Branden Kline Explained

Branden Kline
Position:Pitcher
Bats:Right
Throws:Right
Birth Date:29 September 1991
Birth Place:Frederick, Maryland, U.S.
Debutleague:MLB
Debutdate:April 20
Debutyear:2019
Debutteam:Baltimore Orioles
Finalleague:MLB
Finaldate:September 25
Finalyear:2020
Finalteam:Baltimore Orioles
Statleague:MLB
Stat1label:Win–loss record
Stat1value:1–4
Stat2label:Earned run average
Stat2value:5.48
Stat3label:Strikeouts
Stat3value:41
Teams:

Branden Alexander Kline (born September 29, 1991) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Baltimore Orioles in 2019 and 2020.

Amateur career

Kline attended Governor Thomas Johnson High School in Frederick, Maryland. In his senior year, in 2009, he experienced an increase in velocity, reaching, which drew attention from scouts. He finished his senior year with a 6–1 win–loss record, a 0.51 earned run average (ERA) and 79 strikeouts in 41 innings pitched.[1] The Boston Red Sox selected Kline in the sixth round, with the 198th overall selection, of the 2009 MLB draft. He opted not to sign, as he had already committed to attend the University of Virginia on a college baseball scholarship.

With the Virginia Cavaliers baseball team, Kline was used as a relief pitcher in his freshman and sophomore years. In his sophomore year, Kline recorded 18 saves, the third most in college baseball, and tying the Cavaliers' record and setting an Atlantic Coast Conference record. That year, he was also named a first-team All-American. As a junior, Kline had a 7–3 win–loss record, a 3.56 ERA, and 94 strikeouts in innings, with 15 of his 16 appearances as a starting pitcher.

Professional career

The Baltimore Orioles selected Kline in the second round, with the 65th overall selection, of the 2012 MLB draft.[2] [3] He signed with the Orioles, receiving a signing bonus just below $800,000.[4] He made his professional debut after signing with the Aberdeen IronBirds of the Class A-Short Season New York–Penn League, where he compiled a 4.50 ERA in 12 innings.

Kline pitched for the Delmarva Shorebirds of the Class A South Atlantic League in 2013 where he was 1–2 with a 5.86 ERA in seven starts. He began the 2014 season with the Frederick Keys of the Class A-Advanced Carolina League, and was named their Opening Day starting pitcher.[5] [6] In August, the Orioles promoted Kline to the Bowie Baysox of the Class AA Eastern League.[7] In 26 starts between both teams, he was 8–8 with a 4.08 ERA. Kline spent the 2015 season with Bowie.[8] By training with a weighted ball in the offseason, as suggested by teammate Tyler Wilson, Kline's fastball velocity improved from 90to to 93to.[9] In eight starts, he pitched to a 3–3 record and a 3.66 ERA.[10]

In October 2015, Kline underwent Tommy John surgery. He missed the 2016 season, and had a follow-up surgery in March 2017,[11] forcing him to miss all of that season as well. He returned to Frederick in 2018 as a relief pitcher.[12] The Orioles added him to their 40-man roster after the season.

He opened the 2019 season with the Triple-A Norfolk Tides. On April 20, he was recalled to the major league roster for the first time, as the 26th man for a double-header versus the Minnesota Twins.[13] He made his debut that night, recording two innings in relief.

Kline was designated for assignment by the Orioles on January 30, 2020, and outrighted on February 5. On September 4, 2020, Kline was selected back to the major leagues.[14] Kline pitched to a 1.80 ERA with 7 strikeouts over 3 appearances for the Orioles in 2020.[15] He elected free agency on October 29, 2020.

On January 13, 2021, Kline announced his retirement from professional baseball via Instagram.[16] [17]

Notes and References

  1. News: Pitching Decision Awaits for Thomas Johnson Ace. The Washington Post. May 10, 2009. October 23, 2014.
  2. News: MLB draft: Branden Kline of Virginia is taken by Baltimore Orioles in second round. The Washington Post. October 23, 2014.
  3. Web site: Orioles select Virginia right-hander Branden Kline with second-round pick. Baltimore Sun. June 5, 2012 . October 23, 2014.
  4. Web site: Branden Kline Agrees to Contract with Orioles. June 30, 2012. NBC 29. October 23, 2014. October 23, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141023194611/http://www.nbc29.com/story/18924571/kline-signs-contract-with-orioles. dead.
  5. Web site: Frederick native Kline 'excited' to get Keys' 1st start. Pat Stoetzer Times Staff Writer. April 2, 2014. carrollcountytimes.com. October 23, 2014.
  6. Web site: Steve Melewski: Branden Kline will start opening night for Frederick, other notes from media day. MASNsports. October 23, 2014.
  7. Web site: Branden Kline called up to AA Bowie. The Frederick News-Post. August 20, 2014 . October 23, 2014.
  8. Web site: Kline lands in Bowie. The Frederick News-Post. April 5, 2015 . May 1, 2015.
  9. Web site: Stock Watch: Baltimore Orioles' Branden Kline bringing heavy heat. MiLB.com. May 1, 2015.
  10. Web site: Braden Kline Stats, Highlights, Bio . MiLB.com . June 12, 2018.
  11. Web site: Melewski . Steve . Minor league notes on Branden Kline, Mike Yastrzemski and more - Steve Melewski . Masnsports.com . March 21, 2017 . April 25, 2018.
  12. Web site: Carolina notes: Kline's comeback on track . MiLB.com . May 20, 2015 . April 25, 2018.
  13. Web site: Kline in Baltimore as 26th man for doubleheader. Kubatko. Roch. masnsports.com. MASN. April 20, 2019. April 20, 2019.
  14. Web site: Orioles Place Alex Cobb on Injured List, Outright Mason Williams. September 4, 2020 .
  15. Web site: Branden Kline Stats, Fantasy & News MLB.com. MLB.com.
  16. Web site: Orioles reliever, Frederick native Branden Kline announces retirement at age 29: 'It's been a fun ride'. January 13, 2021 .
  17. brandenkline16 . Kline . Braden . Branden Kline . CJ_PGs9Mrza . Dear Baseball . January 13, 2021. January 13, 2021.