Atlanta Braves Morning Chop – Of Contests and Things Contested
Cunniff Takes His Shot at the Big Leagues
KYLE GLASER / PE.COM (Hat tip to Kyle Tait)
Brandon Cunniff nearly quit baseball two years ago, and would have been completely justified in doing so.
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The former Norco High and Cal State San Bernardino standout was in his third straight season in the independent Frontier League and, like many before him, was tired of living and sleeping in cities like Marion, Ill., Florence, Ky., and Avon, Ohio. It’s a good thing Cunniff didn’t give it up, because now he’s on the verge of breaking into the major leagues.
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Cunniff was signed by Atlanta after pitching 12 consecutive scoreless innings for the Southern Illinois Miners to start the 2013 independent season. He’d had ERAs of 1.54 and 2.03 in his first two years in indy ball but never got an offer from a major league team. When the Braves finally called, it was just in time.
“I said it was my last year if I didn’t get picked up,” Cunniff said. “I was going to be done with baseball. Fortunately the Braves picked me up.”
It turned out to be a fortunate move for both parties.
Cunniff posted a 1.71 ERA and averaged more than a strikeout an inning over the past two seasons at High-A and Double-A in Atlanta’s organization, and then went 2-0 with a 3.21 ERA last fall in the Arizona Fall League, reserved for the game’s top prospects. He was rewarded in November when the Braves placed him on the 40-man roster.
“I was driving on my way home in Corona when I found out, and I nearly crashed my car,” Cunniff said with a chuckle. “It was an exciting time.”
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“I’ve really just kind of been working out trying to get stronger,” he said. “My fastball was good this past year; I was anywhere from 93-98, so it was up. A few years ago I was having trouble even breaking 90. I’ve gained like 15 pounds since then, changed my mechanics a bit, brought in a little turn that helps me load more. I’m feeling good.” …