Brandon League

41-Year-Old PitcherP

Free Agent

2024 Stats

W-L

0-0

ERA

0.00

WHIP

0.00

Rest-of-Season Projections

W-L

ERA

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2024 Fantasy Outlook

There was no outlook written for Brandon League in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.

Bats R

Throws R

40 Man No

Height 6'2"

Weight 200

DOB 3/16/1983

Born Sacramento, CA

College None

Drafted 2nd Rd 2001 TOR

Released by Kansas City

PFree Agent

March 19, 2017

League was released by the Royals on Sunday, Rustin Dodd of The Kansas City Star reports.

ANALYSIS
After being informed he wouldn't win a bullpen job with the big club, it appears League was unwilling to report to the Royals' minor-league camp, so he'll become a free agent. The 34-year-old was out of baseball last season and could be nearing the end of the line.

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Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Brandon League See More

Saturday Lineup Card: Stop, Heaney Time

July 10, 2015

Chris Benzine discusses why Andrew Heaney has earned a spot in the rotation and on fantasy rosters, plus more in Saturday's lineup card.

Saturday Lineup Card: Happy Fourth of July

July 3, 2015

Chris Benzine discusses Alejandro De Aza's recent hot streak and why you should consider him in some formats, plus more in Saturday's lineup card.

Friday Lineup Card: Scoop Up Hoover

June 25, 2015

Hoover is an intriguing pick-up in leagues if you’re scrounging for saves, especially with the rumors floating around that Chapman could be moved in a deadline trade.

Tuesday Lineup Card: Pencil In The Eraser

June 22, 2015

Thursday Lineup Card: Betances Continues To Roll

June 17, 2015

With Andrew Miller still sidelined to injury, Dellin Betances continues to fill in admirably.

Past Fantasy Outlooks

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

League outperformed his peripherals and gave the Dodgers a marginally-better-than-replacement-level campaign in 2014 (0.1 fWAR). If he were being paid the league minimum, nobody would think twice about his performance. Instead, League just completed Year 2 of a three-year, $22.5 million contract with the Dodgers, and it seems unlikely that he'll be wearing a Dodgers uniform for the final chapter of the trilogy. One thing that League does particularly well is induce grounders (67.5% GB% in 2014, career 60.5%), which carries some value in the sixth and seventh inning if manager Don Mattingly needs to get a double play without burning a key piece in his bridge to Kenley Jansen. He's also been durable, averaging more than 66 appearances per season since 2009. Unfortunately, this is where the warm fuzzies end.

In signing League to a three-year, $22.5 million deal last winter, the Dodgers were clearly expecting more than 54.1 innings of 5.30 ERA ball. League managed to hold onto the closer job until June, but manager Don Mattingly turned to Kenley Jansen, who never relinquished the job thereafter. League enters 2014 as an afterthought in relation to the late innings, but his ill-advised contract will likely net him a spot in the Opening Day bullpen. There's little reason to expect a rebound campaign, however, as League's 4.6 K/9 and 1.3 HR/9 were the worst marks of his career by a very wide margin.

League's career has seen its share of ups and downs, but none more that in the past year. After losing his closer job to Tom Wilhelmsen in Seattle last year, League was traded to the Dodgers where he posted a 2.30 ERA in 28 appearances, and a 0.40 mark in his last 21 games. League still hits the mid-90s with his fastball, though his K:BB rates (54:22 in 72 innings in 2012) continue to be uninspiring. That didn't stop the cash-rich Dodgers from giving League a three-year, $22.5 million contract over the offseason, a number that should ensure he at least opens 2013 as the team's closer. Whether he finishes the year in the same role remains to be seen.

League took the closer reins last season from an injured David Aardsma and went on to finish third in the American League with 37 saves. His low strikeout rate (6.60 K/9IP) doesn't impress, but his 1.47 BB/9IP walk rate ranked fourth in baseball among closers. What's more, in 42 save situations, he walked just three batters in 157 plate appearances. League returns this season as the Mariners closer without the "interim" tag, which will make him more expensive than he was in last year's drafts.

League had a bumpy season last year after coming to the Mariners in a trade for Brandon Morrow. League's 70 appearances far and away led the team, but he was good for an implosion every handful of outings. League saw his K/9IP rate drop to 6.4 from 2009's career high of 9.2. He also allowed nine of 26 inherited runners to score. With David Aardsma undergoing offseason hip surgery, League will have an opportunity to step in as the closer if Aardsma is unable to pitch when the regular season begins.

League had another solid season out of the Toronto bullpen with a 1.246 WHIP and a 9.2 K/9IP while limiting righties to a .682 OPS. He was traded to Seattle in December, where he'll work in a set-up role in front of closer David Aardsma. The hard-throwing League figures to be in the seventh- and eighth-inning mix with Shawn Kelley and Mark Lowe.

League limited right-handed batters to a .200/.297/.231 line in 65 at-bats for Toronto last year and has consistently carved them up for his entire career (.219/.320/.298 in 265 at-bats). He'll be back in a relief role again this season but doesn't figure to throw enough high-leverage innings late in the game to make him fantasy relevant in most leagues.

A shoulder injury suffered in the offseason last year resulted in a big drop in velocity for League, and effectively kept him out of the majors for the entire season save for 14 appearances out of the Toronto bullpen. It remains to be seen how effective he can be if he doesn't recovery his lost velocity, but he wasn't a big strikeout guy even at full strength so there's not much value here even if he's healthy.

League re-emerged in 2006 following a poor 2005 season, thanks largely to improved control. In 42.2 innings with the Blue Jays, he posted a nice 29:9 K:BB and continues to do an excellent job keeping the ball in the park. He's not going to post gaudy strikeout numbers, but he should move up a notch in the Toronto bullpen following the departure of Justin Speier and could emerge as the primary setup man to closer B.J. Ryan.

League made the roster to start the season, but struggled and couldn't get regular work, spending the rest of the year shuttling between the majors and Triple-A. His numbers for Syracuse weren't good so there's considerable question about him now. He's no longer in line for a setup role, which is a major disappointment given the promise he showed in 2004.

League settled into a relief role at Double-A New Hampshire and with a blazing fastball and good slider, his future is in the bullpen. He'll need to cut down on the walks, but yielded just three home runs all year, so there's reason to be optimistic if he can handle the jump to Triple-A Syracuse.

More Fantasy News

Receives invitation to spring training

PKansas City Royals

January 7, 2017

League received a spring training invitation from the Royals on Saturday, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

ANALYSIS
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PFree Agent

Shoulder

July 10, 2015

League (shoulder) was released by the Dodgers on Friday, Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish reports.

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PLos Angeles Dodgers

Shoulder

July 2, 2015

League (shoulder) was designated for assignment Thursday, Eric Stephen of SB Nation reports.

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Brandon League: (Shoulder) Could be Activated During Road Trip

PLos Angeles Dodgers

Shoulder

June 25, 2015

League (shoulder) tossed a pair of scoreless innings Wednesday and could join the Dodgers on their current road trip, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

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PLos Angeles Dodgers

Shoulder

June 22, 2015

League (shoulder) has progressed his rehab to Triple-A Oklahoma, where he tossed a scoreless inning (two hits) Sunday.

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