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
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
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