Braden just wrapped up a Covid shortened 2021 season playing in Netherlands for RCH Pinguins. He signed on to be the teams closer and pitching coach. He posted a .87 ERA in 9 appearances, while holding opposing hitters to a .184 batting average and helping the team  promote to the Dutch Major League for 2022.

In 2019 Braden spent his second season playing in Netherlands for UVV. Where  he returned to the roll as the full time closer,after he made the switch half  way into the 2018 season.

In 2017-2018 Braden spent the winter down under playing in the Western Australian State League for the Swan Districts Baseball Club. Where he held down an era of 0.96 over 3 starts, throwing 2 complete games and one shutout in the process (see stats here ). 

Braden has been on the international circuit since 2014 and former teammates continue to praise his strong work ethic and character.

“Outstanding work ethic. The guy works his butt off every single day.” – Roldan Ochoa – Trebic Nuclears teammate and EU import.

“Always dependable on and off the field.” – Benedikt Weißenberger  – Manager of the Gauting Indians/2014 season teammate

In 2013 Braden graduated from Virginia Intermont College (NAIA) and has been overseas ever since with stops in Germany, Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary, the latter as a player-coach.

With  the Trebic Nuclears of the Czech second division Braden posted a 2.03 era over 44.3 innings of work, stats that awarded him a spot on the league All-Star team as the top reliever/closer in the league. Braden also pitched a combined 10 shutout innings of exhibition play against Technika Brno (Czech D1 ) and the Slovakian and Lithuanian national teams.

In 2016 he signed to play in Poland and run the youth program for Silesia Rybnik. He finished the season with an era of 1.59 and 70 strikeouts. In 2017 he took on the role as player-coach for the Budapest Reds out of Hungary, which compete in the Hungarian first division and the Euro Interleague. Braden was utilized both as a starting pitcher and  coaching all youth ages in addition to the mens team. He finished the season with an era of 3.25 and 61 strikeouts and only 7 walks over 58.1 innings pitched.

Braden throws a mid to upper 80’s fastball, complemented by a sharp slider and sinking change up. At the plate he is a contact hitter with the ability to hit for extra bases as shown by his .361 batting average in 2014 and 6 extra base hits.

Braden prides himself on hard work and staying in great physical health which enables him to pitch deep into games as a starter or pitch back-to-back days as reliever. He sticks to a strict throwing and training schedule to ensure he can meet the demands expected of him on the field. He is a loyal team member who is enthusiastic about coaching youth and using his time in Europe to be a mentor and spread his knowledge of the game. Braden would be a great candidate for any club looking for some continuity within their youth program as he is interested in potentially staying with a club longer term is it is a good fit for both the club and himself.

Athletic/ Pitching Metrics