Tyler Wagner promoted to Milwaukee, becomes first Shucker in the Majors
CHATTANOOGA, TN - In concordance with the Milwaukee Brewers, the Biloxi Shuckers are thrilled to announce that starting pitcher Tyler Wagner will be the first Biloxi Shucker to play in the big leagues, when he makes his Major League debut on Sunday at 1:10 p.m. CT for the Brewers against the Arizona Diamonbacks at Miller Park. Wagner will make the start for the "Brew Crew" in game three of the weekend series.
"It's an unbelievable feeling to know how much you have worked to get to this point in your career and everybody that has helped you along the lines, said Wagner after learning that he would be promoted from the Shuckers to Milwaukee. "It's a surreal feeling right now."
In nine starts for the Shuckers this season, the 24-year-old was 5-1 with a 2.01 ERA, posting 38 strikeouts and 15 walks in 53.2 innings and a 1.12 WHIP. The Brewers' fourth round selection in 2012 out of the University of Utah ranked third in the league in ERA and tied for second in wins. He has paced a starting rotation for Biloxi that has gone 18-12 with a 3.37 ERA this season.
Shuckers' manager Carlos Subero announced the news to the entire clubhouse.
"I wasn't expecting it," added Wagner. "I believed I was ready for the moment but you never expect something like that. He built it up quite a bit and my heart was pumping a lot and then he finally broke the news that I was going up." Everybody was cheering and happy for me and it was great to have the support from the clubhouse."
The Las Vegas, NV native is rated by Baseball America as the Milwaukee Brewers' No. 9 rated prospect and was a 2014 mid-season and postseason Florida State League All-Star. On May 14, infielder Yadiel Rivera become the Shuckers' first position player to be promoted to Triple-A, but Wagner becomes the first to play in the big leagues.
"That's an awesome honor to have," Wagner stated on being the first Shucker to play in the Majors. "Hopefully it's not too soon before someone else gets the call from this team."
The parent club of the Shuckers are currently 16-32 on the young season. Wagner will be just the sixth Brewer to start a game this season.
"There is a whole bunch of emotions going through my head," said Wagner. "Just thoughts of what I am going to do and how I am going to act - what I am going to wear - what kind of cleats I will wear. But, it all comes down to controlling what you can control and living in the moment."
Wagner became the Southern League's first four game winner after an 8-2 win over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on April 27, and followed it up with two consecutive seven inning outings that yielded no decisions.
Attached to this email is an updated Shuckers roster. The Shuckers play the middle game of a five-game series against the Chattanooga Lookouts, with first pitch scheduled for 6:15 p.m. CT at AT&T Field.
Individual game tickets are on-sale now for the historic inaugural season of Shuckers baseball at MGM Park, including the home opener on Saturday, June 6th. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.biloxishuckers.com, www.ticketmaster.com, at the Shuckers Team Store or by calling 800-745-3000. Also fans can purchase season tickets, mini plans and group tickets by calling the Shuckers' administrative offices at (228) 233-3465.