Academy of Art University Baseball's right-handed pitcher Brandon Poulson has signed a contract with the Minnesota Twins per an official announcement from the Major League Baseball club on Tuesday.

"It's a great feeling to sign, but it's just the first step so I still need to continue to work and keep making progress," Poulson said.

Blessed with a god-like 6-6, 240-pound frame, an elite work ethic to make himself better, and now the ability to throw 100 miles per hour, Poulson was a sophomore transfer to Academy of Art University from Santa Rosa Junior College.

He had pursued his dream of becoming a professional football player while at SRJC and gave baseball a try while at Piner High School, but also found himself working for his father's family business, John's Excavating. Poulson was then approached by former Urban Knights head coach Brian Guinn who admired the young man's dedication to a mindful diet and strategic workout plans. He would major in Multimedia Communications.

"At the Academy, I gained experience," Poulson said. "I got the experience of being put in different situations and trying to keep myself focused on getting better."

With ART U in 2014, Poulson finished 19.1 innings pitched with 24 strikeouts and an 8.38 ERA, but something had shifted in his final two appearances. His trips to the mound reflected the additional work he had been doing with Caleb Balbuena, a former minor leaguer and pitching coach with whom he had been connected through a series of individuals including Joey Gomes, the brother of Boston Red Sox outfielder Jonny Gomes, who served as the General Manager for the Healdsburg Prune Packers, a team from a collegiate summer baseball league.

Versus California Baptist on Apr. 24, Poulson threw three shutout innings with three strikeouts then, in the Urban Knights' season finale against Point Loma on May 3, he struck out the side in two innings.

"Everyone at ART U is so proud of Brandon," new head coach Dan McDermott said. "He has demonstrated that the combination of hard work, opportunity, and discipline are the recipe for achieving dreams. His story is an inspiration to his coaches and teammates. We all wish him the best."

This summer, Poulson, who had never before been drafted, continued his development with the Prune Packers of the Golden State Collegiate Baseball League and began to draw interest from scouts as his velocity rose from low to high 90s. Through 12.1 innings of work as the team's closer, Poulson was nearly un-hittable, striking out 31 batters while yielding just six hits.

"I want to thank Coach Tewon from Salesian High School, Scott MacCallum, Riley Sullivan, Brian Guinn from Academy of Art, Joey Gomes, and most importantly Caleb Balbuena," Poulson said.

After visiting Minnesota's Target Field last week for a preview of the major leagues and signing a $250,000 deal, Poulson is now headed to Elizabethton, TN where he will join the Twins' Rookie-level Appalachian League affiliate, the Elizabethton Twins.

"I'm looking to further my career by taking advantage of the opportunity [Minnesota] is giving me," Poulson said.

For more on Poulson's story, check out articles via ESPN, Yahoo Sports, Associated Press, Fox Sports, and USA Today.