Jeff Branson is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues for nine seasons. He was primarily a second baseman and third baseman, but also played some outfield during his career. Branson was known for his versatility and ability to play multiple positions.
Branson was born on January 26, 1967 in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania. He attended West Virginia University, where he played college baseball for the Mountaineers. In 1988, he was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the second round of the MLB Draft.
Branson made his Major League debut with the Reds in 1992. He played in 26 games that season, primarily as a pinch hitter and defensive replacement. In 1993, he played in 89 games and hit .246 with four home runs and 22 RBI.
Branson spent the next four seasons with the Reds, playing in a utility role. He played second base, third base, and outfield during this time. In 1996, he hit .278 with six home runs and 29 RBI in 97 games.
In 1997, Branson was traded to the Cleveland Indians. He played in 62 games for the Indians that season, hitting .246 with two home runs and 12 RBI. He also played in the World Series that year, as the Indians lost to the Florida Marlins in seven games.
Branson signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates as a free agent in 1998. He played in 109 games for the Pirates that season, hitting .263 with six home runs and 35 RBI. He also played in 118 games for the Pirates in 1999, hitting .250 with eight home runs and 47 RBI.
Branson played his final two seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers. He played in 103 games for the Brewers in 2000, hitting .246 with six home runs and 29 RBI. In 2001, he played in 68 games and hit .222 with two home runs and 12 RBI.
Overall, Branson played in 704 Major League games over nine seasons. He hit .255 with 32 home runs and 195 RBI during his career. He was known for his versatility and ability to play multiple positions, which made him a valuable asset to his teams.
After his playing career, Branson became a coach. He served as a hitting coach for the Pirates from 2013 to 2016, and then became a minor league hitting coordinator for the Baltimore Orioles. In 2019, he was named the hitting coach for the Cincinnati Reds, the team where he began his Major League career.
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