Sophomore year at Pepperdine is usually one marked by time spent abroad either for months or the entire year. It’s one of budding familiarity cleverly intertwined with exciting uncertainty. It’s one where students start the ball rolling with internships and research into the fields in which they hope to study when they graduate in two years…
…Unless it’s not.
For Pepperdine baseball pitchers Matt Bywater and Cole Cook sophomore year happened to be highlighted by contracts in the Major Leagues. Both star players heard their names called on the second day of the 2010 draft held June 7-9 Cook in the 5th round to the Indians and Bywater in the 7th to the Orioles.
“My parents and I all had our computers out watching the draft tracker and anytime the phone rang we would get excited Bywater said. When the call finally came, Bywater and his family were very relieved.”
Though for most the situation only arises in dreams and ruminations the reality of getting drafted soon set in for both pitchers… and it hit hard. Because of negotiations Bywater didn’t sign his contract until the deadline which after tests and paperwork caused him to miss the conclusion of last year’s minor league season. He is working toward his degree at Pepperdine this semester while it’s the offseason and plans on hitting the ground running when it starts back up next year.
Cook signed his contract almost immediately though he took some time off for personal reasons soon after. Upon returning Cook was sent to the Class A Mahoning Valley Scrappers in New York. Adjusting to life on the road and in the minors has been a little rough to date for the Pepperdine pitcher as his record in 2010 is 0-3 in 4 starts. It’s tough to judge a pitcher completely by his wins and losses however as other stats tend to play a more meaningful role in evaluations. His ERA or earned run average of 5.40 is a little high for a Class A pitcher but it can be assumed that with time and familiarity the number will quickly drop. One particularly promising statistic is his opponent’s batting average which hovers around the .200 range. If he keeps improving his rise has the capability of being meteoric.
Bywater understands the tribulations that come with new environments. Though he hasn’t pitched yet in the minors he knows that it will “…definitely take some getting used to.”
His composure appears to be unwaivering though as he’s aware that “…failure is bound to come at some point” but remains “…confident [he] will succeed.”
He said he hopes to make his MLB debut as soon as next year but at this point in time it’s almost impossible to predict how much of a possibility that is. Even the baseball greats paid their dues in the minors.
With former Pepperdine pitcher Dan Haren’s relocation to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim earlier this season fan fervor is at an all-time high for Pepperdine products in the major leagues. His success at the highest level should be a positive reinforcement that hard work and perseverance can pay off in the end. After all he pitched on that same mound overlooking the ocean at one point as well.
For Bywater and Cook the childhood dream of running onto a Major League field to pitch is starting to become more and more likely. Over the course of the next few years their time in the minors will be essential to their future success as professional athletes. One thing’s for sure— the Pepperdine community will always have their eyes on them.