share-square-567263 Based on his name, Maddux Bruns was always destined to be a pitcher. Influenced by his parents’ love of the Braves in the 1990s, Bruns was named after Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux and his middle name is John for John Smoltz. If the name wasn’t enough of a connection to Hall of Fame pitchers, Bruns, a left-hander, said he models his game after Dodgers’ ace and future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw. “I just grew up watching him and I always wanted that big curveball that he has and I got it,” Bruns said. “I just like the way he pitches and he seems like a good guy, so I do want to emulate myself after him.”