Former Corban Pitcher Gaining Knowledge & Experience Through Professional Baseball
BILLINGS, Mont. – He wakes up in the morning, heads to the field, plays the game, grabs a bite to eat with his roommates, heads back to the hotel, and goes to bed.
That is the normal routine for former Warrior pitcher Jason Braun, who is in the midst of his first season with the Billings Mustangs, a Class A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. It’s been an exciting summer for the lengthy right-handed pitcher who was chosen by the Reds in the 29th round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft in June. For Braun, it has truly been a dream come true.
“Everything is pretty routine here,” said Braun. “There is a lot of sitting around, but I cannot complain since I am getting paid to play baseball.”
After 38 games, Braun and the Mustangs were sitting in last place in the Pioneer League’s North Division thanks to a record of 12-26. Now that the first half has come to a close, Braun and his teammates are looking to capture the final North Division playoff spot along with first half champion Ogden.
In 10 games so far this season, Braun has thrown 18.0 innings out of the bullpen and amassed an Earned Run Average (ERA) of 5.50. Braun has registered 13 strikeouts and has had four appearances in which he did not allow an earned run.
Over his past two games, Braun has combined to pitch 4.0 innings of perfect baseball allowing zero runs and walking zero batters.
“It took me a while to get acclimated to the hitters,” said Braun. “The past two summers (with the Bend Elks) have helped me for this even though the competition was not as good. The hitters need to square up the pitch with wooden bats in order to get good contact. I enjoy that I can use the movement on my fastball to record more outs.”
Throughout his first season of professional baseball, Braun has molded into his role on the team nicely. With Billings, much like most minor league teams, the pitchers are used in a rotation that stays the same through the year.
“It is not about winning [at this level],” said Braun. “Everyone is interested in player development. [Pitchers] are not used on need, rather in order every time.”
Normally, Braun will pitch according to the number of innings that he threw in his last outing.
“If I throw two innings one night then I will have two days off before I am up again,” said Braun. “I last pitched on Sunday, so I should go tonight (Thursday) even though I have been up throwing the past two games.”
Moving from the collegiate ranks to professional baseball has been a good experience for the four-year starter at Corban, as Braun has taken the lessons learned from his coaches to heart. Having former Major League players Bob Forsch and Delino DeShields as coaches does not hurt either.
“It is very weird and cool,” commented Braun. “I remember playing with them in video games when I was younger because I always tried drafting Delino on my team when playing Nintendo 64.”
With more than 29 combined seasons of professional baseball, both Mustangs’ pitching coach Forsch and hitting coach DeShields have a wealth of knowledge that they can pass onto the players.
“Unlike college, you need to take the initiative to get tips,” said Braun. “They are willing to help, if you ask.”
Braun has also gotten advice from other former Major League players such as Darren Braggs and Eric Davis, who work as roving scouts for the Cincinnati Reds’ organization.
“[Braggs and Davis] have both stayed with the team for a week this season,” said Braun. “It is cool getting their perspective and approach to the game.”
With just over one month remaining in the season, Braun does not see much of an opportunity to advance past Billings this season.
“There has been a lot of player movement this season that causes a domino effect throughout the entire Reds’ organization,” said Braun. “I do not think that I will be moving up this season, but you never know. Performance-wise, I have done everything that I can and now it is up to the Reds to make the move.”
In a perfect world, according to Mustangs’ General Manager Gary Roller, this year’s group would move through the ranks together for the next couple of seasons.
“We do not live in a perfect world though,” said Roller. “Through the grapevine, I have heard that [the Reds’ organization] is pleased with Jason. They like his upside and potential. Due to the length of this season and how many games we have left, he will probably remain [in Billings] this season.”
Despite everything that Braun has learned and experienced during his first season of professional baseball, the one thing that he has enjoyed most this year is the free golf that is given to the Mustang players during the season.
“There are a few courses in the area, but one place gives us free golf,” commented Braun. “We have to get the passes from one of the stadium assistants, but it is cool because the course is really nice.”
In order to better equip himself for the perks of the job, Braun did not spend his first paycheck like normal professional ballplayers that might buy a new car or house for mom.
“I needed a new set of clubs,” said Braun. “I went and got them custom fitted since my other ones were old and too small for me.”
To continue following Braun’s success through the professional ranks, visit www.milb.com.