DENVER – After a season as the University of West Florida's most dominant relief arm, left handed pitcher Brian Browning has signed a professional contract with the Colorado Rockies, becoming the 42^nd UWF product since 1982 to sign a contract with a Major League Baseball club.  
 
"Zack Zulli, a scout for the Rockies has been watching me close since junior college at Northwest Florida State," said Browning. "He's stuck with me throughout the years, and we've had a few conversations about pro ball. I was pretty bummed out after not being drafted, but about a couple days ago he (Zulli) called and said something might come up with the Rockies,"
 
Browning has been assigned to the Boise Hawks, Colorado's short-season A affiliate. Set for the move to Idaho, Browning's professional debut could come in Boise's next three contests come against the Tri-City Dust Devils, the short-season A affiliate of the San Diego Padres.
 
"I thought I was dreaming," said Browning about getting the call. "Nothing happened with the draft, and now it's a month after that. I'm still in shock a bit and I'm still trying to believe that I'm about to go play pro ball. I want to thank the Rockies organization for giving me a chance and I can't wait to get started."
 
Browning made a team-high 19 appearances for the Argos in 2017, including five starts. The Homewood, Alabama native particularly thrived coming out of the bullpen, posting a dominant 0.92 ERA and .134 opponent batting average in 29.1 relief innings. For the season, the hard-throwing lefty recorded a 4-3 record, a 3.78 ERA, and a .234 opponent batting average in 50 innings pitched.
 
"Two days ago I was working at Portofino on Pensacola Beach and now I'm on a flight to Boise where a host family is going to pick me up and I get to start my professional career. It's crazy to think about and I'm thankful for all the awesome support I had at UWF and from my friends and family," stated Browning.  
 
Four UWF alumni have reached the big leagues, including Miami Marlins relief pitcher Brian Ellington. Ellington is currently with Miami's AAA affiliate, the New Orleans Baby Cakes, and has performed well in his stints at the major-league level over the past three years. Over his MLB career, Ellington owns a 3.49 ERA in 69.2 innings pitched.
 
"I'm very excited for Brian to sign with the Rockies and get an opportunity to play at the next level," said UWF head coach Mike Jeffcoat. "As a senior transfer, he blended in well with the team and really thrived coming out of the bullpen for us. We're happy to continue to add to that list of players getting a shot at the next level."
 
Browning joins two other former Argonauts who are in the minor-league ranks, including Jordan DeLorenzo (2012-14) and Ledarious Clark (2015). DeLorenzo is currently on the 60-day disabled list for the St. Louis Cardinals, while Clark is hitting .236 with a team-high eight home runs, 28 RBI, and 15 stolen bases for the Down East Wood Ducks, the high-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers.