Red Sox reliever Chase Shugart makes MLB debut: ‘Just can't help but think about the people that got me here’
Chase Shugart spent six seasons in the minors, pitching in 155 games before earning a well-deserved promotion to the big leagues earlier this week.
Unfortunately, Shugart wasn’t able to get into any of the games versus the Rangers while at Fenway Park. Instead, the Texas native finally made his Major League debut on Thursday night against the Orioles at Camden Yards.
Shugart lived out a once-in-a-lifetime experience, pitching in relief of southpaw Bailey Horn. The righty looked impressive in his outing, facing two former first overall picks in Adley Rutschman, who flied out to Rob Refsnyder and then struck out top prospect Jackson Holliday on a nasty 89.9-mph changeup down and away.
"Getting in the game tonight, that was like a dream come true," Shugart told reporters after Boston's 5-1 loss. "Just can't help but think about the people that got me here and all the work I put in to get here, and it's a good feeling. I had seven family members here. I can only imagine what they were saying. I had both of my grandmas, my grandpa, my uncle, my girlfriend, and my girlfriend's mom. I had like 20 people in Boston, but they all had to go back to work."
Shugart threw 44 pitches in his outing, including 10 sweepers, 10 changeups, 10 cutters, eight four-seam fastballs, and six sinkers. His heater topped out at 97.8 mph.
"(It went) great," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said post game. "He pounded the strike zone with good stuff, wasn't afraid. I don't know how many strikes he threw or the percentages, but like we talked afterward, 'Nobody can take that away from him.' He's a big leaguer. Whatever happens in the future, it happens, but this day is gonna be remembered."
It’s unknown how long the former 12th-round pick out of Texas in 2018 will remain with the Red Sox. While with the WooSox, he owned a 4.98 ERA in 59 2/3 innings for Worcester, pitching in different roles, including as a starter and bulk innings reliever.
