David Bromberg

DAVID BROMBERG
RIGHT HANDED PITCHER
Born: September 14, 1987
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 245
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
Drafted: 32nd round, 975th overall, 2005 (Twins)
How Acquired: Minor League Free Agent
College: Santa Ana (CA) JC
Agent: LSW Baseball

WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES

Bromberg signed with the Twins as a draft-and-follow.  He was highly regarded as a prospect as he moved up through their system, but he got derailed by injury in 2011, after he’d made their 40-man roster.  Prior to the injury, he threw a four-seam fastball that reached the mid-90s, as well as a two-seamer that ranged from 86-92.  His best pitch was a curve and he had a developing change.  He’s a flyball pitcher but hasn’t had significant gopher ball problems.  The Pirates signed him to a minor league deal for 2013, with an invitation to spring training.

2006
R:  3-3-0, 2.66 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 50.2 IP, 3.2 BB/9, 5.5 K/9

Bromberg had a good debut in rookie ball, although he didn’t fan many hitters.

2007
R+:  9-0-0, 2.78 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 58.1 IP, 4.9 BB/9, 12.5 K/9

In advanced rookie ball, Bromberg held opponents to a .211 average and posted an extremely high K rate, but had some control problems.  Baseball America rated him the Twins’ 15th best prospect after the season.

2008
A:  9-10-0, 4.44 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 150.0 IP, 3.2 BB/9, 10.6 K/9

In low A, Bromberg posted impressive BB and K rates.  In fact, he led the minor leagues with 177 strikeouts.  His overall pitching was a bit better than his ERA.

2009
A+:  13-4-0, 2.70 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 153.1 IP, 3.7 BB/9, 8.7 K/9

Bromberg had an impressive season, although pitching in the Florida State League probably helped.  He did lose some ground with his walk and K rates.  BA rated him the Twins’ 9th best prospect after the season.

2010
AA:  5-5-0, 3.62 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 99.1 IP, 3.2 BB/9, 5.9 K/9
AAA:  1-4-0, 3.98 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 52.0 IP, 2.2 BB/9, 8.1 K/9

Bromberg didn’t pitch especially well in AA, allowing more than a hit per inning and seeing his K rate drop sharply.  For some reason, he pitched much better in AAA, the higher ERA notwithstanding.  The Twins added him to the roster after the season.

2011
R:  0-0-0, 9.00 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, 5.0 IP, 5.4 BB/9, 9.0 K/9
AA:  1-3-0, 6.08 ERA, 1.78 WHIP, 37.0 IP, 3.6 BB/9, 5.6 K/9

Bromberg got off to a good start in AA, but got hit in his pitching arm with a line drive.  The injury required the insertions of five pins.  He struggled after he returned late in the season.  The Twins removed him from the 40-man roster in the off-season.

2012
R:  0-0-0, 18.00 ERA, 3.50 WHIP, 2.0 IP, 4.5 BB/9, 13.5 K/9
AA:  3-2-0, 3.75 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 72.0 IP, 4.4 BB/9, 8.5 K/9
AAA:  1-2-0, 2.75 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 19.2 IP, 4.6 BB/9, 7.3 K/9

The Twins started using Bromberg primarily out of the bullpen; between AA and AAA he made 10 starts and 23 relief appearances.  He pitched reasonably well considering the time he’d missed, but he had more trouble with his control than he’d had prior to 2011.

2013
AA:  6-12-0, 3.51 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 136.0 IP, 3.4 BB/9, 8.4 K/9
AAA:  1-1-0, 3.38 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 10.2 IP, 2.5 BB/9, 6.8 K/9

After starting off in extended spring training, Bromberg joined Altoona in mid-April.  He served as a swing man initially, but eventually stayed in the Curve’s rotation.  He also moved up to Indianapolis at the end of July for a two-game stint when the Indians were short a starter.  Bromberg got off to a shaky start, but after April had a 3.15 ERA for the Curve, 3.02 as a starter.  He didn’t have much of a platoon split.

Bromberg’s season seems promising, but it was actually very similar to his 2010 season, and most of that one came in AAA.  Plus, he’s now 26.  He’ll be a free agent again after the season.

STATS
Baseball Reference–Minors
Fangraphs
MiLB.com
CONTRACT INFORMATION
2013: Minor league contract
PLAYER INFORMATION
Signing Bonus: $40,000
MiLB Debut: 2006
MLB Debut: N/A
MiLB FA Eligible: 2013
MLB FA Eligible: N/A
Rule 5 Eligible: Eligible
Added to 40-Man: 11/19/10
Options Remaining: 2 (USED:  2011)
MLB Service Time: 0.000
TRANSACTIONS
June 8, 2005: Drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 32nd round, 975th overall pick; signed on May 22, 2006.
November 19, 2010: Contract purchased by the Minnesota Twins.
November 18, 2011: Outrighted to AAA by the Minnesota Twins.
November 3, 2012: Became a free agent.
November 21, 2012: Signed as a minor league free agent by the Pittsburgh Pirates.