Aaron Brooks (baseball)


Aaron Lee Brooks is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Kia Tigers of the KBO League. He has played in Major League Baseball for the Kansas City Royals, Oakland Athletics and Baltimore Orioles.

Early years

Brooks attended Cajon High School in San Bernardino, California, and California State University, San Bernardino, where he played college baseball for the Cal State San Bernardino Coyotes.

Professional career

Kansas City Royals

The Kansas City Royals selected Brooks in the ninth round of the 2011 MLB draft. Through the 2013 season, Brooks had issued only 1.3 walks per nine innings pitched in total innings. The Royals invited Brooks to spring training in 2014. They assigned him to the Omaha Storm Chasers of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League at the start of the 2014 season. Before he could pitch for Omaha, the Royals promoted Brooks to the major leagues on April 5, 2014. He was optioned back to Omaha on April 8 without appearing in a game. He made his MLB debut on May 3.

Oakland Athletics

On July 28, 2015, Brooks and teammate Sean Manaea were traded to the Oakland Athletics for Ben Zobrist. In his first game for the Athletics, he earned his first major league win.

Chicago Cubs

On February 25, 2016, Brooks was traded to the Chicago Cubs for outfielder Chris Coghlan. Due to a hip contusion, Brooks missed most of the 2016 season. When healthy, he pitched for the Iowa Cubs of the PCL. He was designated for assignment by the Cubs, never playing a single game for the team, on August 22, 2017.

Milwaukee Brewers

The next day, the Milwaukee Brewers claimed him off waivers. He pitched for the Colorado Springs Sky Sox of the PCL, and was promoted to the major leagues on August 30, 2018. The very next day, Brooks was designated for assignment by the Brewers, without appearing in a game, in order to make room on the roster for the team's acquisitions of Curtis Granderson and Gio González.

Oakland Athletics (Second stint)

On September 3, 2018, he was acquired by the Athletics for cash considerations, his second stint with the organization. Brooks entered Spring training of 2019 competing for a rotation spot. He won the fifth spot in the rotation after numerous injuries sustained to other starters. On July 3, Brooks was designated for assignment.

Baltimore Orioles

On July 6, 2019, Brooks was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles. After finishing the season with the Orioles, he was released to pursue an opportunity in Korea on November 12, 2019.

Kia Tigers

On November 14, 2019, Brooks signed with the Kia Tigers of the KBO League.