On Facebook, Brubaker’s mom Teresa wrote, “Thank you Adam and Bob. (JTs agents) Black and yellow are my favorite colors. Today is an exciting day for the Brubakers and our local community. Good luck to J.T. Hopefully you make your debut tonight, and if not there’s always tomorrow. No matter when it happens, we all will be watching. So proud of you and how hard you have worked for this moment. Becoming a professional baseball player is not for the weak. It takes unbelievable dedication, not only for you as the player but for the family and friends that support them. God has blessed you with a special talent. Show them all why you belong there.”
A 2012 Tecumseh graduate who pitched three seasons for the Akron Zips, Brubaker was on a path to the big leagues after posting an 8-4 record and 3.10 ERA with the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians in 2018. Then a right forearm strain a year ago delayed his ascent.
Brubaker, 26, made four starts in April of 2019 for Indianapolis and then two rehab starts in June with the Class A West Virginia Black Bears. He worked out at the Pirates’ spring training facility for much of the spring and said in May he was 100 percent healthy and ready for whatever the Pirates needed this summer.
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