Bremner Breaks the MLB draft

UCSB pitcher Tyler Bremner impressed scouts, prospect prognosticators, and fans who came out to the ballgames to watch the fireballing right-hander. Bremner turned in a stunning sophomore season in 2024, resulting in his being rated pre-season this spring in the Top 10 for the 2025 draft. But his stock had slipped in the early weeks of the season due to sporadic ineffectiveness, the pitcher’s uneven performance giving rise to a consensus that he would likely be a late first-rounder. Happily, a strong finish brought him back up in the rankings, and he was ultimately rated the 16th best player available in the draft by (NYT sports journalism platform) The Athletic’s Keith Law.

Instead, Bremner proved to be the shock of the 2025 baseball draft last weekend when the Angels selected him as the No. 2 pick. He becomes the highest-ever draft pick in UCSB baseball’s history, two spots higher than fellow right-handed hurler Dillon Tate, who went at No. 4 a decade ago, while other alumni such as recent Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber weren’t drafted until later rounds. There were at least three other college pitchers predicted to be taken before Bremner, including Kade Anderson, who propelled LSU to the national championship in June. 

Bremner himself expresses surprise to be chosen so early, having heard from his advisors only an hour earlier that the Angels might choose him. 

“I’m definitely just overwhelmed with shock and emotion,” the pitcher told a sports reporter. “I’m just full of excitement, and ready to get to the next step.”

But maybe the Angels are onto something, as it turns out there was a sound reason why Bremner struggled earlier in the season: His mother’s five-year battle with breast cancer was turning into a lost cause. She died in June and her funeral was held just a week ago. 

As the end neared, however, Bremner rediscovered his focus on the field, turning in his best two efforts in the final two games, employing both his 97-mph fastball and deeply deceptive change-up to give up just one earned run in more than 13 innings (0.69 ERA) and striking out 23 (1.78 K/9 innings). 

“I feel like I did a good job of using that negative energy and channeling it into pitching,” Bremner said. “Pitching angry, pitching for her, pitching for something bigger than myself.”

All of which makes the Southern California native’s selection by the Angels almost unbelievably meaningful. 

Indeed, the pitcher closed his Instagram post about his mother the day after her death by saying “Rest easy my angel.”

“I know she’s watching over me and she’s so proud of me,” Bremner said. “It’s weird how life works. It’s a special moment.”

All bets are that Bremner will sign quickly for seriously life-changing money – albeit likely less than the $10,252,700 the slot’s official “value” – salving somewhat, under his proud departed mother’s watchful eye, the pain of his loss. 

It’s even possible we’ll see him at the Big A just down the freeway in Anaheim before the end of the MLB season, as the Angels are renowned for rushing their top picks to the majors. The halo on the players’ caps might never have more significance. 

Meanwhile, UCSB baseball coach Andrew Checketts will have his work cut out for him replenishing his rotation and bullpen as two other Gaucho pitchers were drafted on Day 2 Monday. Frank Camarillo was taken by the New York Mets at 403, while Reed Moring went to the Minnesota Twins at 449. Both are expected to sign.