Branden Brown started off his high school baseball career just like anyone else. He had the want and desire to play college baseball or at least learn more about the process. As Branden progressed throughout his early years of high school he went about his business and development like anyone else. Some pitching lessons, high school baseball, and travel ball were all part of his spring and summer.
As Branden moved progressed into his sophomore year of high school he decided that college baseball was the route he wanted to pursue. However, he had a problem. As a sophomore in high school he was topping at 75 mph. Of course he could progress and get into the low 80’s and find a school that would take him in for a 4 year college career, but Branden’s dreams and aspirations didn’t align with that plan. As a soft throwing righty Branden knew he needed to hit the weight room and find a way to throw harder. As he worked through some generic lifting programs and a variety of pitching coaches Branden did see some improvement his junior year. As a junior in high school Branden was now topping at 81 mph. The summer heading into Branden’s senior year he did as most high schoolers do, hit the travel ball circuit in hopes for a scholarship. Unfortunately he wasn’t turning any heads with an 81 mph fastball even though he was getting a lot of outs and throwing all of his pitches for strikes.
Adamant to play college and professional baseball Branden continued to work hard. He took pride in being one of the hardest workers on his team. As time went on his hard work began to show up a little more. ByBranden’s senior year he was now topping 85 with command of all pitches and getting a lot of outs. As Branden’s senior year ended he finished with a handful of local accolades and great numbers. Yet, he still did not have a single scholarship with an 85 mph fastball and 6’2 150 lb frame. Still unwilling to give up on his dream Branden decided to enroll to Combine Academy, a postgraduate school in Lincolnton, North Carolina. This is where he was first introduced to Ian Walsh. After spending one day at Combine Branden was introduced to ideas, concepts, training methods, and philosophies that he had never seen before in his life.
Click on the next two hyperlinks for a few clips of Branden's training here.
View some of Branden's throwing progressions here
As the fall of 2021 progressed Branden hit the ground running with his training. Prior to showing up to the facility at 11 am he had to consume at least 1,500 calories or else he would not be allowed to train that morning. A few weeks later Brendan’s life changed when he met Ben Baggett. Ben began to run the strength and conditioning program atCombine while training himself for a professional opportunity. Over the next four months, Brendan’s numbers sky rocketed both in the gym and on the field. Having gained over 25 pounds of muscle throughout his time at Combine Brendan was making strides that he never knew were possible. Heading into the early winter some of Branden’s travel ball tournaments were coming close.
In November of 2021, Branden and Ian agreed to a bet that if Branden was not 92 mph off the mound, he was not able to attend this showcase tournament. Prior to this day, he had never touched 90 mph off the mound and had hardly had much mound work that off-season. Ian allowed for 10 pitches for him to hit 92 mph. The first pitch… 90 mph, an immediate PR. As he sat around 90-91 mph Branden was closing in on 10 pitches. Finally, on thepitch Branden touch 92 mph for the first time in his life. He was heading towards a few opportunities that would change his life.
As he hit the showcase circuit, things were a bit different this time around. Sitting 90-93 mph with command of all of his pitches, coaches couldn’t pick up the phone fast enough. He finally solidified his ticket with live AB’s at Combine sitting 91-94 mph. From there, there were over a dozen power 5 schools calling him wanting him to come play for them next year. “I remember finishing up that live AB session and just thinking man… Ben and Ianare turning us into monsters. It was so surreal.” In December of 2021, Branden committed to Wake Forest University.
Check out some of Branden's live AB footage here
“If it wasn’t for Ben and Ian I would’ve never had these offers let alone end up at Wake Forest”