'The Work Is Just Beginning' For Pro Pitcher Belgrave

Nigel Belgrave RHP / Auburn, MA / 2020

JUPITER, Fla. - While the uncertainty of the MLB Draft is enormous, Nigel Belgrave believed he would be selected by a team from Florida. It just turned out to be a different one than expected.

“My advisor was telling me the Tampa Bay Rays were all in on you and gonna pick you,” Belgrave said. “But when my mom saw my name on the draft tracker she said ‘no you’re not.’ After that Miami called.”

It was with the 443rd pick that the Marlins took the 2020 Auburn High School graduate, who has since signed and has begun working out at the Marlins’ complex in Jupiter.

“I was excited and relieved,” Belgrave said of being drafted. “I was at my house with my mom and dad. It was stressful, but I was happy to eventually get the call. I just enjoyed the moment.”

With two years of college eligibility remaining after red-shirting his initial year at Maryland, Belgrave had options as to the direction to take in his future.

“I talked to some others that have been through the same situation and they gave me some advice,” Belgrave related. “I also talked to my coaches which gave me advice. That helped with my decision.

“I just want to get into pro ball and start my journey,” Brown explained. “I want to start working with coaches in pro ball.”

That is what the 21-year-old has been doing now for more than a week.

“I’m settling in and enjoying it,” noted Belgrave, whose typical day starts with breakfast before stretches, conditioning, playing catch, fielding practice, bullpens and lunch, culminating by “hanging out” in the afternoon.

“This is cool,” explained the 6-4 195-pound right-handed pitcher, who was 4-0 pitching in 29 relief appearances for the Big 10 champions. “It’s what I’ve been working for for 21 years now. I’m happy to be here but the work is just beginning.”

Belgrave understands what needs to be done on his end.

“I need more consistency,” the 15th-round draft pick said. “I need to trust myself, believe in myself with confidence. Be better on that side of things. I’ve become better with that.

“With my pitches, I want more depth with my slider and sinker and I need to work on developing my cutter and changeup.”

Making the journey to professional baseball more enjoyable is going through the same thing as another Auburn 2020 graduate, Coleman Picard, a pitcher for Bryant who was taken in the sixth round by the Royals.

“It shows if you work you can get drafted,” Belgrave said. “It’s great to have someone to talk to who is going through the same thing. We’ve been supporting each other on the whole ride. Our mom’s are best friends.”

Belgrave sees his ride a busy one in the coming weeks.

“I’ll build up my throwing for three or four weeks and eventually throw live in games,” Belgrave said. “In September I’ll probably head for home for the offseason.”

As for long-range goals, Belgrave has high hopes.

“As long as I’m moving up, that’s all I’m looking forward to doing,” Belgrave concluded. “As long as I keep making progress and moving up the ladder.”