Garrett Mitchell was the 20th overall pick in the first round of the Brewers in the 2020 MLB June Draft. Just a little over two years later, Mitchell made his major league debut days short of his 24th birthday.
On August 27, 2022, in Milwaukee, Mitchell entered the game in the eighth inning as a defensive replacement as the Brewers faced off against the Chicago Cubs. He became the 22,799th player to play in major league history.
Garrett Mitchell made his first MLB start on August 28
The next night, Mitchell got the start in center field versus the rival Cubs. Batting ninth in the Brewers’ order, Mitchell went one-for-four in the contest. He delivered a one-out single in the fourth inning that plated a pair of runs and later scored on a Christian Yelich home run. The Brewers won 9-7.
The following night, in Game One of a series against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Mitchell again got the start. With the Brewers down 5-3 in the eighth inning, Mitchell hit a two-run HR off Wil Crowe tying the game. The Brewers would win the game in the ninth on a Keston Hiura two-run homer.
For the game, Mitchell’s box score line read: one-for-three, with two runs scored and one hit, a two-run HR. He also had a stolen base in the game.
Mitchell’s first two games with a plate appearance are historic
What made Mitchell’s first two MLB games noteworthy was this… Mitchell accomplished something in those first two games that hadn’t been done in over 120 years in baseball: He had a home run, stolen base, three runs scored and four RBI in his first two MLB games with a plate appearance. According to baseball-reference.com, the only other player to do it in MLB history was Emmet Heidrick in 1901! (Note: While Heidrick played in 1898-1900, 1901 is recognized as the start of the Modern Era in baseball.)
Heidrick, a center fielder like Mitchell, played for the St. Louis Cardinals. In his first two games in 1901 on April 19 and 20, versus the Chicago Cubs, Emmet went four-for-five with two runs scored, a double, two triples, one RBI and a stolen base. The following day he went two-for-five with a home run and five RBI.
Mitchell’s first year in the majors with the Brewers ended with him batting .311 in 28 games. Five of his 19 hits were for extra-bases, and he added nine RBI and eight stolen bases for the Brew Crew. For the record, Mitchell will retain his rookie status for the 2023 season.
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @Statsontapp and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content.
