A year-long wait

A year ago Brian Baisley was hoping to be drafted in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. But unlike his twin brother Jeff, Brian didn’t receive a phone call.

“I was disappointed that I didn’t get taken,” Brian said. “I put up good numbers and had a good year (.349 batting average, nine home runs and 47 RBI), so I was a little disappointed.

“I would’ve liked to play pro ball a little earlier, but it’s not really my choice. Nobody took me, so I had to come back (to USF).”

With this year’s draft coming Tuesday and Wednesday, Brian is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Jeff, who leads his team in the Midwest League with a .333 batting average, and their older brother Brad, who was drafted 44th overall in 1998 by Philadelphia.

“I know I’m capable of doing the same thing he’s doing,” Brian said. “I’m just waiting for my shot.”

Brian said he has talked to his brother regularly since Jeff has been in the minors and that the two brothers have a close but competitive relationship.

“There’s a rivalry and respect (between us),” Brian said. “We’re two really competitive guys, especially with each other, so there’s an aspect of respect and competition there.

“There’s always trash talking.”

Brian doesn’t care where he ends up as long as he’s playing baseball somewhere, but he did say that he would like to play ball with Jeff again.

“That’d be fun if I got the opportunity to play with him or against him,” Brian said. “But it doesn’t really matter to me. I just want a shot to play.”

After a fifth-year senior season and a year of waiting around for another draft, Brian has spent the past week and a half preparing to take his game to the professional level.

Since playing his last game in a USF uniform in a 6-4 loss to St. John’s on May 24, Brian has had workouts with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, New York Mets and New York Yankees.

“For the most part, they went well,” Brian said about the workouts. “At most of them, you did your workouts and then left. They didn’t have anybody stay around and talk to me, but they had their bigwigs and all their scouts there.”

Despite going undrafted last year, Brian is confident that he’ll get a phone call this week from a team. Until then, he’ll just wait.

“This year, if I don’t get picked now I have to go get a job,” Brian said jokingly. “Now it’s a waiting game until Tuesday and Wednesday.”

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL DRAFT

When: Begins TuesdayWhat: 50 roundsUSF notes: Three players look to be picked up this year: Catcher Brian Baisley and pitchers Casey Hudspeth and Chase Lirette. The last Bulls’ player drafted was third baseman Jeff Baisley, by Oakland in the 12th round. Chicago White Sox utility player Ross Gload is the only former USF player in the majors.