NT Products Joins Mets system
Brooks, who graduated from North Tonawanda High School in 2003, was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the third round of the 2005 draft. The 26-year old then spent six seasons in the White Sox, reaching as high as the Double-A Birmingham Barons for the 2009 and 2010 seasons. Last year, the 26-year old pitcher was 1-3 with a 4.54ERA and one save in 24 games and two starts. He struck out 38 batters in 41.2 innings of work for the Barons.
In 2009, Brooks was 3-1 with a 2.68ERA in 25 games with the Barons.
Brooks was a three-year player for the North Tonawanda Lumberjacks. The pitcher posted a 16-4 record and was named Western New York Player of the Year as the Lumberjack's senior captain in 2003. During the 2002-2003 scholastic year, Brooks helped NT to Section VI titles in football, hockey and baseball.
About the Rule V Draft: Triple-A phase
The Triple-A phase of baseball's Rule V Draft is not the same as the major league portion. At the MLB level, a selected player must be offered back to his original team if he does not remain on a major league roster for the duration of the next season. In the Triple-A phase, a team can select a player from the Double-A level or below for the cost of $12,000. That player does not have to be offered back to his original team at any time.