Former Wilson Tob, J.T. Brubaker, made his Major League debut July 26 for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Brubaker entered in relief in the sixth inning, allowing no runs or walks while striking out four across two innings of work to earn the hold in the Pirates 5-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.
Brubaker was drafted in the 6th round of the 2015 MLB Draft by the Pirates out of the University of Akron. The right-hander really came on during the 2018 season where he earned the Pirates Minor League Pitcher of the Year award after posting a 2.57 ERA and 1.10 WHIP while striking out 20 in 21 innings. He got off to a strong start in 2019 as well before an injury derailed his season, but it was enough to earn an invite to the Pirates camp in 2020 and ultimately a spot on his first Opening Day roster.
Brubaker was the workhorse of the Tobs 2014 staff, pitching the most innings of any Wilson pitcher at 46 1/3 innings over nine starts and 12 total appearances on his way to a 5.63 ERA. His debut marks the 133rd all-time former CPL player to make their major league debut and the third of the 2020 MLB season. Brubaker’s debut pushes the Tob’s major league alumni total to now 14.
About Coastal Plain League:
The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s premier summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 24th season in 2020, the CPL features 15 franchises playing in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. To date, the CPL has had over 1,600 alumni drafted and 133 alums – including 2017 ALCS MVP, 2017 World Series champion, 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young award winner Justin Verlander, as well as 2017 NLCS MVP Chris Taylor – make their Major League debut. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat @CPLBaseball.