Mt. Pleasant?s Braden Shull signs with Phillies

Mt. Pleasant?s Braden Shull decided Monday night to sign with the Philadelphia Phillies Major League Baseball organization.

?My dream has always been to play Major League Baseball, and this puts me a step closer to realizing that dream,? Shull said.

The Phillies called him with an offer at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, and he decided to sign the papers at 10:30 p.m. ? 30 minutes before the deadline.

?It was a very, very tough decision. It was a horribly tense, stressful day,? Shull said.

The family kept Steve James from Perfect Game USA on the phone all day.

?We didn?t have an official adviser,? Shull said. ?He was like an adviser to us.?

But the decision was still tough. ?I changed my mind at least a hundred times in my head," Shull said.

Before he was drafted, Shull had signed to play baseball with Kansas State next season.

?What made my decision so hard was the great coaching staff at (Kansas) State,? Shull said.

Tracey Shull, Braden?s mother, said that the Kansas State coaches were texting Braden all day, offering advice. "They were never biased,? she said.

Still ? playing ball for an MLB organization was his dream, and that opportunity was too much to pass up.

?It?s important to us for Braden to pursue his lifelong dreams. We agree with his decision,? Darren Shull, Braden's father, said. ?And it was a package deal, which was a big advantage for Braden."

In addition to Shull's salary and signing bonus, which he declined to disclose, part of Shull?s offer was having his school paid for, from the MLB Scholarship Fund.

?He gave up a full ride at Kansas State,? Tracey said.

Braden will be able to attend classes while he plays baseball, or after he is done playing. But for now, it?s off to a full-time job.

?(This opportunity) will help me develop in a professional setting ? I?m going into the workplace,? Shull said.

?It?s fun for him to write, employer: Philadelphia Phillies," Tracey said.

Braden added, ?The whole idea of professional baseball is very fun to me."

But he knows that it?s not going to be all fun and games.

?I expect to go there, to an environment where they push super hard, but to be able to excel, make myself known for my work ethic, move on in the next couple of years, and eventually play pro ball,? Shull said.

Shull flies out to Clearwater, Fla., on Sunday to play the last couple weeks of the season with the Gulf Coast League Phillies. Then he begins a season in the fall instructional league.

He?ll be back in Mt. Pleasant for two weeks before he starts spring training.

During spring training, the Phillies combine the major and minor league players, so Braden will get the chance to train with the pros.

?That?s when we?ll have to visit,? Tracey said, wth a laugh.

Darren has family living in the Tampa area, so Braden already has fans waiting for him in Florida.

When the family was in Florida on vacation, they got a chance to tour where Braden will live and train.

?It?s nice to know where he?s living, where he?s going,? Tracey said.

?I know the dress code, so I can prepare,? Braden said. ?It?s all collared shirts.? He went shopping for some on Tuesday.

His brothers, who are 16, 13, and six years old, look forward to following his path, their parents said. Braden's youngest brother just got a Phillies hat that looks just like the one Braden has.

The Phillies have also taken Braden into their clubhouse, so he could talk to players, and meet the manager and pitching coach.

One of players he talked to was Cole Hamels, Phillies' left-handed ace.

Braden, who grew up a Cubs fan, found himself watching the Phillies the last few years, because he likes Hamels.

?That was the most special part of the day,? Braden said.

Being a recently-converted Phillies fan made the draft and signing even sweeter for Braden.

?It was great to be drafted by the Phillies. But to play for any MLB team would be great," he said.

"It's a great organization ? one of the best,? Darren said. ?We?re excited for Braden.?

Braden himself is feeling many things ? excited, relived and a little nervous.

?It?s like a big breath of relief,? Shull said, referring to having made the decision. ?It?s a very exciting time ? the next chapter of my life. It?s scary, but exciting. I?m looking forward to working my tail off.?

When he moves to Florida, it will be the first time Braden has lived on his own. And that's not his only first ? when he made his decsion on Monday night, he became first Mt. Pleasant baseball player to sign an MLB contract straight out of high school.

?It?s a big deal, but he doesn?t realize how big of a deal it is,? Darren said, and Tracey added, ?He?s just doing what he?s loved since he could crawl over to pick up a bat.?