In the world of sports, trades can be both exhilarating and disorienting. Just days after experiencing his first-ever trade, Brendan Donovan found himself back at the place that launched his baseball journey. Last Saturday evening, he took the stage as a prominent speaker at the South Alabama 2026 First Pitch banquet, an annual event designed to raise funds for the Jaguars' baseball program. This gathering occurred just five short days after Donovan—who has spent four seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB)—was traded from the St. Louis Cardinals to the Seattle Mariners on February 2nd.
"There had been discussions about it for some time," Donovan shared after participating in a panel alongside former Jaguars coach Steve Kittrell and other notable alumni like Lance Johnson and Marlon Anderson. "You never fully know what will happen in this line of work. There were many rumors circulating. My family and I just maintained our usual routine. We got a bit of a heads-up from the operations director, and then everything escalated rapidly from there."
Donovan, who shone as a star athlete at Enterprise High School, played under coach Mark Calvi at South Alabama from 2016 to 2018. During his time with the Jaguars, he showcased his skills at various positions including third base, shortstop, and right field. Notably, he was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2017 Sun Belt Conference tournament and earned second-team all-conference honors in 2018.
The Cardinals drafted Donovan in the eighth round of the 2018 MLB draft, and he made his major league debut in 2022. That year, he finished third in the Rookie of the Year voting and received a Gold Glove award for his utility play. By 2025, he was recognized as an All-Star player.
However, with St. Louis entering a rebuilding phase, Donovan was included in a complex three-team trade deal that also featured the Tampa Bay Rays and the Mariners. Although he has played at all four infield positions and both outfield corners throughout his career, he is anticipated to take on the role of third baseman for a Mariners team that reached the American League Championship Series in 2025.
"What matters most to me is being in the lineup," Donovan stated. "I want to be in the heat of the game alongside my teammates. Position is secondary. A lesson I learned from Coach Calvi early on was the significance of versatility and providing the manager with options."
Coach Calvi weighed in on Donovan's impact, saying, "He brings a unique edge, a presence in the clubhouse, and natural leadership qualities. While I can't say for sure whether Seattle already had this, if they didn’t, they certainly do now. He has remained true to himself in the professional realm—we frequently have deep conversations late into the night, and he’s evolved into a wiser version of the person he was when he was here.
"He will undoubtedly emerge as one of the leaders in that clubhouse, and they recognize this. They aren’t just acquiring a talented player; they’re gaining a remarkable leader. Brendan offers so much more than mere athletic talent. They understand his presence is invaluable. He’s not the young rookie anymore, but he’s not old either—he’s right in the middle and is poised to mentor younger players effectively. He represents a manager's ideal player, and I’m confident he will thrive there. They will welcome him wholeheartedly."
When Donovan arrived at South Alabama, he was a relatively unheralded recruit, joining a freshman class in 2016 that included Travis Swaggerty, who would later become a first-round pick for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Despite Swaggerty's struggles to maintain a place in the majors, Donovan has continued to excel.
Now at 29 years old, Donovan boasts a career batting average of .282 with a .361 on-base percentage and a .411 slugging percentage. His stats include 97 doubles, 40 home runs, and 202 RBIs over 492 games with the Cardinals. Among his memorable moments was hitting a two-run homer during a historic MLB game at Rickwood Field in Birmingham against the San Francisco Giants in 2024.
Calvi expressed no surprise at Donovan's success, reflecting, "Looking back at him as an under-recruited player with a fierce determination to prove himself, it’s incredible to witness how far he’s come. He faced numerous ups and downs early in his journey, but he persevered through it all. What matters most to me is that he is a wonderful husband and father. Yes, being an All-Star and big leaguer is impressive, but nurturing his family is what truly counts.
"Brendan is self-made—he's earned every single achievement through hard work and dedication. I believe that will remain the story of his career until the very end."
In addition, Donovan expressed his gratitude for his time spent in Mobile, stating, "This place granted me an opportunity, and I will always hold a deep loyalty and respect for it. It was where a young kid's dream of playing college baseball came to life. Coach Calvi has supported me through thick and thin, and I’m excited to return and give back to the program that shaped my career."
Creg Stephenson is a dedicated sports writer for AL.com, focusing predominantly on college athletics within the state. He covers teams from South Alabama and Troy, while also providing in-depth historical features on a variety of sports-related topics.
