Brett Kennedy: From One Division 1 Offer To One Step Away
23-year-old Brett Kennedy has already accomplished more in his career than he thought he would just five years ago. Kennedy, an 11th round pick by the Padres in 2015, advanced to Triple-A El Paso only two and a half years after being drafted, was just recently named a Triple-A All-Star
23-year-old
The right-hander from New Jersey was lightly recruited out of high school, receiving only one Division 1 offer, from Fordham University. However, Kennedy says the lack of interest didn't deter him, it only made him stronger.
"Five years ago, I was making strides in my game and the fact that I wasn't good enough, put me in that mindset to prove people wrong," Kennedy said. "That's helped me throughout the last five years, because I haven't been given every opportunity and maybe I don't look the part, but I know when I go out there, I believe I'm the best pitcher."
So far, the right-hander's 2018 has been a resounding success. Kennedy became the first pitcher in Chihuahuas history to start a season 6-0 and entered play on July 17th 8-0, with a 2.65 ERA. Kennedy has also only given up five home runs, struck out 67 hitters, while only walking 20 in 71.1 innings
"I'm very aggressive. I like to challenge hitters and while I might not be the biggest guy or throw the hardest, I like to act like I have the best stuff," Kennedy added. "I'm going to go out there and throw with content and conviction. I like competing and figuring out how I'm going to throw a 92-mph fastball by a guy who loves hitting fastballs."
Kennedy's competitiveness and passion for baseball was instilled in him at a young age, thanks to his father and also his older brother Chase, both of whom played baseball in college.
"My family has been my biggest influence. A combination between my mom, dad and brother. We're really close knit and they've all been a part of the process together," Kennedy said. "My brother is six years older than me. He went through the baseball process, so he was always the toughest on me when it came to the time baseball was starting to be a career."
"My dad was the one who got me into baseball and taught me everything, coached me and was always there for me. My mom has always been my biggest believer. When people didn't think I was good enough, she was always there for me, giving me the confidence that I could play pro ball."
A five-sport athlete growing up, Kennedy played baseball, basketball, football, hockey and soccer, but quickly realized which game he enjoyed the most.
"When I got to high school, I had to pick a sport to focus on and I was the best at baseball," Kennedy said. "I loved the game because it was mental and I always liked mental skills, so that's why I enjoyed baseball more than the other more reactionary sports."
While Kennedy relished playing baseball at Atlantic City High School, he did not think about it as a career, because he had other priorities.
"It was always academics first because that's what would get me into a school," Kennedy remarked. "I was looking at some Division 3 schools and my dream was to go to an Ivy League school. I always wanted to be a general manager, so I was looking into baseball operations and sports management. Growing up I always played franchise modes on video games, because I loved it so much."
Playing those video games quickly turned into reality as Kennedy committed to Fordham, mainly because of the opportunity to both play baseball, as well as get a quality education.
Kennedy pitched to a 3.66 ERA, mainly out of the bullpen in his first season at Fordham. Even with the success, he says that it wasn't until after the season that he thought going pro could become a reality.
"I went from throwing 87 to throwing about 90 and I had a good year, so I started to think about it," Kennedy said about his thoughts after his freshman year. "When my teammates started to talk about me possibly getting drafted, that's when I thought I had a shot."
In June 2015, Kennedy found out he had more than a shot. After being his own agent in the pre-draft process, he was selected in the 11th round by the Padres.
The righty then entered the Padres' system with many other quality pitchers. Kennedy progressed right alongside pitchers like
"When you're playing with guys who are great pitchers, you definitely like to compete. I've been playing at a higher level every year, but the better the competition, the more you have to be perfect," Kennedy said. "Last year in Double-A we had an amazing pitching staff. Someone would go out and pitch seven scoreless and I would want to piggyback off that and do even better."
Kennedy would finish the year amongst the leaders of that strong San Antonio pitching staff, leading the team with 13 wins and posting a 3.70 ERA, as well as being named to the Postseason Texas League All-Star team.
Kennedy's success at Double-A forced a big change in his life in the offseason. The right-hander moved from New Jersey to San Diego to be closer to a major league environment.
"Being able to throw outside with
Coming off his most successful calendar year, the Padres invited Kennedy to his first Major League Spring Training in 2018. He pitched in three games, going 0-1, with an 8.31 ERA, but says the valuable experience came off the field.
"Being around Big-League veterans, you see that you don't have to do too much different," Kennedy said. "Being around the guys like Chris Young,
After Spring Training, the Padres decided to continue to push the righty, assigning him to El Paso's opening day roster. Some pitchers struggle in their first experience in the hitter friendly Pacific Coast League. But as Kennedy says, he doesn't think about his surroundings.
"When I'm on the mound, I only see the hitter. I still have to go out there and make my pitches no matter where it is," Kennedy said of the PCL. "If a hitter hits a barrel it's going to be good for them anywhere. For me, it's having the conviction and not pitching scared. Some guys come into this league and feel they have to change something, but I try to keep pitching the same way I always have."
Kennedy's adjustment to the PCL has gone so well that he was recently named to represent the Chihuahuas in his first midseason All-Star Game, which was an experience that he relished.
"We play against these guys all year and then you're in the same locker room. We shared some stories and I made some friends with guys on different teams," Kennedy said of the All-Star Game in Columbus. "It was an awesome experience being recognized for your success and sharing the experience with (Luis) Urias, but it's just another stepping stone for me on the way to another goal."
What the main goal is for Kennedy remains unknown, because he says it changes constantly. But for now, he's living in the moment and enjoying the challenge at hand.
"I don't know if you can ever achieve all your goals," Kennedy said. "For me right now it's that I want to be a major league pitcher, so I have to take care of being the best Triple-A pitcher I can be until the time comes. I'm sure if I get to the major leagues, I then want to be a good major leaguer, then an All-Star, then a Cy Young winner, then a Hall of Famer."
"If you talk to Trevor Hoffman, I'm sure he achieved his goal in becoming a Hall of Famer, but his first goal was always to keep becoming a better pitcher. If you get complacent with how you're doing, you're never going to get better."