Brandon Poulson

Brandon Poulson
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs – No. 39
Pitcher
Born: (1990-02-16) 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 Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. The Twins signed Poulson out of the Academy of Art University,[1] when he demonstrated that he could throw a fastball of 100 miles per hour (160 km/h).[2]

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.[2][3] After he graduated, he enrolled at Santa Rosa Junior College, where he played American football as a linebacker for two years.[3][4]

After a year, Poulson went to work for his father's excavation business as a truck driver.[4][5] His father encouraged him to give sports another opportunity, so he joined a Sunday night league.[2][4] 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.[2][4] 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.[4][5] He recorded a 1.45 ERA with 31 strikeouts in  12 1⁄3 innings, allowing only six hits.[2][6]

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.[3] The Twins signed Poulson to a free agent contract with a $250,000 signing bonus.[2][7] He made his professional debut with the Elizabethton Twins of the Rookie-level Appalachian League.[8]

On April 5, 2016, Poulson signed with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.

References

  1. ↑ Garcia, Rob. "Academy of Art University Pitcher Brandon Poulson Signed by Twins". Academy of Art University. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Twins signing fireballer for $250K". ESPN. Associated Press. July 30, 2014. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 Padecky, Bob (July 29, 2014). "Healdsburg Prune Packers pitcher wows MLB team scouts". Press Democrat. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 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.
  5. 1 2 Saracevic, Al (July 30, 2014). "From truck driver to pro baseball player: The Brandon Poulson story". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
  6. ↑ 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.
  7. ↑ 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.
  8. ↑ Berardino, Mike (August 9, 2014). "Twins prospect Brandon Poulson has successful debut". Pioneer Press. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
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