PORT ST. LUCIE — When Grant Hartwig walked off the mound in a loss to Ball State on May 29, 2021, the Miami of Ohio right-hander thought his baseball profession was over.
The Redhawks weren’t going to make the postseason and Hartwig’s college profession had been hindered by Tommy John surgery in April 2018 that cost him all of 2019, followed by COVID’s impact on the 2020 season.
“I used to be pondering I used to be done with baseball,’’ Hartwig said. “It seemed less and fewer possible that anything would occur.”
Hartwig said no scouts talked to him before the 2021 draft, so he wasn’t surprised he wasn’t taken.
“I loved playing in college and if that was it, I might have been OK with it,’’ Hartwig said. “I made sure I cherished my senior 12 months.”
The suitable-hander was so confident that he was done with baseball that after majoring in pre-med and microbiology, Hartwig signed up for the MCAT, with the thought of applying for medical school the next 12 months.
But a number of days after the 20-round MLB amateur draft ended, Hartwig got an unexpected call.
“The Mets reached out to me and I’d never heard from them before that,’’ Hartwig said.
And regardless that his mind told him he was OK being done with baseball, Hartwig soon reconsidered.
“I used to be on the sting of whether to do it or not,” Hartwig said. “I’d spent five years invested in attempting to go to med school, lots of and lots of of hours studying. That’s tough to walk away from.”
But between the top of his college season and the decision from the Mets, Hartwig made a realization.
“After I finished playing, nothing was really filling that competitive void,’’ Hartwig said. “I needed something more. The Mets calling got me to do it.”
General manager Billy Eppler said the Mets signed Hartwig based partially of the evaluation of area scout Chris Heidt.
“We saw elements in his game that got our interest,’’ Eppler said. “He was a goal of ours after the draft.”
So as an alternative of preparing for medical school, where Hartwig intended to change into an orthopedic surgeon — partially attributable to the importance of the elbow surgery that prolonged his own profession — Hartwig signed with the Mets and was sent to Port St. Lucie to complete out the 12 months.
Last 12 months, the 6-foot-5, 235-pound Hartwig got all of the technique to Triple-A Syracuse and could possibly be in play to pitch out of the bullpen in Queens sooner or later this season.
As for a possible medical profession down the road, the 25-year-old Hartwig said he’s locked in on pitching for now.
“After I was pondering of med school, I desired to give you the chance to assist guys keep their profession going and provides back what was given to me,’’ Hartwig said. “But whatever I’m doing, I’m really focused on. And that’s baseball now.”
To date this spring, Hartwig has pitched two scoreless innings in a pair of Grapefruit League appearances and his arm has impressed Buck Showalter, in addition to Eppler.
“He’s stood out at every level,’’ Eppler said. “Hitters will let you know if someone can pitch or not and hitters are telling us that Grant Hartwig can pitch.”
