Brandon Woodruff Shows Fortitude
Brandon Woodruff (Photo by Mike Janes)
MILWAUKEE—After the way righthander Brandon Woodruff handled the 2016 season, no one can question his mental toughness.
The 23-year-old depended on those important traits in late July after the death of his older brother Blake in an ATV accident back home in Mississippi. Woodruff returned to Double-A Biloxi and starred in a 1-0 victory against Pensacola by pitching six shutout innings and bopping his first home run for the only run of the game.
“He came back after the funeral, and all the things that went with that, and in a very workmanlike way said, ‘Hey, I missed 10 days. I want to make my next start,’” Biloxi pitching coach Chris Hook said.
“You talk about stuff and competitiveness on the mound, but he is an incredible human being. That can’t be overlooked in all of this.”
Woodruff maintained his focus for the remainder of the season, going 6-2, 2.02 over his final nine starts. Combined with a stint at high Class A Brevard County to open the season, he finished 14-9, 2.68 and led the minors with 173 strikeouts.
Woodruff explained how he was able to deal with the loss of his brother.
“Obviously, that was a tough time,” said Woodruff, an 11th-round pick in 2014 out of Mississippi State. “I thought the biggest thing for me was just getting back with the team and getting in that same routine. After that happened, it makes you appreciate life a little bit more. So I just go out in each and every outing and treat it like it’s my last.”
No player improved his stock more in the organization than Woodruff, who increased his velocity a couple of clicks to 93-94 mph and benefitted from Hook’s advice to speed up his tempo on the mound.
“It’s a matter of a guy maturing and understanding his delivery,” Hook said. ” ‘Special’ is written all over him. You don’t come across too many like him.”
MICROBREWS
• Former Brewers third baseman Taylor Green, who joined the pro scouting department before the 2016 season, was promoted to the supervisor level along with Bryan Gale. Ben McDonough was elevated to senior coordinator of pro scouting operations.
• Shortstop Isan Diaz, who played 41 games at second base at low Class A Wisconsin, saw action at both middle-infield positions for Salt River in the Arizona Fall League.
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