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Broughton Thrilled To Sign Pro Contract With Brewers

NORTHVILLE - What an up-and-down year it has been for Joey Broughton.

An injury that ended up in Tommy John Surgery limited his time on the field to just hitting and playing first base in a senior year at Northville that ended in a state championship. It also brought some uncertainty when it came to the Major League Baseball Draft.

But it all worked out nicely in the end, with the ninth-rated 2024 left-handed pitcher in the nation selected by the Brewers in the 13th round of the July draft. Broughton eventually inked his pro contract for a signing bonus of $535,000, exceeding all others taken in the round.

“As long as I can remember, it’s what I’ve wanted to do,” Broughton said. “Ever since I was a kid, since I was two-years-old, when I was asked what I wanted to be, I’d say a pro baseball player. To have the opportunity to do it out of high school is insane.”

It was a memorable moment to be with family when he heard he was chosen with the 395th pick. 

“It was surreal,” Broughton reflected. “I didn’t know how to react. There were a lot of emotions. It was the coolest thing to hear my name and being with my mom. As soon as I found out I had a ton of calls and texts from family and friends. The phone was blowing up.”

The 18-year-old had a hint that it might happen.

“My advisor called the day before and said the Brewers might take me,” Broughton noted.

Others had also had an eye on the 6-2 197-pound southpaw.

“Up to the draft I was talking mostly to the Rangers,” explained the top-rated 2024 LHP in the state. “Pro scouts started taking interest in the fall and winter. I had meetings with 15 to 20 different teams where they would try to find out who you are as a person and get a feel for your personality.”

But doubt entered the picture on March 2.

“I threw a curveball and felt my elbow,” Broughton related. “It was a partial tear so I rehabbed that injury. A couple months later it wasn’t working and had an operation on July 2. I’m really happy how it went.”

Admittedly, it was difficult not being able to pitch his senior season at Northville.

“It was really, really tough not to go out and do my job,” Broughton said. “But I was happy to hit at the end of the season and I had a couple clutch hits to help the team get to the state championship game.” 

The third-ranked 2024 in Michigan, who had a single, double and four RBIs in the state semifinal win over Bay City Western, had uncertain expectations entering the draft.

“With my injury I wasn’t sure how it would go,” Broughton noted. “I was optimistic, but not expecting too much. I’m grateful for how it turned out.

“The Brewers said I proved myself enough before (the injury). They have some of the best rehab facilities and I’m confident I can get back to where I was before, or even better.”

High school teammate Dante Nori, who was a first-round selection of the Phillies, brought comfort leading up to the draft.

“We talked about it a ton,” Broughton said. “It was nice to have someone with similar goals to talk to and push me and help get me through the process.”

A pro contract means no college for Broughton, who had signed with the University of Pittsburgh.

“I appreciate all the Pitt coaches and what they did for me,” Broughton explained. “I think they’re top-notch. But the decision was easy for me and I’m happy how it worked out. I’ve been dreaming of this my whole life. I called the head coach and the assistant coach and they were really supportive of me.”

Broughton, who accepted the offer from the Brewers on July 31 and drove to Milwaukee to sign his pro contract, is home until leaving for Arizona later this week to begin rehab with the organization.

“I’ll go to the facilities, work out and rehab and then back to the apartment,” Broughton said of what his daily routine will be.

Broughton, who has four to six months without touching a baseball and 12-13 months until pitching again, looks forward to a bright future on the diamond once healthy.

“I look at this as step one,” Broughton said. “The job’s not done yet. I’ve still got to work hard. There’s still a lot to do to get better so I can get a shot at the majors.”

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