PaddleHeads pitcher Connor Schultz earns shot with Chicago Cubs organization
The Missoula PaddleHeads announced Monday that Starting Pitcher Connor Schultz' contract was purchased by the Chicago Cubs.
The Missoula PaddleHeads announced Monday that Starting Pitcher Connor Schultz' contract was purchased by the Chicago Cubs. Schultz, a Pioneer League All-Star last season with Missoula, becomes the 19th Missoula PaddleHeads player to be signed by Major League Baseball since the PaddleHeads went Independent in 2021. The 19 is the most by any one team in all of Independent Baseball's four premier leagues in the country over that time period. This is also the 3rd player to be signed by MLB this year alone as Schultz joins Will Sandy (Nationals) and Thomas Bruss (Tigers) as signees this season.
The PaddleHeads signed Schultz out of college following his career at the University of Iowa in 2022 and finished the season with the PaddleHeads starting 6 games in 8 appearances. He returned to Missoula in 2023 and had an All-Star season for the PaddleHeads posting a 3.82 ERA over 17 starts in 18 appearances. He won 7 games to only 3 losses. He was named a Pioneer League All-Star on the postseason All-Star team and finished second in the Pitcher of the Year voting behind PaddleHeads starter Alfredo Villa. Schultz again returned to Missoula for this season, his 3rd, and has been the PaddleHeads most consistent starting pitcher in the early going with a 3-1 record and a 4.09 ERA over 4 starts.
Missoula PaddleHeads Manager, Michael Schlact had this to say about Connor Schultz joining the Chicago Cubs organization: "Connor is a wonderful example of why we exist and how our model works," explained Schlact. "Connor has grown so much on and off the field in a short time and we're so happy the hard work has paid off for him. Missoula has shown time and time again that we're a place where players can come develop, succeed, and get opportunities at the next level. We can't wait to follow Connor's journey as he chases down his dream of being a big leaguer."
This article was originally published by Geoff Safford in SWX Local Sports. To read the full article, please visit https://www.swxlocalsports.com/montana/pro/pioneer-league/paddleheads-pitcher-connor-schultz-earns-shot-with-chicago-cubs-organization/article_6308c070-2773-11ef-8a27-3b8a83e5b320.html