By RICHIE HALL
During a Zoom press conference after Sam Bachman was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels, a reporter asked the Hamilton Southeastern graduate and Miami University (Ohio) junior how much of a roller-coaster ride it was to get to where he was now.
“It’s definitely an emotional roller-coaster ride, I think that’s pretty well-put,” said Bachman. “You got to really handle the hills and the valleys. Going through it, I think baseball can be a pretty emotional game, so I think the mental toughness aspect is huge, and Miami preaches a lot of this stuff and so it’s really easy to roll with the punches and keep grinding and keep going.”
Bachman’s ride is taking him to Southern California, as he was selected by the Angels in the first round of the Major League Baseball Draft Sunday night. Bachman, who graduated from Southeastern in 2018, was selected ninth by the Angels, easily the highest draft choice ever for the Royals, and the first-ever Miami player to get taken in the first round.
Bachman was there celebrating with his parents, Kevin and Suzanne Bachman, and around 120 to 130 people who were cheering as the official announcement was made.
“It’s a tough one, it hits you pretty hard,” said Bachman. “Didn’t think I was going to cry or show much emotion, but after hugging some of the folks that really sacrificed a lot, it gets pretty emotional pretty quick.”
Bachman got his start at Southeastern, where he was a two-year letter winner for the Royals. He had 21 career appearances and totaled 100 strikeouts.
Ken Seitz, the longtime baseball coach for Southeastern, told The Reporter that Bachman “was a high school player with a strong desire to detail and with the attitude of wanting to be the best pitcher possible.”
Bachman battled arm issues during his junior year, but Seitz said he “still showed up to work each day.” As for his senior season, Bachman “started slow, but finished strong,” said Seitz.
“His last game at the sectional on a very hot day he fought off heat exhaustion and dehydration late in the game,” said Seitz. During the last couple of innings, Bachman talked his coaches into sending him back on to the mound.
“He finished the game and pitched great,” said Seitz. “That showed me the character and toughness that make him Sam Bachman.”
Once on the Miami campus, the 6-1, 235-pound Bachman made an immediate impact for the RedHawks. He had 14 starts in 15 overall appearances, going 7-1 with a 3.93 earned-run average. Bachman struck out 75 batters, while allowing opponents to bat only .229 against him. He was named the Mid-American Conference Freshman Pitcher of the Year, First-Team All-MAC and Freshman All-American.
During his sophomore season, Bachman had four starts. He totaled 31 strikeouts, including 12 in a game against Purdue Fort Wayne. In his junior season, Bachman started 12 times and compiled a 4-4 record with a 1.81 ERA. He struck out 93 batters, holding them to a .147 average. A story on the Miami website pointed out that his fastball “routinely surpassed 100 mph.”
Seitz noted that Major League Baseball is “a tough business,” but also pointed out that Bachman seems to have all the tools to go pretty far.
“He has the big body, strength, and that 100 mph fastball,” said Seitz. “No doubt Sam will do what is asked of him and will be very coachable. Hopefully the Angels will find a good fit for Sam.”
Seitz said that a lot of making it in professional baseball “is being in the right place at the right time – being the right fit for what the organization needs from upcoming players.”
That could spell good fortune for both Bachman and the Angels. In an article on the MLB website, Angels beat reporter Rhett Bollinger said that the team has “an organizational need for pitching,” and Bachman will help to fill it. Bollinger said that Bachman “is considered close to reaching the Majors and could make his debut as a reliever,” but the team is looking at him as a starter in the long term.
Also in the article, Angels scouting director Matt Swanson told Bollinger that it’s important to get Bachman signed and into the team’s system quickly.
“He’s going to have the opportunity to move at his own pace and hopefully impact the Major League roster soon rather than later,” said Swanson.