A strong throwing arm, a large frame and power.
Those are the qualities Spring Hill native Brandon Brosher presented to the New York Mets, who selected him in the 36th round of the 2013 MLB draft. And while his abilities allowed him to stand out on the mound and at first base during his time at Springstead High School, the Mets had another idea.
The Mets liked the 6-foot-3 235-pounder — behind the plate. When the Mets signed Brosher, they wanted to capitalize on his arm by converting him to catcher.
“I was mostly playing first base in high school, but they wanted to utilize my arm more,” Brosher said. “Also, with them signing Dominic Smith in the first round, there was more opportunities behind the plate.”
Brosher had never caught in his life prior to signing with the Mets organization. But he was more than willing to give the position his best effort.
As he mentioned, the Mets first round pick the same year he was selected was also a first baseman. Because of that, it would have been difficult for him to find time at first base on the same team as Smith, the Gulf Coast League Mets (Mets Rookie Ball affiliate) in 2013.
With the GCL Mets in 2013, Brosher had a brief stint in left field before appearing in his first pro game as a catcher in 2014.
“I definitely feel a lot better back there now,” he said of catching. “My first year, I was dropping balls and wasn’t able to block. But now, I’m pretty comfortable with my abilities behind the plate and I like how things are going.”
This year, Brosher has primarily been with the Brooklyn Cyclones (Mets Short-Season A affiliate) and he is one of four catchers on their active roster. Given his power (15 home runs in 125 career pro games), Brosher has also been the team’s designated hitter at times.
Regardless of where he plays though, he has enjoyed the opportunity to compete.
“It’s been good,” he said. “We’re fighting for a playoff spot. It’s a grind, but we’re trying to take it day-by-day.”
Through 24 games with the Cyclones this season, Brosher has hit .216 with four home runs and a .682 OPS.
Brosher said his biggest focus this summer has been on trying to make more contact. To this point in his career, contact-hitting has not been his best asset (.202 hitter in 382 pro at-bats and 159 strikeouts in 125 games). But making more contact would allow him to capitalize more on his strength and lead to more extra-base hits.
On July 5 last year, Brosher set the Cyclones’ franchise record with seven RBI in one game. He went 2-for-3 with a walk, a double and a home run in the contest. On the year, however, he hit .188 while striking out 68 times in 53 games.
“It always gives me something to go back to,” he said. “Going through the struggles is kind of what teaches us as players how to overcome and grow ultimately.”