Brayden Turns Pro

Yesterday afternoon Brayden Drake got a call that few receive. I have no idea what was said, but it must have been something along the lines of, "Brayden, this is Wayne Decker with the San Diego Padres. We'd like for you to join our organization..."

The Padres took BD in the 12th round of the draft yesterday opening the door to a pro career for a guy that worked his way from a "small" (to quote Jesse Wilson) Missouri high school to a standout career at a solid D-1 baseball school.

His immediate destination is unknown, but thought to be Eugene, Oregon.

It remains to be seen whether we he will continue to play 3rd base or be moved to another position - something he is open to. I think the coaches will find the same thing Coach Darnell (high school) and Coach Guttin (MSU) found: whatever it takes, get his bat in the lineup. The bonuses that come with the bat are that he is very good in the field and an even better guy to have on the team - because other players respect him and he lead quietly by example.

My wife was of course pumped because she can't think of anywhere she'd rather go see him play than in San Diego someday.

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