Brandon Poulson

Not to be confused with Brandon Paulson.
Brandon Poulson
Minnesota Twins
Pitcher
Born: February 16, 1990
Santa Rosa, California
Bats: Right Throws: Right

Brandon Clifford Poulson (born February 16, 1990) is an American professional baseball pitcher in Minor League Baseball. He is a member of the Minnesota Twins' organization. The Twins signed Poulson out of the Academy of Art University, when he demonstrated that he could throw a fastball of 100 miles per hour (160 km/h).[1]

Career

Poulson attended Piner High School in Santa Rosa, California. He tried out for the school's baseball team, but did not make it as a freshman.[1][2] After he graduated, he enrolled at Santa Rosa Junior College, where he played American football as a linebacker for two years.[3][2]

After a year, Poulson went to work for his father's excavation business as a truck driver.[3][4] His father encouraged him to give sports another opportunity, so he joined a Sunday night league.[3][1] There, he was referred to a coach of the Academy of Art University's baseball team, and the school offered Poulson a scholarship to enroll. He pitched to a 8.38 earned run average (ERA) in 19 1⁄3 innings pitched.[3][1] After the season, he joined the Healdsburg Prune Packers of the Golden State Collegiate Baseball League. Through coaching, he became able to throw a 100 miles per hour (160 km/h) fastball.[3][4] He recorded a 1.45 ERA with 31 strikeouts in 12 1⁄3 innings, allowing only six hits.[1][5]

Poulson was not selected in the 2014 Major League Baseball Draft. After the draft, Poulson threw for scouts at the Art Academy, who were impressed with his velocity.[2] The Twins signed Poulson to a free agent contract with a $250,000 signing bonus.[1][6] He made his professional debut with the Elizabethton Twins of the Rookie-level Appalachian League.[7]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "Twins signing fireballer for $250K". ESPN. Associated Press. July 30, 2014. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Padecky, Bob (July 29, 2014). "Healdsburg Prune Packers pitcher wows MLB team scouts". Press Democrat. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Passan, Jeff (July 30, 2014). "The 100-mph-throwing art school kid: An incredible story of a scouting find". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Saracevic, Al (July 30, 2014). "From truck driver to pro baseball player: The Brandon Poulson story". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
  5. ↑ Mason, Tyler (July 30, 2014). "Why Twins signee Brandon Poulson's 100-mph fastball was so hard to find". Fox Sports North. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
  6. ↑ Bollinger, Rhett (July 30, 2014). "Twins sign undrafted pitcher who can throw 100 mph: Poulson nabs $250,000 after dominating collegiate summer league". MLB.com. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
  7. ↑ Berardino, Mike (August 9, 2014). "Twins prospect Brandon Poulson has successful debut". Pioneer Press. Retrieved September 1, 2014.

External links