One of two players from Mason selected in the 2012 Major League Baseball First Year Amateur Draft, Brandon Kuter is looking to build on a successful three-season career as a Patriot. His selection last June propelled his baseball career to the next level as he reaches for his ultimate goal of becoming a major league pitcher.

In three seasons at Mason, Brandon made 44 appearances with eight starts, posting a 4-3 record with three saves. Over 59.2 career innings, he struck out 61 batters, including 29 last spring (25.2 IP). In addition to his outstanding work at Mason, Brandon spent the summer of 2011 playing for the Westhampton Aviators of the Hamptons Collegiate League, where he was recognized as the league's top prospect.

So the 6-7, 220-pound righthander was hopeful it was only a matter of time before he could fulfill a childhood dream of being drafted by a major league team.

His dream finally came to fruition on June 6. The MLB First Year Amateur Draft, which took place June 4-6, was a nerve-racking time for Brandon as he waited for his name to be called. After waiting with his parents, Loretta and Shawn, through the first two days and the morning of the third day to hear his name, Brandon escaped the nervous tension as his parents went to work by passing the time at Burke Lake Park.

However, it didn't take long for his phone to ring, as his agent and scouts started dialing his number. Brandon quickly headed back home where he heard his name selected by the Texas Rangers in the 29^th round.

"It was a great feeling, almost surreal," he said. "It was like an out-of-body experience because I had worked so hard to get to that point."

Brandon then called his parents and "soaked in" a flood of phone calls with congratulations from friends and family.

The turnaround was quick, as he signed a professional contract on June 8^th and reported to Arizona and the AZL Rangers, a member of the Arizona Rookie League, on June 11^th. Team workouts began on June 12^th and Brandon took to the mound for the first time on June 28.

"I was prepared for the nervousness of my first outing," said Brandon. "My pitching coach told all of the new draftees there were going to be some butterflies in everyone's first outing, and some of us were going to throw the first pitch halfway up the backstop.

"Fortunately," he added, "I did not fall under that category and had a solid first inning out of the bullpen."

In 12 total appearances for the Rangers, Brandon posted a 2.04 ERA and one save. He gave up just 15 hits while striking out 17 in 17.2 innings of work. August 10 was a special day for Brandon, as he picked up his first save after entering the game with the bases loaded, two outs and a two-run lead in the bottom of the ninth inning.

"It felt great," said Brandon. "I went ahead in the count of the first hitter I faced and got a ball to the second baseman to end the game. Shaking the catcher's hand and high-fiving every guy on the team while they told me 'good job' was a proud moment.

'My shortstop handed me the game ball, which I gave to my parents when I returned home."

Overall, Brandon knows this is just the beginning, but he is enjoying the experience and growth thus far. On July 4 he had a "nerve-racking but awesome" experience to pitch in front of approximately 5,000 fans. He was also quick to note the pitching coaches this summer taught him some valuable lessons, including physical and mental aspects of professional baseball that are necessary tools to have a successful career.

"Every step of the journey will be a learning point which I can take and use as I move up," said Brandon.

His rookie season also provided him a greater understanding of how professional ball works, which he hopes will translate to an easy evolution back to the game at spring training on March 1^st.

"I have pitched in front of the coaches and coordinators throughout the Rangers' farm system, so I have an idea of their philosophies," said Brandon. "They also have an idea of my work ethic, mentality and physical talents now, so if everything goes well I hope to move up through the organization."

Until his spring reporting date, Brandon is enjoying some time off to give his body a break before starting his lifting and conditioning regimen to prepare. His routine includes yoga and Pilates to help increase his body control in his pitching mechanics, while also giving pitching lessons at Diamond Sports Training close to home in Sterling, Virginia.

And while he has his eyes set on the ultimate prize of making it to the major leagues, Brandon is quick to remember his times at Mason and what pitching collegiately taught him, crediting the staff for teaching him time management, taking responsibility for his actions and studying the details. All are tools he says help in any facet of life including developing his professional career.

"Skip talks about taking every day with a certain evenness, and not to get too high or low," said Brandon. "I made mistakes during my time at George Mason but I learned from them and will continue to use them as I grow."