Brandon Glazer Signs Professional Deal With L.A. Angels
6/15/2015 8:51:00 PM | Baseball
CHARLESTON, S.C. – College of Charleston fifth-year senior Brandon Glazer became the fourth Cougar to sign a 2015 professional contract after reaching an agreement to join the Los Angeles Angels as a free agent on Monday morning.
“I was really excited when I got the opportunity to continue playing baseball,” said Glazer. “I talked to some guys from different teams on the night of the draft, so after I didn't hear from them again, I was thinking no one would pick me up. The Angels reached out, and now I feel excited and blessed to play baseball after college.”
Glazer's contract signing culminates a compelling collegiate baseball story, the story of a shortstop turned right fielder turned dominant starting pitcher. Glazer came to The College as an infielder after being drafted by the Royals out of high school in 2010, but by 2014, he had become an everyday outfielder after missing much of the 2013 season with a medical redshirt.
In the fall before his senior season, the CofC coaching staff approached Glazer in regards to transitioning into a full-time pitcher, to bring depth to the pitching corps. Without hesitation, Glazer humbly accepted, instantly willing to forego his senior season at the plate to fulfill any role which could help the team win.
The move proved to be a propitious one, as Glazer would go on to earn First Team All-CAA recognition as a starting pitcher, after becoming just the ninth Cougar pitcher in program history to win 10 games in a season. His 10-2 record complemented his 2.74 ERA, and he finished the year ranked in the top 15 nationally in victories and walks-per-nine-innings.
With only 3.1 innings pitched under his belt, he began the year out of the bullpen, making five relief appearances before making his first career start in a midweek game against USC Upstate. Just over two weeks later, he made a weekend start at James Madison in CAA play, and from there cemented his role as the Cougars' number two starter.
After the JMU game, Glazer went at least six innings in each of his nine remaining starts, six of which were quality starts. He finished the year with 49 strikeouts against just 11 walks in 88.2 innings of work.
Glazer becomes the 62nd CofC product to sign a professional contract, and the second to sign with the Angels, following 2008 signee Michael Kohn.
“I thank the College of Charleston for putting me in position to move on to the next level. Coach Lee [head coach Monte Lee], Heater [pitching coach Matt Heath], Mo [Chris Morris], and Size [assistant coach Brandon Sizemore], those guys have all done so much in developing me and getting me ready to take this step. I am thankful that I decided to come to college and not enter the draft out of high school, because I am much more prepared now. I feel more confident.
“If you would have told me five years ago I would be getting picked up as a pitcher, I might have laughed. It's incredible how things can change, and when you get an opportunity you have to go after it. I am thankful for the opportunities I've gotten, and can't wait for what's in store."
