Drafted out of St. Mary’s College, Brandon Berl was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 40th round of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft. While he has played for three teams within the Blue Jays organization, fans still do not know much about the RHP pitcher from California. Fortunately, Berl sat down with JaysProspects.com and shared some personal information about himself.

Berl grew up idolizing Greg Maddux and presently admires Roy Halladay

Berl was first asked which player he grew up admiring. Without hesitation, Berl responded with two words – Greg Maddux. He stated: “I was never an over powering pitcher so I had to rely on my command to get hitters out.  Greg Maddux was one of those guys who could throw any pitch in any location at any time and that is the mindset I try and have every time I go out on the mound.  Presently I love watching Roy ‘Doc’ Halladay throw.  He has so much movement on every pitch and is able to command each one of them making him almost unhittable.”

As a Junior in College, Berl held opposing hitters to a .269 batting average.

As a junior in college, Berl was used primarily out of the bullpen as the team’s closer. He led the league with six saves, held opposing hitters to a .269 batting average, and only allowed 12 walks in 42.2 innings. He continued to dominate within the Blue Jays organization in 2010, where he played for both the GCL Blue Jays and the Auburn Doubledays, posting a 1-1 record, with a 4.06 ERA, allowing 17 runs in just over 37 innings pitched. Berl indicated that one of his favourite moments on the mound came when he first pitched his first game in a Blue Jays uniform in the GCL League: “It was exciting knowing that all the hard work I put in over the many years of baseball had paid off.  When I was a little kid, I had always dreamed of playing Professional Baseball. Accomplishing that goal and getting out there for the first time is a moment I will never forget.” 

This season with the Lansing Lugnuts, Berl has a 3-5 record with a 2.53ERA

His performance in GCL and Auburn earned him a promotion to the Lansing Lugnuts in 2011. So far this season, Berl has posted a 3-5 record and has posted a fantastic ERA of 2.53 in 27 games played. Furthermore, while he has pitched in over 46.1 innings, he has only allowed 13 earned runs and only three homeruns. Interestingly, however, that is not his most impressive stat, as that is his WHIP. So far this season, Berl has only allowed 8 walks, while walking 38 batters. Discussing his experience so far in Lansing, Berl indicated, “I have really enjoyed my time in Lansing.  The fans have been great and it has been a great experience.  The only thing that is tough to get used to is the humidity.  We don’t get too much of that back in California!”

Berl believes his best skill on the mound is his ability to command the baseball

Because of his success on the mound, Berl was asked if he could identify his best skills both on and off the mound. He replied: “On the mound, I think my best skill is my ability to command the baseball.  This allows me togo out and compete every time I pitch.  Additionally, if you are wondering where  my strength  lies off the field, I believe it is the fact that I am hard working and do not give up. Whether it’s working out or tweaking my pitching mechanics, I am always working on something. And when all the hard work pays off on the fiel it makes it all worth it.”

When asked how he has been able to be so successful, Berl quickly indicated that he would not be where he is today without his parents: “My family has always been very supportive of me playing baseball.  They have been there for it all, from taking me to all my practices, to playing catchwith my dad in the backyard growing up. They are always there to motivate and encourage me to continue to chase my dream. None of this would have been possible if it wasn’t for them.”

Lastly, JaysProspects put Brandon Berl on the spot, asking the young 23-year old to describe himself in one word. “That’s easy,” Berl said, “If I had to describe myself in one word, it would be, ‘competitive.’ I’m always doing my best to succeed in everything I do.”

Everyone at JaysProspects looks forward to his continued competitive presence on the mound throughout his career and wishes him the best of luck as the Lansing Lugnuts prepare for upcoming playoffs.