SPOKANE, Wash. — Bryson Hammer grew up in a baseball family in Stony Point, North Carolina, and that competitive environment helped shape his journey to the Spokane Indians.

“It was fun,” Hammer said. “I think the competition, even from my dad all the way down to my brother… it was always there. I looked up to him, and it was fun.”

Hammer’s older brother played professionally in the Mets, White Sox and Rockies organizations, and the two shared the field in high school, giving Hammer a glimpse of a potential pro future.

“It was probably my sophomore year and his senior year… that’s kind of when I was like, ‘OK, this could be a reality for both of us,’” he said.

After high school, Hammer played at Clemson, Catawba Valley Community College and Dallas Baptist before being drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 12th round of the 2023 MLB draft.

“Getting drafted where I did, I kind of understood that I probably would not be a starter, but I didn’t really care. As long as I got the opportunity to play, I thought I had a chance to continue to perform at the professional level,” he said.

Hammer has embraced his role as a reliever with Spokane. “Honestly, relieving for me is a little easier. I don’t think there’s as much preparation that goes into it. But I’m happier to be a reliever for sure.”

Last season, in Hammer’s first full year as a pro, he began the season with Low-A Fresno before getting the call-up to Spokane, where he helped the Indians win the 2024 Northwest League championship.

“Everybody here handled their business the right way… They took me under their wing, especially the pitching staff, and did a really good job incorporating me,” he said.

Hammer’s laid-back approach extends off the field as well. “I just take everything day by day… my routine is making sure I drink a cup of coffee in the morning. That’s about all I got,” he said.

This season, Hammer began the year at the rookie level, then played five games in Fresno before being promoted to High-A Spokane at the beginning of June. Through 24 appearances and 29 innings pitched with the Indians, the 6-foot-1 lefty has a record of 5-2, with a 4.34 ERA and 30 strikeouts.

With 18 regular-season games remaining, Spokane sits in fourth place in the NWL standings, 13 games behind first-place Eugene. The Indians begin a six-game series at Everett on Tuesday.