News

SANFORD, Fla-- After missing the entire 2019 collegiate season due to an arm injury, Kyle Brana (Webber International) is back pitching this summer in the Florida League with a chip on his shoulder. 

A year ago this time Brana was pitching for the Scorpions and doing well. He appeared in 13 games posting a 4.27 ERA with 29 strikeouts and only 13 walks. His performance on the mound last year led to his first All-Star appearance in the Florida League. 

Last fall Brana accepted a scholarship to continue his collegiate baseball career at Georgia Southwestern State University. He started to throw well in the fall season but was set back towards the end of the year with shoulder inflammation. The doctors thought that he tore his labrum in his right shoulder. Brana's come back was a long process and he decided to transfer out of school.

“I had to rehab for about 12 weeks,” said Brana. “I finally got cleared to throw a baseball and I got better as time went along with my bullpen sessions. I didn’t see myself being a good fit for the program and I just wanted to benefit myself for my next two years of baseball.” 

Brana found himself back in Florida Summer League this summer for his third year. Since he has gotten back to throwing, he is still working with that soreness but knows it will just make stronger in the long run. 

“It was rough at the beginning of the summer working up and down with the soreness still from the shoulder being tight,” explained Brana. “Now from just being more aggressive towards taking care of my arm, and taking care of my flexibility, it has helped me be more effective in the league.” 

Earlier this month, Brana accepted a scholarship to play baseball at Webber International. However, prior to the injury, Brana was never committed to any schools although many contacted him. He thought before the injury he tried to over perform on the mound and in some ways that hurt him a little bit because of the fact to impress other people. After committing to play ball at a college again, he thought that it would take the pressure off of always performing well every start. 

“Now since I accepted the scholarship to play baseball at Webber it makes things way more relaxing,” said Brana. “Obviously my goal is to help my team win first and foremost, but secondly with me being out here and not having to worry about impressing anybody else, it makes the game more fun.” 

Brana has been spectacular out of the bullpen to start this season for the Scorpions. In five games, he has thrown seven and two-thirds innings with a 2.34 ERA and five strikeouts. He is not only out here to continue to strengthen his game, but others as well and that is what makes him a great teammate. 

Matt McClure (Penn State)