Bradley Joseph Peacock (born February 2, 1988) is an American former professional
baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball games, bat-and-ball sport played between two team sport, teams of nine players each, taking turns batting (baseball), batting and Fielding (baseball), fielding. The game occurs over the course of several Pitch ...
pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("Pitch (baseball), pitches") the Baseball (ball), baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of out (baseball), retiring a batter (baseball), batter, ...
. He played in
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...
(MLB) for the
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are an American professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East Division. They play their home games at Na ...
,
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are an American professional baseball team based in Houston. The Astros compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League West, West Division. They are one of two major leag ...
, and
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East Division. Founded in as one of the Ameri ...
. Listed at and , he throws and bats right-handed.
Amateur career
Peacock attended
Palm Beach Central High School in
Wellington, Florida
Wellington is a village west of West Palm Beach in Palm Beach County and north of Miami. It is part of the Miami metropolitan area and the fifth largest municipality in Palm Beach County by population. As of the 2020 census, the village had a po ...
. He played for the school's baseball team as a
third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball or softball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run. In the Baseball scorekeep ...
. Peacock requested that his coach try him at
pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("Pitch (baseball), pitches") the Baseball (ball), baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of out (baseball), retiring a batter (baseball), batter, ...
, and he threw eight innings in high school prior to pitching in a summer league.
He committed to attend
Florida Atlantic University
Florida Atlantic University (Florida Atlantic or FAU) is a Public university, public research university with its main campus in Boca Raton, Florida, United States. The university is a member of the State University System of Florida and has s ...
to play
college baseball
College baseball is baseball that is played by Student athlete, student-athletes at institutions of higher education. In the United States, college baseball is sanctioned mainly by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA); in Japan, ...
with the
Florida Atlantic Owls.
The
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are an American professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East Division. They play their home games at Na ...
selected Peacock in the 41st round of the
2006 Major League Baseball draft. They did not immediately sign Peacock, but retained his rights as a "draft-and-follow" player. He enrolled at
Palm Beach Community College, and had an 8–0 win–loss record as a
starting pitcher
In baseball (hardball or softball), a starting pitcher or starter is the first pitcher in the game for each team. A pitcher is credited with a game started if they throw the first pitch to the opponent's first batter of a game. Starting pit ...
for the baseball team.
[
]
Professional career
Washington Nationals
After the college baseball season, the Nationals signed Peacock to a $110,000 signing bonus
A signing bonus or sign-on bonus is a sum of money paid to a new employee (including a professional sports person) by a company as an incentive to join that company. They are often given as a way of making a compensation package more attractive ...
.[ He spent the 2007 season with the ]GCL Nationals
The Florida Complex League Nationals are a Rookie-level affiliate of the Washington Nationals, competing in the Florida Complex League of Minor League Baseball. Prior to the 2021 season, the team was known as the Gulf Coast League Nationals. The t ...
, Washington's affiliate in the rookie
A rookie is a person new to an occupation, profession, or hobby. In sports, a ''rookie'' is a professional athlete in their first season (or year).
In contrast with a veteran who has experience, a rookie is typically considered needing more tra ...
-level Gulf Coast League
The Florida Complex League (FCL) is a rookie-level Minor League Baseball league that operates in Florida, United States. Before 2021, it was known as the Gulf Coast League (GCL). Together with the Arizona Complex League (ACL), it forms the low ...
, accruing a record of 1 win and 1 loss and a 3.89 earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average (ERA) is the average of earned runs allowed by a pitcher per nine innings pitched (i.e. the traditional length of a game). It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number ...
. Over innings in 2007, consisting of seven starts and six appearances in relief, Peacock struck out a total of 34 batters and issued 15 bases on balls
A base on balls (BB), better known as a walk,
occurs in baseball when a batter receives four pitches during a plate appearance that the umpire calls '' balls'', and is in turn awarded first base without the possibility of being called out. The bas ...
. In 2010, he made eight starts for the Harrisburg Senators
The Harrisburg Senators are a Minor League Baseball team who play in the Eastern League, and are the Double-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals. The team is based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and play their home games at FNB Field on Cit ...
of the Double–A Eastern League. After the 2010 season, Peacock played in the Arizona Fall League
The Arizona Fall League (AFL) is an off-season baseball league owned and operated by Major League Baseball (MLB) which operates during autumn in Arizona, United States, at six different baseball complexes. Arizona Fall League rosters are filled ...
as a relief pitcher
In baseball and softball, a relief pitcher or reliever is a pitcher who pitches in the game after the starting pitcher or another relief pitcher has been removed from the game due to fatigue (medical), fatigue, injury, ineffectiveness, ejection ...
, and his fastball
The fastball is the most common type of pitch (baseball), pitch thrown by pitchers in baseball and softball. Its distinctive feature is its high speed. "Power pitchers," such as former major leaguers Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, relied on the ...
was measured at .[
'']Baseball America
''Baseball America'' (BA) is a sports publication company that covers baseball at every level, including Major League Baseball (MLB), with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in Minor League Baseball (MiLB) college, high school, and inte ...
'' rated Peacock the 42nd best prospect in baseball during the 2011 season. He represented the Nationals at the 2011 All-Star Futures Game
The All-Star Futures Game is an annual baseball exhibition game hosted by Major League Baseball (MLB) in conjunction with the mid-summer MLB All-Star Game. A team of American League-affiliated prospects competes against a team of National League- ...
. He was named a starting pitcher on ''Baseball Americas 2011 Minor League All Star team.
Peacock began the 2011 season with Harrisburg and also played for the Syracuse Chiefs
Syracuse most commonly refers to:
* Syracuse, Sicily, Italy; in the province of Syracuse
* Syracuse, New York, USA; in the Syracuse metropolitan area
Syracuse may also refer to:
Places
* Syracuse railway station (disambiguation)
Italy
* Provi ...
of the Triple–A International League
The International League (IL) is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the United States. Along with the Pacific Coast League, it is one of two leagues playing at the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A level, which is one grade below Major ...
. He was promoted to the majors and made his MLB debut on September 6, 2011.[ He earned his first major league win on September 14.
]
Oakland Athletics
On December 23, 2011, Peacock was traded with Tommy Milone, Derek Norris, and A. J. Cole to the Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics (frequently referred to as the Oakland A's) were an American Major League Baseball (MLB) team based in Oakland, California from 1968 to 2024. The Athletics were a member club of the American League (AL) American League We ...
for Gio González
Giovany Aramis González (born September 19, 1985) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Oakland Athletics, Washington Nationals, Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago White Sox. A two-time ...
and Robert Gilliam. He pitched for the Sacramento River Cats
The Sacramento River Cats are a Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and are the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. Prior to 2015, the River Cats were the Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland ...
of the Triple–A Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League (PCL) is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the Western United States. Along with the International League, it is one of two leagues playing at the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A level, which is one grade bel ...
in 2012, and did not play in the major leagues for the Athletics.
Houston Astros
After the 2012 season, the Athletics traded Peacock to the Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are an American professional baseball team based in Houston. The Astros compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League West, West Division. They are one of two major leag ...
with Max Stassi
Max Robert Stassi (born March 15, 1991) is an American professional baseball catcher in the San Francisco Giants organization. The Oakland Athletics drafted him in the fourth round of the 2009 Major League Baseball draft, 2009 MLB draft. In 2013, ...
and Chris Carter for Jed Lowrie and Fernando Rodriguez. He spent the entire season at the Triple–A level.
Peacock began the 2013 season at the Triple–A level before being called up by the Astros. He pitched to a 5.18 ERA in innings. In 2014, he pitched a career-high 24 starts (28 games total), finishing 4–9 in innings.
Peacock was out of options in 2017
2017 was designated as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development by the United Nations General Assembly.
Events January
* January 1 – Istanbul nightclub shooting: A gunman dressed as Santa Claus opens fire at the ...
, and so could not be sent to the minor leagues. He began the season as a relief pitcher, with a 1.10 ERA in innings pitched, and received a spot start on May 22 in place of the injured Dallas Keuchel
Dallas Keuchel (, ; born January 1, 1988) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Astros, Atlanta Braves, Chicago White Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks, T ...
. Following a start in which Peacock allowed one hit and no runs in innings, Peacock replaced Mike Fiers in the starting rotation.
The Astros won the American League West
The American League West is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions. The division has five teams as of the 2013 season, but had four teams from 1994 to 2012, and had as many as seven teams before the 1994 realignment. Although its teams cu ...
with 101 wins, and faced the Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Div ...
in the World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball (MLB). It has been contested since between the champion teams of the American League (AL) and the National League (NL). The winning team, determined through a best- ...
. In Game 3, Peacock earned his first major league save by completing the final innings of a 5−3 win, allowing no hits and striking out four. It was the longest hitless relief outing since Ron Taylor's four innings in Game 4 of the 1964 World Series
The 1964 World Series was the World Series, championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 1964 Major League Baseball season, 1964 season. The 61st edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff that matched the National Leagu ...
, and tied Ken Clay for the longest hitless postseason save, first accomplished in the 1978 American League Championship Series
The 1978 American League Championship Series was a best-of-five playoff in Major League Baseball's 1978 postseason pitting the New York Yankees against the Kansas City Royals for the American League pennant and the right to represent the America ...
(ALCS). The Astros would then win the 2017 World Series
The 2017 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 2017 season. The 113th edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff played between the National League (NL) champion Los Angeles Dodgers and th ...
, their first in franchise history.
In 2018, Peacock pitched the whole season out of the bullpen, totaling 61 appearances. He struck out 96 batters in 65 innings. He was 3–5 with three saves and had a 3.46 ERA.
On May 8, 2019, Peacock threw a career-high 12 strikeouts in 7 innings against the Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are an American professional baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. The team ...
. In 2019 he was 7–6 with a 4.12 ERA, and struck out 96 batters in innings. Peacock only appeared in 3 games for the Astros in 2020, registering a 7.71 ERA with 3 strikeouts in innings of work. He became a free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player or manager who is eligible to sign with other clubs or franchises; i.e., not under contract to any specific team. The term is also used in reference to a player who is under a contract at present ...
after the season.
Cleveland Indians
On June 25, 2021, the Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland. The Guardians compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. Since , the team ...
signed Peacock to a minor-league contract. He was assigned to the Columbus Clippers
The Columbus Clippers are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League (IL) and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians. They are located in Columbus, Ohio, and are named for speedy Merchant ship, merch ...
of the Triple-A East
The International League (IL) is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the United States. Along with the Pacific Coast League, it is one of two leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one grade below Major League Baseball (M ...
. Peacock made 11 appearances for Columbus, going 0–4 with a 7.68 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 34 innings.[
]
Boston Red Sox
On August 30, 2021, Peacock was traded to the Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East Division. Founded in as one of the Ameri ...
in exchange for cash considerations. The following day, the Red Sox selected Peacock's contract; he started that evening's game against the Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are an American professional baseball team based in the Tampa Bay area. The Rays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East Division. They are one of two major ...
, taking the loss after allowing five runs on two hits in innings. He was subsequently returned to the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox
The Worcester Red Sox (nicknamed the WooSox) are a professional minor league baseball team based in Worcester, Massachusetts. Beginning play in 2021, the team is the Triple-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, succeeding the Pawtucket Red Sox. Th ...
and removed from the 40-man roster
A Major League Baseball roster is a list of players who are allowed, by league agreement, to play for a Major League Baseball (MLB) team. Each MLB team maintains two rosters: an active roster of players eligible to participate in an MLB game, an ...
. He made two relief appearances with Worcester; in two innings pitched, he allowed three runs while striking out three batters. On November 7, Peacock elected free agency.
Kansas City Royals
On March 8, 2022, Peacock signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are an American professional baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. The team ...
. On July 18, he was released by the Royals.
Minnesota Twins
On July 29, 2022, Peacock signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are an American professional baseball team based in Minneapolis. The Twins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. The team is named afte ...
. In 20 appearances for the Triple-A St. Paul Saints, he posted a 3-3 record and 3.38 ERA with 22 strikeouts and 8 saves across innings pitched. Peacock elected free agency following the season on November 10.
Coaching career
On March 12, 2024, Peacock was hired to serve as the pitching coach at his alma mater, Palm Beach Central High School.
Personal life
Peacock's father, Jerry, converted a trailer into a camper in order to follow Brad in the minor leagues. Peacock and his wife, Stephanie, had a son in June 2017.
References
External links
{{DEFAULTSORT:Peacock, Brad
1988 births
Living people
Boston Red Sox players
Corpus Christi Hooks players
Fresno Grizzlies players
Gulf Coast Nationals players
Hagerstown Suns players
Harrisburg Senators players
Houston Astros players
Major League Baseball pitchers
Oklahoma City RedHawks players
Palm Beach State Panthers baseball players
Potomac Nationals players
Sacramento River Cats players
Scottsdale Scorpions players
Baseball players from West Palm Beach, Florida
Syracuse Chiefs players
Vermont Lake Monsters players
Washington Nationals players
21st-century American sportsmen