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Minor League Ramblings is produced by Bill Mitchell for Minor League Watch.

Baseball isn't "rocket science" for Angels' pitcher O'Neal
August 4, 2002

Brandon O'Neal

The first noticeable attribute of Anaheim Angels' minor league pitcher Brandon O'Neal is his intelligence and maturity. The Olathe, Kansas native, who played college ball at the University of Kansas, thoughtfully answers each interview question with apparent foresight and preparation.

But will this intellect help him in his baseball career?

"It doesn't take rocket science to play the game," remarked former major league infielder Bobby Meacham, O'Neal's manager with the class A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. "Sometimes that even gets in the way, the smarter you are."

O'Neal agrees with Meacham to a degree. But he believes that discipline and intelligence DO play a part in his success. "Maturity is being able to make adjustments," commented O'Neal, "and play the game and be successful."

It's been a continual learning experience for O'Neal since being drafted by the Angels in the sixth round of the 2000 free agent draft. The 23-year-old right-hander spent most of his three years at Kansas as an infielder, pitching sparingly until his final season with the Jayhawks.

The student in O'Neal is apparent when discussing the assistance he's received from the pitching coaches. "They'll come up and talk for five or ten minutes. Just talking to those guys for that little amount of time, it's amazing what you can learn."

O'Neal added, "They've helped me a ton, it's been a great experience. I couldn't ask for more."

Rancho Cucamonga manager and former major league infielder Bobby Meacham

While he acknowledges that he still has a lot to learn about pitching due to his late start at the position, his previous experience as a position player helps him. "You have a different perspective as a hitter at a high level," said O'Neal. "You know what it takes." This information helps in his preparation to face batters at this level.

O'Neal's numbers at Rancho Cucamonga haven't been overwhelming, with an ERA currently sitting just above 5.00 and with 62 walks in 110 innings. While his development has been slowed at times by his pitching inexperience and an off-season surgery in early 2001, the Angels still view O'Neal as a prospect.

"Brandon's got a plus arm," stated Meacham. "He throws 90 miles per hour, and he's got a lot of life on his fastball." The manager added that O'Neal also throws a good slider. His best pitch is a sinking fastball that can be very effective against opposing hitters.

As for O'Neal's future, Meacham stated, "It basically comes down to his control and his ability to command all of his pitches. He'll be fine. He's done a good job for us this year. The improvement is there and that's what we're looking for. Hopefully he can finish up strong for us."

O'Neal is very pleased with the help that he's gotten from the coaches in the Angels' organization. He stated that many in the organization, from the roving instructors to current Rancho Cucamonga pitching coach Zeke Zimmerman, have provided great support in his development, particularly with the mental side of the game. He's learned to "go out there, trust your stuff and let it happen."

O'Neal has a good understanding of what he needs to do to continue to move through the minor league system. "Mainly, just consistency of delivery and just attacking the zone, attacking hitters," O'Neal stated. "I've always been an aggressive pitcher ... it's just a matter of learning the movements and breaks of your pitches, and learning how you can control them at your best."

It may not take a rocket scientist to excel at baseball. But for O'Neal, who majored in Criminal Science and aspired to be a Navy Seal while at Kansas, his natural intelligence, discipline and maturity are certainly helping his development as a pitcher.

--- Bill Mitchell