Schools
Gaithersburg Native Selected in MLB Draft
From Gaithersburg to Cleveland, Kevin Brady was drafted by the Indians.
Clemson University right-handed pitcher Kevin Brady said he was relieved upon learning that the Cleveland Indians had chosen the former Gaithersburg High School standout in the 17th round of this week’s Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.
Brady, who was picked No. 518 overall, was selected on the second day of the three-day event and had to wait a long time, but when the call came he was overjoyed.
“I’m real excited,” said Brady. “It was a great experience. Right when I heard my name called it was exciting.”
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Brady, a redshirt sophomore, finished 2-0 with a 3.86 earned run average in 10 outing this season, a campaign derailed by a strained forearm injury. He was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the 44th round of the 2008 draft but opted to go to college instead.
Brady, 20, enjoyed a stellar three-year high school career at Gaithersburg where he played for current Trojans’ athletic director Jason Woodward. He credited Woodward and current Gaithersburg head coach Jeff Rabberman, a former Trojans’ assistant, with his development.
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As a high school pitcher, Brady was phenomenal, compiling a 19-2 record with a 1.05 ERA. He tossed 249 strikeouts in 140.2 innings during his career.
Brady went 9-0 with a .84 ERA and 112 strikeouts during his junior campaign which included a perfect game. He batted .429 at the plate with a .825 slugging percentage and .565 on-base percentage.
As a senior, Brady was also spectacular, going 7-0 with a .29 ERA and 98 strikeouts against only eight walks in 48.1 innings pitched.
“I just loved playing high school baseball,” he said. “I just enjoyed being able to pitch there. They shaped me into the pitcher I am today.”
The 2008 Gaithersburg graduate heads to the Cape Cod Baseball League next week to pitch for the Bourne Braves and develop his skills on the mound. The Cleveland Indians will monitor Brady’s progress and he could eventually sign a contract with the American League franchise.
“They want to see if I’m back to [the level] I was [before] I got injured,” said Brady. “I’m really excited. It’s always been a dream of mine [to play major league baseball].”
