Former University of Maine closer and Brewer native Matt Pushard, who pitched for the Miami Marlins\u2019 AAA franchise in Jacksonville this past season, is looking forward to a new opportunity after being obtained by the St. Louis Cardinals through the Rule 5 draft last month.<\/p>\n
The annual Rule 5 draft enables a team to obtain an unprotected minor league player for $100,000 as long as that player isn\u2019t on his current team\u2019s 40-man Major League roster and has been in the system for either four or five years depending on their age.<\/p>\n
However, that player must remain on his new team\u2019s 26-man Major League roster for the entire season or he will be put on waivers. If he clears waivers, he has to be offered to his original team for $50,000.<\/p>\n
Pushard said he felt he had a \u201creally good chance\u201d to be selected in the Rule 5 Draft based on the interest he had received from several teams.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was very excited to hear my name called in the draft. I\u2019m excited about the opportunity,\u201d said the 6-foot-4, 250-pound Pushard, who led America East in saves with nine in his final season at UMaine in 2022.<\/p>\n
The 28-year-old Pushard had a solid season for the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp in his first full AAA season. He was 4-5 with a 3.61 earned-run average. He had four saves in four opportunities to go with five holds and he struck out 73 in 62 \u2153 innings while allowing just 49 hits and three homers in 49 appearances.<\/p>\n
Opponents hit just .214 against him and he allowed one earned run or none in 43 of his 49 appearances including 36 scoreless outings.<\/p>\n
He has no hard feelings towards the Marlins organization. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe Marlins obviously saw something in me and gave me an opportunity to play professional baseball,\u201d said Pushard, who signed with the Marlins as a free agent. \u201cWithout them, I wouldn\u2019t be in this situation.\u201d<\/p>\n
He feels he will have a better chance to pitch at the Major League level with the Cardinals and his communication with them has been very positive.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey told me they like everything I do and told me to continue it. It was really nice to hear that from them on day one,\u201d Pushard said. \u201cYou have to believe in yourself but it\u2019s nice to hear that they believe in you as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said he is confident he can earn a spot on the 26-man Major League roster in spring training, noting that he led the Marlins in saves in spring training with two a year ago. He allowed three hits and an earned run and struck out four in 3 \u2153 innings.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was facing some good talent and I saw that throughout the year as well. I faced some top prospects and even some big leaguers who were on (injury) rehab assignments,\u201d pointed out Pushard.<\/p>\n
He features a 95-96 miles-per-hour four-seam fastball \u201cthat has always been my best pitch.\u201d<\/p>\n