Selected in the 42nd round of the 2008 draft, Brad Brach was not on the radar of many Padres fans.  Brach was a starting pitcher at Monmouth University and even though he finished his college career as the school leader in wins and stikeouts, the 42nd round pick was not highly decorated.  The Padres moved Brach to the bullpen and he has not looked back.  With an amazing stickout to walk ratio, Brach has flown through the system.  On the way breaking the CAL record for saves in a season with the Lake Elsinore Storm in 2010.

Brach started the 2011 season with the eventual Texas League Champions, the San Antonio Missions.  After posting great numbers in San Antonio, Brach moved up to Tucson, appearing in just 25 games before he was called up to San Diego.  Brach works fast and has a bulldog mentality on the mound.  I recently caught up with Brad and he talked about  Cal Ripken, Heath Bell, and Giants football.

Who was your favorite baseball player growing up?

Cal Ripken Jr.

Who has been the most influential person in your baseball career?

I don't think I can say just one person, but I would say my teammates.

Ever since I was in high school, they all have been my biggest supporters on the field. Its a great feeling being on the mound and knowing that all the guys behind you are truly behind you and rooting for you to do well every time out there.

What do you think you would be doing now if you weren't playing baseball?

I would be a high school teacher and coaching basketball and baseball.

My college degree was for history education in high school, so that's what I would definitely be doing. The last few off seasons I was substituting at my old high school and helping coach basketball. I love being around kids and helping them learn in any way possible.

Who is the prankster in the clubhouse and what's their best work?

Heath Bell would do his best to make it lose, especially out in the bullpen. And I'm not sure who did it, but I came in after the last game and my cell phone had about 5 rolls of tape around it. So whoever was responsible for that prank, I gotta tip my cap to them.

Do you have any pre-game rituals? Were you able to learn anything from Padres closer Heath Bell during your time with the Padres?

My only pregame rituals I have is the routine once I begin stretching and throwing for the day. Besides that, I dont have any crazy things I need to do before the game.  And I was absolutely able to learn from Heath Bell. Especially when I first got up there, he made it known to me that I could ask him anything and everything and there as no such thing as a stupid question. So everytime I had a question I went to him and asked him. I especially picked his and Chad Qualls brains because of their experiences in the late innings of a ballgame. I aspire to be a closer, so hearing advice and talking situations and pitches with those guys in the best education on the game you could ever ask for.

What non-baseball teams that you root for?

I love the New York Giants. I also root for North Carolina Basketball.

If I had to pick and NBA team it would be the Boston Celtics.

So Brad Pitt just played Billy Beane in "Moneyball," who would you want to play you in a movie about your life?

Man that's a tough one. I would say I would want Bradley Cooper from the Hangover movies to play me. I liked him in those movies and also in the movie Limitless. We share a similar first name, and I think he would do a good job of playing me.