Local Kid's Baseball Dream Fulfilled: Danville's Own Braeden Fausnaught's Rise to Hometown Team

Danville, Pennsylvania native, LHP Braeden Fausnaught, grew up rooting for the Phillies, idolizing Cole Hamels and Cliff Lee. Now, he's a professional pitcher with his hometown team.

A 2022 West Chester University grad, Fausnaught was signed by the Phillies as an undrafted free agent on July 30, 2022. He began his collegiate career at Hartford Community College, then transferred to West Chester University in 2020.

Fausnaught made his pro debut on August 20, 2022, with the Florida Complex League Phillies and is currently in his second full professional season, having spent 2023 with Low-A Clearwater.

"This is the culmination of everything I've worked for over the past six or seven years," Fausnaught said upon signing with the Phillies. "It's what you dream about as a kid in Little League. But now that the day is here, I can't describe the feeling.”

In his senior campaign, Fausnaught set multiple records at West Chester, becoming the only pitcher with over 100 strikeouts in a season (130) and breaking the single-season marks for starts (18) and innings pitched (104). He led the team to the Atlantic Region title and the NCAA Division II National Championships.

On August 13, the 25-year-old was promoted to Reading from High-A Jersey Shore, making his Double-A debut the next day. He pitched five innings, allowed one earned run, and struck out five in front of 70 friends and family.

“There’s a lot of nerves and adrenaline,” Fausnaught said post-game on his approach heading into the start. “I wanted to throw strike one and get the first guy out. I didn’t get him at first, but got him the next time around. Just continue to learn at this level.”

Before his Double-A promotion, Fausnaught excelled at Jersey Shore, posting an 8-3 record with a 3.65 ERA, 90 strikeouts, and a 1.23 WHIP in 98.2 innings. He was named South Atlantic League pitcher of the week on May 6.

In an interview with R-Phils broadcaster Jake Starr, Fausnaught expressed his love for his home state and the Phillies organization. “It’s beautiful here. I love Pennsylvania…I’m enjoying my time here and I think its a great spot, a place where I hope to succeed and continue to get better.”