Debut Day

When Grant Hartwig got the call that would change his life, he initially declined it.

Twice.

Hartwig was five hours into a practice Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) exam in July 2021 when his phone rang with a number he didn't recognize. He hit 'decline', ignored the distraction and continued to work.

A few minutes later, the same number called a second time, and Hartwig's response was identical. After graduating from Miami as a Microbiology/Pre-Med major, the former pitcher was focused on his career path. And on this night in his Plymouth, Mich. home, that meant plugging away to try and improve his MCAT score.

Medical school was on the horizon. Baseball was in the rearview mirror. Or so he thought. Grant Hartwig

But the New York Mets were on the phone, ready to offer a free agent deal to the undrafted pitcher.

"I was already in the mindset of the next step in life," Hartwig said. "[When that scout] offered me a contract, it was a moment where I was at a crossroads. I'd spent the last five years grinding at school, doing extra classes, and investing so much into that [pursuing medicine], it was hard to walk away from. That's something I've wanted to do my whole life.

"But every kid dreams of being in the situation where I am now. I'm a naturally super-competitive person…and 10 years from now, I couldn't look myself in the mirror and not have taken this opportunity. I went for it."

Two days after accepting the contract, Hartwig was flying down to Florida to launch his professional career.

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Bachman

Earlier that same week, Hartwig had been in Oxford for teammate Sam Bachman's MLB Draft party. Bachman, a native of Fishers, Ind., was selected No. 9 overall by the Los Angeles Angels after his junior season with the RedHawks, becoming Miami Baseball's first-ever first-round draft pick.

Both pitchers had made their final appearances for the Red and White on May 29, 2021, starting both halves of a doubleheader at Ball State.

Both had been Microbiology/Pre-Med majors.

Both pitchers ranked in the top two on the team in a variety of statistical categories, including ERA, wins, WHIP and strikeouts.

And although they had no idea at the time, both would make their MLB debuts two years later, just 24 days apart.

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After pitching for the Rocket City Trash Pandas (the Angels' Double-A affiliate) in 2022, Bachman began the 2023 season with the same minor-league ballclub. He was 3-2 this year in six outings with a .163 opponent batting average when he got the call to the majors...

...and he was sound asleep.

"It was pretty chaotic," Bachman recalled. "I found out very early, like 3 a.m.; my trainer was knocking on our door to wake us up and said to check my phone.

"I saw a ton of messages and calls from Angels staff, coaches and managers. They said, 'You're going to the big leagues,' and I was super excited. You never know when it's going to be…it was awesome, and just another step in the right direction." Sam Bachman Angels

Bachman immediately started calling his family to tell them the good news. "They were all nervous why I was calling so late and thought something was wrong," he said. "They reacted the same way as me: A lot of disbelief and kind of surprised. Nobody saw it coming, so everyone was super-excited."

Fortunately for Bachman, May 25 was a day off for the big-league club before the Angels began a home series against the Miami Marlins. That gave him (and his family) time to get to Los Angeles. When Bachman came out of the bullpen to take the mound in the eighth inning the next evening, his dad, girlfriend, grandparents, aunt, uncle and cousins were in the crowd.

Bachman said he tried to get some rest on the off day after landing in California, but that was easier said than done. "I really didn't sleep all that much the first two or three days after being called up," he laughed.

- - -

Hartwig did not have the luxury of a day off when the Mets promoted him to the major leagues on June 19.

"I was with Triple-A in Syracuse on the road," Hartwig said. "We drove back from Buffalo on Sunday after our series and were going to fly out the next morning to Durham, N.C. After a long day, we get back to the field, and our manager says, 'Hey, Grant.'

"I thought it was one of my teammates, so I responded, 'What?', in kind of an annoyed voice, and then turn around and see who it is. I go, 'Oh, sorry! I thought you were Mike.'

"He just smiled and pointed at me and said, 'Hey, you're going to the big leagues.' Some of my closest teammates were in there with me, and that's how I found out.

"I was honestly just speechless. Everybody dreams of hearing those words, and actually having it happen, it's surreal."

When the news finally sunk in for Hartwig, he knew he had two immediate priorities to figure out. The first one: Letting his family know.

Grant Hartwig Mets

"Calling my parents was absolutely unreal," Hartwig said. "And it was Father's Day! My grandparents were over, so everybody found out at once.

"It was an emotional moment, seeing all that hard work and everything I've poured into the last 20 years of my life come to fruition."

The second crucial objective on Hartwig's to-do list: Finding some equipment to use in the majors.

"I started to panic, because all of my gear was already on its way to North Carolina," Hartwig laughed. "I had absolutely nothing with me. I had a couple pairs of cleats and some undershirts I could take, but all of my gloves were with me on the road trip."

Hartwig eventually called a former teammate at Double-A Binghamton (who ironically was playing that day against the Portland Sea Dogs and Hartwig's Miami roommate, Jacob Webb) and managed to procure a glove, which someone drove an hour to Syracuse so Hartwig would have it before leaving for his flight at 5 a.m. Monday.

Less than 18 hours later, Hartwig would find himself pitching the ninth inning for the Mets in Houston's Minute Maid Park.

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Both newcomers had spent time with their respective big-league clubs in spring training, so having met many of the players previously helped make for a slightly-less-overwhelming midseason transition to a new locker room. Sam Bachman Angels

Still, Bachman was a Trash Panda one day and teaming up with All-World superstars like Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani the next.

"Playing with the greatest of all time in baseball, it's crazy just to see them go about their business," Bachman said. "Being around them and being acknowledged by them: Just giving those guys high fives after they do something good and vice versa…it's a huge deal."

Hartwig joined a pitching staff with the Mets that boasted a pair of 200-game winners in Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander. As a Detroit-area native, Hartwig had watched both veterans star for the Tigers at Comerica Park, including leading his hometown team to the 2012 World Series.

"Max was one of the first guys to congratulate me walking into the clubhouse," Hartwig said. "It's crazy to be in this spot to where I get to share a locker room with guys that I got to watch and idolize growing up."

Scherzer was brilliant on that Monday night in June 2023, handing the Mets' newest reliever an 11-1 lead heading into the final inning. "With two outs in the top of the ninth, they called down to the bullpen and told me to start warming up," Hartwig remembered.

Grant Hartwig Mets

"I started getting ready, trying to calm the nerves and get my heart rate steady. But finally getting that call, walking out on the track, and then jogging out to that mound? It was surreal.

"I was excited to be out there, but then it's just tunnel vision and immediate focus – the philosophies I've learned and practiced, going back to college at Miami.

"Just me and the catcher out there…not letting anything get too big and really sticking with what I do well. I didn't get here by mistake. I didn't need to be somebody else or be something extra. I just needed to take care of business.

"I ended up having a clean inning and just took it all in afterwards. My family [parents and girlfriend] had made it down to Houston, so I was able to celebrate that with them.

"What a special moment: Something that I'll never forget."

- - -

After Bachman arrived in L.A. in May, walked into the clubhouse for the first time and went to meet his manager to thank him for the opportunity, he began to zero in on the task at hand. "Whenever moments are big or stakes are high, I always just resort to my routine that always gives me peace of mind," he said.

"It's the same game, the same type of thing and the same goal. From my perspective, it's the same hitters that you've seen come up in the minor leagues. Each team's got two or three guys you have to worry about, but for the most part, just throw strikes and get dudes out with your best stuff."

Bachman struck out four hitters and allowed one run in two innings of work in his debut. As of the All-Star break, he had compiled a 3.18 ERA with one win and one save in 11 appearances for Los Angeles.

He said he's enjoyed his experience in the majors so far, especially the level of competition he's faced.

"The feeling you get taking the mound in a big-league stadium is just such a rush," Bachman explained. "It's really addicting."

Hartwig agreed. "This still doesn't feel real," he said. "I'm just trying to take care of business and do my job. One step at a time, one pitch at a time, and we've got one focus as a team: To win."

After a slow start to the year, the Mets rattled off six straight wins to begin the month of July, and Hartwig (1-1) has put up impressive numbers in the process, producing a 0.79 ERA in 11 innings heading into the second half of the season. Grant Hartwig Mets

Both rookies said their time with Miami Baseball helped get them ready to eventually succeed in Major League Baseball. For Bachman, the fundamentals, discipline and mental approach that he learned in college have translated to his pro game. Hartwig said the mental toughness he developed, especially during rehab from a Tommy John surgery that cost him the 2019 season, has been key in his career since graduating from Miami.

Neither player is surprised that the other has climbed the ladder so quickly.

"From a minor-leaguer to a big-leaguer, the difference is between the ears," said Bachman. "The first time I met Grant, I always looked up to him for his mental toughness and his grit.

"He was just constantly keeping his head down to work, crushing it academically and doing everything he could in the weight room.

"He finally broke through, and I'm glad the Mets saw that. He deserves everything coming his way, and what he's doing now is just unbelievable."

"I can't say enough good things about Sam," Hartwig said. "He's an awesome guy, and he's one of the hardest workers I've ever seen on a baseball field.

"Where he is now is no mistake. That's a product of hard work and dedication."

- - -

While neither player knows what the immediate future holds for his career, both Bachman and Hartwig are trying to simply focus on the next game, the next inning and the next pitch for as long as they're in the major leagues.

Sam Bachman Angels

"I'm just proudest of how far I've come," Bachman said. "Baseball will humble you. But just being consistent and persevering and facing your fears every single time: That's where you break through, and that's proved by the guys that make it.

"It's not an easy road traveled. From being a high schooler trying to get a scholarship, to trying to get an opportunity to play professionally, to the minor leagues, it's like you start over every time and you're back to square one.

"But knowing your why – why it is you do this – will keep you focused and locked in."

"That's the biggest thing I took away from college to get me ready to be where I am," Hartwig added. "Focusing on the present and being where your feet are – just being in the moment."

There have been a lot of memorable moments so far for Sam Bachman and Grant Hartwig.

And while their career paths have had some incredible similarities, all the way down to those late nights spent studying together at the Jay Hayden Baseball Center, there have been plenty of differences too.

One player was drafted, one was not.

One is now on the West Coast, while one plays in the Eastern time zone.

One plays in the American League, while one resides in the National League.

But both former RedHawks are earning plenty of fans with their new MLB teams…and, in the process, making every Miami Baseball fan proud.

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