The Boston Red Sox have had to rely on more rookies than most major league clubs in a single season, and another made their MLB debut on Thursday.
After being called up earlier in the week from Triple-A Worcester, Red Sox reliever Chase Shugart stepped on the mound at Camden Yards and tossed 2 2/3 innings of one-run ball.
Following the game, the 27-year-old spoke about the moment.
"The first few days at Fenway were nothing short of a dream. It still doesn't feel real," Shugart said (via. NESN). "Getting in the game tonight, that was like a dream come true. I just can't help but think about the people who got me here and all of the work I put in to get here. It's a good feeling."
Boston selected Shugart in the 12th round of the 2018 MLB draft, and he's moved up a level nearly every year since then. In 28 appearances (five starts) for Worcester this season, he posted a 4.98 ERA and a 1.441 WHIP.
He finally got to work on Thursday and believes he did his job well.
"I felt good," he said. "I filled out the strike zone, which is something I wasn't able to do in my last couple of outings in Worcester. It felt good to do it on a big league stage. Just go in there and pound the zone and get the results that I got. I made one mistake to [Colton] Cowser, and he made me pay for it. He's a really good hitter, so I just have to be better in that aspect. But, other than that, I felt like I did what I was asked to do tonight."
With the Red Sox's bullpen struggling since the All-Star break, anything that Shugart can do to help is greatly appreciated down the stretch.
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