Friendly Bet Made Him A Pitcher. Now Texas Rangers Prospect Is Strong Spring Finish From MLB Dream
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SURPRISE, Ariz. — As a kid, Marc Church wasn't interested in pitching.
He preferred the prestige of shortstop, where typically, the most talented players are found on Little League and Junior High-level baseball diamonds across America.
So shortstop is where the Atlanta, Ga., native played for much of his youth. At least until a friendly bet from a teammate before his senior year at North Atlanta High School.
"My friend bet me that I couldn't hit 90 [mph] off the mound," Church said. "Obviously, I took the bet. I wanted the $50."
Church was clocked at 92 mph, and his career in baseball made a fateful turn.
"I just knew from that day," he said. "My coach said, 'You're a pitcher.' And then the rest is history."
Well, he's still writing history, but we get his point. Church, who turns 23 on March 30, is pushing to earn a spot in the Texas Rangers bullpen after putting together a stellar spring.
He finally allowed his first run on Tuesday after seven scoreless innings in Cactus League action. In eight innings, he has nine strikeouts against three walks, two hits, and a 1.13 ERA.
Church was committed to North Carolina A&T State University as a shortstop before the Rangers took him in the 18th round of the 2019 MLB Draft.
"Once I started pitching, I got a lot of [college] offers," said Church, who was hitting 94-95 mph by the time he graduated. "I immediately fell in love [with pitching] because I'm the type of guy that anything I'm good at, I'm going to like. I knew I had a way brighter future on the mound than I did playing shortstop. I do miss hitting sometimes. But, ultimately, I love pitching."
His velocity improved again when, during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Church started working out and "investing in my body."
"I just wanted to see how far I could take it, and it's been like that ever since I started pitching," he said. "Now, I'm knocking on the big league door, and it's just a crazy feeling."
A year ago, his first big league spring training was a wake-up call, Church said. He struck out 12 in 7.1 innings and turned some heads, but he also allowed a couple of home runs.
"I was really nervous, and this year, I kind of knew what to expect, so I'm a little less nervous," he said.
In 2023, he struck out 79 with a 3.63 ERA in 62 innings between Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock.
"I'm still learning every day, and you know what, I'm eager to learn, and I'm going to compete," said Church, who sometimes relaxes by listening to Beethoven's piano pieces. "I had my ups and downs in Round Rock. Some growing pains."
A more consistent delivery has been his focus in the offseason, and he credits "a deep dive with my pitching coordinator and my Triple-A bullpen coach [Demetre Kokoris.]"
"I was texting those guys almost every day and getting to learn about myself more during the offseason," he said. "I had a routine going for the whole year and I'm staying consistent in my routine."
And his school-yard bet is still paying off.
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