Sulser ready to 'rock and roll' after callup

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Where Beau Sulser was going, he didn't need a heat pack.

Sulser was originally scheduled to start for Triple-A Indianapolis on April 23. As he was going through his pre-start routine, manager Miguel Perez called a meeting. The team thought it was about the game. Sulser, who was ready to “rock and roll,” in his words, hoped the meeting wouldn’t linger.

“[My] first question was, ‘I don’t need this heat pack anymore?’” Sulser recalled with a laugh.

The answer, of course, was yes. Sulser had to get to Chicago.

Sulser’s first game on an active Major League roster was at Wrigley Field, but he wouldn’t grace a mound until the Pirates returned to Pittsburgh. The timing worked out perfectly. In front of family and friends, on April 26, Sulser allowed two runs (none earned) in 2 2/3 innings vs. the Brewers. Three days later, Sulser got out of a tricky situation to pitch two scoreless innings against San Diego.

Sulser said he wouldn’t feel like a big leaguer until he stood on a Major League mound. So far, he’s looking the part.

Here’s a conversation with Sulser on how his first days in the Majors have unfolded:

MLB.com: How have you reflected on earning your callup and making your debut?
For me, it has finally sunk in. I think it’s just been really special to have all the loved ones that were there to be able to watch it. They had a lot to do with me getting here, all the support and financial support through the Minor Leagues. … I think I was finally able, after the first two days, to be like, ‘All right, let’s enjoy my time with them.’ It was really cool that they were here.

Baseball-wise, it’s nice to finally pitch, because you feel like you’re part of the team. I’m getting confirmation that I can play at this level. So far, so good. I think that just gives me a lot of confidence moving forward in my baseball career. All of the sacrifices in my past that I’ve made … it all has paid off. It wasn’t an easy road, but it’s super rewarding.

Was there one text, phone call or DM that stood out to you?
I think my parents’ reaction. My mom started crying right away on the phone. They’ve sacrificed a lot through the baseball tournaments when I was [younger]. They didn’t make a ton of money, so my parents taking time off work to go to these baseball tournaments, to find me good training, to help in any way possible, to pay for everything throughout college to allow me this opportunity; that was the coolest part for me, just telling my parents and having them react the way they did. They wanted it so bad for me. To see their sacrifices pay off as well, it made me feel really good that it wasn’t wasted.

You’ve already shared the field with All-Stars, MVPs and Cy Young Award winners. Has there been one who has stood out?
I’m close to Joe Musgrove. He works out in San Diego. I’m from San Diego. We have the same agent, pitching coach, trainer. I see him a lot in the offseason. I’ve learned a lot from him, but it always felt like I want to get to his level. So, it was really cool, the Padres’ first day at PNC Park, being on the same field as him. I’ve been working out with him since he was with the Pirates and I was in Short Season. I was just drafted by Pittsburgh, and I remember him sitting me down, talking to me about stuff and helping me through things. Really good guy. Goes out of his way to be helpful.

That was my first realization that, ‘I’m at this level now.’ I’ve been watching him and learning from him and trying to get up to where I’m playing at the same level as him. So, hanging out with him in the outfield again, talking to him like, ‘Hey, this happened.’

I think another one would be my older brother [Cole Sulser, Marlins pitcher]. If I’m around when we play Miami, I think it’d be cool because it’s the same thing. I’ve been watching him for three years in the big leagues, wanting that opportunity for myself. To share a field with him would be really special.