Bielak signed with Houston and made his professional debut with the Gulf Coast League Astros. After two scoreless appearances, he was promoted to the Tri-City ValleyCats where he finished the season with a 1–1 record and a 0.92 ERA in eight games (four starts).[8] In 2018, Bielak began the season with the Buies Creek Astros and was named a Carolina League All-Star; he was promoted to the Corpus Christi Hooks in June.[9][10] In 25 games (17 starts) between the two clubs, he went 7–8 with a 2.23 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP.[11] In 2019, Bielak returned to Corpus Christi to begin the season and was promoted to the Round Rock Express in May. Over 23 games (twenty starts), Bielak went 11–4 with a 4.22 ERA, striking out 119 over 121+2⁄3 innings.[12]
On July 27, 2020, Bielak's contract was selected to the 40-man roster. He made his MLB debut that day against the Seattle Mariners and was the winning pitcher in an 8–5 contest.[13][14] Bielak finished the 2020 season with Houston with a 6.75 ERA over 32 innings.[15]
In 2021, Bielak went 3–4 while appearing in 28 games (two starts). He pitched fifty innings and struck out 46 batters while walking 21; he had a WHIP of 1.380 and an ERA of 4.50.[16] Bielak made five appearances for Houston in 2022, spending the majority of the season with the Triple-A Sugar Land Space Cowboys. In 12+1⁄3 innings pitched, he recorded a 3.65 ERA with 12 strikeouts.
Bielak was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land to begin the 2023 season.[17] The Astros recalled him to the major league roster on April 30, 2023.[18] On May 19, Bielak earned his first win of the season with a career-high nine strikeouts versus the Oakland Athletics.[19] He established a number career highs at the major league level in 2023, including in games won with a 5–6 record, games stated (13) and innings pitched (80). He posted a 3.83 ERA, 5.19 FIP, 86 hits, 36 walks, and 12 home runs allowed, 1.525 walks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP), and 7.0 strikeouts per nine innings pitched (K/9, 62 total).[20]
Bielak made 10 appearances for Houston in 2024, compiling a 5.71 ERA with 9 strikeouts across 17+1⁄3 innings pitched. On May 11, 2024, Bielak was designated for assignment by the Astros.[21]
Oakland Athletics
On May 16, 2024, Bielak was traded to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for cash considerations.[22] In three games for Oakland, he recorded a 3.18 ERA with three strikeouts across 5+2⁄3 innings pitched. Bielak was designated for assignment by the Athletics following the promotion of Jack O'Loughlin on May 25.[23] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple–A Las Vegas Aviators on May 29.[24] On September 8, the Athletics selected Bielak's contract, adding him to their active roster.[25] After three more appearances, he was designated for assignment by Oakland on September 22.[26] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple–A Las Vegas a second time on September 25.[27] Bielak elected free agency on October 15.[28]
References
^Tufaro, Greg. "Houston selects former St. Joseph ace Bielak in MLB Draft", Courier News, June 14, 2017. Accessed April 6, 2021. "The Houston Astros selected former St. Joseph High School ace Brandon Bielak, who just completed his third season at the University of Notre Dame, with the 331st overall pick in the 11th round of Major League Baseball's 2017 First-Year Player Draft. The junior right-hander from Sayreville compiled an 11-11 career record with two saves and a 3.85 ERA, making 47 appearances, 32 of them starts for the Fighting Irish."
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