Joana Cano is an ASU Cronkite Journalism student assigned to cover Brophy High School for AZPreps365.com

PHOENIX – Senior Brophy pitcher Ronan O'Brien has his brother on the team, which motivates him every day to continue his baseball career. 

The Broncos are currently ranked No. 4 in the 6A Central alignment region, with about five games left in the season. 

According to the Brophy program pamphlet, in the 2025 season, O’Brien went 4-1 with a 1.87 ERA in 11 appearances and nine starts, striking out 74.

O’Brien has continued to strikeout players back-to-back. During a preseason game, he struck out six batters in two innings. He has started in six games, throwing over 430 pitches this season.

Jonah Castle, the catcher and best friend of O’Brien, said they have a great season ahead of them and are confident. They have known each other since they were 13 years old.

“The goal for everyone here is just to win state,” Castle said. “I have high expectations for myself, so it’s more about contributing to the team every day.”

Both Castle and O’Brien mentioned that there is a great relationship between each player on the baseball team, attributing that to all the bonding experiences throughout the offseason. 

“In terms of team bonding after wins and losses, we talk a lot about finding the middle ground,” Castle said. “We spend a lot of time together.”

The connection can be seen on and off the field. The team goes to Taco Viva, and that solidifies their relationship with each other. 

“We’ve kind of gone through the ups and downs together so we’re really excited to see where the season goes,” O’Brien said. “For me, it’s my senior year of high school, so soaking up every moment of high school baseball.”

Coach Josh Garcia recognized the connection that Ronan and Jonah have on and off the field.

“They’re two veteran guys,” Garcia said. “They’re seniors in high school, but just two very mature young men. They do an outstanding job just competing pitch by pitch.”

Castle and O’Brien growing up together has made their special connection even better.

“I trust him [Castle] with my pitch call, so he just went with that,” O’Brien said. “Last season he really showed how good of a pitch caller he is and how well he can read hitters, so I really trust him.”

Ronan started playing baseball when he was 3 years old. He started playing T-ball, coach pitch, and as he grew he also found his passion for baseball. 

Once Ronan started pitching he felt that helped him find his love for baseball. 

“Something about just like learning how to make the most force out of your body and you control the game individually,” Ronan said. “I feel like there’s something really fun and special about that.

“My dad showed me how to play and then my mom was kind of just always there for me at my games and everything,” Ronan said.

Ronan has a younger brother who is also a baseball player for the Broncos. Declan O’Brien said that his brother motivated him into pursuing baseball. 

“I always wanted to do everything he did and playing baseball was no different,” Declan said. “Seeing all the success he has had recently inspires me to try and follow his footsteps.”

Ronan said that he is lucky that his brother has played with him because they push each other to get better.

“I think having my brother there to do it with me was a driving factor in me sticking with it,” Ronan said. 

Outside of playing baseball the O’Brien brothers like to play golf, play video games or just hang out with each other.  

Ronan is set to continue his baseball career with an Ivy League University. He committed to Columbia University, where he will major in finance and one day work at Wall Street.

Ronan would like to play semi-professional baseball or professional baseball. He also mentioned that if that does not work, then he plans to go to law school.