Finally healthy, Kevin Brady ready to fulfill potential for Clemson

CLEMSON — If Clemson makes a major run through the NCAA Tournament this June, fans might be able to credit one very fortuitous injury.

Without it, Kevin Brady might be preparing for spring training in Goodyear, Ariz., not fighting to become the Tigers’ Opening Day starter next week against UAB.

The junior righthander went to the Cape Cod League last summer as a draft-and-follow prospect of the Cleveland Indians, who picked him with in the 17th round of the MLB amateur draft.

Soon after his arrival, he suffered a recurrence of the forearm strain that cost him over two months of the 2011 season, and decided against testing the injury.

“I shut it down because it’s not worth it,” Brady said recently.

As a result, the fourth-year junior is back in Clemson for what will likely be his final season of college baseball, and a chance to enhance his draft stock.

If he can stay healthy, it’ll benefit both team and player – Brady had 33 strikeouts against one walk in 2011.

“When he was good last year for us, he was really good. We’ve got to keep him healthy,” Clemson coach Jack Leggett said. “It’s important that he has a good year for us, and just relaxes, and comes out here and plays. He’s very focused, he’s in great shape and I’m very excited about what he’s going to lend to this baseball team.”

Over the first month of last season, Brady established himself as one of the ACC’s best pitchers. His fastball hit 96 MPH. His curveball dropped off the plate from 12 to 6. He had 23 strikeouts against one walk.

Everything changed in a March 6 start against rival South Carolina. Brady walked off the mound concerned about his arm. A two-week rehab stint turned into just over two months; he returned just before postseason play as a reliever.

A year later, Brady sees the time off as a positive.

“Honestly, in the long run, it’s one of the best things that’s going to happen to me,” he said. “You have to learn how to deal with injury when you’re playing baseball, and I learned on and off the field, in the weight room, to take steps forward when you’re injured. It teaches you to deal with adversity.”

He took the same attitude towards the strain’s recurrence that sidelined him on the Cape.

His bargaining power with the Indians was reduced, and returning to potentially boost his stock towards the top five rounds this June looked like a much smarter move.

“I said hey, if things work out they work out. But obviously I wanted to come back here and play another year,” Brady said. “I love working with coach Leggett, (pitching coach Dan Pepicelli), the whole coaching staff. I love this team. They’re a great group of guys.”

When he returned last May, Brady was limited essentially to throwing fastballs. During fall practice, he and Pepicelli worked on his breaking pitches, as well as his overall command.

“You can go as hard as you want, but if it’s right down the middle, any hitter in the ACC can hit that,” he said. “You’ve got to focus on commanding the fastball in and out, up down, throw that curveball and changeup anytime.”

Now, he says he feels “really good, really healthy, strong, no complaints.” Brady says he’s doing “everything” and isn’t babying the arm.

His teammates sense his eagerness. Fellow junior righty Dominic Leone says Brady’s presence gives the entire roster confidence for ACC weekends.

“He’s as excited as ever,” Leone said. “It’s like he’s a freshman again. He’s got that mentality where he’s coming in ready, guns hot, ready to blow the door down. I’m excited for him. I think he’ll do what everyone expects him to do this year.”

Just pitch, Brady says, and the rest will fall into place.

“Whatever I do on the mound, everything will take care of itself,” he said. “I’ve got to work in the bullpen, weight room, work on the mound. Everything else will take care of itself.”