The entire FTB / Rockets family would like to congratulate Braeden Ogle on being selected as the Pittsburgh Pirates 4th round pick on the second day of the Major league Baseball Draft. Braeden embodies all of the qualities that the Rockets organization strives to instill in each player. He has worked tirelessly over the past 12 months to improve himself both physically and mentally, which can be seen by his jump in arm velo from 89 mph (Summer 2015) to now topping out at 96 mph. We wish him the best of luck as he begins his new journey with the Pirates organization.
Below is an in depth post-draft article written by the TCPalm:
Jensen Beach LHP Braeden Ogle selected in the fourth round of the MLB Draft
It took a little longer than expected, but it all worked out for Jensen Beach High School left-hander Braeden Ogle in the Major League Baseball Draft on Friday.
Ogle was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the fourth round — 135th overall — and said he plans to sign with the team rather than attend the University of Florida.
“It was crazy and I didn’t know when it was going to happen,” Ogle said. “There was a bunch of stuff going on behind the scenes so we just had to sit back and wait. The Pirates ended up taking other kids in the first couple rounds and then we were able to get my (signing bonus) number and it worked out.
“It was kind of frustrating, but I knew what was going on because my adviser (Mark Rodgers) was talking me through it. A lot of people think, ‘Oh yeah, the best players are taken in order,’ but it’s not about ability it’s about signability. A bunch of deals went down and I had to wait until a team was able to make an offer I was willing to take.”
Ogle expected to be picked in the first two rounds of the draft Thursday. Chris Ogle, Braeden’s father, said a couple teams indicated they would take Ogle late Thursday, but then chose a different player.
Braeden Ogle said at least a dozen teams contacted Rodgers immediately after the second round concluded, saying they were trying to meet the pitcher’s financial request.
Chris Ogle said Braeden will receive “second-round money” from the Pirates as well as have his four-year college tuition covered. Last year, the final second-round pick was slotted to receive a $814,300 signing bonus — more than double that of the 135th pick ($406,900).
“Even the Pirates said they wanted him with their second pick but money was the issue,” Chris Ogle said. “We stuck to the plan. We’re getting enough. We didn’t want to be greedy. Ultimately he made the decision.”
Chris Ogle said all the financial issues went away once he heard his son’s name called on MLB.com.
“It was absolutely a feeling of complete and utter excitement, relief and just pride — just to know he is the first Ogle in our whole background to get drafted and be a pro player,” said Ogle, a former offensive and defensive lineman at Clemson. “You feel pride knowing how hard he’s worked and all he’s accomplished. Now he has a chance to pursue his dream and play pro ball.”
Braeden Ogle, a 6-foot-3, 192-pounder consistently throws his fastball in the low- to mid-90s and can touch 96 mph. He also throws a slider and change-up — both of which have the potential to be plus pitches.
Ogle was a first-team all-area selection in 2016 after going 5-1 with a 1.40 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 35 innings.
He is the second Jensen Beach draftee in program history, joining right-handed pitcher Taylor Blatch. The Minnesota Twins selected Blatch in the 27th round in 2013, but he opted to play at Florida State.
The Pirates are not one of the teams who asked Ogle to throw privately for them, but they scouted him during the season — including the Florida Athletic Coaches Association Baseball All-Star Classic in Sebring last month.
“I’ve heard they have an awesome record of developing pitchers and their player development is really good overall,” Ogle said. “I was excited to hear that. It’s just a big sense of relief that it finally happened.”