Connor Gillispie Bio
Connor Brammer Gillispie (born November 10, 1997) is an American professional baseball pitcher who has competed at the highest level of Major League Baseball (MLB). A right-handed pitcher drafted in 2019, Gillispie has pitched in the major leagues for the Cleveland Guardians and Miami Marlins and has spent additional time in the upper levels of the minor leagues with several organizations. He made his MLB debut during the 2024 season and has continued his professional career through moves between multiple clubs.
Standing out as a durable college arm coming out of Virginia Commonwealth University, Gillispie worked his way through the minors before reaching the majors. His professional journey has included stints with the Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Guardians, Miami Marlins, Minnesota Twins, and most recently the Philadelphia Phillies organization, reflecting the journeyman path of many modern pitching prospects.
Early Life and Background
Connor Brammer Gillispie was born on November 10, 1997, and grew up in Virginia, where he developed his interest in baseball at a young age. He attended the Miller School of Albemarle in Charlottesville, Virginia, a private school known for combining strong academics with competitive athletics. Playing for the school’s baseball program allowed Gillispie to sharpen his skills against high-level prep competition while preparing for the next stage of his career.
Following high school, Gillispie enrolled at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), where he joined the VCU Rams baseball program. His time with the Rams helped him develop the consistency and stamina needed to handle a full college schedule, and his performance at VCU ultimately caught the attention of professional scouts heading into the 2019 draft.
Path to Baseball
After his collegiate career with the VCU Rams, Gillispie entered the 2019 Major League Baseball draft as one of the senior-class arms available in that pool. The Baltimore Orioles selected him in the ninth round, with the 258th overall pick, giving him his first opportunity to compete as a professional pitcher.
That selection launched Gillispie’s minor league career in the Orioles system, where he began working his way up the developmental ladder. His progression through the lower levels of the Baltimore organization laid the foundation for his eventual promotion to the major leagues in 2024.
Connor Gillispie Career
Early Career (2019–2022)
Gillispie made his professional debut in 2019 with the Low-A Aberdeen IronBirds, where he immediately impressed with a 1.77 ERA and 21 strikeouts across 14 appearances. That strong start suggested a promising future, but his momentum was interrupted when the 2020 minor league season was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
When he returned to Aberdeen in 2021, the team was operating as a High-A affiliate, and Gillispie posted a 4–8 record with a 4.97 ERA and 78 strikeouts in 21 games. In 2022, he remained at Aberdeen and improved to an 8–5 record with a 3.79 ERA and 113 strikeouts across 25 appearances, showing the kind of growth expected of a developing starter.
Bowie Baysox and Promotion Push (2023)
In 2023, Gillispie advanced to the Double-A Bowie Baysox, where he posted a 7–4 record with a 3.89 ERA, 99 strikeouts, and 2 saves across 27 games and 115⅔ innings pitched. That season represented his most complete professional year to that point, and his performance at Double-A convinced the Cleveland Guardians to take a chance on him.
Cleveland Guardians Era (2024)
On December 6, 2023, the Cleveland Guardians selected Gillispie from the Orioles in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft. He began the 2024 season with the Triple-A Columbus Clippers, and on August 4, 2024, he was added to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time. In three appearances during his rookie campaign, he posted a 2.25 ERA with 8 strikeouts across 8 innings. Cleveland designated Gillispie for assignment on November 19, 2024, and non-tendered him on November 22, making him a free agent.
Miami Marlins and Subsequent Moves (2025)
On November 29, 2024, Gillispie signed a one-year major league contract with the Atlanta Braves, but was designated for assignment on January 23, 2025. Five days later, on January 28, the Miami Marlins claimed him off waivers, and he made Miami’s Opening Day roster. He made six starts for the Marlins, going 0–3 with an 8.65 ERA and 23 strikeouts across 26 innings before being designated for assignment on June 19.
The Minnesota Twins claimed him off waivers on June 23, 2025. With the Triple-A St. Paul Saints, he made four appearances (three starts), going 1–1 with a 14.49 ERA and six strikeouts across 13⅔ innings. The Twins designated him for assignment on July 28, and after clearing waivers, he was sent outright to St. Paul on July 30. Gillispie elected free agency on November 6, 2025, before signing a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies on February 27, 2026.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Gillispie’s career came on August 4, 2024, when he was promoted to the majors for the first time and made his MLB debut with the Cleveland Guardians. He also reached a milestone year in 2023 at Double-A Bowie, where his 99 strikeouts and 115⅔ innings pitched showcased the workload he could handle as a starter. His quick movement between five organizations over the 2024–2026 period underscores the fluid nature of modern roster management.
Connor Gillispie Career Wins
Across his professional career, Connor Brammer Gillispie has accumulated a number of victories through both starting and relieving roles. His most productive win totals came during his time in the Baltimore Orioles minor league system, particularly in 2022 and 2023, when he served as a regular starter for Aberdeen and Bowie.
Minor League Highlights
Gillispie’s win totals grew steadily as he climbed the minor league ladder, highlighted by an 8–5 record with Aberdeen in 2022 and a 7–4 record with the Bowie Baysox in 2023. While his major league win–loss record stands at 0–3 through the 2025 season, his minor league totals reflect a pitcher capable of working deep into games and giving his team a chance to win.
Connor Gillispie Family
Personal Life
Publicly available information about Connor Brammer Gillispie’s personal and family life remains limited. He was born on November 10, 1997, and grew up in Virginia before attending Virginia Commonwealth University. Beyond those basic biographical details, additional information regarding his family has not been publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was a whirlwind year for Gillispie, beginning with a one-year major league contract signed with the Atlanta Braves on November 29, 2024. He was designated for assignment less than two months later and claimed by the Miami Marlins on January 28, where he earned a spot on the Opening Day roster. His time with the Marlins, however, was brief, as he struggled to an 0–3 record and an 8.65 ERA across six starts before being designated for assignment on June 19.
A waiver claim by the Minnesota Twins on June 23 briefly revived his season, but his stint with the Triple-A St. Paul Saints produced a 14.49 ERA across four appearances. The Twins designated him for assignment on July 28, and after clearing waivers he was outrighted back to St. Paul on July 30 before electing free agency on November 6.
Looking ahead, Gillispie signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies on February 27, 2026, giving him an opportunity to compete for a spot in the organization during spring training. His journey through five teams in less than two years reflects the challenges facing young pitchers, but also leaves open the possibility of another major league opportunity in the near future.
