April 6, 2010

By Chad Frodyma
Originally Published on Ping! Baseball.com

USC Upstate Spartan starting pitcher Philip Brannon has endured a lot just to be able to pitch this year. From being on top of his game, to going underneath the surgeon's knife, to back on the mound, Brannon has endured. He's pitching again this year and, despite a record of 1-4 and an ERA of 5.73, Brannon is unquestionably a winner. Ping!Baseball recently talked to Brannon about baseball, losing the ability to play it, and getting it back.

Brannon was drafted out of high school in the 40th round by the Pittsburgh Pirates as a pitcher, this despite mostly playing behind the plate as a catcher. Instead of getting paid to play Brannon chose to go to Spartanburg Methodist College where he posted a 6-0 record with a 3.00 ERA as a freshman and helped his team to a third place finish at the NJCAA Division I World Series. His sophomore year started out promising as well, going 2-0 with a 1.88 ERA in his first three starts. Then, a shoulder injury abruptly ended his season.

Brannon rehabbed, and he moved on to newly DI minted USC Upstate. After a lost season he was anxious to get back on the mound. However tragedy would strike again In his first game. He was only able to face a single batter. Brannon was once again shut down with a shoulder injury. This time, it meant surgery and lots more rehab. "I had a tear in my rotator cuff, and a few other smaller things" Brannon told Ping!Baseball.

To continue reading, please visit Ping! Baseball.com's article.