David & Davy Phrathep

David and Derek (goes by Davy) Phrathep grew up in St Petersburg, FL, in a home near a baseball field.  It was the proximity to that field that would shape their futures and lead the brothers down a successful path in life. Both of their parents immigrated to the United States as refugees after the secret war and the Phrathep brothers trace their Lao ancestry to Vientiane and Lung Prabang.

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The brothers both excelled at baseball from a young age, specifically as catchers.  David was a 2013 Pinellas County South All-Conference All-Star, three year varsity player at St Petersburg High School, and named team MVP as a junior. When it came time for David to commit to a college he initially was going to sign with a small school out of state but his parents convinced him to take advantage of the academic offers closer to home at the University of Central Florida.  Not having an offer to join the roster David joined a walk on try out. the coach was impressed with his skills and offered David a spot on the roster.  In 2016 he became the first known Lao American to play at the NCAA Division I level. As a freshman he played in nine games including  one as a starter. Inspired by his older brother Davy joined the team Florida International University a year later.  

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David is currently studying medicine at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and pursuing his childhood dream of becoming a medical doctor.  David is pursue a PHD in clinical psychology from the University of Nevada - Las Vegas (UNLV) where he is focused on athlete mental health and performance.  Davy hopes to one day be a clinical psychologist on the staff of a major league baseball team or at a university.  

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