 2013.[8][9]

Kansas City Royals

Laird signed a minor league deal with the Kansas City Royals on November 23, 2013.[10]

Washington Nationals

On March 15, 2014, Laird was dealt to the Washington Nationals for a player to be named later.[11]

Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters

In November 2014, Laird signed with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.[12] Laird struggled to start the 2015 season with Nippon, batting under .200 into June, but finished his first season with 34 home runs and a batting average of .231.[13]

Personal

Brandon's brother, Gerald, is a catcher for the Atlanta Braves.[14]

References

  1. ↑ Nalbone, John. "Thunder lose; Franklin ejected; Laird promoted". Nj.com. Retrieved July 23, 2011.
  2. ↑ "Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees Blog » Laird named Eastern League MVP, ROY". Blogs.thetimes-tribune.com. September 2, 2010. Retrieved July 23, 2011.
  3. ↑ "Yankees add three to 40-man roster". The LoHud Yankees Blog. November 19, 2010. Retrieved July 23, 2011.
  4. ↑ "Hurt corner: Pena to DL thins options at third". MLB.com (Major League Baseball). July 18, 2011. Retrieved July 23, 2011.
  5. ↑ Stephenson, Colin (August 28, 2012). "Yankees' acquisition of Steve Pearce proves timely with injury to Mark Teixeira". The Star Ledger (NJ.com). Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Astros claim Laird from Yankees". MLB.com. September 1, 2012. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Astros option infielder Wallace to Triple-A". April 18, 2013. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
  8. ↑ McTaggert, Brian (October 2, 2013). "Astros add Singleton to 40-man roster". MLB.com. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  9. ↑ de Jesus Ortiz, Jose (October 2, 2013). "Astros continue staff shakeup by making Tremley bench coach". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  10. ↑ Kaegel, Dick (November 23, 2013). "Infielder Laird among five signed to Minor League deals". MLB.com. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  11. ↑ http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/03/15/nationals-acquire-infielder-brandon-laird-from-the-royals/
  12. ↑ Wild, Danny (December 10, 2014). "Difo, Souza, Giolito step up for Nationals". MILB.com. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  13. ↑ https://www.oneworldsports.com/blogs/brandon-laird-powers-nippon-ham-fighters/
  14. ↑ "Brandon is the Laird with the hot bat". The Detroit News. June 26, 2010. Retrieved July 23, 2011.

External links

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