WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue Baseball alumnus Jackson Dannelley has signed as a minor league free agent with the Atlanta Braves after his performance at a pro day workout this month hosted by Tread Athletics, a pitching development center based in Charlotte, N.C.
Dannelley was a two-year letterwinner for the Boilermakers from 2023-24, serving as one of the high-leverage relievers in the bullpen both seasons. He pitched in 41 games for Purdue, earning eight saves while averaging 9.1 strikeouts per nine innings and limiting opposing hitters to 7.3 hits per nine over 73 innings.
Dannelley graduated with a bachelor's degree in selling and sales management in May, earning it in just two academic years at Purdue. He's among the eight graduates from Purdue's 2024 roster to play professionally, joining MLB Draft selection Connor Caskenette as members of the class to earn an opportunity in affiliated baseball.
MEMBERS OF PURDUE'S 2024 TEAM TO MOVE ON TO PRO BALL
• Connor Caskenette, 2023-24 – Drafted by the Miami Marlins in July, made his MiLB debut Aug. 6
• Jackson Dannelley, 2023-24 – Signed with the Atlanta Braves in January after pitching for the Chicago Dogs* in August
• Davis Pratt, 2023-24 – Signed with the Chicago Dogs* in May
• Thomas Green, 2024 – Signed with the Trois-Rivières Aigles^ in June
• Jo Stevens, 2023-24 – Signed with the Sydney Blue Sox of the Australian Baseball League in July
• Jordan Morales, 2024 – Signed with the State College Spikes for the second half (pro) of the MLB Draft League
• Keenan Taylor, 2023-24 – Signed with the Cleburne Railroaders* in November after playing for the Fredrick Keys during the second half (pro) of the MLB Draft League
• Luke Wagner, 2024 – Signed with the Washington Wild Things^ in December
* – Teams that play in the American Association of Professional Baseball
^ – Teams that play in the Frontier League
After Purdue's 2024 season wrapped up at the Big Ten Tournament in late May, Dannelley pitched for the Morehead City Marlins of the Coastal Plain League, a summer collegiate wood bat league. He excelled for Morehead City, posting a 1.89 ERA, 0.68 WHIP and .121 batting average against in 19 innings over eight appearances. He racked up 19 strikeouts while surrendering just eight hits and five walks.
Dannelley signed with the Chicago Dogs of the independent American Association and made his pro debut on Aug. 1. He made five relief appearances over a span of 15 days for the Chicago Dogs.
Dannelley began chronicling his workouts on Instagram in mid-October, spotlighting his goal of reaching a 100-mph velocity as a pitcher under six-feet tall. The native Texan spent the fall training at Diamond Sports in Conroe, Texas.
Dannelley will learn his assignment for the 2025 Minor League Baseball season in late March or early April after spring training wraps up.
Dannelley was a two-year letterwinner for the Boilermakers from 2023-24, serving as one of the high-leverage relievers in the bullpen both seasons. He pitched in 41 games for Purdue, earning eight saves while averaging 9.1 strikeouts per nine innings and limiting opposing hitters to 7.3 hits per nine over 73 innings.
Dannelley graduated with a bachelor's degree in selling and sales management in May, earning it in just two academic years at Purdue. He's among the eight graduates from Purdue's 2024 roster to play professionally, joining MLB Draft selection Connor Caskenette as members of the class to earn an opportunity in affiliated baseball.
MEMBERS OF PURDUE'S 2024 TEAM TO MOVE ON TO PRO BALL
• Connor Caskenette, 2023-24 – Drafted by the Miami Marlins in July, made his MiLB debut Aug. 6
• Jackson Dannelley, 2023-24 – Signed with the Atlanta Braves in January after pitching for the Chicago Dogs* in August
• Davis Pratt, 2023-24 – Signed with the Chicago Dogs* in May
• Thomas Green, 2024 – Signed with the Trois-Rivières Aigles^ in June
• Jo Stevens, 2023-24 – Signed with the Sydney Blue Sox of the Australian Baseball League in July
• Jordan Morales, 2024 – Signed with the State College Spikes for the second half (pro) of the MLB Draft League
• Keenan Taylor, 2023-24 – Signed with the Cleburne Railroaders* in November after playing for the Fredrick Keys during the second half (pro) of the MLB Draft League
• Luke Wagner, 2024 – Signed with the Washington Wild Things^ in December
* – Teams that play in the American Association of Professional Baseball
^ – Teams that play in the Frontier League
After Purdue's 2024 season wrapped up at the Big Ten Tournament in late May, Dannelley pitched for the Morehead City Marlins of the Coastal Plain League, a summer collegiate wood bat league. He excelled for Morehead City, posting a 1.89 ERA, 0.68 WHIP and .121 batting average against in 19 innings over eight appearances. He racked up 19 strikeouts while surrendering just eight hits and five walks.
Dannelley signed with the Chicago Dogs of the independent American Association and made his pro debut on Aug. 1. He made five relief appearances over a span of 15 days for the Chicago Dogs.
Dannelley began chronicling his workouts on Instagram in mid-October, spotlighting his goal of reaching a 100-mph velocity as a pitcher under six-feet tall. The native Texan spent the fall training at Diamond Sports in Conroe, Texas.
Dannelley will learn his assignment for the 2025 Minor League Baseball season in late March or early April after spring training wraps up.