Ben Verlander, in an effort to make his own name, decided in college to play at the plate rather than the mound. Pit file photo
[dropcap]F[/dropcap]or most professional baseball players, their first few seasons aren’t only about developing and maturing as an athlete, but also making a name for themselves within the organization. An athlete is usually known for his performances on the field, but when your older brother is Justin Verlander, everyone in baseball already knows who you are.
It might only be his first full season of professional baseball, but West Michigan Whitecaps’ outfielder Ben Verlander is doing everything he can to make it completely on his own.
Ben was first drafted in the 46th round by the Detroit Tigers 2010 after graduating high school. Being the younger brother of Tigers’ ace Justin Verlander played a large part in Ben getting selected by the Tigers, as it’s fairly common in Major League Baseball for teams to draft athletes who are related to people in the organization.
Determined, the younger Verlander decided to not sign with the Tigers, but instead chose to go to Old Dominion University where he hoped to create a name for himself.
While at Old Dominion, Verlander split his time his first two seasons as both an outfielder and a pitcher. When he was on the mound, fans and critics unrealistically expected him to be a younger version of his brother. Following his sophomore season, Verlander and the coaching staff as Old Dominion had a discussion about whether or not Verlander should continue to pitch.
“After my sophomore year I sat down with my coach and we realized that for me to make it where I want to get, something had to change,” Verlander said.
Ultimately, Verlander decided he wanted to give up pitching, allowing him to just focus on hitting instead. Not only did it give him the best opportunity to succeed, but it also allowed him to do what he loves most; play baseball
every day.
“It was a mutual decision. It was my head coach at ODU, Chris Finwood, and he didn’t push me in any one direction,” Verlander said of his decision. “He let me know what he felt I should do and become a hitter and I agreed. There’s nothing I want to do more than play baseball every single day, and as a pitcher you don’t really get that opportunity.”
During his junior year at Old Dominion, Verlander had a breakout season, batting .367 with 11 home runs, leading the team in both. At the beginning of the season, most MLB scouts didn’t have high hopes for him in the draft, but every hit during the course of the year slowly started changing their minds.
Ben was no longer just Justin’s brother, he was becoming a legitimate prospect. The hard work paid off for Ben when he was drafted by the Tigers in 14th round in 2013.
Ben Verlander, younger brother of Tigers’ Ace Justin Verlander, was selected by Detroit in the 14th round of the 2013 draft. Pit file photo
“It was really a completely different process,” Verlander said. “Out of high school I got drafted as Justin Verlander’s younger brother. After college, after my junior year, I was drafted as Ben Verlander the hitter. I think that’s why it meant so much more to me the second time.”
Verlander chose to skip his senior year of college to sign with the Tigers, bringing him one step closer to his dream of playing in Major League Baseball. The decision was a relatively simple one for Verlander to make.
“It’s been my dream to play Major League Baseball, and the opportunity came along and I thought it was time to take it. One year at college, it would’ve done me good for my game, my game would’ve improved but it can improve at professional ball as well. So I’m one year younger than some guys out here and I think that’s beneficial to me being a little bit younger and being able to play professional baseball,” Verlander said.
Of course, being Justin’s brother doesn’t come without some advantages, as Ben was able to talk baseball and hitting with several Tigers, including reigning American League MVP Miguel Cabrera. It’s an opportunity that not a lot of people get, especially for players who were just drafted, but one that Verlander is thankful for.
“That is one thing that’s being very beneficial about being Justin’s brother, I’ve been around those guys since he’s been up there and Miguel Cabrera’s been a part of that,” Verlander said. “I’ll talk to him whenever I’m there. He’s the best hitter at knowing what’s coming, he’s so smart in the batter’s box and that’s what I take from him. You’re not just going up there and swinging the bat, you’re going up there and trying to outsmart the pitcher. He’s the best in the world at that.”
In his first full season of minor league baseball, Verlander has impressed fans and scouts, leading the West Michigan Whitecaps with 18 RBIs in the first 33 games of the season. By continuing to drive in runs, Verlander not only has become a force in the Whitecaps’ lineup, but he’s continuing to make a name for himself each and every day.
Recently, The Pit had the chance to talk to Ben not only about his college career and transition to professional baseball, but also got to get to know the real Ben Verlander.
