Brian Bennett started as catcher, pitched, saw 4 seasons
After Brian Bennett's first season in the minors in the Gulf Coast League, the scout that drafted him had good things to say to Bennett's hometown Palm Desert Post.
The scout, Ross Sapp, told The Post that Bennett had improved his defense and his catching. He just had to work on his hitting.
"He has a great desire for the game," Sapp told The Post. "He gives 120 percent all the time. That desire will carry him a long ways."
For Bennett, he ultimately saw four pro seasons. He topped out at single A.
Bennett's career began in 1987, taken by the Astros in the fifth round of the secondary phase of the previous June's draft out of the College of the Desert in Palm Desert, California.
Bennett eventually signed in early June 1987, after playing at San Bernardino County College, The Desert Sun wrote.
"Mostly just relief knowing I can play baseball and not try to stay in school and do other things," Bennett told The Sun of his feelings on signing.
Bennett started with the Astros in the rookie Gulf Coast League. He scored in one June game on a wild pitch. Soon after, he knocked in the game-winning run in a July game on a single.
Overall, Bennett saw 25 games that first year. He hit .200. He then returned to the GCL for 1988, where he saw 43 games an hit .193.
For 1989, he saw 43 games at single-A Asheville and two at short-season Auburn. He hit .206 overall, with eight home runs.
He then played 1990 back in the GCL, as a pitcher. He saw 22 games there in relief and went 2-1, with a 4.25 ERA to end his career.
Bennett has since returned to California and became a youth instructor. In 2025, he continues as president and head of baseball instruction at Core Catching in San Juan Capistrano.
- Desert Sun, June 3, 1987: Former COD, IHS player to join Astros farm team
- Palm Desert Post, April 6, 1988: Scout says Bennett has right stuff
Made the Majors:1,431-31.7%
Never Made Majors:3,084-68.3%-X
