Brandon Claussen
Encyclopedia
Brandon Allen Falker Claussen (born May 1, 1979, in Rapid City
, South Dakota
) is a currently inactive Major League Baseball
starting pitcher
. He bats right-handed and throws left-handed
.
In 1997, Claussen graduated from Goddard High School
in Roswell
, New Mexico
. One year later, he was drafted by the New York Yankees
in the 34th round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft
. In 1999, he graduated from Howard College
in Big Spring
, Texas
.
He played in the Yankees' minor league
system until June 28, , when he made his major league debut, when he was brought up to the major league level for a brief stint. In 2001 he led all minor league pitchers in strikeouts, with 220.http://minors.baseball-reference.com/pitch_leaders.cgi?yid=2001&lvl=&lid=&sort=SO
On July 31, 2003, he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds
with Charlie Manning
and cash for Aaron Boone
. On January 12, , he signed a minor league deal with the Washington Nationals
.
Rapid City, South Dakota
Rapid City is the second-largest city in the U.S. state of South Dakota, and the county seat of Pennington County. Named after Rapid Creek on which the city is established, it is set against the eastern slope of the Black Hills mountain range. The population was 67,956 as of the 2010 Census. Rapid...
, South Dakota
South Dakota
South Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The state has an area of and an estimated population of just over...
) is a currently inactive Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
starting pitcher
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
. He bats right-handed and throws left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
.
In 1997, Claussen graduated from Goddard High School
Goddard High School (New Mexico)
Robert H. Goddard High School or known as Goddard High School is a public senior high school in Roswell, New Mexico. It is a part of the Roswell Independent School District. Established in 1965, the school is named after Robert Hutchings Goddard. The colors of GHS are: Navy Blue, Columbia Blue and...
in Roswell
Roswell, New Mexico
Roswell is a city in and the county seat of Chaves County in the southeastern quarter of the state of New Mexico, United States. The population was 48,366 at the 2010 census. It is a center for irrigation farming, dairying, ranching, manufacturing, distribution, and petroleum production. It is also...
, New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
. One year later, he was drafted by the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
in the 34th round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft
1998 Major League Baseball Draft
The 1998 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, was held on June 2 and 3, 1998...
. In 1999, he graduated from Howard College
Howard College
Howard College is a community college with its main campus in Big Spring, Texas and branch campuses in San Angelo and Lamesa....
in Big Spring
Big Spring, Texas
Big Spring is a city in and the county seat of Howard County, Texas, United States, at the crossroads of U.S. Highway 87 and Interstate 20. With a population of 25,233 at the 2000 census, it is the largest city between Midland to the west, Abilene to the east, Lubbock to the north, and San Angelo...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
.
He played in the Yankees' minor league
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
system until June 28, , when he made his major league debut, when he was brought up to the major league level for a brief stint. In 2001 he led all minor league pitchers in strikeouts, with 220.http://minors.baseball-reference.com/pitch_leaders.cgi?yid=2001&lvl=&lid=&sort=SO
On July 31, 2003, he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
with Charlie Manning
Charlie Manning
Charles Nelson Manning is a professional baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent. He played part of the 2008 season in Major League Baseball for the Washington Nationals. He went to the University of Tampa and is listed with a height of 6'2 and weight of 180 pounds...
and cash for Aaron Boone
Aaron Boone
Aaron John Boone is a former Major League Baseball infielder whose famous home run off Boston Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield won the 2003 American League Championship Series for the New York Yankees. He played for the Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Florida Marlins, Washington...
. On January 12, , he signed a minor league deal with the Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
.