Moving On Up

Brady Dragmire will always be the first.

The former Bradshaw Christian High School pitcher was selected in the 17th round of the Major League Baseball draft earlier this summer.  That makes Dragmire, who signed with the Toronto Blue Jays for a $250,000 bonus, the first Pride baseball player to get drafted by a professional team.

It was a historic moment for him, but Dragmire has a more selfless perspective.

“I just hope that others who had the same goal as me to play professional sports realize that just because you were at a small school, doesn’t mean it can’t happen,” he said.

Dragmire, who also excelled at football and basketball at Bradshaw Christian, was drafted earlier this summer—which created a bit of a dilemma because the pitcher had already accepted a baseball scholarship at the University of Nevada, Reno.

But Dragmire’s goal has always been to play professionally.  His former coach, Bradshaw Christian’s Drew Rickert, thinks the former Pride standout has the right attitude to succeed in the big leagues.

“He had tough games (in high school) where he would struggle a bit, but you’d never know because he’d always work hard and have a positive attitude,” said Rickert.  “He’d never get down on himself.”

That resilience has already been tested in the Florida Gulf Coast League, where Dragmire spent the last month of the regular season, which ended in August, with the Blue Jays’ rookie league affiliate.  His first pitching appearance was a little rocky—he struck out one but also gave up a three-run homer during an inning of relief work. 

But right now, he says, everything is still a learning experience.

“I was really excited and nervous, but I really felt prepared and ready to go,” Dragmire said, remembering that first outing.  “When I got out to the mound, it was nerve-wracking but it was what I wanted to do.  I eventually got over the nerves and finished the whole inning.”

Dragmire spoke with Elk Grove Patch by phone from Florida where he was playing in the Blue Jays’ fall instructional league.  We asked him about playing in the minors, picking the pros over college and what he really misses about home.

How have your first few weeks been in the minors?

Hanging out with the guys is a blast.  Being out on your own is kind of new.  We stay in a hotel, we hang out and eat out all the time, go on road trips—it’s been a blast.  You miss your family, but this is what you do now, you play baseball, and eventually your time will come to see them. 

What were some of your expectations before joining the team?

I was just open-minded when I was coming over.  I knew I was nervous to see where I’d fit in, but I didn’t really set any expectations.  Everything is so relaxed compared to high school.  There’s breaks where we don’t have anything and then at a certain time we have (weight) lifting, or running and throwing.  Everybody treats you nice and it’s a good atmosphere to be in.

What did you learn about playing in the pros after making your first pitching appearance?

Knowing that everybody in the lineup can hit very well.  Also, that you’ve just got to go pitch and not worry about what happens—don’t get so caught up in the moment.  Just pitch and throw for outs, let your defense work.  Other than that, I don’t have to worry about giving up a bomb anymore.

Describe your emotions after finding out you’d been drafted by the Blue Jays.

I was pretty much in shock.  The day it happened, I was out with my friend in Rancho Murieta, doing a little birthday shopping for my mom.  I left my phone in the car and I came back and had 30 missed calls and 15 text messages from people, saying “Congrats!”  I was still trying to get over the fact that I just graduated from high school, so it was a dream come true and accomplished one of my goals of getting drafted.

What made you decide to sign with Toronto instead of going to UNR on a full-ride scholarship?

I thought it would be better to start my career now and then go back to school.  My contract that I signed says that if I get hurt in baseball, [the Blue Jays] will pay for my schooling afterwards.  For me, when we were negotiating contracts, that was a win-win. I got drafted and I can go play baseball and if I get hurt, then I have school to fall back on. 

You also played football and basketball at Bradshaw Christian.  Was baseball always your first choice?

Yes, always.  I had some recruiters texting me from Brigham Young University to play football for them, but I told them right off the bat that I was trying to play baseball.  I knew in my mind that I was strictly baseball.

It seems like it’s been a huge transition, especially being away from your family, friends and hometown.  Coming from a Christian school, how important your faith has been throughout the process?

It’s been real important.  When you finally move on from high school, you don’t realize how different the change is when you graduate.  I know I wouldn’t be able to do this without Him.  As long as I’m doing what I’m supposed to do and I’m doing it for good reasons, eventually down the road, time is going to bless you. 

What’s the No. 1 thing you miss about being away from home?

The one thing that does kill me the most is the three-hour time change.  I’m so used to being active and being with my friends, or working at practices or hanging out with my cousins and helping them with their practices.  I’m getting ready to go to bed here and I’m getting texts from my brother or my cousins or my parents, saying, “Have a good night, we’re just finishing up football practice.”  I’m going to bed while everybody I know is still active and going about their day.

Now that you've started adjusting to being away from home, how long until we see you in the majors?

Hopefully, two and a half or three years.  If I keep doing what I’m supposed to be doing, I should be moving up the ladder.  I mean, I’ve still got to go through a couple farm teams up north, but once I’ve got those under belt, I’m pretty game for the MLB to call me up.