Prep Baseball: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at and what impressed you most about Vanderbilt?

De Brun: On August 1st last year, I thought I’d get a few calls—but nothing special. But then on July 28th, at the PBR Futures Games, I got a big hit—a walk-off home run. With that, I flashed a power potential that coaches probably did not think I had. That’s when things heated up. I was looking for a college program that had a track record of success, big-time academics, and somewhere where I felt at home. At Vanderbilt, that track record of success is obvious. Vandy is also ranked as high as #13 in academics in the U.S., so that was massive as well. And then on my visit, I immediately felt at home. I met a bunch of players, and Coach Corbin took me through one of his coveted classroom sessions. As soon as I observed the focus and intention displayed in that room, I knew I had found my home.

PB: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Where did the school you committed to first see you play?

DB: The recruiting process picked up for me after my July 28th walk-off bomb at the PBR Futures Games. That is where Vanderbilt watched me play. Almost every single D1 school goes to the Futures Games. Of course, this is a PBR article, but I would say this to anyone. PBR Futures Games is the single most important event you can attend as an uncommitted player.

PB: What are you most looking forward to when it comes to playing college baseball? What is the biggest thing you think you will learn/gain from playing for Coach Corbin and his staff and a program with such success in the last decade plus?

DB: I am looking forward to my teammates having the same intensity level and drive and energy that I believe that I have. If we are collectively all focused on the same thing, we will have success. I am therefore excited to develop personal relationships with every dude, so we are able to do this. Coach Corbin has so much to teach, but he has figured out how to win with completely different rosters so many times. Whether it’s the mentality and culture that I know Vandy has, or something else, I’m excited to learn how and why Coach Corbin has gotten every group of guys to win so far. Hopefully, we follow suit. Of course, I am also excited to learn from Coach Corbin on how to be a better man, something that we will focus on every single day. 

PB: In your opinion who is the best player you have faced in the state? What about them makes for a tough opponent?

DB: River Hamilton is probably the toughest player I have faced in the state. The fastball is 95 and the off-speed is premium. Therefore, I had to bunt. River is ultra-competitive and doesn’t make excuses. I think of myself in the same way. When you have two kids like that going head to head, it usually makes for a pretty good battle. 

PB: At what point in your career did you realize you were a college-caliber player and became serious about taking your game to the next level?

DB: After playing JV2 ball my freshman year, I knew I had to turn it on. I was coming from soccer and basketball, and still fresh in baseball. That summer I participated in the NW Summer League. There I found some success and began to have conversations with my first college program. It was then that I knew I could do it. I was extremely un-polished at this time, and I knew that if I already had a look, I would get more if I put in the time. So I did that.

PB: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are? 

DB: Control the controllables. There are only so many things that you can control in baseball. You can’t control what the pitcher will throw, but you can control what you swing at. Focusing on only the part you need to, play in every moment, and you will simplify baseball. Bottom 9, down by 3 with the bases loaded??? I’m going to control the controllables and look only for a pitch over the heart of the plate that I can put in the gap. No need in this situation to just put the ball in play, and settle for a swing at a pitchers pitch—we are down by 3. Having a bad day overall? I sprint on and off the field every single inning of every single game, and I ALWAYS try to play the best defense I can. I’m controlling the controllables. This can turn a “bad” day into a productive one. Secondly, DO NOT let anyone tell you that it’s not possible for any reason. I’m short. People will say you can’t get it done because of stuff you can’t control. But that’s just not true. That sort of thing becomes a number when you work hard enough to make it not matter. 

PB: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?

DB: I’d say that it was probably beating #1 seed Canby in this past year’s state semifinal. We played in front of the biggest crowd I have ever played in front of, but we felt no pressure being the underdog. We played with extreme and intense energy, and it was the most together I’ve ever felt with a team. We were all genuinely rooting for each other’s success, which made for…success.

PB: Any game day superstitions or routines?

DB: Superstition? I guess I wear the same underwear for almost every game [awkward emojis were added to his response]. But past that, I have a pretty developed routine. I warm up the bat the same way every day if possible, I warm up my arm the same way every day. And in high school, I warm up the fielding the same way every day.  Hitting: start no stride, move to all oppo, then expand. Throwing: Bands, 2 underhand arm circle throws, 3 overhand arm circle throws. Move back slowly until about 300 feet. Defense: Ground ball fly ball and throwing hard through my cuts, and then pregame game inny—outty. 

PB: Give us a quick preview of what to expect from your HS team next season. How do you feel your team will be in 2025?

DB: We will have a very similar team to this year. We did lose some valuable seniors, but I think our 2027 and 2028 classes are some of the best in school history. I’m sure we will have some freshmen on varsity, and our sophomores will need to step up. I don’t see how we can be worse in the regular and pre-season than this year—we started 3-11. But we finished strong. And since we should have that same strong chemistry as we did last year with a pretty similar team, we will attempt to do finish strong once again. We are absolutely in a spot where we can win a state championship.