Jeff Brigham, a 2010 Thomas Jefferson High School graduate, was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the forth round of the recent Major League Baseball draft. For the Federal Way native who has spent his college years pitching for the University of Washington, Brigham said being drafted by the Dodgers is a dream come true.
“Being drafted is something you dream about when you’re growing up as a little kid,” he said. “It’s all about getting the opportunity to play professional baseball. It’s a pretty cool experience.”
Brigham said he’s headed to Arizona soon to get his official team physical, and then will head to Ogden, Utah to start playing Single A ball. The right-handed pitcher credited his success to his hometown of Federal Way, and all the baseball opportunities the city has to offer.
“I played National Little League, I got every opportunity I could from my coaches, and had a lot of good experiences,” Brigham said. “Coach [Mike] Church at Thomas Jefferson, he supported me all the way along my career. Growing up in Federal Way made me the player I am today.”
In his final season at the University of Washington, Brigham was 7-4 with a 2.90 ERA. He began his 2014 season scorching hot, giving up less than one run each in his first six starts. He missed his 2013 season due to arm surgery, but appeared in 11 games in 2012, and 23 games in 2011 as a true freshman.
His final year at Thomas Jefferson he hit .447 with 18 RBI and 24 runs, while posting a .76 ERA, and was The Mirror’s “Male Athlete of the Year” for 2009-10.
