Brewer’s Matt Pushard capped a memorable summer in the Miami Marlins organization by getting a September call-up to Class AAA Jacksonville from AA Pensacola and throwing two scoreless innings in his AAA debut last week.
Pushard is one of five former University of Maine baseball standouts who recently concluded their minor league seasons along with pitchers Nick Sinacola and Cody Laweryson, second baseman Quinn McDaniel and first baseman Jeremiah Jenkins.
Jenkins, who was drafted in the 14th round by the San Francisco Giants in July, homered for his first hit as a pro with the Class A San Jose Giants.
The 6-foot-4, 250-pound Pushard, who was an undrafted free agent, had an exceptional year for Pensacola including eight scoreless innings in his last six outings with 16 strikeouts and no walks. And he allowed only five hits.
This is just his second full season as a pro.
That earned him a promotion to Jacksonville where he allowed one hit in his two-inning stint against Gwinnett (Atlanta Braves affiliate) with two strikeouts and no walks.
“It was awesome. It’s pretty cool being that close to the big leagues. And I was able to get familiar with the facility,” said Pushard, who will turn 27 next month.
His exit interview with Tommy Phelps, one of the Marlins’ minor league pitching coordinators, was a positive one according to Pushard.
“He told me I was further ahead than they thought I would be. They want me to continue what I’ve been doing and to work on the rough edges and make them smooth,” said Pushard.
He was also told he will likely start next season in Jacksonville with the AAA Jumbo Shrimp.
Pushard, who is back in Hampden with his wife Sophia, said his primary focus in the off-season will be to master his slider.
“That was a new pitch for me this year. I’ve been throwing my curve and change-up (along with his fastball) my entire career. If I can master the slider and be able to throw it in any count, it will be a lot harder to hit me,” said Pushard.
McDaniel and Sinacola
Between Pensacola and Jacksonville, Pushard made 41 appearances and was 3-4 with a 2.28 earned-run average. He struck out 68 in 55 ⅓ innings and walked 18. Opposing hitters hit only .190 against him. He allowed six homers.
Sinacola, a seventh round draft pick of the Giants who will turn 25 next month, was 9-3 with a 3.56 ERA between high Class A club Eugene and Class AA Richmond.
In his third full season, Sinacola allowed 92 hits in 108 ⅔ innings with 97 strikeouts and 25 walks. Opponents hit .227 against him. He gave up 12 homers.
The 26-year-old Laweryson, a 14th round pick of the Minnesota Twins and native of Moscow, Maine, had an injury-marred campaign with Wichita in the AA Texas League. He was sidelined for seven weeks from April 10-May 30.
He wound up with a 2-2 record and a 6.82 ERA. He allowed 41 hits in 33 innings with 33 strikeouts and 12 walks. Opponents hit .301 against him. He was three for five in save opportunities and gave up only one homer.
Laweryson was with the AAA St. Paul Saints in 2023 where he was 3-4 with a 4.80 ERA over 32 appearances.
Eliot native McDaniel, who turned 22 on Friday, was drafted in the fifth round by the Giants a year ago. He hit .236 for Eugene this summer with 13 homers, 56 runs batted in and 40 stolen bases in 47 attempts. He had 20 doubles and four triples, scored 62 runs and drew 67 walks while striking out 166 times in 116 games.
The 21-year-old Jenkins hit .295 in 11 games for San Jose with two homers and seven RBIs. He had three doubles and a triple. He drew four walks and struck out 16 times. He scored six runs.
