Former Husker Schwellenbach tosses strong inning in MLB Futures Game

Former Nebraska two-way player Spencer Schwellenbach took part in the MLB Futures Game on Saturday night in Seattle, throwing a scoreless inning of relief.

The Futures Game is a collection of some of the top talent in the minor leagues, and Schwellenbach showed well, striking out a pair of hitters and surrendering a hit in his one inning of work.

The 6-foot-2 right-hander is coming off Tommy John surgery that cost him the entire 2022 season, but has started the season strong so far this year. Schwellenbach pitches for the Augusta Green Jackets, the single-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. This season Schwellenbach is 4-2 with a 2.63 ERA in 13 starts. Schwellenbach was a second round pick of the Braves in 2021.

Schwellenbach has struck out 41 batters in 51.1 innings of work and has walked 15 with opponents hitting just .234 off Schwellenbach this season.

MLB.com ranks Schwellenbach as the No. 6 prospect in the Braves’ farm system at the midpoint of the season, with a projected MLB debut coming in 2025.

Schwellenbach is the fourth former Husker to play in the Futures game, joining Jamal Strong (2001), Alex Gordon (2006) and Joba Chamberlain (2007). All three Huskers eventually reached the Major Leagues after playing in the Futures game.

In his final season at Nebraska — the only season he pitched — Schwellenbach was a first-team All-American selection as a utility player as he hit .284 with six homers and 40 RBI at shortstop, while also going 3-1 with 10 saves and a 0.57 ERA in 31.2 innings of work.