Former RIT starting pitcher Stevie Branche signed as a free agent with the Cincinnati Reds.

The 2019 Liberty League Pitcher of the Year, Branche came from New Paltz to Henrietta as an infielder but his senior year of high school, had shoulder surgery forcing him to redshirt.

Tigers coach Rob Grow liked him as a pitcher and Branche put in the work, going 12-6 in his career with a 3.35 ERA and 180 strikeouts in 163 and 2/3 innings. He made only two starts his senior year due to the COVID, those on RIT's trip to Florida. He says it was the first time his pitch speed got up to 95 mph in his career, "That was gonna be a season where a lot of scouts were gonna be at just about every game and there was eight at my first game in Florida, so I was pumped that so many had come out," said Branche.

The Sunday after the five-round draft was completed, Branche received calls from both the Giants and Reds and chose Cincinnati based on the farm system and player development but he is happy to have the chance to make his hard work pay off. "Just a lot of gratitude to even be able to even be put into this position or opportunity, just a lot of gratitude, it's definitely a blessing to continue to play this game so it was a lot of emotion at the time."

With a Minor League Baseball season looking unlikely at this point, Branche will have a few months to get ready for his first pro season.