Branden Kline

Branden Kline
Baltimore Orioles
Pitcher
Born: September 29, 1991
Frederick, Maryland
Bats: Right Throws: Right

Branden Alexander Kline (born September 29, 1991) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles' organization. He plays in Minor League Baseball. Before beginning his professional career, he pitched for the Virginia Cavaliers, representing the University of Virginia.

Amateur career

Kline attended Governor Thomas Johnson High School in Frederick, Maryland. In his senior year, in 2009, he experienced an increase in velocity, reaching 95 miles per hour (153 km/h), which drew attention from scouts. He finished his senior year with a 6-1 win–loss record, a 0.51 earned run average (ERA) and 79 strikeouts in 41 innings pitched.[1] The Boston Red Sox selected Kline in the sixth round, with the 198th overall selection, of the 2009 MLB Draft. He opted not to sign, as he had already committed to attend the University of Virginia on a college baseball scholarship.[2]

With the Virginia Cavaliers baseball team, Kline was used as a relief pitcher in his freshman and sophomore years. In his sophomore year, Kline recorded 18 saves, the third most in college baseball, and tying the Cavailers' record and setting a Atlantic Coast Conference record.[2][3] That year, he was also named a first-team All-American.[3] As a junior, Kline had a 7-3 win–loss record, a 3.56 ERA, and 94 strikeouts in 93 2⁄3 innings, with 15 of his 16 appearances as a starting pitcher.[2]

Professional career

The Baltimore Orioles selected Kline in the second round, with the 65th overall selection, of the 2012 MLB Draft.[2][4] He signed with the Orioles, receiving a signing bonus just below $800,000.[3] He made his professional debut after signing with the Aberdeen IronBirds of the Class A-Short Season New York-Penn League.

Kline pitched for the Delmarva Shorebirds of the Class A South Atlantic League in 2013. He began the 2014 season with the Frederick Keys of the Class A-Advanced Carolina League, and was named their Opening Day starting pitcher.[5][6] In August, the Orioles promoted Kline to the Bowie Baysox of the Class AA Eastern League.[7] Kline began the 2015 season with Bowie.[8] By training with a weighted ball in the offseason, as suggested by teammate Tyler Wilson, Kline's fastball velocity improved from 90 to 94 miles per hour (145 to 151 km/h) to 93 to 97 miles per hour (150 to 156 km/h).[9]

References

  1. ↑ "Pitching Decision Awaits for Thomas Johnson Ace". Washington Post. May 10, 2009. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "MLB draft: Branden Kline of Virginia is taken by Baltimore Orioles in second round". Washington Post. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Branden Kline Agrees to Contract with Orioles". NBC 29. June 30, 2012. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Orioles select Virginia right-hander Branden Kline with second-round pick". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
  5. ↑ Pat Stoetzer Times Staff Writer (April 2, 2014). "Frederick native Kline 'excited' to get Keys' 1st start". carrollcountytimes.com. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Steve Melewski: Branden Kline will start opening night for Frederick, other notes from media day". MASNsports. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Branden Kline called up to AA Bowie". The Frederick News-Post. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Kline lands in Bowie". The Frederick News-Post. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Stock Watch: Baltimore Orioles' Branden Kline bringing heavy heat - MiLB.com News - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved May 1, 2015.

External links