Former Highlander Connor Phillips makes MLB debut

Former McLennan Highlander Connor Phillips' MLB dreams came true today as the starting pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds against the Seattle Mariners. Phillips was called up by the Reds last week after an outstanding season in the minors, having led all of minor league baseball in strikeouts in just his second full season.
Phillips was a member of the 2020 Highlander squad that saw its season shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In his time at McLennan, he appeared in six games, posting a 3-1 record with 27 strikeouts and a 3.16 ERA in 25.2 innings. He then became the first junior college player selected in the 2020 MLB draft by the Mariners with the 64th overall pick.
McLennan head coach Tyler Johnson was an assistant for the Highlanders during Phillips' time in Waco and is thrilled to see him take the mound in the big leagues.
"First off, it's pretty exciting. Exciting for the State of Texas, exciting for junior college baseball and exciting for McLennan to add another big leaguer in Connor Phillips," Johnson said. "Overall, it's just pretty awesome for everyone involved. Saying you've been fortunate enough to coach a big leaguer is something many coaches want to say."
Excitement is the common sentiment among the coaches Phillips worked with while in a McLennan uniform.
"We are all excited over here for Connor, and all those who played a part in his development while he was here (Coach Mitch Thompson, Coach James Leverton, Coach Peter Stark) are thrilled for him," Johnson said. "We're all planning on watching the game at the field tonight."
The experience will be just a little sweeter for Johnson as he watches not one but two of his former players on the diamond. Bryce Miller, starting pitcher for the Seattle Mariners, also has ties to Johnson.
"Bryce was a freshman pitcher during my first year of coaching at Blinn. He made his MLB debut earlier this past spring and is having an awesome rookie season," Johnson said. "It's pretty surreal that both Connor and Bryce get to pitch against each other tonight! When I found that out, I was fired up, and I'm excited to watch them compete!"