Former Charles Henderson Trojan Bryson Gandy was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in June’s Major League Baseball Draft. Now, nearly four months later he can reflect on a successful first year in professional baseball.

Gandy was drafted in the 32nd round of the draft by the Twins and was immediately sent to Fort Meyers to play for the Gulf Coast League Twins of Rookie Ball.

Despite a key injury and a slow start, Gandy finished with a .240 batting average. He finished with five extra base hits and eight RBI in 27 games as an outfielder for the GCL Twins.

“It was pretty tough at first,” Gandy said. “When I first got here, I felt like I was horrible. Then in the middle and towards the end of the season, I found my rhythm and I got my timing back. I felt like I was back to being the Bryson that I am.”

Gandy joined the Twins organization after spending two seasons at Wallace Community College.

Gandy went from juggling baseball and schoolwork to spending hours on the baseball field playing the sport that he loves.

“It’s fun just doing baseball because it’s something you love,” Gandy said. “It got to a point where I was like ‘Man, it’s so hot out here,’ but then I realized that this is my job. I fought through adversity. I came out every day and had practice before every game. It was tough, but coaches told me I had to learn my body and learn my limits.”

After spending the spring competing in the junior college ranks, Gandy was thrown into professional baseball, which involved a steep learning curve.

“It was the biggest test that I have ever had to deal with in baseball,” Gandy said. “There was a difference in velocity. Then, if you couldn’t hit the curve ball, pitchers are going to keep coming at you with breaking balls.”

Handling the breaking ball was Gandy’s biggest challenge in year one. Throughout the year, Gandy spent time working with coaches in hopes of getting a better look at the pitch.

“At practice, all I was working on with coaches was putting the bat to the ball and getting the best swing,” Gandy said. “I was just seeing the rotation of the ball more. I was doing extra work to get more comfortable. Eventually I found it and it all went together from there.”

Unfortunately, Gandy’s season ultimately came to an end when he tore a muscle in his throwing hand.

“I’m not going to say I’m 100 percent, but I’m getting close to it,” Gandy said. “My last day of rehab is Saturday. Every day I had to go in the training room for an hour of rehab work. It was tough. It kind of killed my confidence at first. I didn’t know if they were going to try and cut me because of my injury. I fought back and did what I had to do to get healthy.”

In the offseason, Gandy hopes to improve his strength and stamina for what is sure to be another lengthy season next year.

“I want to bulk up more,” Gandy said. “I’m a big guy, but I need to be bigger.”

Gandy will spend the offseason back at Wallace Community College where he will continue to finetune his craft.

“I’m just going to work on seeing the breaking ball more. That’s what I need to work on the most. I am going to harp on getting bigger, faster and seeing the breaking pitch more.”

Gandy will report to spring Training next February in Fort Meyers. He will then learn if he will report back to the GCL Twins or move up to a higher affiliate within the Twins organization.