Former KU Hurler Called to the Bigs
LAWRENCE, Kan. – With a tight race taking place between Los Angeles and San Francisco of Major League Baseball’s (MLB) National League (NL) West Division, the Giants made a move late Monday night and purchased the contract of former Kansas baseball pitcher Brett Bochy, who joined the squad Tuesday in Colorado.
“This is what you dream about every day,” Bochy told MLB.com’s Chris Haft. “I was surprised, honored and grateful to have the opportunity to be (called) up.”
A 20th-round draft pick in 2010 by San Francisco, Bochy spent the last two seasons with the Fresno Grizzlies, the Giants’ AAA affiliate, where he tossed a combined 110 and one-third innings for a 3.92 ERA and 5-5 record. In four short years in the minors, the righty saw action in 204 and two-thirds innings on the bump, amassing 227 strikeouts and allowing 69 earned runs for a 3.03 ERA.
“When I got the text from (Brett) telling me he had been called up to the big leagues, I had goosebumps,” KU head coach Ritch Price said. “He is one of the greatest Jayhawks and best teammates I have ever been associated with. To see him rewarded – he chased his dreams, grinded through a tough Tommy John injury – I’m just elated.”
Although Bochy’s performance on the mound warranted a September call-up to the big club, the more interesting story is that his father, Bruce Bochy, has been the manager of the Giants since 2007. He is now one of eight Major League players all-time to be managed in the bigs by their father, joining the likes of Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr., (Cal Ripken, Sr.), Earle Mack (Connie Mack) and Dale Berra (Yogi Berra). Bochy also claims the title of being the first pitcher to be coached by his father in the majors, as the other seven were all position players.
Price has had the opportunity to coach his three sons at the collegiate ranks and he agrees it will be one of those surreal moments the Bochy’s will never forget.
“It has to be – for Bruce Bochy and Brett Bochy – for a baseball family, one of the greatest days when he goes out there to make his first appearance,” Price said. “There have been managers who have had sons play for them, but they have been position players. When Bruce goes out there and gives (Brett) the baseball, that will be one of the greatest days in baseball history.”
While at Kansas, Bochy helped the Jayhawks to an NCAA Tournament berth in 2009, as he made 30 appearances on the bump for a perfect 5-0 record. In an elimination bout against Coastal Carolina in the 2009 Chapel Hill Regional, Bochy kept the Jayhawks’ dreams alive with two and one-third innings of scoreless relief, striking out two batters in the process.
The hurler finished his career at Kansas (2008-10) with a perfect 7-0 record in 77 innings pitched. He allowed 31 earned runs for a 3.62 ERA while recording 106 strikeouts.
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