Prep Baseball Report

From Canada To Florida State For Bratt


Bruce Hefflinger
PBR Canada Senior Writer

Interested in attending a PBR Ontario event? Check out our schedule by clicking here.

From Canada To Florida State For Bratt

Mitch Bratt LHP / OF / Newmarket, ON / 2021

NEWMARKET, Ontario - At one time Mitch Bratt had 24 Division I schools that were under consideration.

In July, that list was narrowed to five - Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Mississippi, Marshall and Florida State. A visit was all it took for the top-ranked player in Ontario to make a college decision.

“Once I stepped foot on the Florida State campus, I knew it was home for 2021 and beyond,” Bratt said.

Ironically, the prospect of playing D-I baseball only developed in the past year for Bratt.

“Growing up in Toronto, Canada you don’t see much college baseball or college sports,” Bratt pointed out. “So I contacted Pittsburgh and went there with my dad. I wanted to see if I can compete.

“On the drive home my dad said, “what do you think?” It was an eye opener for me. I took away that I can compete if I get stronger and keep working.”

A change in delivery helped the 15th-ranked junior left-handed pitcher in North America improve.

“Six months ago I didn’t throw as hard,” Bratt noted. “ I was 84-85 and not as polished. I was talking to smaller schools. But I changed a few things in my delivery and my curve became sharper. The last few months my change has improved. I need to rely on that later in games.”

Bratt had an opportunity to show off his game playing for Team Canada at the Future Games.

“That was my first time in that atmosphere,” the 6-1 190-pounder said about pitching in front of 250-plus scouts. “I didn’t pitch my best, but at the end of the day I got the job done and it turned out well.”

A connection during the summer with new Florida State pitching coach Jim Bellanger, who came over to the school from Kentucky in July, helped Bratt out in his decision-making process.

Premium Content Area

This article is only available to PBRPlus Subscribers. If you wish to continue reading this article:

Login to the Subscriptions Website.
To purchase a NEW SUBSCRIPTION, please click here to go to our subscription products page.