Dec. 1, 2008
A three-month span changed his life.
Standing on the mound in a UCF uniform vs. Tulane May 23, Mitch Herold pitched his final game as a Knight. Although he still owned one year of eligibility, his 3.04 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 2008 were good indications the lefty's professional career was about to heat up.
June 5. Day one of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. The call was made.
"After the draft's first six rounds were over, the Boston Red Sox called and asked if I was willing to sign on the second day," said Herold. "I then saw my name pop up in the 16th round, and it was very exciting. My brother came home and my dad had just gotten back from work at around lunch time, so I was there with them and my girlfriend when it happened.
"It was definitely a dream. Ever since I dedicated myself in high school, I always told myself that if I had the opportunity to turn pro, I'd take it."
Undrafted out of Cocoa High School, Herold would need his sleep for his upcoming schedule with the Class A Short-Season Lowell Spinners in Massachusetts.
"They got in touch with me that weekend after the draft and told me I will be flying out Wednesday. I got up there on June 12, they picked me up at the airport, took me to the field, got my key and went to my room. We started training June 13 and our first game was on the 17th."
However, Herold would not see action for a few weeks. A tired rotator cuff forced him to begin shoulder and stability programs, a routine that grew difficult as he could only watch from the dugout while his teammates all enjoyed their professional debuts.
Building up his arm may have taken some time, yet when his moment arose July 7, Herold was ready.
"It was great since we were playing Jamestown in front of a sellout crowd at home," reflected Herold, who was born in Richmond, Ind. "I got to start the seventh inning and they announced it was my first pro appearance. Our shortstop, who is from Hawaii and became a good friend of mine, was messing with me saying `if the first pitch gets hit to me, I'm just going to let it go for a hit.' And sure enough the first pitch went right to him and I eventually had a six-pitch inning on three groundouts. Our coach Gary DiSarcina, who played 12 seasons in the bigs, gave me the lineup card and I'll probably give that to my mom."
Achieving his first win July 18 vs. Mahoning Valley, Herold then delivered his best performance on one of the game's grandest stages.
As part of the annual Futures at Fenway event, the Spinners met up with Hudson Valley as part of the first game of a doubleheader with clubs from Double A ball at Fenway Park Aug. 9. And it was Herold's day to pitch.
"The way they had it set up early in the year, I would throw two innings then get two games off. Later on, I set up for an inning and take just one day off," said Herold. "At Fenway, our first two guys went eight innings and we were winning 3-2, but our closer gave up a run. Then they called me in the ninth to warm up. The game started with about 10,000-15,000 people and towards the end of the game, there were probably between 30,000-35,000 fans. The only seats that were empty were at the top in center field.
"It was weird because you don't really notice your surroundings. You warm up and you're so concentrated on pitching. Then you run all of the way from the bullpen to the infield. I started that jog and realized `man, there are a lot of people here.' Then I got on the mound and that feeling disappeared. The first inning I got two groundouts and a pop out. The second, I had a strikeout, walk and a double play. After the double play, the place erupted. It was so loud. I got to the dugout and I was able to just look around and let it sink in. That was so crazy. And we were able to go on and win it in the 12th.
"Everybody was there for me. My family, my girlfriend, her parents and Kyle Mills who is still with UCF came up with his brother. The game was on TV so I was able to get a DVD copy of it."
That outing not only sparked Lowell to a victory, it started a streak of six-straight appearances in which Herold did not surrender an earned run. He went on to complete year one in the minors with a 2.57 ERA, 3-1 record and 26 strikeouts in 28.0 innings.
Back at UCF, Herold only has two classes left until he achieved his degree, and he plans on finishing up during the fall semester. But he also has to concentrate on new offseason workout drills in preparation for spring training.
"I'm currently working out with Wayne Summers who used to play at UCF, and he owns a sports-specific gym in Oviedo," acknowledged Herold. "It's up to you to do the conditioning, but they have a whole bunch of testing when we get back. So they'll be able to tell who has been working hard. I'll most likely be with the Greenville Drive in Class A, but depending on how well I do I might have a chance to play for the Salem Avalanche at High A. You're supposed to move up every year, you just have to make sure you're ready each season."
Herold's current journey through the minors not only heated up over the summer, it quickly reached the fifth gear. And UCF fans everywhere will certainly be hoping the southpaw continues to live out his dream to its fullest potential.