Locals In MLB: Paxton Schultz Becomes 3rd UVU Player To Reach Majors
Apr 23, 2025, 7:30 PM | Updated: Apr 24, 2025, 10:06 am
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 18: A basket of Rawlings baseballs sits on the warning track at Truist Park before the game between that Minnesota Twins v Atlanta Braves on April 18, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Edward M. Pio Roda/Getty Images)
(Photo by Edward M. Pio Roda/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Paxton Schultz’s MLB debut was as unexpected as they come. Anticipating being on the Toronto Blue Jays taxi squad, the right-hander jumped in a car on Saturday night, headed for Canada.
The former UVU Wolverine had no idea he would be on the active roster until minutes before arriving at Rogers Centre, home of the Blue Jays. After signing his first big league contract, Schultz got his mind and body ready for baseball.
RELATED: Former Wolverine Paxton Schultz Makes Record-Setting MLB Debut
🔥Did Paxton Schultz leave us with the top relief outing of 2025 in April?🔥
Absolutely DOMINANT against the Mariners offense, striking out 8 over 4.1 IP 🌪️
Even more amazing…it was his MLB Debut! After being drafted in 2019, Schultz made it count!
The stuff was nasty! 🤮 pic.twitter.com/EIXJoHEX8o
— Baseball Unstitched Podcast (@BaseUnstitched) April 22, 2025
Schultz got the call in the second inning after starter Easton Lucas was rocked for six runs in less than two innings. Trailing 6-0, Schultz settled the Mariners lineup down with a befuddling mix of pitches, giving up only two hits.
Generating 17 swing and misses, the righty struck out eight batters in 4.1 innings. His eight punchouts matched four others for the most by a pitcher making his MLB debut as a reliever.
Justin Sterner | Pitcher | BYU Cougars
MLB – Athletics
2025 Stats: 10 Games | 0-0 | 0.00 ERA | 10.1 IP | 14 Ks | 6 BBs | 1.06 WHIP
2024 MLB Stats: 2 Games | 0-0 | 2.25 ERA | 4 IP | 4 Ks | BB | 1.50 WHIP
Sterner’s spotless 2025 continued with a one-hit, one-walk appearance at Milwaukee on April 18. His ten appearances are tied with Tyler Ferguson and Jose Leclerc for second, behind T.J. McFarland’s 11. His 1.06 WHIP is third on the team behind closer Mason Miller (7 IP) and starter Luis Severino (32.2 IP).
RELATED: Former Cougar Pitching Lights Out For A’s
Justin Sterner gets out of the jam 🙌 pic.twitter.com/OLVRWsWRj7
— Athletics on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) April 6, 2025
Sterner made his MLB debut in 2024, throwing four innings in two appearances with the Tampa Bay Rays. Tampa Bay placed Sterner on waivers in early November, where the Sacramento-bound Athletics claimed him.
Through three years in Provo, the 6’1 righthander went 8-4 with a 2.86 ERA in 27 games (17 starts). He went 8-3 with a 2.92 ERA in 2019, striking out 71 batters in 71 innings.
Daniel Schneemann | Utility | BYU Cougars
MLB – Cleveland Guardians
2025 Stats: 15 games | .229 BA | 8 Hits | 2 2Bs | 2 HRs | 3 RBI | 4 BBs | 14 Ks
2024 MLB Stats: 73 games | .218 | 42 Hits | 10 2B | 2 3B | 5 HR | 22 RBI | 3 SB | 25 BBs | 70 Ks
The former Cougar brought incredible versatility as a rookie, appearing in double-digit games at third base (17), shortstop (32), center field (16), and right field (14). Schneemann added six appearances at second and left for playoff-bound Cleveland.
Despite an underwhelming performance at the plate, first-year manager Stephen Vogt was confident putting Schneemann in the lineup at nearly any position.
The Cleveland Guardians drafted the left-handed-hitting Schneemann in the 33rd round of the 2018 MLB draft after three seasons at BYU. The San Diego native hit .288 with 76 RBI, 16 stolen bases, and 21 doubles as a Cougar. His best year came in 2017 when he hit .317 with 13 doubles, two home runs, 38 runs knocked in, and ten stolen bases.
Porter Hodge | RHP | Cottonwood Colts
MLB – Chicago Cubs
2025 Stats: 12 Games | 2-0 | 6.17 ERA | 11.2 IP | 5 HLD | 14 Ks | 5 BBs | 1.46 WHIP
2024 MLB Stats: 39 Games | 3-1 | 1.88 ERA | 43 IP | 9 SV | 9 HLD | 52 Ks | 19 BBs | 0.89 WHIP
Is Porter Hodge the best arm in the Chicago Cubs bullpen?
That’s what many around the Cubs media universe are starting to ask themselves after the righthander turned in another marvelous, high-leverage appearance on Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Hodge came on in the tenth inning of what had been a wild game, looking to hold the extra-inning courtesy runner at bay against a potent Dodger lineup. He induced a pair of groundouts and struck out a batter, stranding Tommy Edman at third and giving Chicago the chance to walk off L.A. in the bottom of the tenth.
A nightmare eighth inning with the wind blowing out at Wrigley cost Hodge a chance at April’s reliever of the month. The Arizona Diamondbacks pounded Hodge for four hits and six runs in a ten-run inning. The day, combined with an early-season small sample size, gives the second-year reliever a bloated 6.17 ERA.
RELATED: Former Cottonwood Pitcher Set To Open Season As Key Cog In Cubs Bullpen
Pic I took of Carson Kelly and Porter Hodge arriving at Wrigley Field today pic.twitter.com/B64Cm6Yz3d
— Sam Bernero (@sambernero) April 23, 2025
The right-handed Hodge was a two-time state champ at Cottonwood High. A four-year varsity starter, Hodge finished with a 1.50 ERA in 130.2 innings across 30 games.
The Chicago Cubs selected Hodge out of high school in the 13th round of the 2019 MLB draft. He advanced to Double-A Tennessee in 2023, finishing with a 6-7 record and a 5.13 ERA in 80.2 innings.
DaShawn Keirsey Jr. | OF | Utah Utes
MLB – Minnesota Twins
2025 Stats: 15 games | .105 BA | 2 Hits | 0 BBs | 6 Ks
Spring Training 2025: .286 | 12 Hits | HR | 8 RBI | 3 SB
2024 Stats: .154 BA | 2 Hits | HR | RBI | K
Keirsey Jr. has made four starts in 15 appearances after making the Guardians’ Opening Day roster for the first time in his career. The former Ute has been a regular in right when he plays, serving as the right fielder in 60 percent of his games.
How has DaShawn Keirsey Jr. continued his development with the #MNTwins despite coming off the bench?
Find out:https://t.co/LFyx3EFiwL
— Zone Coverage (@ZoneCoverageMN) April 20, 2025
The left-handed former Utah outfielder made his MLB debut in September, playing six games with the Twins. He got off to an inauspicious start, going 1-for-10 in his first four games. Two weeks later, the native of San Diego, CA, launched his first big league home run in his final game of the season.
Keirsey Jr. played 154 games with Utah from 2016 to 2018. After hitting .293 with 30 RBI and 11 stolen bases as a freshman, Keirsey exploded for 33 doubles, seven homers, and 53 RBI over the next two seasons. He hit .327 as a sophomore, then slashed .386/.440/.609 in 50 games as a junior.
MLB scouts took notice with Minnesota selecting Keirsey Jr. in the fourth round (124th overall) of the 2018 MLB player draft.
Tanner Banks | Pitcher | SLCC Bruins & Utah Utes
MLB – Philadelphia Phillies
2025 Stats: 10 Games | 0-0 | 10.2 IP | 3.38 ERA | 11 Ks | 4 BBs | 1.22 WHIP
2024 Stats: 63 Games | 2-3 | 2 SV | 8 HLD | 72.1 IP | 3.98 ERA | 78 Ks | 25 BBs | 1.30 WHIP
The former Ute has surrendered a run in three of four April appearances in which he has allowed a base hit. Banks threw on back-to-back days for the third time this season on April 21 and 22 against the New York Mets.
After punching out all three batters he faced on the first day, a throwing error from the lefty allowed Francisco Lindor to advance into scoring position. Banks was removed after retiring Juan Soto on a groundout. Lindor came around to score when Pete Alonso doubled off Orion Kerkering.
The southpaw played two seasons (2011-12) at Salt Lake Community College after graduating from Riverton High. He finished his collegiate career on the hill with the Utes.
Banks was 4-12 in 29 appearances for the Utes, including 19 starts. He struck out 70 against 31 walks in 113 innings, ending his amateur career with a 5.18 ERA. The Chicago White Sox selected Banks in the 18th round of the 2014 draft. Banks made his MLB debut with the White Sox in 2022.
Paxton Schultz | Pitcher
MLB – Toronto Blue Jays
The 6’3 righty became the third player in UVU history to be called up after Mitch Jones and Kam Mickolio.
Schultz to The Show!
Welcome to the Big Leagues, Paxton 📝 pic.twitter.com/mJk1v0njeo
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) April 20, 2025
Shultz appeared in 46 games (30 starts) over three seasons (2017-19) for Utah Valley, finishing his career with a 3-17 record and 4.61 ERA in 209 innings. As a junior in 2019, Schultz threw a career-high 99.1 innings in 15 starts. He ended the year with a 4.08 ERA and tied the single-season program record with 99 punchouts, including a career-high 11 Ks against South Carolina.
Locals In MiLB: Former Utah Valley Pitcher Signs Minor League Deal With Twins
First career MLB strikeout for Paxton Schultz.
Good moment for Schultz, who was drafted in the 14th round and came to the #BlueJays four years ago as the “player to be named later” for Derek Fisher. pic.twitter.com/rcgc71ceGO
— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) April 20, 2025
The Milwaukee Brewers drafted him in the 14th round with the 433rd overall pick. He started his minor league career in the Pioneer League with the Rocky Mountain Vibes before being traded to the Blue Jays in May 2021. He made minor league appearances in Vancouver, New Hampshire, and Buffalo.
2025 MiLB Stats: 4 Appearances | 0-0 | 2.08 ERA | 8.2 IP | 9 Ks | 2 BB | 1.04 WHIP
2024 Stats: 12 Appearances | 1-1 | 4.68 ERA | 25 IP | 35 Ks | 24 BB | 1.72 WHIP
RELATED STORIES
Follow Locals in Pro Baseball With KSL Sports
Brian Preece is a KSLSports.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24.
Find KSL Sports coverage of Locals in MLB here.
