Baseball Life 365: As a kid growing up, what are your first memories of baseball?



Brady Lail: My first memory of baseball is watching my older brother play ball! I remember being at different ball fields all the time, having my dad toss me baseballs to hit! I even remember going up to other dads that had kids on my brother’s team to ask them if they would pitch to me! (My dad wanted to watch the game and said he couldn't! I wasn't taking "no" for an answer! Haha) I always wanted to be as good as my brother Ben!

​

BL365: What was the first MLB game that you attended?



BL: My first Major League Baseball game I went to was the Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Texas Rangers at Chase Field.



BL365:  Who was your favorite MLB player growing up and why?



BL: My favorite player when I was growing up was Chipper Jones! Hate to admit it but my parents were huge Braves fans (still are), but every game that was on TV was the Braves and I loved seeing such an amazing athlete and leader on the field!



BL365: At Bingham High School in Utah, you fielded, pitched and hit. In addition, you were the high school’s football quarterback! Out of all the honors and awards you received, what accomplishment meant the most to you during your high school career?



BL: My greatest accomplishment at Bingham High School was honestly just being with such a great program in both football and baseball. They’re great coaches and an amazing tradition there at Bingham. Other honors from high school that meant a lot was winning the state championship in baseball as a junior, being first team all state and I was announced on ESPN top 100 baseball players in my age group, in the nation.  Very honored for that!

BL365: Post high school, you had committed to play baseball for the University of Arizona. Would you have been a pitcher there or played SS?



BL: After HS I signed to go to the University of Arizona as just a pitcher!



BL365: The 2012 MLB Draft rolled around and the Yankees came calling. You accepted. What were you doing when you found out the Yankees had drafted you? What was going through your mind and how did you celebrate?



BL: The first day of the draft I actually went golfing with my hero of a father! He thought I needed to get my mind off the draft a little and have some fun! So we went and played 18 holes at a beautiful golf course in Salt Lake!  My thought process was honestly pray and hope that I get the chance to live my dream!! I just thought positive and knew whatever happened I still get to play the game of baseball, either at the University of Arizona or the organization that takes the chance on me! When my name came up, I was very happy! I couldn't describe in words how I felt especially when I saw which team drafted me! My mom and dad were right there on my side the whole time!



 

BL365: Have you been to Yankee Stadium? What MLB players have you met?



BL:I actually haven't been to Yankee Stadium (hoping I will). And I have met a stud pitcher Joba Chamberlain, and I got the great opportunity to pitch against Mark Teixeria!





BL365: How hard a decision was that to make to turn down Arizona and would you make the same decision again?



BL: Making my decision was a pretty tough one.. Arizona or grow up and play pro ball!  I mean the UofA gave me an unbelievable scholarship, but it came down to me realizing what an amazing opportunity this is and I might not get that chance again if I went to college.  I would not change my decision at all.  I would definitely make it again!



BL365: After the draft you were able to get some time in with the Gulf Coast League. How would you size up your first taste of the minor league lifestyle? What were the major challenges transitioning from high school baseball to pro ball?



BL: The GCL is pretty tough! I mean it’s not the first thing people think about when they think of "pro-ball"! But it's still playing with that logo on your jersey. The biggest change from HS to Pro ball were the players of course.  You were playing the best of the best everyday!



BL365: You also went to Instructional League after the 2012 season.Describe how your experience with instructs impacted your game.



BL: Instructs were great! I was honored that I got the chance to come down and be apart of Instructional League! I learned so much in that two-three week span. It really helped me with some little tweaks to my mechanics and helped me become more of a pitcher!



BL365: What did you spend your off season doing?



BL: During the off-season I helped out a local high school! Did some pitching lessons and took advantage of their catchers.  I learned so much just teaching and helping some great kids. I kept in the weight room as much as I could trying to get bigger physically and get into a good routine with everything I do.



BL365: Since reporting for your first Spring Training, what has been the biggest hurdle you have had to overcome? What does a day in the typical S.T. schedule look like?



BL: Spring Training just made me realize you better be ready for the grind! Stretch, conditioning, throwing program, bull pen, lifting, games, every single day… Better be ready!!

 

BL365: What pitches are you packing in your arsenal? Your best pitch has been your curve ball – is that still the case? Anything new in the repertoire? What’s your fastball sitting at right now?



BL: Well I throw a four-seam fastball, two-seam fastball, change-up and my Knuckle-Curve. And yes I believe my knuckle curve is still my go to pitch! I have definitely gained confidence with commanding my fastball and my change up. During my time in the Dominican Republic, my fastball was sitting consistent 90-93.



BL365: What is your approach at attacking batters?



BL: When I attack hitters it's simple, the pitcher controls the game. When you get up on the mound, you have to possess that confidence. You can't back down from a hitter! You go get them with your best stuff 1 through 9 in the line-up… Have confidence and throw the baseball like you have done since you were 5 years old! 



BL365: How do you spend your downtime? Lots of X-Box or Golfing?



BL: In my down time, I'm a Call of Duty guy on Xbox. Nothing like relaxing after a long hard day at the ball field and playing Call of Duty. I'm a huge golfer as well. I love to go out with my dad or friends and play a good round of golf.



BL365: Do you have any obsessions or collections such as lids or kicks? Maybe watches?



BL: Hmm.. I don't really have collections but I'm obsessed with nice watches definitely.



 

BL365: What career path would you have taken had you not been a professional baseball player?



BL: I would have gone to school for communications or business communications. I would do something wheret I'm still involved with the game of baseball!
   

BL365: If you could be any superhero, who would you choose and why?



BL:  Any super hero? Definitely Batman! Batman is my guy. Has been since I was little.  He is a straight stud, awesome gadgets and seriously isn't scared of anyone or any situations!

BL365: Do you have any favorite life quote or verse that you live by?

BL:  A big quote for me is either "Angels Among Us" or "Success Stops When You Do"! I always believe that the loved ones that I have lost are a big reason why I am here today and the way I am!

​

BL365: What do you want your legacy to be? How do you want to be remembered? 

​

BL: I want to be known or remembered as being an amazing person, not necessarily a great athlete but someone kids could look up to and adults could be like "wow" not only is Brady a good ball player, but he is an amazing person off the field!