The Pro Baseball Player God Redirected to a Greater Purpose
The Story
After fifteen years in professional baseball, including time in the major leagues, Brandon Puffer knows what it means to climb to the top—and to fall hard.
At the twilight of his career, Brandon made one bad decision that landed him in prison.
Today, he’s the co-founder of GPS Legends Baseball, where he mentors and develops young athletes on and off the field. His life centers on faith, family, and using his experience to help others navigate failure and find redemption.
“Things look good now, but I’ve been through tough times, and I want people to know there’s always a way back.”
The Curiosity
After rebuilding his life following nearly four years in prison, Brandon knew God was asking for more.
He’d been quietly sharing lessons from his journey with players and parents, but he had a nagging curiosity that never seemed to go away: Could my story help other people who feel defined by their worst mistake?
He realized a book could extend his reach far beyond ballfields and locker rooms.
The Effort
For years, Brandon carried the idea for a book but wasn’t sure where to begin. The publishing landscape felt overwhelming, the options endless. And beyond that, the actual writing felt daunting too. He worried about what might surface when he revisited those painful memories.
Each time he considered starting, self-doubt crept in: Who would want to hear from me?
Without guidance, the dream stayed on the shelf.
The Solution
Then came a series of connections that could only be described as providential.
A conversation with his friend and speaker Stephen Mackey led to a “chance” meeting between Mackey and ShareYourStory.com CEO Alex Demczak. That meeting turned into a Zoom call with Alex and co-founder Will Severns, and Brandon instantly knew he’d found his team.
“I had zero reservations after that first call. I prayed for so many years, and I knew I had my answer.”
Streamline Books offered exactly what he needed: accountability, support, grace, and expertise.
The Journey
The journey, while he felt confident, was far from simple. Brandon relived dark seasons—his arrest, incarceration, and the pain he caused others. Through it all, the Streamline team guided him through each iteration, helping him capture both the mistakes and the miracles with honesty and grace.
When he finally held From the Bullpen to the State Pen in his hands in December 2022, he felt encouraged. But here’s what surprised him the most: the work of writing his story—the wrestling, the questions, the fight—had been just as rewarding as this moment, holding the physical proof.
The ROI
Since publication, invitations have poured in from churches, schools, and sports teams asking Brandon to speak, along with guest spots on faith-based podcasts and local outlets. But he measures success differently than bookings. Every week, readers write to say the book restored their faith or gave them courage to start over. “The best part is hearing from people who say the book encouraged them, or that they passed it to a friend who needed hope,” he says.
The moment that humbled him most came when The Echo, a newspaper circulated to every inmate in the Texas prison system, ran his story — meaning men sitting exactly where he once sat were reading his words. “My prayer is that someone in a cell reads it and realizes they’re not forgotten, that God still has a plan for them,” he says.
What People Are Saying
- “A life-changing, must-read book for everyone, especially for those struggling with addictions of any kind! I could not put it down & finished it in 2 days!”
- “I can’t give enough credit to Mr. Puffer for his honesty, humility and remorsefulness… a great read for people who need encouragement in overcoming bad circumstances or people who might be headed down the wrong path.”
- “This book is all about compassion. For ourselves and for others… Showing up for others is what redeems us and fills that void we often seek out in all the wrong places.”
- “The freedom that comes with acknowledgment, forgiveness and moving forward with God’s help is a great reminder that we all need Him… Powerful message. Highly recommended.”
- “…an inspiring redemption story… This book is a fairly quick read, made possible through its conversational style, and it’ll leave you feeling better about yourself.”
Where Is Brandon Now?
Brandon still mentors athletes as a pitching instructor and coach with GPS Texas Baseball, the program he co-founded. He stays just as present online, answering messages on LinkedIn from readers working through their own version of his story. Coaching young pitchers and coaching grown men through their worst chapters turn out to be the same job in a lot of ways: showing someone their mistake isn’t the last word. It’s the same point, proven again and again, on the mound and off it: no setback disqualifies you from what comes next.
