Tampa Bay Rays Justin Sterner made his MLB debut with the team on May 31st. He made it to the show and started his major league career. Sterner stood in the visitors’ clubhouse at Camden Yards on Friday afternoon, reflecting on the path that had brought him to this point.
Rays Prospect Makes MLB Debut
Justin Sterner’s Road To The Show
You can officially add the name Justin Sterner to the MLB players list. pic.twitter.com/x8EIYicFe2
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) June 1, 2024
Sterner’s journey finally brought him to a Major League mound on Friday night. Promoted to add depth to an overworked Tampa Bay bullpen, the 27-year-old right-hander pitched the final two innings as the Rays (28-30) lost, 3-1, to the Baltimore Orioles (36-19) in their first time playing each other this season. AL East rivals. Sterner commented about his MLB debut: “Just a privilege and a blessing. Just grateful that I had the opportunity.” Any rookie making his MLB debut will be honored to get the chance to play at the major league level of play. Rays manager Kevin Cash felt that Sterner’s composure was kept well and that he should be proud of himself. Also, this was a big moment for him, and he’s glad that his family got to see it.
When he didn’t hear back following the 2020 Draft, Sterner went to plan B and decided to go back to school and commence play alongside his two brothers. But then, things made a sudden twist in his baseball career. The Miami Marlins witnessed him pitching in a summer league game. This was when he earned a contract with the Marlins. But the Marlins ended up trading him 11 months after they signed him. Sterner talked about how, despite the trade, he’s still grateful that the Marlins took a chance on him—commencing into the start of his baseball career. Sterner posted a 5.27 ERA between Double-A and Triple-A in the 2023 season. Unfortunately, he was dealing with a bothersome and pesky groin injury. Sterner pitched in the Dominican Republic this past winter, which presented as a “reset” that led to a revamped success.
That’s A Wrap!
So, when Sterner received the news that he was going to The Show, he was undoubtedly nervous yet excited. Making his MLB debut is a big moment in a baseball player’s career. It provides a lot of memories and is the first big milestone. Last season, when rookie Davis Schneider made his MLB Debut, he hit a home run, and to this day, it’s been an enormous success story in his career. It’s been quite a journey for the 27-year-old, who started from the bottom and made his way up to the majors.
Main Photo Credits: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
