He came out of UCLA as a second round draft pick in 2007 and we all started drooling the second his name was announced. This was a high ceiling guy that didn't have the best last year for the Bruins, but he had the potential of being the future Mets closer from the day he was signed.
The 6-6 RHP suffered from some dings that simply weren't explained by the Mets brass at that time; however, he managed to produce decent stats over his first three years in the system (7-5, 2.77, 1.09) and was ready to play 2010 and work his way through the system.
I talked to him on 10-19-10 and he told me he was going under for TOS surgery. TOS is "Thoracic Outlet Syndrome", defined as a compression of nerves and artery in the thoracic outlet which is above the first rib and collarbone.
The surgery seemed to go well and I heard from him on 2-8-11:
“I'm at the field so I'll have to get back to you this afternoon. I'm pretty sure my role will be in relief. If I'm healthy and pitching like I'm capable there is no doubt I can be a closer at any level. So I think I'll focus on being healthy and then pitching like I'm capable first. :) My role will follow suit. I'm definitely excited this year. I have a lot to look forward to and work towards. It’s already a good feeling being back here with more of a purpose than before. It’s good knowing I'm fixed rather than hoping for some miracle like the years before. I like the aura from the guys here and from TC (Terry Collins). I think if the players can't play for Terry, than you can't play for anyone. I truly think New York has a lot more to be excited about than worrying about money issues. Just my take. Take it easy.”
I chose to leave him alone and decided not to contact him again until he pitched his first 2011 game. It never came. I reached him earlier this week for an update, which is below.
Hey Mack,I'm currently back home in San Diego because I wasn't going to be ready to pitch this year and the nerves needed more time, so the Mets and I thought it was best to rest the remainder of the season with no throwing. Not much news other than that, other than it seems to be feeling great, however I'm not throwing so I guess time will tell. The plan is to begin up throwing in December, and then be 100% for spring training. Basically, I'm going to be pitching no matter what next spring. It's going to be my last go, so it's all or nothing, and nothing is really stopping me at that point. I was shut down this season not due to pain, but lack of feel. Which is something I'm used to, but it's not something that would stop me next season if that happens to be the case. Hopefully it feels as perfect as it did for a few weeks this season. At one point I never felt better, but when I raised the volume, I lost some feel in my fingers, so I wasn't as consistent. However my stuff was all there.
Anyway, hope all is well with you.
Take care,
Brant
Summation: There's a big story here on the long road some of these players go down to rehab genetic problems. Brant has never pitched a baseball with proper feeling in his pitching hand. The surgery was suppose to correct that and it didn't.
Can he still pitch? Well. we're going to find out next spring, but I can tell you this. There's never been a Mets minor league player who has tried harder to work his way back.
Light a candle for Brant.
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