The Chicago Cubs had their eye on right-handed pitcher Brad Deppermann as early as 2014, when they drafted him in the 31st round out of high school in the Tampa area.
Fast forward to last week, and Deppermann is on his way to join a new Major League Baseball organization for the first time, roughly 11 1/2 years later.
According to the transactions log on his official roster page, Deppermann signed a minor-league deal with the San Francisco Giants on Saturday. The deal was not reflected on that page until several days later.
Deppermann spent five years in the college ranks and was drafted by the Cubs for a second time in the seventh round of the 2019 draft. He then began a slow progression through the minor-league ranks, including a year of retirement, that culminated in a solid full season at the Double-A level last year.
After electing free agency in November, it appears Deppermann was either looking for a change of scenery, or the Cubs felt that his career in their organization had run its course. He pitched to a 2.76 ERA in 45 2/3 innings this past season out of the bullpen, and across 112 total minor-league appearances, his ERA sits at 3.59.
Whatever Deppermann discovered during his year of retirement (May 2023 through June 2024) seems to be working. He put up a 0.67 ERA in 27 innings in the second half of 2024 prior to his strong season a year ago.
Every team needs pitching depth at this time of year, and the Giants didn’t sign Deppermann with any particular roster hole in mind. He’s 29, so he’s far from being considered a prospect at this point, but if he can get batters out in the upper levels of the minors, he’ll keep his dream of eventually progressing to the majors alive.
More MLB: White Sox’s Sneaky-Good Winter Caps Off With Addition of Blue Jays Standout
