Brian Deak worked to beat other catchers to Atlanta; Played decade in minors, missed bigs

Entering his fourth pro season, Brian Deak was still considered to be on the the Braves' possible catchers of the future, The Durham Sun wrote. 

But he knew he had competition among other minor leaguers for the ultimate major league slot, he told The Sun.

"I've just got to go out and play better than them if I'm going to beat them to Atlanta," Deak told The Sun. "So far I'm happy to be where I am."

Deak went on to make AA the next year and AAA first in 1992. In a career that spanned a decade, however, Deak would never make the majors.

Deak's career began in 1986, taken by the Braves in the third round of the January draft out of Yavapai College in Arizona.

Deak started with the Braves at rookie Pulaski. He hit .325 in 62 games. He then moved to single-A Sumter for 1987.  He hit just .202 in 97 games there.

In July 1987, Deak spoke with The Arizona Republic about his hitting slump. He even ended up splitting time with another catcher.

"It's not something I'm used to and I don't really like it," Deak told The Republic of splitting time. "But I can't use it as an excuse for not hitting the ball well."

He played 1988 at single-A Burlington. He hit .246, with 20 home runs. He then moved to single-A Durham for 1989 and hit .236, with 21 home runs.

Deak split 1990 between high-A Durham and AA Greenville, played at Greenville in 1991 and then saw AAA Richmond in 1992. He hit .261 in 79 games at Richmond.

He moved to the Mariners and AAA Calgary for 1993, then the Padres and AAA Las Vegas for 1994. He played 1995 with the Cardinals at AAA Louisville. That April, he hit a pinch-hit, wind-aided grand slam.

"In most other parks and on most nights, that would have been an out, Deak told The Tennessean of his home run.

Deak saw 54 games with Louisville that year. He hit .228, with six home runs to end his career.

In 2023, Deak serves as Chief Financial Officer with Arion Care Solutions in his home state of Arizona.

• Arizona Republic, July 8, 1987: Batting slump in minors foreign concept to Deak
• Durham Sun, July 17, 1989: Deak's move behind plate pays dividends
• The Tennessean, April 19, 1995: Louisville puts slam on Nashville

More: The 1990 Durham Bulls

1990 Minor League Tally 

Players/Coaches Featured:4,172
Made the Majors:1,375-33.0%
Never Made Majors:2,797-67.0%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:558
10+ Seasons in the Minors:342-X