Brendan Brock was an Oklahoma Sooner at birth.
Literally.
Brock, a Mascoutah High grad and two-year baseball standout at Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville, was wrapped in a Sooners blanket by his parents Joe and Vicki just minutes after his appearance into the world.
"I was immediately put into some OU gear," Brock said. "It took maybe a couple hours."
Brock has been crazy for the Norman-based school ever since.
So imagine how happy Brock was when he signed a letter of intent to play baseball for his favorite institution? Yet that thrill was almost equaled Monday afternoon.
The hard-hitting catcher was chosen in the 14th round by the Milwaukee Brewers on the second and final day of the major league baseball free agent draft.
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Brock, who spent the past two seasons at SWIC, was the 425th overall selection and the 20th choice in the round.
The 6-foot-3, 200-pounder says he is "leaning" toward playing at Oklahoma unless he is overwhelmed by the Brewers offer of a hefty signing bonus. Two years ago, Milwaukee signed 14th round choice Hayden Robinson, a pitcher from Berwick High in Berwick, Louisiana, to a $347,500 bonus.
Brock will make his decision in the next day or so and admitted it would take a lot to steer him away from Oklahoma, where he has wanted to play ever since growing up in nearby Oklahoma City.
"Playing major league baseball has always been a dream since I first picked up a baseball," Brock said. "Playing at Oklahoma has been right up there too."
Brendan Brock said he has been wearing Oklahoma shirts and hats for as long as he can remember.
A good majority of the family photos show Brendan donning the school colors of crimson and cream.
"He had so much Oklahoma stuff growing up," Joe recalled. "Still does."
Brock is already in Norman and working out with some of his potential OU teammates. The coaching staff wanted to make sure he had soaked in the Sooners environment for a week or so before the draft came around.
The Sooners, who compiled a 38-22 record last season, lost two catchers due to graduation and Brock has the potential to start right away should he choose the college route.
But whatever Brock decides, the end goal is playing professional baseball for a living.
"He has all the tools," Mascoutah High baseball coach Don Eddy said. "Usually you try to figure out what a player can't do. Not with him. There is nothing on a baseball field Brendan Brock can't do."
Brock is the first Mascoutah High baseball to player to be drafted professionally, according to long time Mascoutah athletics director Scott Battas.
A tough-nosed, old-school throwback catcher, Brock blossomed in 2022, his senior year at Mascoutah. He batted .477 with a team-best seven homers and 43 RBI. His slugging percentage of .890 was among tops in the area.
That breakout campaign came after a solid junior season where he hit .353.
"That senior year he really grew into his body," Eddy said. "He matured as a young man and just started to get after it on the field. A lot of players love the game, but he loves everything about it and that includes practicing which is where you get better."
Brock missed his first year at SWIC with a high ankle injury before posting back-to-back impressive seasons.
Last season, Brock was a first team NJCAA All-American and Region 24 player of the year who helped the Blue Storm post a 44-14 record.
Brock batted .462 with 20 home runs and 75 RBI to go along with 27 stolen bases last season for SWIC and finished as program's all-time home run leader with 35. He was the only NJCAA player last season with at least 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases.
He is expecting to make a decision about his future soon. In a perfect scenario, Brock hopes to turn in a strong junior year at Oklahoma that will improve his status for next year's draft.
"Whatever happens, I'm going to be fine with it," Brock said. "I'm just ready for the challenges that are ahead."
