Indio youth slugger to compete in Junior Home Run Derby at 2017 MLB All Star Game

INDIO, Calif.

From Davis Sports Complex in Indio, to Miami Beach– or at least to nearby Marlins Park. Instead of a swimsuit, Brayan Doran is bringing his hat, and the baseball bat.

“Going to Miami, Florida. It’s an all expenses paid for two. Eight different kids and I am going to do my best.” Brayan Doran said on his up-coming T-Mobile Junior Homerun Derby.

“I didn’t give him much of a chance. I was thinking there was going to be kids out there almost two years older than him and just do your best and see what happens.” His father Don Doran said.

“Been dropping bombs for along time, I wasn’t too surprised.” His coach & President of the league Daniel Watson said.

His best was good enough for the title and from the desert triple digits to the humid swamps of South Florida, Brayan will hopefully continue to be one 13-year-old you don’t take lightly.

“Teams intentional walk me because we have faced them a lot before. A lot of them just let the nerves get the best of them and I stay calm.” Brayan said.

“The nice thing about Brayan though is he has the eye-hand coordination. He’s a big boy but has great eye-hand coordination to go with it.” Watson added.

On Saturday, July 15th he’ll square off in the T-Mobile Junior Home Run Derby and try to bring the title home to Indio with has Dad by his side. “We’ve been practicing this stuff since he’s been 4-years old so I told mom, my turn.” Don Doran said. Surrounded by players he’s looked up to his entire life.

What player you most excited to see Brayan?

“Andre Dawson.”

For this slugger it’ll be just like another day at the Indio ball park, with this teammates cheering him on from home.

“I use the same approach I do in games. They said go out there and win it, we know you can do it.”