WELCOME — The Milwaukee Brewers selected Brandon Williamson in the 36th round of the Major League Baseball Draft on Wednesday, but the North Iowa Area Community College sophomore left-hander will be taking his 95 mph fastball to Fort Worth, Texas.

The 6-foot-5, 210-pound Williamson has opted to honor his Division I baseball scholarship to Texas Christian University instead of signing a minor league offer with the Brewers.

“Don’t get me wrong, it’s an honor to be drafted coming out of junior college, but my mind was definitely set on playing baseball at TCU next season,” said Williamson, a former Martin County West High School three-sport standout. “I’m looking forward to working out with the trainers, and I’m also starting classes in July.”

The Welcome native plans to make the trip to Fort Worth before Tuesday to prepare for his junior diamond campaign.

“It (the draft) didn’t quite work out the way my agent and I wanted it to, but I appreciate the Brewers’ consideration,” said Williamson.

The hard-throwing left-hander does not have an obligation to sign with Milwaukee, so he’s free to negotiate with any team when the draft rolls around next summer.

“Hopefully, I can put together a good year with TCU and improve my chances of moving up in the draft this time next year,” said Williamson.

Williamson compiled an 8-4 record during his 12 starts for NIACC this spring. The sophomore southpaw produced a 3.14 ERA and a team-leading 104 strikeouts in 66 innings pitched.

Williamson earned first-team all-National Junior College Athletic Association honors for his pitching prowess this season.

He generated a 4-1 record, 3.86 ERA, one save and 47 strikeouts in 49 innings of work during his freshman season.

“It’s not too often that two guys who grew up in Martin County and live on the same road wind up playing Division I baseball, in addition to getting selected in the same draft,” Williamson said in reference to former Fairmont High School standout Luke Becker, who was picked by the San Diego Padres in the ninth round on Tuesday.

Brandon Williamson is the son of Tod and Twyla Williamson of Welcome.