JUNIOR COLLEGE: Attended Moorpark Junior College as a freshman and then transferred to Cuesta Junior College, also in California, last season. He enjoyed a stellar year last season by earning first-team All-American honors for a reliever. His team went 32-14-1 and won the league title and he set school records for appearances (28) and saves (11). He posted a 9-0 record with a 1.56 ERA in 60.2 innings. He also struck out 56 and walked 13.

HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Thousand Oaks High in California and played on the baseball and football teams. He was both a pitcher and first baseman and was the Marmonte League Pitcher of the Year his senior season while earning first-team all-county, all-CIF and all-area honors. He also helped his 2003 team to the CIF Division 2 Southern Section title and a runner-up finish in the Little League Big League World Series.

PERSONAL: Born Jan. 18, 1986 in Orange County, Calif., to Patrick and Jane Bird. Brian has two brothers, Steve and Chris. His hobbies include dominoes, hacky sack and Tiger Woods video golf. He is majoring in Kinesiology at LCSC.