LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Brandon Pfaadt got the call of a lifetime.
The former Bellarmine University right-hander is headed to "The Show" after being called up by the Arizona Diamondbacks from their Triple-A affiliate, the Reno Aces. The D-backs officially announced the promotion Tuesday.
Pfaadt is scheduled to make his Major League Baseball debut today against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas. First pitch is set for 2:05 p.m. (ET).
"I was ecstatic when I heard my name called from our Reno manager (Blake Lalli) in a team meeting after the Sunday game. It was a dream come true," Pfaadt said.
Pfaadt was selected out of Bellarmine by the Diamondbacks in the fifth round of the 2020 MLB Draft. The Louisville native was the second-highest pick in program history after right-hander Todd Wellemeyer was chosen in the fourth round in 2000 by the Chicago Cubs, and he'll be the first former Knight since Wellemeyer in 2010 to play in a big-league game.
Pfaadt's rise through the Diamondbacks' ranks has been meteoric. In 2021 alone, he advanced from Low-A ball to High-A to Double-A. He started 2022 in Double-A before being promoted to Triple-A.
Last season, the organization honored him as its Minor League Pitcher of the Year after his 218 strikeouts between Double-A Amarillo and Reno were the most in the minors since Brandon Claussen had 220 in 2001. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound righty went 11-7 with a 3.83 ERA and only 33 walks in 167 innings.
Before being called up to the big club, Pfaadt was 2-1 with a 3.81 ERA and 30 strikeouts against only six walks in 26.0 innings pitched over five appearances this season with Reno. His last start for the Aces was April 26 against the Sugar Land Space Cowboys.
"My time in the minors was great," Pfaadt said. "I got a chance to move every level in two years and now I've reached the last one. I've met a lot of great teammates along the way and great coaches who have helped me on my journey."
Pfaadt played at Bellarmine from 2018-20. In his final season with the Knights, BU's last in Division II, the product of Trinity (Ky.) High School was laying the groundwork for a potential GLVC Pitcher of the Year and All-America campaign when the remainder of the season was canceled due to the pandemic. At the time, he was 3-1 with a 1.38 ERA over five starts and was one of two pitchers in the nation identified by NCAA.com as a preseason D2 Pitcher of the Year candidate.
Pfaadt had made a major splash the preceding summer in the prestigious Cape Cod League, going 2-1 with a 2.81 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 32 innings pitched in nine regular-season games for the Wareham Gatemen. He landed on Perfect Game's list of "Outstanding Pitching Performances" in its evaluation of the Cape.
"(Former Bellarmine Head Coach) Larry Owens will be out here for my debut, and he is one of the reasons I have this opportunity. He was truly one of the best coaches I've had," Pfaadt said. "Along with LO, a few Bellarmine teammates are coming as well. Being a Division II kid from Bellarmine and making it to the big leagues is a heck of a story. I wouldn't change my experience/decision to go there ever. I'm very grateful to everyone and everything along the way."
Pfaadt's grandfather, Bob, also pitched at Bellarmine and Brandon played with both brothers, catcher Brady and infielder Brett, while at BU. Brett is now a senior shortstop with the Knights and said the family could not be prouder.
"It is surreal and hard to explain," Brett said. "From when he was 10 playing travel ball to opening weekend starter in college, he was always the best player on the field. More importantly, ask any teammate he has ever played with, and I guarantee you they say he was the best teammate. Being a little brother, I learn so much from watching him be so dominant, yet so humble and down to earth. Very happy to say he is my greatest role model in my life. I always knew he was special since we were young, and it is awesome to see it come true.
"The most important aspect of this whole situation is the presence of my parents (Staci and Brian). The amount of time and money they have sacrificed for us three boys to have fun playing the game we love is unfathomable. Finally, they are starting to see it pay off and in what better way than to have their son debuting in the major leagues. They deserve all the recognition, and I could not be happier for them."
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