Black Press
Okanagan Athletics head coach Evan Bailey calls the season that Matt Brodt has had one of the “best individual seasons and careers” he’s witnessed in all his years in baseball.
Brodt, a product of Penticton, dominated on the mound for the B.C. Premier Baseball League Club this season, posting a league-best 10-1 record, along with club records for strikeouts (88) and ERA (1.24).
The 18-year-old right-hander was 16-2 in league games and tournaments combined this season, and is 34-9 overall with a 2.04 ERA in his three years with the A’s.
Brodt is the program’s all-time leader in wins, winning percentage, strikeouts and ERA.
In short, Bailey has never witnessed a more dominant high school career than Brodt’s.
“Matt has been the best pitching product we have ever had, and may never have one as unique as him again in terms of a guy that is a hard thrower with amazing control and an innings eater,” said Bailey to the Kelowna Cap News. “It’s impressive what he has done.
“He has a very high baseball IQ, a true student of game.”
Brodt, a former South Okanagan Minor Baseball Association Tiger, said he’s played this year at the level he wanted to reach as he has improved every year.
“Instead of just being able to throw fastballs, I can throw sliders, a curveball and change-up instead of being just a two-pitch guy,” said Brodt, crediting his success to Bailey and the focus he places on preparation and fundamentals.
His most effective pitches are his curveball and slider.
What made Brodt more impressive, according to Bailey, is the fact that he doubled as a position player throughout his career, batted .294 and was solid defensively.
Brodt will attend Odessa Junior College in Texas this fall.
“It will be quite exciting,” said Brodt, who over the weekend played his final games with the Athletics in the PBL playoffs. “It will be a new experience. To see what level I’m really at. Compare myself to some of the best in the nation.”
The Athletics lost 6-1 in the semifinal to the Victoria Mariners.
