Bill Brakeley made college improvements, saw 3 pro seasons

Bill Brakeley's head coach at the University of Delaware Bob Hannah saw a big change in the left-hander from 1988 to 1989, Hannah told The Wilmington News-Journal in April 1989.

Brakeley did so as he increased his confidence and his control, Hannah told The News-Journal.

"Last year, he'd fall behind the hitters and would just be throwing the ball," Hannah told The News-Journal. "This season his breaking ball is consistently in the strike zone, he changes speed pretty well and he's consistently on top of hitters."

Brakeley took his success that season at Delaware on to the pros. His pro career lasted three seasons. He topped out at single-A.

Brakeley's career began that year in 1989, taken by the Brewers in the fourth round of the draft out of Delaware.

He started with the Brewers at rookie Helena. He picked up six starts and went 2-1, with a 4.81 ERA. He then returned to Helena for 1990. He got six more starts, with a 4.91 ERA, but didn't get a decision.

Brakeley played his final season at single-A Beloit. He got into 29 games, 20 starts. He went 10-6, with a 3.78 ERA to end his career.

He continued playing, though, at least locally in Delaware, in semi-pro ball. He threw a seven-hitter for his local Guy Johnson team in an August 1994 championship series game. He credited his teammates with getting the club to the win.

"These guys have been providing a lot of punch for us (pitchers) to work with," Blakeley told The News-Journal afterward. "I wouldn't have had half the success I've had this summer if it weren't for the guys behind me."

• Wilmington News-Journal, April 28, 1989: Confidence, control turns Hens' Brakeley into staff stopper
• Wilmington News-Journal, Aug. 20, 1994: Guy Johnson romps

More: The 1990 Helena Brewers

1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured:3,402
Made the Majors:1,202-35.3%
Never Made Majors:2,200-64.7%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:499
10+ Seasons in the Minors:292

More 1990 Minor Leaguers:

 - Cloyd Boyer saw 5 ML seasons, later sought by Bobby Cox, 8/26/15

 - John Braase helped college team, made three pro seasons, 10/16/20

 - Miah Bradbury waited, then got drafted by the Miami Miracle, 11/22/23

 - Troy Bradford threw college complete games, saw 6 seasons, 4/25/13
 - Vince Bradford played 2 pro baseball seasons, then football, 10/30/16

 - Mike Bradish played for South Bend, his mother almost did, 4/16/21
 - Bert Bradley used lessons learned as player as coach, 3/29/15
 - Eric Bradley did what he needed to do over 3 pro seasons, 10/16/13

 - Mike Bradley returned from injury to pros, saw two seasons, 10/15/22
 - Terry Bradshaw had impact with Cardinals, saw 2 seasons, 3/3/17