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Schulfer Keeps Reaching For His Dreams

Austin Schulfer, the all-time strikeout leader in Milwaukee baseball program history and a FirstTeam All-Horizon League honoree as a senior in 2018, continues to impress in his Minor League baseball career and is hoping for that call-up to the big leagues.

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Schulfer, who played for the Panthers from 2015 to 2018, started his trek when the Minnesota Twins chose him in 2018 in the 19th round of the MLB Draft.

Schulfer was a fixture in the Panthers starting rotation since going 3-0 his first year of college baseball in 2015, earning a spot on the Horizon League All-Freshman Team after posting a 2.25 ERA – the second-lowest by a freshman in program history. He continued to raise the bar, posting career-highs in strikeouts and innings pitched as a junior in 2017, finishing seventh in the Horizon League in wins and K’s, eighth in ERA and ninth in innings pitched.

Schulfer put an exclamation mark on a solid

Milwaukee career as he was named First Team All-Horizon League in 2018 behind a 2.96 ERA and 87 strikeouts in 91.1 innings of work. He finished his career with 241 strikeouts to set a new program record, which still stands today.

The Plover (Wis.) native tied what was the school record with 13 strikeouts against Oakland at Miller Park in April of 2017 and set the bar at a new level in 2018 when he struck out a schoolrecord 15 batters against Northern Kentucky. As a senior, he finished fourth in the league in wins, third in innings pitched and third in strikeouts on his way to those first-team accolades. He also set the new MKE career strikeout record at 241 in his final start, breaking the former mark of 239.

His first MiLB stop was a 3-0 campaign in 2018 as a member of the Elizabethton Twins in the Appalachian League. Up next, he helped the Cedar Rapids Colonels to a spot in the 2019 postseason – finishing the season with seven victories and a team-record 124 strikeouts.

After posting a 3.23 ERA and 61 strikeouts in 55.2 innings in 2022, his 2023 campaign started with another invite to Spring Training with the Twins and has now spent the regular season with the St. Paul Saints, the Triple-A affiliate of the Twins.

With the Saints, Schulfer has posted a 3-3 record in 26 appearances out of the bullpen, striking out 26 batters in 35.0 innings of work. In his career, Schulfer has K’d 350 batters in 338.1 innings, picking up 23 wins while posting a 3.78 ERA.

The staff of the Roar Report recently caught up with Austin for a Q&A session.

Roar Report (RR): In four+ seasons in the minors, you’ve really put together some successful numbers. What has been most memorable?

AS: “I’ve had some great moments as a pro so far! Throwing a combined no-hitter (in the 2019 season) and setting some records at various affiliates stand out.”

RR: Has there been a frustrating part of the process?

AS: “The most frustrating things about those seasons goes hand-in-hand with the success. Failing is frustrating, but in the end it’s what ends up making us successful but that process can be frustrating!”

RR: What keeps you ready to play another season of professional baseball?

AS: “What keeps me ready is my love for playing and being around baseball. I don’t consider it work even though it is my career. The drive to prepare and work every day comes from my faith that God has me here doing what I’m doing for a purpose and reason.”

RR: Do you have a typical offseason regimen?

AS: “I have a fairly scripted off-season plan every year. A lot of workouts and discussions about the previous season and the goals for the next. Also, some football on the weekends of course and enjoying my new home in the Nashville area!”

RR: What was the process like finding out you were heading to AAA last year?

AS: “Finding out was an amazing experience. It was my first in-season call up and it came from one of my favorite coaches Ramón Borrego.”

RR: You went from being a starter to the bullpen … what was that move like and who played the main roles in it? Do you approach things differently?

AS: “The move happened almost on accident in 2022 Spring Training. I threw in my first Major League spring game and was throwing harder than usual and performed well in that role. After that it was mutually decided to move into a bullpen spot! I treat whatever inning and spot I’m in the same. You have to get 27 outs and they all matter. So from starting to relieving your job is the same and that’s to get outs.”

RR: What’s it like playing every day knowing you are essentially one step away from MLB? AS: “It’s a great feeling and position to be in.”

RR: This is year No. 2 in St. Paul … how is the environment? The fans? City?

AS: “St. Paul is awesome. The stadium, the fans, the environment is one of the best in Minor League Baseball. I also had my first Juicy Lucy last week so I’m getting acclimated to all of the best spots!”

RR: When you look back at your time at UWM, what are some of your favorite memories?

AS: “I have a ton of great memories as a Panther. I was lucky enough to have my now- wife Elizabeth to explore the city and UWM. Of course a lot of memories with my teammates and coaches too. Some of my favorite memories were the drives to the Hank with Mike Poll and of course grabbing Culver’s after with them.”

RR: What did you go through as a Panther that has helped you in your professional career the most?

AS: “I grew up a lot as a Panther. I saw early success and got humbled really quick my sophomore year. I had a lot of great people who helped me grow as a player but most importantly as a person to get through that. Between Scotty (Scott Doffek), Bigler (Cory Bigler), and on the academic side Andy (Andy Van Sistine) was a huge player in shaping me to be successful on my professional journey.”

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