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| Photo Credit: SUNY Oneonta Athletic Department |
Some players spend their entire lives in the spotlight. Others make a rapid ascension in one year to get into that exact same spot. Steven Ascher, left handed pitcher in the Tampa Bay Rays organization, fits into the latter.
Often times players will say that they always knew their future was playing professional baseball. Ascher is the rare player that waited until the last possible moment to seize his opportunity.
“I never thought playing professional baseball would be an opportunity until a year or so ago,” said the Long Island native. “The reality of being drafted never hit me until I began throwing in front of a local Mets scout at All Pro Baseball Academy last winter (December 2013),” he said.
For most people, that realization can be enough to paralyze you with fear. But for a pitcher like Ascher–who grew up watching Andy Pettitte–he embraced the opportunity.
“I like to think that I can handle any pressure that comes when I’m on the mound, but throwing in front of multiple scouts can be nerve wracking.”
After it became clear that he possessed the makeup of a professional pitcher, his 2014 season became much more important.
Playing his home games in Oneonta, NY would pose an obvious obstacle. Not only does upstate, NY have some of the most ferocious winters but the 2014 winter was a particularly unforgiving one. Still, Ascher made no excuses and took the ball every week for the Oneonta Red Dragons.
“Pitching in the cold never bothered me,” he said. “I never played in, or lived, down south in the warm weather so the cold was just normal,” he added. Growing up in Cutchogue prepared him for the cold as well.
He went on to dominate the SUNYAC, being named the Pitcher of the Year. He posted a 6-4 record with a 1.82 ERA in 10 starts, spanning 69 innings. He struck out 84 batters and held batters to a .193 AVG. He fired three completes games–including two shutouts. One of the shutouts was against No. 3 ranked Kean University, notoriously a tremendous offensive team.
Following the season, a number of teams became interested in drafting Ascher. He threw in front of Tampa Bay, Los Angeles and New York Mets scouts leading up to the draft. He also reported to the prestigious Cape Cod league playing for the Cotuit Kettleers.
While playing in a game, he received a text from his friend which read: “congrats brother”. That’s when he knew he should check the draft boards and he noticed “Round 17: Pick 518: Tampa Bay selected LHP Steven Ascher, SUNY Oneonta”.
“It was relieving to see my name and realize that my dream had finally come true.”
He reported to Princeton, VA where he would get the first taste of pro ball. He knew it would be very different than playing at the collegiate level.
“There were some adjustments I knew I had to make from college to pro ball. Mostly just that I’d have to throw my off speed more often and efficiently.” He did a very good job of it. In 23 innings, he allowed only six earned runs (2.35 ERA), allowed only 21 hits, five walks while striking out 24. Those numbers are certainly nothing to scoff at.
“In 2015 I want to continue with the success I had from last season and help win a championship for whichever team I am on,” he added.
