SUNSET LEAGUE BASEBALL PREVIEW : Huntington Beach’s Brannan Manages to Keep Them Guessing

There are two sides to Huntington Beach High’s Ryan Brannan.

There’s the dominating Brannan who has struck out 19 in eight innings and hit two home runs in his first four games. Then there’s the Brannan who hit four batters in one inning in his first start against Riverside J.W. North, and then walked four in a victory over San Clemente in his second start.

“The guy is two packs of Rolaids every time he takes the mound,” Huntington Beach Coach Mike Dodd said. “He’s either brilliant or he’s wild. There’s no in-between.”

But despite his inconsistency, Brannan is drawing attention. An estimated 30 scouts, most armed with radar guns, attended Huntington Beach’s opener against North. Brannan was consistently in the 90 m.p.h. range.

Of course, the ball doesn’t always cross the plate. But most agree that Brannan has the potential to become a big-time pitcher.

“Ryan’s biggest problem is his release point,” Dodd said. “When you’re going to bed at night at 6-foot and waking up the next day at 6-2, a release point is going to be a problem.”

Ryan experienced a tremendous growth spurt from his freshman season to his junior year; he grew from a 5-7, 120-pound freshman to a 6-3, 210-pound prospect. He didn’t have time to get used to his body because he was growing so quickly.

Then there was a lack of confidence that went along with his lack of control. Last year, Brannan could throw harder than teammates Jon Ward or Derek Glascoe. Ward, the county’s player of the year, signed with Cal State Fullerton. Glascoe signed with Oklahoma.

But he rarely pitched and was resigned to playing in the outfield for the Sunset League champions. Brannan’s stock rose during the summer when he pitched in the Orange County Metro League and in the Area Code all-star games in San Jose.

“He developed the attitude to compete,” Dodd said. “He realizes what’s in the future for him if remains dedicated to becoming the best pitcher he can be. He’s improved so much over last year, it’s scary.”

Brannan said the change began in the Metro League when he competed against community college teams. Brannan was named to the league’s all-star team and Dodger scout Bob Darwin invited him to pitch in the Area Code games.

“I did pretty well there,” Brannan said. “Physically, I felt so much better than I ever have. I felt like I belonged with all those top players.”

So much so that Brannan struck out all three batters he faced in his first appearance and allowed one earned run in four innings. Among those impressed was Miami recruiting coordinator Turtle Thomas.

“We were driving out of the stadium parking lot my second day there and some guy was waving his arms, flagging us down,” Brannan said. “It was Turtle Thomas. He offered me a trip to Miami and then started calling me once a week.

“They sent their pitching coach to scout me in the winter league and then I visited the school on Halloween weekend.”

Brannan also visited Pepperdine and Cal State Long Beach but signed in November with the Hurricanes.

“They were too hard to turn down,” Brannan said. “They’re a national power with great facilities. There’s only 7,500 students and the Coral Gables area was beautiful.”

Looking back, Brannan points to an impromptu meeting last summer with Dodd in Cypress College’s bullpen as a turning point.

“We were into the third week of the league season and I was warming up in the bullpen,” Brannan said. “Coach Dodd told me, ‘The scouts are here today to watch you. You have all the tools to be a great pitcher, all you need is confidence in yourself.’

“That day, everything seemed to turn around for me. I ended up having a great summer and then got the ride to Miami. Now I can concentrate on having a good senior year at Huntington Beach.

“I think our team could be better than last year’s team that won the league. I’ll help the team in any way, even if it means playing third base when I’m not pitching. And if nothing else, I’d like to win at least one playoff game.”

1992 IN REVIEW

Team League Overall Huntington Beach 11-1 22-4 Fountain Valley 7-5 16-13 Marina 7-6* 12-16 Edison 6-7* 10-14 Ocean View 5-7 14-10 Westminster 5-7 12-14 Santa Ana 2-10 4-20

League MVP: Jon Ward (Huntington Beach).

*--Includes one-game playoff for third.