It's official. Andrew Brackman's a baseball player now, and only a baseball player.
His decision not to play basketball this year may be a disappointment to many fans, but can anyone really blame him?
Let's face it... Brackman's considered by many to be the top pitching prospect in next year's baseball draft -- maybe even the top pick overall -- and he doesn't want to jeopardize that status by not fully devoting himself to the game. State's basketball team could certainly use him, but 'Drew has to think about his long-term future -- and that's in baseball.
Brackman's recent history had to weigh heavily on his decision. Between his freshman and sophomore seasons, Andrew hit the weights hard. Really hard. He changed his body bulking up for basketball. But more than a few people have told me they believe those body changes led directly to his hip injury -- the one which ended his baseball season last year. The bottom line is: Andrew Brackman has a million-dollar arm and he simply cannot afford to risk it playing hoops.
His decision's not exactly a shocker. As soon as State's baseball team resumed workouts, Brackman stopped working out with the basketball team. There was no question where his focus would be this year.
Mind you, Sidney Lowe's doing the right thing by not shutting the door on a return. Why should he? If Brackman suddenly decides he wants to play basketball, he'll be an immediate boost for the Pack. Gavin Grant joked that maybe Brackman will return just for the Duke and Carolina games, and while that may not be likely, you never know.
It'll be strange not seeing the guy Julius Hodge called "B-Rack" at the RBC Center this winter, but ultimately he has to make the right decision for his future. And just about everyone agrees his future is on the pitcher's mound.
