Verge: From PEI to the Padres, Langley begins pro career

Ontario Astros and Team PEI alum Brandon Langley (New Glasgow, PEI), shown here with the Western Carolina University Catamounts, was signed as an undrafted free agent by the San Diego Padres. Photo: Western Carolina University Athletics

August 28, 2025

By Melissa Verge

Canadian Baseball Network

It's quiet in the New Glasgow, Prince Edward Island backyard - save for the sound of a single pair of running feet.

Brandon Langley sprints after the ball before it can go into the woods.

Saved.

The early evenings are special for Langley in the small island town of approx. 5,000 people, just after the work day, but before supper.

It's practice time for the young athlete who wants to grow up and play fast pitch like his dad, Steve Langley.

It's routine for the father and son to play ball when he gets home from work – a foundation that has helped power the now undrafted free agent into his professional baseball career. The 20-year-old signed a minor league contract for $150,000 with the San Diego Padres last month.

Growing up, the pitcher found solace on the diamond.

“It was just always my happy place I could go to as a kid,” Langley said.

Although he wasn't the best player growing up, he was still able to get the playing time needed to develop into the athlete that he is today - credit he gives to his home province PEI.

Being from a small place gave him more opportunities than he might have gotten otherwise, Langley said, if he was from a larger province.

It's also kept the 6-foot-6 pitcher humble, despite the success he's had with the sport.

Myles Swartz coached Langley in his Grade 12 season with the then Ontario Astros, and witnessed that humility early on.

“He had this down to earth, easygoing, wanting to learn attitude,” Swartz said.

He was willing to put in whatever he could effort-wise to develop into what he is today, Swartz said.

Their relationship developed into more of a friendship over time, with Langley texting Swartz even after he was away at school, for help reviewing video footage and advice.

Langley was playing for Western Carolina University, with a 3.71 ERA in 34 innings pitched, when he signed with the Padres. He's the first undrafted free agent to sign with a team out of Western since 2021.

Now, the pitcher is working towards having a strong fall and winter, before hopefully breaking camp with an affiliate at spring training.

And when he gets a chance, of course, he'll go back home and visit the island where it all started.

On his last trip home for Canada Day, he walked to the Park and ran into many people he knew, including his third grade teacher, who asked for updates on his baseball career, and on his family.

It's that tight-knit feel that not only makes home so special, but also turns Langley into an inspiration for young players in the province to look up to.

“Hey, he made it, he's playing professionally.”

“Why can't I?”

Although he's lived in many different places with baseball, home for him will always be Prince Edward Island.

“Its such a tight-knit community,” Langley said.

“It's always awesome to go home.”