Left-hander Steven Brault has retired, as he announced on his personal Instagram page last month. A veteran of seven MLB seasons, Brault spent almost his entire major league career as a member of the Pirates. According to a recent report by Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Brault has his sights set on a second act in broadcasting now that his playing career has come to a close.
“I cannot possibly describe what it feels like to achieve a childhood dream,” Brault wrote in his announcement, “Playing Major League Baseball was everything I could have ever imagined and so much more… I may be retiring from playing, but I plan to continue in this game for life. Baseball is my passion, and I plan on sharing that passion with the world. ”
Drafted by the Orioles in the 11th round of the 2013 draft, Brault was acquired by the Pirates as the player to be named later in the deal that sent outfielder Travis Snider to the Orioles back in January 2015. Brault made his major league debut for the Pirates the following year and served as a swingman while shuttling between the majors and Triple-A from 2016 to 2017. In those first two years of his big league career, Brault posted roughly league average results, with a 4.76 ERA and 4.70 FIP in 68 innings of work.
In 2018, Brault got his first chance to stick on the major league roster, pitching to a 4.61 ERA (85 ERA+) in 91 2/3 innings of work primarily as a multi-inning reliever out of the Pittsburgh bullpen. While Brault held his own in his first full-season taste of big league action, his effectiveness was limited by control issues that saw him issue free passes to 13.8% of batters faced while striking out just 19.9%.
Brault’s role shifted again in 2019, as he began to pitch primarily as a member of the starting rotation. Brault posted a 5.16 ERA during the 2019 campaign that was virtually identical to his previous season by measure of ERA+ (84), but he eclipsed 100 innings for the first (and only time) in his career and posted more solid numbers when looking exclusively at his 19 starts that season. In 95 2/3 innings of work as a starter in 2019, Brault posted a 4.99 ERA with a walk rate under 10% while striking out 20.1% of batters faced.
The shortened 2020 campaign was by far the strongest of Brault’s career. Pitching almost exclusively as a member of the rotation, he posted a strong 3.38 ERA, 34% better than league average by measure of ERA+, with a 3.92 FIP and a career-best 21.3% strikeout rate in 42 2/3 innings of work. Unfortunately for Brault, he’d be left unable to build upon his strong campaign during the shortened season the following year as he was limited to just seven appearances due to a recurring left lat strain that saw him make his first start of the season in August before prompting returning to the injured list in September.
Brault’s injury woes led the Pirates to designate the lefty for assignment following the 2021 campaign, at which point Brault caught on with the Cubs on a minor league deal. Brault once again battled injury issues early in the season but managed to make his debut with the big league Cubs on the Fourth of July. He would ultimately make nine appearances in short relief for the Cubs, posting a 3.00 ERA and 3.33 FIP with a 20.5% strikeout rate before a shoulder strain ended his season.
Entering 2023, Brault caught on with the Spire City Ghost Hounds of the independent Atlantic League, though he did so as an outfielder, not as a pitcher. Brault had hit well during his college days with a .971 OPS in 199 trips to the plate, and was one of the better hitting pitchers in the majors as well, with a career .258/.275/.337 slash line in 101 major league plate appearances. Brault’s stint with the Ghost Hounds ultimately lasted 58 games, during which he slashed a solid .283/.327/.465 with an 18% walk rate in 200 plate appearances.
Ultimately, Brault ended his big league career having posted a 4.73 ERA and 4.64 FIP with 299 strikeouts in 352 1/3 innings of work. Those of us at MLBTR would like to congratulate Brault on his playing career and wish him all the best in his post-playing endeavors.
talk about having your retirement story buried….#farrahfawcett
I had to Google it, but I understand the hashtag now. I had forgotten about that.
…AND PRINT IT!!! I’d like to make sure that I would never meet the person who gave you a thumbs up
Who?
Way to try and steal the spotlight from Ohtani!
The article nicely lays out who Brault is and what his career was like. You should give it a read.
Best comment..
Best of luck to him in his future. He made it to the show and he clearly loves the game since he wants to still be part of it after his retirement as a player.
MLBTR’s, whoever was the bright one that decided to keep the “Ohtani signing post” at the top of the homepage should be given a raise. Pretty sure not all of you would be wise enough to take that action =) Whoevers idea it was, GOOD JOB!
Biggest news of the day! lol
While his time on The North Side was short, he pitched well when his number was called. Killer tattoo game as well. Cheers to the next chapter.
His brother Roger was one of my best friends for years, and I’ll never forget Steven’s 1st game.
Fun fact..after singling in his first career at bat, Steven had a the highest career ba in mlb history, and the lowest era in history..for one inning.
Good luck on the broadcasting search Steven! You did San Diego proud!
I never met Steven or saw him play so I have not insightful comments, and well wishes would sound cloying. But I am having a nice steak tonight.
I was wondering what you were gonna eat tonight.
Elaborate please.. Bone-in Ribeye? Porterhouse? With mashed taters and asparagus??
18% strikeout rate and a 5% walk rate as a hitter in Indy ball, after all his OBP would have been significantly higher than .327 with a .283 batting average and an 18% walk rate
Brault retired in September. A little late with the news.
After JP dodgers fake news nation Morosi debacle, mlbtr just taking time to verify story.
Ohtani light
Didn’t Brault start his batting career with a long stretch of not being struck out? It was at least 32 at-bats before striking out.
I thought he announced this months ago. At least he still has music and maybe broadcasting.
Flags flying at half-mast in the Steel City today. His retirement news is not quite on the level as when “Pops” retired, but Steve got a lot more ink about his retirement than Smokey Burgess did.
Wish him well in retirement and hope he lands that broadcasting gig.
Sing…sing a song……