Bo Schulz delivers a pitch during his Kane County Cougar days. He recently became the 125th former Cougar to make the Major Leagues. (Kane County Cougars photo)

Schultz is 125th Cougar to reach major leagues

Pitcher Bo Schultz, a member of the 2010 Kane County Cougars, has made his Major League debut after playing this last month for the Arizona Diamondbacks in Australia. 

Schultz pitched one inning of scoreless relief in Arizona’s 7-5 loss against the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

The game, which was played on Sunday, March 23 locally in Australia, was the Opening Series of the 2014 Major League Baseball season.  

The 28-year old Schultz is the 125th former Cougar to reach the majors and the fifth player from the ’10 Cougars squad to make his MLB debut. 

Schultz, a non-drafted free agent originally signed by the Oakland in 2008, was part of the Cougars’ Opening Day roster in 2010 and pitched in 41 games, going 6-1 with a 2.87 ERA.

Schultz was eventually released by the A’s in 2011 and after spending time in the independent leagues, was signed by Arizona. Schultz split last season between Double-A Mobile and Triple-A Reno, going 5-6 with a 3.35 ERA in 37 games.

 The Cougars, Class-A farm team of the Chicago Cubs, has had at least one former player make a Major League debut in each season dating back to 1993. The list includes Major League All-Stars, World Series champions and former MVP, Rookie of the Year, Gold Glove and Silver Slugger award winners.

 Opening Night at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark is set for Tuesday, April 8 when the Cougars host Fort Wayne at 6:30 p.m. Tickets for the 2014 season are on sale now and can be ordered by calling (630) 232-8811 or visiting kccougars.com.

Notes on Schultz – Schultz was ranked the 30th-best prospect in the Arizona farm system entering this season according to Baseball America. The publication describes Schultz as the “feel good story of 2013 for the Diamondbacks”. Schultz becomes the fifth player from the 2010 Cougars squad to reach the Major Leagues, joining Oakland pitcher Dan Straily, Texas outfielder Michael Choice, Detroit pitcher Ian Krol and Houston catcher Max Stassi. Schultz pitched collegiately at Northwestern University in Evanston. While with the Cougars in 2010, Schultz was part of the “Road to Wrigley” game where the Cougars faced the Peoria Chiefs at Wrigley Field.  Schultz becomes the fourth former Cougar to make his MLB debut with Arizona, joining Vladimir Nunez (’01 Cougar), Bill Murphy (’03 Cougar), and Sam Demel (’07 Cougar).

–News Bulletin news sources