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

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(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

, 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

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

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

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

. 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