McCurry begins career with help of former opponent, new teammate

Four days before being drafted by the Oakland A's in the 2014 MLB Draft, two Snapper teammates met for the first time.

They didn't exchange words - their only communication came through the rush of a fastball and the whirl of a curveball as the two players faced each other in the Regionals of college baseball's postseason tournament.  

Now, a month later, former Oklahoma State closer Brendan McCurry is chasing his professional dream with the aid of a teammate whose collegiate career he had a part in ending.

"I like to play defense behind him rather than face him, I'll tell you that," Snappers third baseman Matt Chapman, whose Cal State Fullerton squad was eliminated by McCurry's Cowboys in the Stillwater Regional, said. "I faced him one time and I ended up flying out. He's a good pitcher; he's got good stuff and doesn't really make too many mistakes."

McCurry, Oakland's 22^nd round draft pick, has instantly bolstered the Snappers' bullpen since his arrival in Beloit. The Tupelo, Okla. native picked up his first professional win Tuesday night and has allowed four hits, one earned run and struck out seven batters in three relief appearances.

"(The win) was nice, I don't really know how to describe it," McCurry said. "I'm not a guy that gets too excited about anything. I'm just happy to be here."

McCurry left Oklahoma State as the program's all-time saves leader, despite only playing for the Cowboys for two seasons. McCurry began his collegiate baseball career at Howard Junior College in Texas before transferring to Oklahoma State for his junior year.

As an Oklahoma native with an older brother already on the team, joining Oklahoma State was never a question of if, but rather when. The tougher decision arose once McCurry arrived in Stillwater and he faced a career-altering choice. 

"I actually went to Oklahoma State as a second baseman," McCurry said. "The pitching coach (Rob Walton) had seen me pitch in high school and wanted to see if I could still do it. So I threw a bullpen (session) and the next thing I know, I was the closer."

McCurry's transition back to the mound wasn't without its challenges, but the junior closer recorded eight saves, 35 strikeouts compared to 11 walks, and a 2.72 ERA in his first season. As a senior, McCurry posted one of the best seasons in Cowboys history as he went 5-0, with a single season-high 19 saves and a 0.38 ERA.

McCurry added that while no position player likes to have their bat taken away, he now realizes that it worked out for the best as he "probably wouldn't have gotten drafted as a position player."

"It was pretty cool, especially in that program where they were a powerhouse for so long and kind of fell off there for a little bit," McCurry said. "But knowing the guys that went through that program, to do those kinds of things and (set the records) is pretty special."

In Beloit, McCurry is once again working to overcome another challenge as he shifts his focus to his development as a professional baseball player. The challenge isn't daunting for McCurry, however, as he feels his time with his collegiate coaching staff has gotten him beyond ready for this moment.

"A lot of it had to do with the pitching coach (Rob Walton) that I had at Oklahoma State, he got me pretty well prepared for it when I found out that I was going to be drafted," McCurry said. "We kind of sat down and had a little talk. He told me what it was going to be like and what I needed to do. So he's the one who got me the most prepared for it, out of anybody."

In his short time with the Snappers, McCurry has already impressed his teammates with his work ethic and demeanor, especially earning the respect of Chapman.

"I like the way he competes on the mound. He's not the biggest dude but he's got a lot of confidence," Chapman said. "He's got a good attitude and challenges the hitters. If you're going to beat him, you're going to beat him with his best pitch. He gets on the mound and he's a bulldog with the way he gets after it."

Despite McCurry playing a major role in ending Chapman's College World Series aspirations, the two teammates said there are no grudges or hard feelings.

McCurry said he tried not to make a big deal of it when they first met, but paused when asked if he thought he could get Chapman out if they faced each other again.

"I don't know," McCurry laughed. "He's a good hitter…depends what day it was."

 

 (Photos provided by Dave Baker, of www.snapshotz.smugmug.com)