Former Mount Olive College All-America Makes Major League Debut in Big Apple

Former Mount Olive College All-America Makes Major League Debut in Big Apple

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-courtesy of MOC Sports Information 

 

FORMER MOUNT OLIVE COLLEGE ALL-AMERICA CARTER CAPPS MAKES MAJOR LEAGUE DEBUT

 

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Former Mount Olive College All-America pitcher Carter Capps made his Major League debut Friday, pitching for the Seattle Mariners against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Capps, a third-round pick by the Mariners in the 2011 Major League Baseball Draft, was called up to the majors Tuesday.

 

Capps took over for starter Kevin Millwood to start the bottom of the seventh inning, facing the 9-1-2 batters with the Mariners trailing 4-1. Capps allowed a single to Russell Martin and walked leadoff batter Curtis Granderson before retiring Derek Jeter on a sacrifice. Capps was lifted for a reliever. Seattle fell 6-3 as Capps finished with a no-decision.

 

Capps says the site of his first Major League appearance made his debut even more special.

 

“It definitely added a little something,” said Capps, the 2011 ABCA Division II Player of the Year and the consensus Pitcher of the Year. “The history here, it made it very special to make my debut here.”

 

Capps added that he wasn’t given any advance notice when he would make his debut.

 

“I didn’t have a clue until I was told to go into the game,” said Capps.

 

In a span of just eight days, Capps played for three different teams. He made his last appearance for the Mariners’ Double-A affiliate in Jackson, Tenn., July 26 before being promoted to Triple-A Tacoma. He retired all four batters he faced – three by strikeout – in his lone Triple-A appearance Monday. Capps was called up to Seattle the next day.

 

“My head’s still kind of spinning. Hopefully that’ll settle down soon and I’ll be able to get back to work.”

 

Despite being charged with two earned runs in 1/3 inning pitched against the Yankees, Capps was upbeat about his debut.

 

“I liked a lot of my pitches. I just didn’t locate them where I wanted them to, but they were doing what I wanted them to do,” said Capps. “(My) fastball was running and my curve ball had a good break on it, so I was happy with those. I was getting first-pitch strikes, just having trouble closing guys.”

 

Capps says that apart from a greater talent level, there aren’t too many differences between pitching in the minors and pitching in the majors. He added that his new teammates have already been a big help to him.

 

“It’s pretty much the same except it’s a little more intense and the batters have quicker hands and they battle you more,” said Capps. “Everybody’s been really nice and trying to help me out, so I appreciate that.”

 

Capps did not pitch in the final two games of Seattle’s series at Yankee Stadium. Mariner starter Felix Hernandez went the distance in the Mariners’ 1-0 win Saturday. Seattle used five pitchers in Sunday’s 6-2 loss in the final game of the series.

 

The Mariners are in Baltimore for a three-game series and after a travel day Thursday, are back on the West Coast for a three-game weekend series at the Los Angeles Angels.

 

Capps gave advice to current Mount Olive College players – pitchers in particular – aspiring to play pro ball, as well as to former Trojans already playing professionally.

 

“Just keep working hard,” said Capps. “(As a pitcher) keep pounding the zone. Hitters only keep getting better (at each level), they don’t get worse.”

 

-MOC-