Kaczmarski and Bashlor Make MLB Debuts With Mets
COLUMBIA, SC - Kevin Kaczmarski and Tyler Bashlor made their major league debuts with the New York Mets this week and became the third and fourth former Fireflies to reach the show. Kaczmarski pinch hit in the fourth inning (grounded out) of Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Bashlor
COLUMBIA, SC -
"I am extremely proud of 'Kaz' and Tyler for what they've accomplished since they were here in Columbia during our inaugural season in 2016," said Fireflies team president John Katz. "As we head into the second half of the major league season and into the future, seeing a roster filled with former Fireflies playing in the big leagues will be a huge point of pride for our community and the organization."
Kaczmarski is the third former Firefly to make his major league debut. Prior to the call, the former Firefly posted a .363 batting average in 24 games this season with the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s. During the 2016 season in Columbia, the 26-year-old held a .268 batting average and led the team with seven triples - which is still a single-season franchise record.
Bashlor, who had been with Double-A Binghamton this season, was expected to receive a promotion to Triple-A but earned a much bigger one on Monday. Bashlor explained his conversation with Rumble Ponies Manager
"Luis was like, 'you're not going to Triple-A anymore,'" Bashlor reflected. "I was like, 'alright.' He said, 'you're going to Citi Field' and I went ballistic. So I got off the phone with him and then immediately called my dad, couldn't get a hold of him - he was cutting the grass - called like eight times. So, finally got a hold of him and then told the rest of my family."
Bashlor - the most recent former Firefly to appear in the big leagues - produced a stellar 2.63 ERA in 20 games with Binghamton before the call to New York. The 25-year-old pitched in 34 games with the Fireflies in 2016. He posted the second-most strikeouts (68) among Columbia relievers that year as well as the second-lowest ERA (2.50).
FROM COLUMBIA TO THE SHOW:
- RHP
Merandy Gonzalez (Miami Marlins) - April 19, 2018: 2 scoreless innings @ Milwaukee - LHP
P.J. Conlon (New York Mets) - May 7, 2018: 3.2 innings, single, run scored @ Cincinnati - OF Kevin Kaczmarski (New York Mets) - June 24, 2018: Pinch-hit appearance vs. Los Angeles
- RHP Tyler Bashlor (New York Mets) - June 25, 2018: 2 innings vs. Pittsburgh
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About the Columbia Fireflies
'The Columbia Fireflies are the South Atlantic League affiliate of the New York Mets. Winners of Ballpark Digest's Best New Branding and Logo Award in 2016, the Fireflies play games across the southeast and mid-Atlantic regions, including against in-state rivals in Charleston and Greenville. The team partnered with the city of Columbia and Hughes Development to construct Spirit Communications Park, a multi-use outdoor sports and entertainment venue at the center of the BullStreet development. The Columbia Fireflies are owned by Hardball Capital, owners of the Fort Wayne TinCaps of the Midwest League and the Chattanooga Lookouts of the Southern League. For more information, visit ColumbiaFireflies.com, or follow the Fireflies on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
About Spirit Communications Park
Spirit Communications Park, the 2016 Ballpark Digest Ballpark of the Year, is a 365-day per year multi-use sports and entertainment venue located in the heart of downtown Columbia, SC. Spirit Communications Park is the home ballpark for the Columbia Fireflies, the South Atlantic League affiliate of the New York Mets. Designed for baseball, concerts, football, soccer and a host of other activities, the venue seats approximately 9,000 for sporting events and up to 15,000 for major outdoor concerts. With 16 luxury suites and a 7,000 square-foot Club Level Lounge, Spirit Communications Park can also host everything from business meetings to wedding receptions, and everything in between. The venue is open 365 days a year and serves as a public park with the wrap-around concourse representing 1/3 of a mile for walkers and joggers. For more information, visit SpiritCommunicationsPark.com