Article: Brad Boyer: From Wiffle Ball To The Saints and Twins

[John Bonnes]

During the Winnipeg Goldeyes most recent trip to CHS Field I was lucky enough to sit down and chat with second baseman, Brad Boyer. If you’re thinking the name sounds familiar, it should. Brad played for the St. Paul Saints in 2013 before having his contract purchased by the Minnesota Twins three quarters of the way through the season and reporting to Double-A New Britain for the rest of the year. But, more on that part of the conversation in a bit. We also talked a little about growing up, college and getting drafted, and a glimpse into the future.It all started when Brad was around four years old and he saw his first wiffle ball bat. "With the bat it was something. I picked it up and it really drew my attention growing up. I've always loved the craft of hitting. I'm a lefty with an open stance so watching Chipper Jones and his sweet smooth swing on Sports Center, that's who I wanted to build my game after. The way he carried himself playing twenty years. As a grinder and a superstar."

 

It also didn't hurt his love of baseball that his family had Dodger season tickets. "Watching Kurt Gibson hit that home run in '88 against the A's when I was a young kid - it really brought out the passion in me. It brought out the life in me."

 

Was he a star athlete growing up? That may be putting it mildly. While in high school the scouts and attention were never far away from Brad for three of the major sports.

"It was a hectic schedule for the family you know, we were traveling all over the state. Great moments though, great moments. I definitely didn't want to just focus on one. Three kept me active, kept the passion going in each sport."

 

Brad played basketball for his school and also on an AAU team. "I was traveling down to Compton, playing against the best guys in the state of California."

In football he was wide receiver and helped his team win the State Championship. "We won our CIF and got to play at Anaheim Stadium. Football was something that I was starting to get recruited by some college schools. But I took a look at the life expectancy and took baseball into my hands."

 

  Ben Szeremeta writes about the Saints regularly at SaintsTrain.com  

Playing baseball Brad had no problem getting scouts to look at him. But having the number one overall pick as a neighbor and teammate didn't hurt either. "Coming out of high school I was fortunate enough that Delmon Young was my neighbor back at home. We had a lot of scouting directors, scouts, college coaches, and recruiters at games since I was a sophomore in high school and he was a freshman. We were having thirty teams there with their general managers and recruiters."

While in high school he also played in college and MLB scouting showcases. "I was able to go play in the Area Code games with Delmon, Ryan Braun, and some of my closest buddies that I had growing up. I was able to flourish during those my junior year in high school."

 

With offers from multiple colleges around the country the University of Arizona topped his list. "Arizona clearly got my attention with coach Andy Lopez over there. I think being able to start as a freshman and have that opportunity is what made my decision."

 

Because of his stellar college career at Arizona, including being named an All- American his freshman year. Brad was selected in the 14th round of the 2005 MLB amateur draft by Seattle. After not being able to come to terms with the Mariners, he returned for his senior year and also a second season playing for the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod League where he was named an All-Star in 2005.

 

He was then drafted in the 13th round of the 2006 MLB amateur draft by the San Francisco Giants and his professional career began. "I had a great experience there. I played with [buster] Posey, [brandon] Crawford, Sergio Roma, Panda Pablo Sandova, [brandon] Belt. I played with a lot of great guys. It was great to be part of that system."

 

Brad seemed to be on the fast track for a call-up until injury struck. "I had a little setback my year in Triple-A, a minor injury. I fractured part of my knee getting hit by a pitch. It kind of held things back. They won the World Series in 2010. It would have been great to be a part of that. But I'm really happy for all those guys."

 

In 2011 Brad started his first of a three straight seasons playing Indy ball. After stints with Gary, Lancaster and Bridgeport he ended up with the St. Paul Saints in 2013.

 

"Your biggest memory of anything is your comradery. It brought you out on the field with a smile. Being around Brandon Tripp, Anthony Claggett, Mark Hamburger, the list goes on about the characters. I had a great time with George [Tsamis] and Lamarr [Rogers], the staff, and everyone there."

 

He also had fond memories of the organization and Midway. "Just the atmosphere there, you know. When you come up to the ballpark and you've got tailgaters for a seven game and its two o'clock in the afternoon. It shows you how they market the team, the passion of the fans. It's a great community. It's a family. Having a chance to be part of that, it's something that I'll always have etched in my memory."

 

Then later in the season, the Twins among other teams were watching. "When Mark Hamburger was here he brought a lot of scouts. He was running his two seam at 92, and his four seam at 95, 96. You’re gonna catch eyes."

 

With all the attention being paid to the team, Brad took advantage. "I was fortunate, I rode the wave that year and got hot at the right time. They had an injury go down and I was able to go over there and be a utility guy in Double-A for a couple seasons. I had Hamburger as my roommate and we had a blast."

 

Unfortunately a hamstring injury at the end of the 2014 season ended Brad's time in the Twins organization.

In 2015 Brad signed with the Winnipeg Goldeyes and still believes he has more baseball in front of him.

 

"As long as you’re playing this game your goal is to be a big leaguer. It's always to be a big leaguer no matter what your age is. The moment right now is to help this club, the Goldeyes win. But I'd love to get a chance to get back into affiliated ball. I think I can still make an impact."

 

Even through all the ups and downs of a baseball career Brad has kept the right attitude and drive to succeed in this game. I really hope he gets another shot. He's still one heck of a ball player.

 

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[hybridbear]

Why did his injury in 2010 end his time with the Giants?

[John Bonnes]

I do think it's kind of cool that the Twins have a history of signing Saints players that are looking for a way back into the affiliated leagues. Thielbar, Hamburger and Boyer all spring to mind off the top of my head.

 

I also think it's kind of cool that even for a player that never got to spend any time in the majors, he's still been able to play a game that he apparently loves and made a decent enough living to keep playing until he's 31 years old. And those memories include being a part of the Giants organization when they won a World Series and friends with several of the players in the majors right now. That's pretty cool. 

[David HK]

That was a great article.  I wish him all the luck in the world, to go along with that ability.  He sounds like a smart guy, too, as well as having all that heart.  

 

The only sad part about it for me, was- when I saw the headline about Boyer playing for the Goldeyes, I got my hopes up, thinking it was another Boyer...