Written by Mark Firkins Photo by MiLB.com
Stay positive. Stay focussed. Have a good attitude. Keep your eye on the prize. Don’t quit. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Follow your dreams. One more, and the most important, NEVER, give up.
We’ve all been given this type of advice and life lessons from our parents, teachers, or coaches. Let’s face it, most of us have had to alter our life’s plans. We’ve made sacrifices, done what’s best for our families, and convince ourselves to be practical. It’s not a bad thing, it’s just what we need to do. Sometimes dreams don’t come true and life finds a different path for you. However, once in a while, someone with courage and determination so strong, defies the odds and inspires a whole new generation of dreamers. A 34 year old Minor Leaguer who made Major League headlines last week is a prime example of this.
Most of my articles concentrate on rookies or young prospects in their first few years of professional baseball. Yet when inspiration strikes, it strikes hard and the story needs to be shared. Brandon Mann, who after toiling in the minors, Japanese, and Independent Leagues since 2002, finally achieved his dreams of playing Major League Baseball and is the inspiration of my latest article.
Brandon Mann is a left handed pitcher, drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays (yes, you read that correct, Devil Rays) in the 27th round in 2002. A true journeyman in every sense of the word. He has played in order, in the following leagues:
2002 – Appalachian League
2003 – NY Penn League & Appalachian League
2004 – NY Penn League
2005 – Midwest League
2006 – California League
2008 – Florida State League
2009 – Southern Atlantic League
2010 – Atlantic League (Independent)
2011 – Japan Central League
2012 – Japan Central League
2014 – Atlantic League (Independent)
2015 – American Association (Independent)
2016 – Pacific Coast League, Texas League, & Arizona League
2017 – Texas League
2018 – Pacific Coast League
2018 – American League – MLB
* Note in 2007 and 2013 he did not play professional baseball.
That’s a lot of traveling, in a lot of leagues, with a lot of organizations.
Call him lucky. Call him blessed. Call him persistent. Or as the old joke in baseball goes, what do you call an old righty pitcher? Coach. How about an old lefty pitcher? Crafty. Let’s face it, lefty’s sometimes get picked on, teased, and in years past, were forced to be right handers in school and jobs. But in baseball, they still come at a premium, and if there’s a chance they can help your club, they’re worth taking a look at it. That’s exactly what the Texas Rangers did on January 10, 2018. They offered him a minor league contract and assigned him to the Round Rock Express, their AAA affiliate in the Pacific Coast League.
Brandon Mann has a 15 year resume of minor league pitching and has held every job a pitcher can have; starter, long relief, set up, and occasional closer. Through all of his leagues and travels he owns a 59-91 record. A 4.34 ERA and 1.40 WHIP. He’s recorded 4 saves and has 1052 strikeouts in 1274 innings pitched. Brandon Mann wasn’t even on the Rangers 40 man roster. So why make a roster move and purchase the contract of a 34 year old rookie? Surely the Rangers must have a qualified player, righty or lefty, already on their 40 man capable of relief duties. Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. “The command of his fastball, command of his delivery, secondary stuff, how he was handling hitters, all our scouts felt he was a solid option.”
The baseball Gods have smiled upon Brandon in 2018. In his 12 appearances with Round Rock, he has pitched 17.1 innings, posting a 1-0 record, with 13 strikeouts, a 1.04 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, and has kept opponents batting against him to a .133 AVG. A small sample size in the beginning of this AAA season, but arguably his best start to a season and statistics in his pitching career.
On May 13, 2018, 3 days before his 34th birthday, he got the call that all minor leaguers long to hear. His contract had been selected by the Texas Rangers and he had been called up to pitch in the Major Leagues. He would now share a locker near veteran pitchers Cole Hammels, Doug Fister, and Bartolo Colon. He would join the Rangers bullpen and get prepared for when he was to be called upon. In his first ever Major League game (5/13/18), he was summoned from the bullpen and pitched 1.2 innings of relief. He allowed 1 hit, 0 runs and registered no walks or strikeouts. He put up the the same exact stats in his next appearance on 5/15/18.
What does the future hold for Brandon Mann? No one knows. Baseball is a beautiful game but can also be fickle and cruel. He could spend the rest of the season finding his groove and filling a role with the Rangers in the big leagues. He could be DFA, have to clear waivers, and/or be claimed by and play for yet another team and another league. Whatever it may be, you must know by now that Brandon Mann will face any challenge thrown his way. Work as hard and diligent as possible. Be prepared for whenever he is needed and in whatever situation that may be. And of course, Brandon Mann will never give up.
Please follow Mark Firkins on Twitter @thefirkster for more MLB prospect news and updates!
