Brannen made infield to outfield switch worth it

Since the seventh grade, Cole Brannen has focused on one thing: playing in the Under Armour All-America game.

“I distinctly remember two years ago, watching it at home, and I said to myself, ‘I’m gonna make that game; I’m gonna play in it,’ ” Brannen said.

After batting practice one day in 2015, Brannen missed a call from his player development coordinator. He returned the call, and by the time the call was over, his face was filled with tears of joy. His goal was finally accomplished. He is going to Chicago to play at Wrigley Field, the site of the 2016 Under Armour All-America game.

Preparing to become a 2016 Under Armour All-American wasn’t an easy journey. His road began in 2013 with the Under Armour Baseball Factory tryout.

Brannen then spent the next two years going through vigorous training routines and playing at college showcases before being announced as an All-American in January. One thing that helped benefit him the most during his development was moving from shortstop to center field.

Brannen, who has committed to play at Georgia Southern, was told by one of his coaches that he was restricted playing in the infield. His speed and ability to cover a large area of the field were strengths he didn’t realize he had until he moved to the outfield.

“It’s definitely helped my game a lot to go from infield to outfield,” Brannen said. “It’s just a better perspective on things.”

At a showcase in Florida this summer, Brannen beat his personal best 60-yard dash time with 6.18 seconds and had 10-yard splits of 1.37. His 60-yard dash time is the fastest for outfielders in the nation and second fastest overall.

Having played in the infield, he can see the game a lot better. He’s able to read the ball better. Playing in a high stress position like shortstop has improved his reaction time, as well as throwing speed. The infield experience has helped his overall knowledge of the game.

Brannen’s father and speed coach, Jarrod Brannen, said that as his son’s body and game matured, it was an obvious move for Brannen’s coaches to switch his position.

“Your tools match your position,” Jarrod Brannen said. “I like him playing other positions, but he’s a center fielder.”

Cole Brannen, a rising senior at Westfield, is happy with playing center field. He said players growing up always want to start at shortstop but if he hadn’t changed positions, he might not have the opportunity he has now to play in the All-America game.

Brannen is looking forward to the game, and he’s not nervous.

“I like pressure,” he said. “I think I play better under pressure. My demeanor is to put on a show.”

So July can’t come soon enough for Brannen. He’s ready to preform against the nation’s best players.

“It’s a grind,” Brannen said. “If you want to be an elite player, you gotta put in elite work, time and effort.”

This story was originally published June 28, 2016 at 3:08 PM with the headline "Brannen made infield to outfield switch worth it."