Denmark, S.C. – Voorhees University alumnus Henriadam Brower recently signed a Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft League Professional Contract to showcase his skills to MLB teams from July 22 through Sept. 4. He will participate in the program’s second half, which will award 26 contracts at the end of the season.
“The program will allow me to play before professional baseball scouts and fans,” said Brower. “We will have baseball games every day except Mondays. We will play nine innings, and I will play infield positions.”
“We share Mr. Brower’s enthusiasm about this most recent success in his life. He is a shining example of how faith, persistence and being your best self can help lift you to the next level of excellence,” said Ronnie Hopkins, president of Voorhees University.
Brower is grateful to Albert (Bert) Strane, who mentioned his name to the MLB Draft League program. He met Strane, who has a 65-year minor league baseball career, and Ronnie (Ron) Jackson, a coach and former MLB player, during the HBCU All-Star game recently played in Atlanta.
“I was honored that he thought enough of me and my skills to make the recommendation,” said Brower. “I had been told by scouts earlier that there was no chance for me to have a career in baseball. But I have learned that what God has for you is for you. I am blessed.”
According to its website, the MLB Draft League program will provide free housing for participants and educational programming designed to prepare them for careers as professional athletes. They will get a feel for life as a professional player with travel and continuous game play. There is no fee to participate in the program.
There are six teams in the league that are geographically located in New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Games will be played at facilities that are former minor-league stadiums.
Brower said that he and his parents are excited and feel that he has conquered the odds. He was not a top-ranked player, he did not have the best stats and the programs in which he participated did not have the best facilities. Yet, he said, he has been blessed with this opportunity.
Brower’s team won the HBCU All-Star game. He played shortstop and second base. He graduated from Voorhees in May. During his matriculation at the institution, he was a presidential scholar, a member of the honors college and the international studies program and Mr. Voorhees University. Brower, who was also a member of the Voorhees Baseball Team, has played the game since he was five years old.
While his first career priority is being a MLB player, Brower plans to continue his entrepreneurial spirit as a fashion designer.
