Cullowhee, N.C. – Western Carolina RHP
Brandon Langley signed a minor league contract as an undrafted free agent this week with the San Diego Padres following a successful 2025 season in a Catamount uniform. Langley's contract cleared MLB transactions on Thursday as the Canadian-born hurler inked with The Friars.
Langley is the first Catamount to sign as an undrafted free agent since 2021, when Jack Snyder was picked up by the Tampa Bay Rays after the draft. Langley is the third Catamount to be signed by San Diego as a free agent, joining RHP Chase Walter (2020) and RHP Korey Anderson (2017). RHP Daniel Ottone (33rd round, 2010) is WCU's only Padres' draft pick, while Paul Menhart is the lone former WCU baseball player to see the MLB roster back in 1997.
Langley's 2025 season in Cullowhee turned heads as the 6-6, 240-lbs., hard-throwing righty boasted a 3.71 collective ERA and tied for the Southern Conference lead with eight saves – ninth in WCU's single-season record books. He tossed 34 innings over his 25 relief appearances, adding a 2-1 seasonal record. He struck out 44 batters over his 34 innings, posting at least one K in 20 of his 25 appearances, and did not allow a run in 16 of the 25 times he went to the mound.
Listed on the National College Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Stopper of the Year Midseason Watch List, Langley held opponents to just a .143 batting average against during the season. He collected Southern Conference Pitcher of the Week honors after earning a win over Big Ten foe Michigan State and a save against Georgia State out of the Sun Belt Conference in the same week. Langley was credited with the victory in WCU's come-from-behind win over the Spartans at Fluor Field, striking out a career-high six over 2.1 relief innings. His save at Georgia State was his first as a Catamount.
Langley's body of work landed him a spot in the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League with the Cotuit Kettleers in Massachusetts. In just two appearances in the Northeast, the Prince Edward Island product went 1-0 while tossing 3.1 innings of hitless, scoreless relief with four strikeouts.
Before coming to Cullowhee, Langley spent two seasons at USC Lancaster, where he made 26 combined appearances with 25 in relief, collecting three wins on the mound. He struck out 63 batters over two seasons, including 43 in 2022-23, against 19 walks over 42.2 innings.
In addition to Langley signing this week, all four Catamounts drafted on the second day of the 2025 MLB Draft have also signed with their respective clubs as of July 22.
Right-handed pitcher
Dusty Revis, selected in the 11th round, and OF
Brayden Corn, drafted in the 15th – both by the Seattle Mariners – signed their contracts back on July 19. Outfielder
Hayden Friese, the third Catamount that could have returned for the 2026 season, inked his deal with the Atlanta Braves on July 22 after being taken in the 20th round. Senior RHP
Cannon Pickell, another 20th-round selection by the Miami Marlins, signed with the South Florida franchise on July 22.
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