Earley Accruing Many Miles in Summer Baseball

July 23, 2008

NORMAL, Ill. - Illinois State signee Bryan Earley might as well tattoo it on his forehead - have arm, will travel. By the time the junior-to-be rolls onto campus in his 2001 Isuzu Rodeo this fall, he'll have logged over 1,500 miles and ventured across four state lines. That doesn't including numerous trips on team busses.

Earley picked up the win for the Cincinnati Steam in Tuesday's Great Lakes Collegiate League game against the Columbus All-Americans - his first win for his second team this summer. Earley struck out four in four innings during the 6-5 win, and is 1-0 with a 3.86 ERA in five appearances since joining the Steam.

The wild ride for Earley began in May when he graduated from Lincoln Trail College - a two-year school in Robinson, Ill. - and moved back to his home in Cincinnati. From there, Earley joined the Madison Mallards (Northwoods League) in Madison, Wis., where he pitched on a short-term contract while filling in for players still competing in the NCAA Tournament.

Earley was masterful for the Mallards, striking out 11 batters and surrendering just five hits in 15.2 innings. Earley was tagged with one earned run in three games while posting a 1-1 record and 0.57 ERA. Despite baffling hitters, Earley was released after 20 days to clear roster space and returned home.

Earley spent a few weeks working out at home before catching on with the Steam. He's worked mainly as a reliever for the top team and pitching staff in the league while logging 11.2 innings, but earned a win in his first start on Tuesday.

"I was frustrated (when released by the Mallards), but that's the way baseball is. It was a good opportunity for me," Earley said. "The Northwoods League, in my mind, is one of the top leagues in the country. It was a good experience against tough competition. I think playing back home in the Great Lakes League is even a better thing because my family is able to watch me. Summer ball has been good to me this year."

Originally drafted out of Elder High School by the Seattle Mariners in the 44th round of the 2006 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, Earley sees this summer's trek as preparation for a possible future in baseball. The son of former St. Louis Cardinals' pitcher Bill Earley, Bryan has grown up listening to stories about his dad's career and many travels throughout his nine and a half minor league seasons before reaching the Major Leagues in 1986. Bill called seven different cities home as a professional and pitched in Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Venezuela.

Earley, who posted a 2-2 record and a 3.44 ERA in 34.0 innings of work this past season at Lincoln Trail, can be used as a starter or reliever and will be called upon early in his Redbird career.

"Bryan is a power pitcher who comes from a great bloodline," Illinois State head coach Jim Brownlee said when the right-hander signed. "His father was a pitcher in the big leagues, and he is a fierce competitor on the mound. The biggest attribute he will bring to the team is his competitive nature, as he also has a great upside to him. He will be able to compete right away for a spot in the weekend rotation, and he also has the stuff to be a closer."

Redbird Baseball Players in Summer Leagues