One moment Brad Brach felt like he had been left at the altar. The next minute, all was fine with the world.
Brach, the former Freehold Township and Monmouth University star, was sweating out Friday’s Major League draft. The MilwaukeeBrewers,OaklandAthletics, San Diego Padres and Colorado Rockies had all expressed interest in the hard-throwing pitcher, but, as the draft got deeper and was nearing an end, so were Brach’s prospects
“I was getting pretty down,” he pointed out. “It was getting late in the draft. I was watching it [the draft] live on the Internet and my name came up.”
Seconds later, the Padres were on the phone offering him a contract. He was their pick in the 42nd round of the 50-round event.
“It was such a swing of emotions,” Brach remarked . “I was so excited.
“It still hasn’t set in yet,” he added. “It’s definitely something I’ve dreamed about.”
Brach signed his contract with the Padres on Sunday night and will be off next week to play for theArizona League Padres.
For Brach, signingwith the Padres is the culmination of years of hard work.
“I was always willing to work,” he pointed out. “In high school I heard about how hard Val Majewski [who played with the Baltimore Orioles] worked.
“Forme, itwas doing the things you have to do as a pitcher, running, doing your weight room work and drills,” he added. “Being in shape is important for a pitcher.”
Freehold Township head coach Frank Gualtieri had nothing but praise for the right-hander who led his Patriots to a division title and a berth in the Central Jersey Group IV title game. He recalled Brach returning from away games and instead of going straight home heading out to the field and running two miles.
“It couldn’t have happened to a nicer kid,” he said. “His work ethic is second to none. He’s self-driven,mentally tough and a fierce competitor.
“It’s a proud moment for the program,” he added.
Brach said that he got the first inklings he might be able to play at the next level playing summer league ball the last two years in North Carolina and Cape Cod. He pitchedwell there in competitive leagues.He followed it up with outstanding seasons at Monmouth (where he set numerous school records such as career wins and strikeouts) leading to his selection in theMajor League draft.
One thing that Brach is looking forward to is getting away from aluminum bats. He said he would not miss the little dinks, the bloopers that fall in after a pitcher has jammed the hitter. It’s more of a level playing field.
It was a big day for Monmouth University baseball asBrach’s teammate and roommate Kyle Higgins was drafted in the 31st round by the Texas Rangers.
The World Series champion Boston Red Sox in the 22nd round picked Colts Neck High School ace Anthony DeSclafani. The right-hander now faces a decision. He has inked an athletic scholarship with the University of Florida and can either sign with the Red Sox or play, as planned, for the Gators.