Brandon Marklund is a poster boy for perseverance.

The 28-year-old Vancouver native comes to the Welland Jackfish after a number of stops and starts in his pitching career, including being overlooked in the Major League Baseball draft and two Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgeries.

“I always considered myself a late bloomer figuring things out in college,” Marklund said. “I wanted to prove to myself I could play at a higher competition so always had that drive to keep playing and see how far I could make it.”

Marklund attended Bryan College in Tennessee. After going undrafted, he hooked on with the Auckland Tuatara of the Australian Baseball League where he excelled enough to sign a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals after impressing them in a tryout. He also had a tryout with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

In 2019, Marklund made his debut in the Royals organization with the Lexington Legends of the Atlantic League, compiling a 4-0 record and 0.46 earned run average with 44 strikeouts and six saves. 

“It was unreal. One of my biggest goals was to get to affiliated ball with a professional organization. Kansas City took care of me very well and helped me become the pitcher I am,” he said.

After the season, he played for the Canadian national baseball team before things took a turn a quick downward turn.

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