Kevin Vandebrake played two seasons, became coach, AD

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Kevin VanDeBrake 1991 Yakima Bears baseball card

Speaking in his second season of college summer ball in 2016, Jace VanDeBrake credited his father, Kevin VanDeBrake, a former minor leaguer, with helping him get to where he was, both personally and athletically, according to InfinityProSports.com.

"He always told us to do what we love, whatever that may be," Jace VanDeBrake told the site. "But it turns out that for me and my younger brothers, we do want to play baseball."

The younger VanDeBrake then also played for Gonzaga. The elder VanDeBrake made the pros. Kevin VanDeBrake played two seasons. He made low-A.

Kevin VanDeBrake's career began in 1990, signed by the Dodgers as a free agent out of Taft College and Loyola Marymount University. VanDeBrake was also credited as Kevin Van De Brake.

VanDeBrake played his high school ball in Selah, Washington. He also played basketball and football there. 

Following the 1985 football season, The Tri-City Herald referred to VanDeBrake as the "league's most versatile player." Going into the 1985-1986 basketball season, his coach praised him in The Herald for his speed and quickness.

He was also drafted out of high school, in the 29th round of 1986 by the Phillies, but he chose college. At Taft in March 1988, VanDeBrake picked up three hits in a game.  

With the Dodgers, VanDeBrake played his first season between the rookie Gulf Coast League and short-season Yakima. He saw 24 games in the GCL and five at Yakima. He hit .235 between them.

He returned to Yakima for 1991. He got into 30 games that year and hit .225. That season marked his last as a pro.

VanDeBrake soon settled in Yakima. By 1996, he was baseball coach. He later became the school's athletic director, a job he held in 2016. 

Kevin VanDeBrake 1991 Yakima Bears baseball card


1990 Minor League Tally 
Players/Coaches Featured:4,568
Made the Majors:1,446-31.7%
Never Made Majors:3,122-68.3%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:590
10+ Seasons in the Minors:362

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