June 11th, 2008, 09:22 AM
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#4 (permalink)
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Anywhere, anytime, but you'll never know
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Gainesville, FL
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OCALA - When pitcher Brandon Todd heard his name called during last Friday's Major League Baseball draft, he realized a boyhood dream at age 23.
The Ocala product managed to stay in-state when it turned out it was the Florida Marlins who wanted to pay him for his services. Whether or not the NL East team was his favorite before last week is now a moot point.
"Whoever takes you is your first choice," Todd said. "I'm just excited to have the chance to keep playing ball. It was a long road to get to this point."
Like most ballplayers, there were plenty of opportunities for Todd to give up on his dream.
After the right-hander parlayed a stellar prep career at Forest High into a JuCo shot with Marty Smith and the Patriots at Central Florida Community College, he moved on the the University of South Carolina and the daunting Southeastern Conference.
Then, long before the Marlins selected the Gamecocks' closer in the 36th round, Todd had to deal with his toughest hurdle to date when an arm injury threatened to end his career.
"I had Tommy John surgery after my first season (at USC)," said Todd, who received a medical redshirt in 2007. "I was just happy to be back on the mound this year."
Todd not only returned from elbow ligament reconstruction, but excelled following an extensive rehabilitation that added a couple miles an hour to his fastball.
Already equipped with big-league curveball, Todd is now able to hit 94 mph on the radar, which allows him to mix in a newfound slider he worked on with San Jose Giants reliever Mike Musgrave during the offseason.
"I was probably 88-to-92 (mph) before the surgery," Todd explained. "Now I've got four pitches and my velocity is up.
"But it's not the surgery that makes you stronger - it's the rehab. I got stronger because I worked out. Then there's the adrenaline of facing the quality players in the SEC."
Todd finished 2008 with a team-high five saves to go along with a 3-2 record and 37 strikeouts over 25 innings for the 40-win Gamecocks. And he says it was playing against that top-notch competition - six of his USC teammates were also selected in the MLB draft - that made him a better player.
"Playing in the best conference in the country prepares you for the next level," Todd said. "I'll see a lot of the same guys (in the minors)."
Todd can also draw from his hometown, where Musgrave and Marquez Smith - two former 'Cats - still get together to talk baseball.
"We all played together growing up," Todd said. "So you either got to get up there with them, or fall below.
"It helps to have guys you can talk to who are at the next level. They know what it takes."
Todd has spent the past few days with his family in Ocala, but will fly down to Jupiter for physicals and paperwork today.
From there he'll join the Jamestown (N.Y.) Jammers in the New York-Penn League, officially starting his career Tuesday when the Marlins' Class A affiliate hosts State College.
"I just want to go out and give it my best shot," Todd said. "I'm gonna give it a go and try to get to the big leagues. That's one of my goals."
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Todd set to join Marlins farm team | Ocala.com | Star-Banner | Ocala, FL
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