SALEM, N.H. - Recruitment really started to become more serious for Brayden Ryan after attending two PBR events last summer.

“Those were really fun,” the Lawrence Academy junior reflected. “I’d never done anything like that, so it was quite a learning experience for me. I got more of a feel for what the college process was like.”

What did the 11th-ranked 2022 right-handed pitcher in New England learn about himself?

“I definitely want to put a few miles-an-hour on, and also develop a splitter,” Ryan related. “Looking at the other guys there, I definitely saw some things I need to develop. I saw one kid there really throwing hard and it got me thinking ... a college would choose him (over me), so I definitely need to put in the work.”

Size is certainly an asset for the 17-year-old, who is now 6-6 and 225 pounds.

“I just started working with a guy from the NEB team and also been working with a personal trainer,” explained Ryan, whose travel team is North East Baseball. “I put on 10 pounds and that definitely will help in putting a few more miles-per-hour on my fastball.”

Making strides is taking place more than just physically for Ryan.

“I think I’ve improved by learning more about the sport,” Ryan said. “I’m also more of a coachable player now.”

Boston College and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County have shown interest in the third-ranked uncommitted New England 2022 RHP.

“I reached out to BC in mid-summer and started talking to UMBC since the end of summer,” Ryan noted. “They saw my profile on PBR. That’s definitely helped in getting my profile out there, especially over the virus when it was harder to get out there.”

Dennis Healy, PBR Massachusetts Director of Scouting, points to a bright future ahead for Ryan.

“He’s a big and athletic prospect with his best days in front of him,” Healy said. “He shows ability both positionally and on the mound.”

While BC and UMBC only talked to Ryan about pitching, there is some intrigue in being a two-way player at the next level.

“I’d love to play two-way, that’s the dream,” Ryan admitted. “I’ve always been a pitcher and third baseman. I just started playing first base two years ago.”

That was about the same time college baseball came into the picture.

“In between two years ago and last year I started to notice I had something and began to put in more work,” Ryan said about the sport of baseball. “Coaches began to tell me that they feel I can do it if I put in the work.”

A 3.3 student with a major in business being considered, Ryan feels he can provide a strong asset to a program at the next level.

“I’ll bring leadership wherever I go,” Ryan pointed out. “I love to be a leader and I try my best to be a positive attitude.”

A former coach has been a major influence in his game according to the Lawrence Academy junior.

“Jim Bail has helped me the most with developing my swing and my pitching,” Ryan noted. “I started working with him three years ago and still go see him to hit. We still have a close relationship.”

More advice has come from right at his Salem, N.H. home during recruitment.

“I didn’t know much about it,” Ryan said about the process. “My step-dad has helped me out a lot.”

An idea of what to do next and what he is looking for has been determined.

“I definitely feel more comfortable after talking with BC and UMBC,” Ryan said. “Right now I feel the need to reach out to more schools. I definitely would like to stay in New England or to go south to a program that’s building.

“My goal is to play D-I baseball and get a degree. I’m doing whatever it takes to get there.”