Bratcher signs with Fontbonne University

A young boy’s vision of playing collegiate baseball became a reality on Friday at Poplar Bluff High School.

Senior pitcher Dylan Bratcher will get to live out his childhood dream of playing high-level baseball as he signed his National Letter of Intent to play for the Fontbonne University Griffins baseball team.

“It feels awesome,” Bratcher said. “All my hard work has finally paid off. I’ve dreamed of this since I was a little kid, and I finally get to show my talent on a much bigger stage.”

Known for showing his classmates a lot of support from the sidelines, Bratcher was ecstatic to see all the love during his signing with his family, friends and teammates in attendance. He said it will be a moment that he will never forget as he watched from the podium with all eyes on him.

“Having all these people here just shows how much I’ve put in for this community,” Bratcher said. “I can truly tell that this community loves and treasures all the stuff I do for them when it comes to support. It feels great to have this community to support me through all my decisions for what I do to continue my career.”

As a lover of the sport, Bratcher said getting a chance to play at the next level is still unreal. When it came to making his decision on where to play, he said the atmosphere around the team and school won him over.

Bratcher said he liked the coach’s demeanor and positivity, which drove him to play there. He sees this move as a way to become a ballplayer and a great path to even make the pros one day.

For his junior season, Bratcher faced off against 304 batters while taking a 6-4 record on the mound and finished with 56 strikeouts. Behind the plate, he connected with 15 singles and recorded 17 RBIs. While throwing heat from the mound, Brachter unexpectedly broke some pitching records that truly showcase his longevity.

Bratcher broke the record for the most innings pitched in a season with 61, the most games started as a pitcher with 14 and the most games pitched in a season with 16, which Tanner Tibbs previously held with 12 in 2017.

He will step onto the mound for his final season with the Mules, and it has finally sunk in that this will be his last hurrah with his team.

“It’s definitely scary because it is the last season of a journey that I’ve put myself through,” Bratcher said. “I’m excited, but it’s also starting to hit me. I just want to make great memories, have a fun season with the guys and succeed as a team overall.”

Mules head baseball coach John David Pattillo said it’s a happy moment to see one of his players move on to bigger things, and he’s ready to see him play his last season.

“I’m excited for him,” Pattillo said. “Our families go a long way back, and I played baseball with his father, so it is exciting for me to see some of his kids grow up and get a chance to play college baseball. Dylan is going to a good school, and he’s a good academic athlete and I can’t wait to watch him excel. I’m expecting big things from him this season. He carried a load for us last year with pitching, so I’m expecting the same.”

As Bratcher steps to the plate one last time for the Mules, he said having a good mindset will set the tone for his senior season.

“My mindset is just to put in the work every day and put in what I want to get out on the field,” he said. “I try to preach to the guys on the field. I want to have leadership skills and provide the same mindset to my teammates. I really want to win a district and state championship. With the guys behind me when I’m pitching, it is definitely accomplishable with all the talent we have around us.”