Article: Get To Know Twins RHP Pitching Prospect Brian Rapp

[Seth Stohs]

On Day 3 of the 2018 MLB Draft, Brian Rapp was the 26th round draft pick by the Minnesota Twins. Earlier this year, the 22-year-old was the ACC Pitcher of the Year at Boston College. Rapp signed quickly signed in Ft. Myers. He was assigned to Elizabethton. Recently, Twins Daily caught up with the 2018 draft pick. So keep reading and get to know him.

 

Like other college pitchers, the Twins tend to be quite cautious with their innings and usage in their first season. He has pitched in 35 1/3 innings over nine games, including six starts. He has 34 strikeouts to go with just eight walks.We would like to thank RHP Brian Rapp for taking time to answer our questions. Please feel free to ask questions and congratulate him in the Comments below.

 

Seth Stohs (SS): Growing up in New Jersey, who was your favorite team to follow? Who were some of your favorite players?

 

Brian Rapp (BR): I actually grew up a huge Mets fan. My first favorite player I can remember was Robin Ventura because he wore the number four and that was always my number growing up. In terms of pitchers, one name that sticks out was definitely Al Leiter, who I actually have had the privilege of getting to know and talk pitching with a bunch as he is a family friend. A little later on I really loved watching Johan Santana pitch even before he was a Met. Believe it or not, the Minnesota Twins were always my go-to team in MVP Baseball ’05 because of Santana and the likes of young Joe Mauer and Morneau. It’s a pretty cool thing now being in the Twins organization myself!

 

SS: You led your high school team in New Jersey to a lot of wins and a championship. What were some of the better memories of your high school baseball career? Did you play other sports or were you involved in other activities?

 

BR: During my years at Delbarton, I had a ton of unbelievable experiences. I really was so privileged to go there. Playing for the baseball program and Coach Bruce Shatel was something I had always wanted to do from the time I was able to read the sports section in the newspaper. I would say my favorite memory was winning the prestigious Morris County Tournament in 2012. Still to this day, it is up there as one of my favorite all time teams and clubhouses. We were just a tough, tight-knit group of guys, old and young that came together as brothers and were able to cap that off with a championship. Delbarton preaches brotherhood, as it is ingrained in us and you really saw it come to life, it was pretty cool. I also played basketball and soccer early on as well.

 

SS: What was the decision like for you to attend the IMG Academy your senior year, and what was that experience like for you?

 

BR: It was honestly one of the hardest decisions I had to make especially at that age. Delbarton was a dream for me and playing for that program was such a privilege. But when the opportunity presented itself, I really had to take time to think and consider IMG. I was a big soccer player growing up and actually had the opportunity to train with the ODP (Olympic Development Program), which coincidentally was held at IMG so I knew what it was all about. Luckily my best friend still to this day, Luke Bonfield, who was just in the National Championship with Arkansas and drafted by the Mets, decided to go as well and room together which helped lead me to my decision. Looking back, I ultimately think it was the best decision for my baseball career. Not only was I surrounded by top tier talent and facilities, but the experience taught me how hard I have to work in the game of baseball. I would go to class in the mornings and then be on the field from 1:30- 4:30/5, then go lift, and on non-lift days go to yoga or agility class. It was run basically like a college program, which helped my transition to college the following year.

 

SS: What was the recruitment process like for you, and what was it about Boston College that made it the right choice for you?

 

BR: My recruitment process started and ended pretty quickly. It was always a dream of mine to play baseball in the ACC, and I had talked to schools starting my freshman year and by the time my sophomore year came and I took my visit to BC, I really fell in love with the place and decided to commit. I really believed in the vision Coach Gambino had and that was something I wanted to be a part of. I also wanted to go to a school with high academic prestige, as I knew how important a strong degree is especially after your playing career is over. On top of all that I also grew up outside of NYC so I loved the idea of being in a big city and I ultimately could not be happier with the decision I made. My time at BC was unbelievable and will always be a major highlight in my life.

 

SS: What were a couple of your highlights from your college years?

 

BR: The biggest highlight for me was our 2016 postseason run. We made the ACC tournament and then the Ole Miss Regional, which we hadn’t done in years. We then went on to win that Oxford Regional and play in Game Three of our Super Regional against our conference opponent Miami. It still stings coming up one game short of the ultimate goal of going to Omaha but the brotherhood of that team will always stick out to me and something I will cherish for the rest of my life. Not only were we talented but we were as tight as can be and you could see that in our play. We had 11 pro guys on that squad all in which we still talk and I personally have leaned on a bunch during my transition to pro ball. *** Fun Fact, Fellow Twin and Ft. Myers Miracle Joe Cronin was my senior captain and leader of that great team.

 

SS: Did you have the chance to speak with many scouts before the draft? What was your interaction with the Twins scout?

 

BR: I was fortunate enough to be able to go through the process my junior year in which I met with many scouts throughout the year. It ultimately was a true blessing to be able to play this past spring focused on my play and really enjoying the game. I had met personally with John Wilson and then spoke to him again prior to the draft this June. John had actually watched me play in high school so it’s pretty cool to come back and ultimately get signed by him. He has been an unbelievable help during this transition and is an absolute wealth of knowledge that I know I can always lean on. I will forever be appreciative of him for believing in my abilities.

 

SS: The Twins took you in the 26th round. Was that about where you were expecting to be selected? How did you find out that you had been drafted? How busy was your phone at that moment?

 

BR: A scout in a meeting once told me you can’t have expectations going into the draft or no matter what, it will disappoint. I went into it this June with the mentality that there are tons of talented guys but I am right there with them. Whenever I hear my name called, no matter where, I would work harder than anyone else and take advantage of this honor and opportunity I was given.

 

I received the call from John right as my name was to be announced. It was a pretty surreal moment. I was with my Mom and Dad and it definitely was a very emotional moment. From that point on until the next day or so my phone was blowing up from friends, family, and former teammates throughout the years. It was a very cool moment one that I’m super appreciative for all the support.

 

SS: What has the adjustment been like for you so far, from the college game to the professional game, both on and off the field?

 

BR: On the field the biggest adjustment is being at the park everyday and throwing everyday. In college we always had at least one off day per week and for me as a weekend guy I pitched once a week. It honestly isn’t a major adjustment but at first being on a new 5 day/6 day rotation and not having that extra day was something my arm and body needed to adjust to. Overall, my experience has been great. The one thing we do have is more time to solely focus on our craft and nutrition, which was pretty hard to do being in school.

 

SS: What has the Elizabethton experience been like for you at the ballpark or away from it?

 

BR: E-Town overall has be a great experience. Like I often tell people, I’m so appreciative to play this great game and at this level. This game has already taken me places like Elizabethton and all throughout the Appalachians in which this city boy from NJ/Boston would most likely never think to do o. The fans are awesome and filled with really great people. Off the field you can definitely see the difference compared to the Northeast and being in a city. The pace is definitely very slow compared to up to north but it is a change of pace that I definitely have learned to really appreciate.

 

SS: Which pitches do you throw? What do you consider your out pitch?

 

BR: I throw a four-seam, sinker, curveball, slider and changeup. In terms of an out pitch for me it really depends on my feel that day whether it’s my slider or curveball.

 

SS: At this very early stage in your career, what would you say are your biggest strengths?

 

BR: I’d like think that my biggest strength is my desire to learn and absorb as much knowledge as I can. You can learn so much about this game through watching others and talking with others. It really doesn’t matter who it’s with. Talking about the game, being receptive to ideas, and mixing and matching ideas and information into your own game is what it’s all about. There is so much information out there. Being an attentive student of the game is a strength that I look to hopefully continue to utilize.

 

SS: What are the areas of your game that you would like to spend time working to improve in the offseason?

 

BR: Like I said previously, there is so much out there to learn, especially in the pitching world. I think continuing to work on that side of the game along with getting stronger and eating right will be a great focus of mine!

 

SS: What do you have planned for the offseason? What was your major in school?

 

BR: My plan this offseason is to live and train in Boston and work with Dr. Mike Reinold and Champion PTP (former Head Red Sox Trainer) and possibly with Eric Cressey in Hudson, MA. I’m lucky to be able to live up in Boston with those two strong resources around, as they are two of the best in the business. My older brother is also an Army Ranger and is stationed on Oahu, HI, so my girlfriend Bella and I are going to head out there for two weeks around Thanksgiving time which we’re really excited about. I graduated from BC with a double major in Applied Psychology and Communication with a focus in Management and Leadership. This offseason I will also look to continue and finish studying to take my Series 7 Exam as well.

 

SS: Who are some of the people who have helped you get to this point in your career?

 

BR: First and foremost, my parents are the reason I am where I’m at today. Both of them taught me how to be a good person and how hard you have to work to be successful. The countless hours in the car driving me to practices and games and flying all over the place with me is just the tip of the iceberg. They have sacrificed so much for me to chase my dream and I will forever be grateful.

 

I really am thankful to all the great coaches I had throughout my amateur career as well, as I was blessed with so many great ones. My high school coach Bruce Shatel was one that really stands out. He was the definition of a true mentor. He introduced me to the important mental side of the game especially from a pitching perspective. He always believed in me and allowed me to be myself, which really helped me flourish into the player I was to become. Not many coaches with his resume and accomplishments allow for that and that is what makes him so special and successful.

 

And lastly, Mike Gambino. He instilled in all of us who play for him the importance of a hard work ethic, integrity, and having a vision. Character, Toughness, and Class are the three staples of our program at BC that I will always conduct myself in accordance.

 

SS: Favorite Baseball movie?

 

I hate this question because as a baseball guy there are way too many good ones. But if I had to choose, I guess you have to go with the classic Field of Dreams with Costner! “If you build it, he will come!”

 

 

And most likely, Rapp will spend time in Cedar Rapids in 2019, approximately one hour from the Field of Dreams movie site. (Note - the first few times I went to Cedar Rapids, I made the trek up to

 

Again, a huge Thank You to Elizabethton pitcher Brian Rapp for taking time to answer our questions. We wish him well the remainder of the season. Feel free to ask questions in the comments below.

 

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[Monkeypaws]

Wow, this guy sounds like a smart cookie. Focused too.

[goulik]

So he has 5 pitches?

[tarheeltwinsfan]

Brian, I was able to go into the E-Town clubhouse several weeks ago before a game. I was impressed with the nutrition and strength program and especially the pre-game meal of skinless chicken breasts, sweet potatoes and melons.. Please tell the other readers about these programs at E-Town. Thank you. Good luck in your future career.