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2003: Bannister, like his brother, can serve as a weekend starting pitcher. He also has the ability to serve in a relief role, possibly as a closer this season if needed.
MIKE GILLESPIE SAYS: "Brian has completely recovered from his elbow surgery last year and is poised for an outstanding, possibly dominant, junior season. He has a very good arm with a great breaking ball and an improved change up. He has a great professional future."
2002: Bannister underwent surgery for inflammation of a joint in his right elbow in the off season and redshirted in his 2002 junior season.
2001: Bannister finished strong in the latter part of his 2001 sophomore season coming out of the bullpen for the Trojans...went 4-4 with a 3.05 ERA and was second on the team with five saves...in 54 2/3 innings, Bannister allowed 40 hits, struck out 56 and walked 21...did not allow a run in his last 14 1/3 innings...allowed seven hits, no walks and struck out 14 since April 28 vs. UCLA...on May 18 at Oregon State, registered three perfect innings for the win in the Trojans' 7-3 victory in 10 innings agains the Beavers...struck out a season-high five batters and allowed only one hit in 3 2/3 innings on Feb. 6 vs. Cal State Fullerton...throws a fastball, curveball and change-up.
2000: Bannister saw limited action in 10 games out of the bullpen as a 2000 freshman for the Trojans...had a 4.35 ERA for the season (10 1/3 IP, 11 H, 6 BB, 8 SO)...in his first appearance at the College World Series, he became part of only the second father-son tandem in history ever pitch in a CWS game.
HIGH SCHOOL: Bannister was a three-time (1997-99) All-Region and All-City selection at Chaparral High in Scottsdale, Ariz...helped Chaparral to a state title in 1999 and to runner-up finishes in 1997 and 1998...in the 1999 state championship game, he closed it out by striking out six of the final eight hitters...also a fine student-athlete, he earned a Wendy's High School Heisman Award...participated in the Team One West Showcase.
PERSONAL: Majoring in fine arts...parents are Floyd and Jana...his father played collegiately at Arizona State, was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1976 professional draft and had a 15-year major league career...his brother, Brett, is a sophomore on the baseball team...lists his father as his sports hero...enjoys working on cars, playing golf and skiing...birthdate is Feb. 28, 1981.
Bannister's Career Statistics YEAR W-L SV ERA G-GS CG IP H R ER BB SO 2000 (Fr.) 0-0 0 4.35 10-0 0 10.1 11 10 5 6 8 2001 (So.) 4-4 5 2.80 34-0 0 54.2 40 21 17 21 56 TOTALS 4-4 5 3.05 44-0 0 65.0 51 31 22 27 64
