Menser transfers from Cincy to JALC
CARTERVILLE - Former Waltonville/Sesser-Valier ace Brandon Menser is coming home.
More specifically, he's coming to John A. Logan College, where he will play for the Volunteers after redshirting his freshman year at the University of Cincinnati.
"I enjoyed my time at Cincinnati a lot. I feel like I developed, and the strength program was great," Menser said. "I love the guys there, but it just wasn't the right fit. I chose John A. because of their record of being a great program. It felt like it'd be a good spot to come back to."
Menser didn't see much time on the field as a redshirt freshman, but he still got to experience the best college baseball had to offer at the Division I level. He said there are plenty of things he learned as a Bearcat that he's bringing to the Vols.
"Learning how to manage a throwing load was a big thing coming out of high school. I went from throwing three-to-four times a week to like five or six, while having one off day," he said. "Then the mental side of things, like how to attack hitters and things like that, will definitely help a lot."
Menser and JALC's coaching staff already had a connection before he entered the transfer portal, with the Vols trying to recruit him before his commitment to Cincinnati. Pitching coach Patrick Morey said it's exciting to have an arm like Menser's join the pitching staff.
"He's a true competitor with a high upside and some feel for the strike zone," Morey said. "His fastball and curve give him a solid base coming into fall camp. We're really looking forward to working with him on a daily basis and getting his game to the next level of his development."
Although Menser is technically taking a step down from Division I to JUCO, many of the hitters he'll face at JALC will have Division I talent. Having faced that in practice at Cincinnati, most notably Big 12 Freshman of the Year Enzo Infelise, he feels like he'll be more ready than if he had played for the Vols in his true freshman season.
"If you miss a spot in college, the ball is going to get hit very hard in any direction on the field," Menser said. "It's very different than high school. I feel like that competitiveness will help, knowing John A. has a lot of great hitters."
Menser joined the Thrillville Thrillbillies for the second half of their summer season, where he's working back from an injury and logging innings before the Volunteers' fall season.
"The games there have been my first game sessions in a very long time," Menser said. "I'm just trying to throw strikes, limit hard contact, and not give up many runs."
Menser said he'll fill whatever role is necessary for him to get innings at JALC. He's hopeful that his time as a Volunteer will lead to him finding another home at the next level.
"I can't stay stagnant," he said. "I walked a lot of guys at Cincinnati, so I have to put the ball in the zone more. Just have to throw more strikes and be effective."
Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.