Story & Quotes from Schwinden's Major League Debut

Chris Schwinden is making FPU history. The former Sunbird pitcher got the news this afternoon that he's been promoted to the big leagues by the New York Mets, making him the first player in FPU Baseball's short history to reach the major leagues.

Schwinden, who was recently named Pitcher of the Year by the Buffalo Bisons the Mets' Triple-A affiliate, will join the team tomorrow morning in Miami for a series with the Florida Marlins. He was told he'll throw a bullpen session for the Mets tomorrow, but hasn't been informed on whether the Mets plan on using him as a starter or a reliever. [UPDATE: Schwinden will get the start in game one of Thursday's home doubleheader vs. the Atlanta Braves at 4:10 pm Eastern, 1:10 Pacific .]

The Visalia native was packing his clothes in the clubhouse after the Bisons' season finale when Buffalo pitching coach Ricky Bones approached him.

"He asked what I was doing," said Schwinden. "When I told him I was packing up my clothes he said 'You're gonna need better clothes than that' and called me into the manager's office."

"You're going to the big leagues," Buffalo manager Tim Teufel would tell him. The words every baseball minor leaguer longs to hear and the culmination of a long journey of hard work by the 24-year-old righthander originally drafted in the 22nd round of the 2008 Amateur Draft.

"I did think [making the majors] was a possibility," said Schwinden, thinking back to the day he was drafted. "I thought it was going to take a lot longer than this, but I was given the right opportunities and didn't let them pass me by. It's all worked out for the best. I haven't regretted anything."

Schwinden began the season at Double-A Binghamton but made the most of a spot start on April 17 to secure a spot in the Triple-A rotation. From there, he led the Bisons in starts (26), innings pitched (145.2), ERA (3.95) and strikeouts (134) while tying for the team lead with eight wins.

Schwinden's 134 strikeouts were the 3rd-most in a single season by a Bisons pitcher in the modern era. He also earned a spot on the Triple-A All-Star team this summer, where he pitched an inning of scoreless relief.

"A lot's going through my mind, nothing but good things," he said. "I am a little nervous, it being the first time pitching in a major league park against major league hitters. I'm sure it will be a bit of a culture shock, but I can't wait. This is what every player works for."

Schwinden was quick to place the credit on others who have helped him along the way.

"The list is long," he said. "I'd have to say Oscar Hirschkorn is the biggest one for for giving me the opportunity to keep playing; for taking me in when I had nowhere else to go. I also owe a lot to my pitching coaches; Ricky Bones here in Buffalo, Dana Gomez at COS and Tom Buckley at Golden West. There's so many people to thank that have helped me on this journey. I could go on and on."

Schwinden came to Fresno Pacific in 2008 from College of the Sequoias and went 6-1 with a 2.48 ERA and a then school-record 96 strikeouts. He was named GSAC Pitcher of the Year and drafted by the Mets that June. He credits Hirschkorn for helping him get noticed.

"He made the calls," said Schwinden. "He got me seen by scouts so most of the credit goes to him. I was really close to being done with baseball. I can't say enough good things about Oscar and Fresno Pacific."

Hirschkorn said it was a great day for Fresno Pacific Baseball, which in just six years as a program has already produced its first major leaguer.

"I'm just really proud of Chris," said Hirschkorn. "All the time and sacrifice he put in, he's made us all proud. A lot of players would have 'hung em up' but he persevered."

With Schwinden now in the major leagues, FPU has two other players currently playing in the minors, pitcher Jesse Darrah (Arizona Diamondbacks) and infielder Andrew Douglas (Chicago White Sox).

For up-to-the-minute info on Schwinden's role with the Mets and other FPU news, follow the Sunbirds at twitter.com/fpusunbirds.