Rebels’ Brady Bramlett eager for another successful season
OXFORD, Miss. — Brady Bramlett woke up Tuesday morning prepared to field questions at Ole Miss Baseball media day about this season’s team. Coming off a 7-4 record as a starting right-handed pitcher last season, the right-handed pitcher from Bartlett, Tenn. has also prepared himself for another productive season.
Bramlett was obviously comfortable at media day, sporting a smile along with his Rebels’ Nike Fleece. The redshirt junior has been in this situation before, answering questions on how he has improved from the previous year and in what ways can he help Ole Miss win.
So what goes through Bramlett’s mind when the college baseball season is drawing near?
“Anxiety, anxious, ready to play,” he quickly said.
The excitement; this is the best time of the year and it goes by fast. When you blink, it’s May and you’re getting ready for a regional game. This is my fourth year in the program and I can’t be any more ecstatic and ready to go.
Brady Bramlett warms up during the 2015 NCAA Regional at Jackie Robinson Stadium in Las Angeles, CA. (Photo by Joshua McCoy/Ole Miss Athletics)
Leadership by example
The most important thing for Bramlett entering this season is his continued growth into the role of a leader, especially since head coach Mike Bianco and staff signed 11 pitchers to this season’s class. Bramlett feels he and sophomore left-handed pitcher Wyatt Short can offer experience that will be helpful to the newcomers.
“For the young guys coming into the program, the experience part is always the toughest to give them, especially being in the SEC, because it’s one of the toughest leagues in the country,” Bramlett said. “But for the older guys, it’s up to us to lead by example and show them how to handle themselves.
“And (help with) the hard situations and have that composure to compete on the mound. Even though we are lacking experience, we definitely don’t lack in talent so I trust any of the younger guys that can step on the mound and get the job done.”
The Friday starter
Bramlett’s offseason work will come full circle when he steps onto the mound as the starting pitcher Friday afternoon (4:00 p.m. CT, SEC Network+) when the Rebels take on Florida International University.
And Bramlett’s hunger for success this season speaks volume about the early challenges that awaits him Friday against the Panthers:
I’m excited; the goal for any starter is to give your team a chance to win. On Fridays, you really have a chance to set the tone for the weekend. I’m thrilled to be in that position. I’m confident stepping into that role. I think it is going to be a special year for our staff and for this team.
Ole Miss hasn’t forgotten about last season’s defeat to CSU Bakersfield in the NCAA Regional. Bramlett still thinks of that loss, and he has used that as motivation to do whatever he can to keep the Rebels’ season rolling into the summer.
“We have to show we have more in the tank this year than what we showed last year,” Bramlett said. “But it’s also staying humbled enough and know that this is a new year, a new team and knowing we have to figure out what’s our personality is and what are our objectives for the 2016 Ole Miss Rebels.”
(Feature image credit: Joshua McCoy, Ole Miss Athletics)
