Bio
LHP Brendan O’Donnell joins the Explorers for his first experience of professional baseball after spending the early part of 2024 with the University of Houston. O’Donnell pitched at Houston for two seasons after transferring from Connecticut and also pitched in the New England Collegiate Baseball League two summers.
This season with the Houston Cougars, O’Donnell tied for the team lead in appearances, making 19 and struck out a season-high five batters in his final appearance on May 17 against #19 Oklahoma State. Through the season, he posted a 5.82 ERA over 17 innings pitched while striking out 21 batters.
The left-hander’s first season with the Cougars came as a junior in 2023, when he led the team in appearances with 29, finishing with a 4-0 record. Through the year, he pitched 23.1 innings while accruing 31 strikeouts, including a five-strikeout, 2.1 inning shutout appearance in the AAC Tournament May 27.
Before his time at Houston, he pitched for the Connecticut Huskies and had a breakout year in 2022. That season, he pitched in 31 games, totaling 15 innings with a 3.00 ERA while striking out 19 batters. During his freshman campaign in 2021, he pitched in 10 games for the Huskies, striking out 15 batters in 12.1 innings while only walking six. He was the only freshman on the team to travel and pitch the first weekend of the season, and he earned an All-Academic team selection both his freshman and sophomore years.
Prior to college, the Hull, Mass. native attended Dexter Southfield High School and was ranked the no. 5 LHP in Massachusetts according to Perfect Game. He also received an offer to play collegiate hockey. His brother Ryan played Division III hockey while his other brother Jonathan played DIII baseball. He is the son of Dave and Patti O’Donnell.