Harlem ace picks Brewton-Parker

Brewton-Parker College assistant baseball coach Joey Russell said the Barons' first-year coaching staff was looking for players with room to grow and pitchers who threw strikes.

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Russell and Barons head coach Boo Mullins saw Michael Brewster pitch at a winter showcase and decided the Harlem senior fit their mold. Brewster was offered a scholarship to the private school in Mount Vernon, Ga. He accepted and made it official Monday during a ceremony at Harlem.

Russell said the first thing the Barons want Brewster to do in the fall is hit the weights.

"We're going to have him on a full-time strength and conditioning program," Russell said. "He'll be able to put on 10 to 15 pounds a year; just getting bigger and stronger and that will lead to more velocity and sharper break on his off-speed stuff."

Brewster has been used as a reliever during his varsity career at Harlem. He utilizes a nasty 12-6 breaking ball, Bulldogs coach Jimmie Lewis said.

"It makes his fastball look a little faster," Lewis said. "That's his bread and butter."

Lewis said Brewton-Parker coaches think Brewster can throw in the mid- to high-80s on a consistent basis once he begins to add muscle. Brewster said the key to his success will be his movement.

"If you don't have movement, they can catch on to a fastball really quick," he said. "You can throw 90 mph all day, but if they catch on to it, you'll have nothing else to fall back on."

Brewster chose Brewton-Parker after e-mailing a list of schools given to him by his school counselor. He said he liked the school's small campus. The right-hander said he planned to major in physical education and eventually coach. For now, he's happy with a spot on the roster.

"It's been a dream to play baseball in college," he said.