By Danny Aiello Jr

Twitter: @DannyAielloJr

 

 

When he heard his name come across the television, former Hernando High and current University of South Florida Pitcher Brandon Lawson was shocked.

Expecting to be picked with the 12th round pick of the Atlanta Braves, Lawson received a message saying the Braves had decided to push their choice of him back a round to the 13th.

However, some team had just taken him as the 360th overall pick.

“The only person in the room who knew was my advisor,” Lawson recalled. “He got a text message from (Tampa Bay) and didn’t tell anyone. I was shocked when they announced my name. Speechless really.”

The Tampa Bay Rays had just made the 6’2 right hander the 14th pick in the 12th round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

His dream had come true and all of the hard work had finally paid off.

“I’m grateful more than anything.” Lawson said. “It was tough because I had been in contact with teams and was told I’d go (in earlier rounds), but I’m just thankful to have an opportunity.”

Lawson, who once toed the rubber as a Hernando Leopard had just finished his junior season at USF where he went 5-5 with a 2.50 ERA adding 111 strikeouts over 101 innings.

After a rough sophomore campaign, Lawson said he had to dig down and learn to face adversity.

“It was really the first time I have done poorly in baseball.” Lawson said. “I didn’t perform to the level I wanted for myself and I felt like I let myself and my teammates down.”

A new workout program saw Lawson shed weight and increase his average velocity from 90 miles-per-hour to around 94.

This new approach Lawson earned himself second team All-American Athletic Conference honors.

Despite not being a stranger to the draft process this one was a bit more uneasy for Lawson.

“It was tough Friday night (end of second day), because I had been in contact with so many teams.” Lawson recalled. “You start to wonder if you did something wrong or said something because you’re not being drafted by these teams you spoke with.”

Formerly drafted out of high school, Lawson decided not to turn professional and follow through with his commitment to the Bulls.

Lawson signed his contract with the Rays Monday night, and will report to Fishkill, New York where he will become a member of the Short-Season A affiliate Hudson Valley Renegades.

“I’m already packing my cold clothes.” Lawson joked. “It’s going to be different being so far away from family and friends but it will give me time to work on myself physically and prepare harder.”

Always looking to stay prepared Lawson said he keeps in touch with former high school teammate Christian Arroyo who is a member of the Richmond Flying Squirrels, the San Francisco Giants Double-A squad. Along with Arroyo, he talks with former college teammates who have been drafted.

“I try to talk to guys and pick their brains.” Lawson said. “Christian is in the middle of a long season, but we text here and there and I try to see how he goes about things.”

For the Brooksville boy, if all things work out for him, his local journey would be one to remember.

“It’s amazing to be drafted by a local team.” Lawson said. “To be able to give back to my community is great. I would love to be the guy to meet with kids who want to meet a baseball player and sign autographs for them.”

Lawson laughed saying they might not know who he is but the thought of being able to give back meant a lot to him.

As for the 29 others teams who passed over him for 11-plus rounds, Lawson isn’t angry.

“I’m grateful and fortunate to have gotten drafted at all.” Lawson said. “I will use it as motivation though to put in the extra work and get that much better. Being competitive, of course a part of you wants to go out there and show them they missed out.”

While his journey may just beginning, Lawson’s hearing his name on draft day signifies his dreams have already began to come true.

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