The New York Yankees announced on their X account that left-handed minor league pitcher Brandon Leibrandt signed with the CBTC Brothers in the Chinese Professional Baseball League on June 12. The Yankees signed him to a minor league deal this past offseason.
The Yankees also sent down left-handed reliever Brent Headrick to their Triple-A affiliate, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Headrick, 27, has pitched in 11 MLB games this season. He has thrown 13.1 innings with 16 strikeouts and an ERA of 4.73.
Moreover, Leibrant, 32, pitched 41 innings with 37 strikeouts and an ERA of 2.85 for the RailRiders this season. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 6th round of the 2014 MLB Draft. Leibrant never made it to the MLB with the Phillies and reached as high as their Triple-A affiliate, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. He was released by the Phillies on May 29, 2020.
The Miami Marlins signed him to an MiLB deal on August 1, 2020, and he was called up to their MLB roster a week later. He pitched nine innings with three strikeouts and an ERA of 2.00 with the Marlins in 2021.
In 2024, he made his return to the MLB with the Cincinnati Reds, pitching 6.1 innings with five strikeouts and an ERA of 9.95.
Leibrant is the son of former MLB pitcher Charlie Leibrant. Leibrant’s career was highlighted by winning the World Series in 1985 with the Kansas City Royals. He pitched 15 seasons, debuting with the Reds in 1979 and retiring with the Texas Rangers in 1993.
The younger Leibrant will look to contribute to the rich history of the CTBC Brothers, which includes 10 Taiwan Series Championships.
