Atlanta Braves鈥� pitcher Dylan Dodd to make his MLB debut
VENICE, Fla. — What a ride it has been for Dylan Dodd. Drafted by the Atlanta Braves less than two years ago, Dodd started last season at High A, was promoted to their AA affiliate halfway through the season聽before finishing at AAA. On April 4, Dodd will make his Major League debut as a starting pitcher in St Louis against the Cardinals.
Invited to spring training to pitch Atlanta鈥檚 Grapefruit League opener, Dylan thought he would likely be shipped back quickly to AAA Gwinnett and then work his way back up. Two weeks later, he was still pitching, much to the surprise and excitement of his family, who would travel to watch his 鈥渓ikely last game鈥� in Florida more than once.
But the Braves organization had other plans. With two of last year鈥檚 starters going back to AAA, a slot opened up in the rotation. And that fifth spot would be a battle between two rookies: Dodd, and Jared Shuster, a Braves first round draft pick.
The competition was intense the next two weeks, with both players putting up impressive numbers. They were neck and neck, wondering who would be the first to have a bad outing to seal their deal?
Although nerve-wracking for the players and their families, management loved the competition, and loved the story of the Small Town Midwest Underdog Dodd versus the Early Favorite East Coast Shuster. Their mutually respectful competition did not disappoint.
In the wee hours of Sunday morning, both southpaws were called into the office, and told that, with starting ace Kyle Wright going on the 15-day injured list, both pitchers would make the 40-man roster. Shuster would start April 2 against the Nationals (close to his hometown), and Dodd got the nod in St. Louis, just a bit of a drive from his hometown.
How did Dodd let his family in Bismarck know? With a 7:30 a.m. Sunday morning phone call. 鈥淲e didn鈥檛 eat yesterday,鈥� Dylan鈥檚 mom Thea said in an interview in her classroom. 鈥淲e have been flooded with calls from tons of people the last two days. We are totally excited! It鈥檚 just amazing how many people are supporting and will be there (in St. Louis for Dylan鈥檚 debut).鈥�
There has certainly been a rush for tickets originating from East Central Illinois the past few days. There are rumors Dylan鈥檚 high school鈥檚 baseball team may make the trip, and perhaps a shutting down of the school as so many people may not be around that day (this is only a rumor!).
Dylan鈥檚 family has been buying tickets when they could find them, figuring Dylan would only get the usual six or eight tickets. However, Braves management has assured Dylan he will get more than just a few tickets for his debut. Thea says they will also have box seats from Dylan鈥檚 agent, and were told to 鈥渂e prepared to be on TV! We also have a special surprise planned in St. Louis, too, but you鈥檒l have to wait!鈥�, Thea excitedly adds.
鈥淎ll day yesterday (Sunday), there has been so much happening! I can鈥檛 even explain it!鈥� Thea continues, ebullient beyond measure. 鈥淚t is so exciting, and we are so proud of him. Me and my mom bawled on the phone for hours.鈥�
Dylan is still very humble, still eschews the limelight, and knows he will have to continue to fight to keep this assignment. 鈥淚 can鈥檛 be prouder of him. He鈥檚 out of his comfort zone,鈥� Thea reflects. 鈥淏ut he鈥檚 doing it. He鈥檚 adapted so well.鈥�
How humble is Dylan? On a group phone call with his family and the 鈥淢om Squad鈥�, now the 鈥淒odd Squad鈥�, Dylan said he had a problem and needed his family鈥檚 help, which piqued a mother鈥檚 worry. He鈥檇 have to spend $1500 to ship his car from Spring Training to his new destination, as he is flying directly to St. Louis, unless he can find someone to drive it. 鈥淭his is your question?!鈥�, Thea laughed, thinking it was something much more serious. The Dodd Squad replied in unison, 鈥淧ack that car with what you need! We got this!鈥�
Although Dylan鈥檚 success may seem new, the love in his family is not. 鈥淢y kids (Dylan and his brother Dawson, who is a quarterback at Culver-Stockton College) are my number one priority. I鈥檓 proud of both my kids.鈥�
It appears the whole town of Bismarck is proud of them, too.
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