Hunter Feduccia’s first start for the Dodgers felt like an MLB debut

Hunter Feduccia was called up to the Los Angeles Dodgers on August 19 when Austin Barnes went on the 10-day injured list. After playing as a backup catcher for five days, he was finally able to pitch on Sunday, August 26 against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Although Feduccia made his MLB debut on July 31, filling in as a pinch hitter in the final at-bat of the game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park, he had yet to make the starting lineup at the MLB level.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts put Feduccia in the starting position to give Will Smith a day of rest, and he liked that Feduccia had plenty of experience catching Gavin Stone when both were in the minor leagues. Since Feduccia was making his first start, Roberts was “excited” to see what the young backstop could do.

“I don’t think this moment is going to be too big for him and the guys like him,” Roberts said before the game. “So I think for me, it’s someone I trust. He’s been in the organization a long time, understands what we do as an organization, as a pitching staff, and like I said, I have a good feeling about the battery today.”

It’s rare that a player is drafted highly only to be sent back before his first start. But that’s exactly the path Feduccia took, and he said his first start felt like his MLB debut. “Yeah, 100%,” he said.

“When I walked out there, at the first pitch, I took in the whole atmosphere. It was definitely a dream come true.”

Feduccia walked in the third inning to get on base for the first time in his career. In the seventh inning, he hit a single to right field against Drew Rasmussen.

“It was awesome,” Feduccia said of his first hit. “When I started, I thought I was going to face Shane Baz, but then I got on the field and heard it was a left-hander. I was getting ready for Shane and then I heard that news, but it was good. I got a good first hit and got a walk, so that was refreshing.”

Feduccia also called a great game behind the plate, helping Stone to an excellent performance with seven innings pitched, seven strikeouts and only one earned run allowed.

“It’s awesome,” Stone said. “He’s one of my best friends in this organization and has been for a while. Just being there on his special day was pretty cool.”

The family of the 27-year-old from Louisiana was also present and Feduccia described them as “very emotional”.

“My mom was probably on camera. She was trying to keep her composure the whole game,” he said. “Girlfriend, I’m sure everyone was touched. I’m glad they made it. It was a great day.”

Hunter Feduccia hits the first ball

As is tradition for players, Feduccia got the ball back after his first hit and already has plans for what he will do with it.

“I’ll probably give it to my father,” Feduccia said. “He wants to hang it. Once I have a house, I’ll probably hang it on my wall and cherish it forever.”

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