Lewis-Clark State in MLB: Week of Sept. 13–19
Connor Brogdon is back in the big leagues.
The Cleveland Guardians selected the right-hander's contract from Triple-A Columbus on Sunday, Sept. 13, promoting the veteran reliever ahead of the team's series finale against the Minnesota Twins. To make room, Cleveland optioned struggling rookie Franco Aleman back to Triple-A — the only corresponding move needed, as the Guardians already held an open spot on their 40-man roster.
Brogdon, a Lewis-Clark State product, signed a one-year, $900K guaranteed deal with Cleveland last winter and spent the bulk of the season working out of the Columbus bullpen. He arrives in the majors carrying a 5.28 ERA from his Triple-A stint, so this isn't a feel-good reclamation story just yet — the numbers aren't pretty, and the Guardians are asking him to eat innings down the stretch with real playoff implications on the line.
His first appearance back in a Cleveland uniform came Monday against the Chicago White Sox. Brogdon tossed two-thirds of an inning and struck out one, with his season ERA settling at 5.06 after the outing. The Guardians dropped that game 3-7, so the debut didn't come with a storybook ending, but getting through the frame without further damage was at least a modest foothold.
September call-ups are often framed as organizational housekeeping, but Brogdon's situation has real teeth. Cleveland is managing a late-season roster carefully, and replacing a rookie who was clearly scuffling with a veteran arm — even one with middling numbers — signals the front office is prioritizing reliability over upside as the calendar turns. For Brogdon, it's a chance to prove he belongs on a postseason roster.
Also in the league this week: fellow Warriors alum Seth Brown remains with the New York Yankees outfield, though no notable stats or transactions were recorded for Brown during the period.
For a small NAIA school in Lewiston, Idaho, having two former Warriors on MLB rosters simultaneously in the final weeks of a pennant race is no small thing. Lewis-Clark State's baseball program has punched well above its weight for decades, and Brogdon and Brown are the latest proof points.
The real question for Brogdon: can he sharpen his command enough over the final weeks to earn a spot when October arrives? The Guardians clearly think he gives them something. Now he has to show it.
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