Brosseau hitting the big time
NEW YORK — Three years ago, Mike Brosseau was a college graduate surrounded by teenagers on minor league back fields in Florida. His batting gloves were tattered, his cleats falling apart and his bank account empty.
This week, he was batting third at Yankee Stadium, facing a Cy Young Award winner in the thick of a postseason race.
“I don’t think anybody would admit they were thinking that would happen,” Brosseau said.
The Rays believe they have found a hidden gem in Brosseau, an undrafted infielder from Oakland University in Michigan who signed for $1,000 and bolted to the big leagues. Three weeks after his major league debut, the 25-yearold has become a middle-of-the-order option for manager Kevin Cash as Tampa Bay chases the Yankees in the AL East. “He forced our hand,” Cash said.
A slew of injuries led to Brosseau’s initial call-up in late June, and in 14 games entering Thursday, he is batting .348 with four homers and a 1.071 OPS. Cash had no expectation that the 5-foot-10 Brosseau would slug his way into the heart of the order, but he has become important enough that the Rays sent big league veteran Guillermo Heredia to Triple-A this week instead of Brosseau when they needed to recall a pitcher.
Brosseau had a two-homer game against Baltimore last weekend, and this week in the Bronx, he singled and scored against CC Sabathia, crossing home plate in fresh spikes.
“It’s been a great three years,” Brosseau said. “Obviously happy to be here.”