Fisher Cats Reliever Cellucci Finds Success After Independent Ball Stint

Cellucci's time in independent baseball helped him develop into a more complete pitcher.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 4:08am

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a baseball pitcher's motion broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a vibrant color palette, conveying the dynamic energy and skill of an independent league player's path to the minors.An artistic interpretation of a pitcher's motion, deconstructed into geometric shapes, captures the dynamic movement and skill of an independent baseball player's journey to the minor leagues.Manchester Today

Brendan Cellucci, a reliever for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, spent time playing in independent baseball leagues before joining the Fisher Cats. His experience in independent ball allowed him to develop a more well-rounded pitching repertoire, which has contributed to his success at the Double-A level.

Why it matters

Cellucci's story highlights how time spent in independent baseball can help develop players who may have been overlooked by major league organizations, giving them a chance to refine their skills and earn another opportunity.

The details

After being released by a major league organization, Cellucci spent a season playing in the independent Frontier League, where he was able to work on adding new pitches to his arsenal and improving his command. This experience helped Cellucci become a more complete pitcher, which has translated to success with the Fisher Cats this season.

  • Cellucci spent the 2025 season playing in the independent Frontier League.
  • Cellucci joined the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, the Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, for the 2026 season.

The players

Brendan Cellucci

A reliever for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Cellucci spent time playing in independent baseball leagues before joining the Fisher Cats organization.

New Hampshire Fisher Cats

The Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, the Fisher Cats play in the Eastern League.

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What they’re saying

“My time in independent ball really helped me develop as a pitcher. I was able to work on adding new pitches and improving my command, which has made a big difference at this level.”

— Brendan Cellucci, Fisher Cats Reliever

The takeaway

Cellucci's journey from independent baseball to the Fisher Cats' bullpen showcases how time spent honing one's skills in lesser-known leagues can lead to opportunities at higher levels of the sport, providing hope for players who may have been overlooked by major league organizations.