Brandon Laird
| Brandon Laird | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters – No. 5 | |||
| Third baseman | |||
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Born: September 11, 1987 Cypress, California | |||
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MLB debut | |||
| July 22, 2011 for the New York Yankees | |||
Career statistics (through 2013 season) | |||
| Batting average | .197 | ||
| Home runs | 6 | ||
| Runs batted in | 16 | ||
Teams | |||
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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] Following the 2010 season, he was added to the Yankees' 40 man roster in order to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft.[2]
Laird was named both the Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year of the Eastern League in 2010, following a breakout season.[3]
Laird was awarded the 2011 Minor League Rawlings Gold Glove Award along with teammate Austin Krum on September 29, 2011.
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]
Personal
Brandon's brother, Gerald, is a catcher for the Atlanta Braves.[13]
In December 2009 Laird and his brother were arrested following a drunken brawl at US Airways Center during a Phoenix Suns–Boston Celtics game.[14][15] Witnesses said the brothers had been cautioned by security guards when they arrived, because they were already intoxicated. Officers said Brandon Laird shouted derogatory remarks towards the wife of Eddie House, and then swung at one of the women.[15] He was booked on suspicion of misdemeanor disorderly conduct.[15]
References
- ↑ Nalbone, John. "Thunder lose; Franklin ejected; Laird promoted". Nj.com. Retrieved July 23, 2011.
- ↑ "Yankees add three to 40-man roster". The LoHud Yankees Blog. November 19, 2010. Retrieved July 23, 2011.
- ↑ "Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees Blog » Laird named Eastern League MVP, ROY". Blogs.thetimes-tribune.com. September 2, 2010. Retrieved July 23, 2011.
- ↑ "Hurt corner: Pena to DL thins options at third". MLB.com (Major League Baseball). July 18, 2011. Retrieved July 23, 2011.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ "Astros claim Laird from Yankees". MLB.com. September 1, 2012. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
- ↑ "Astros option infielder Wallace to Triple-A". April 18, 2013. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
- ↑ McTaggert, Brian (October 2, 2013). "Astros add Singleton to 40-man roster". MLB.com. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
- ↑ de Jesus Ortiz, Jose (October 2, 2013). "Astros continue staff shakeup by making Tremley bench coach". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
- ↑ Kaegel, Dick (November 23, 2013). "Infielder Laird among five signed to Minor League deals". MLB.com. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
- ↑ http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/03/15/nationals-acquire-infielder-brandon-laird-from-the-royals/
- ↑ Wild, Danny (December 10, 2014). "Difo, Souza, Giolito step up for Nationals". MILB.com. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
- ↑ "Brandon is the Laird with the hot bat". The Detroit News. June 26, 2010. Retrieved July 23, 2011.
- ↑ "Tigers' Gerald Laird, brother arrested in brawl at Suns-Celtics game". Mlive.com. The Associated Press. Retrieved July 23, 2011.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 "The Backup Catcher, The NBA Journeyman's Wife, And The Gropey Grandpa". Deadspin. January 26, 2010. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)
- Yankees prospect Brandon Laird shows major signs of progress / New Jersey Star Ledger
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