The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Catching up with Taylor Jungmann
07.02.2015 | Baseball
Jungmann made his Major League debut on June 9
After a three-year career at Texas that saw Taylor Jungmann rack up a 32-9 record with a 1.85 ERA while leading the Longhorns to two appearances in the College World Series, the right-handed pitcher from Temple embarked on a professional career when he was selected 12th overall in the 2011 MLB Draft. On June 9, Jungmann made his Major League debut with the Milwaukee Brewers, tossing seven innings of one-run ball while striking out five and allowing just three hits. He's gone on to make four more starts for the Brewers, amassing a 2-1 record with a 2.79 ERA in his first season in the big leagues. TexasSports.com recently caught up with the 2011 consensus All-American and Dicker Hoswer Trophy winner.
Where were you when you found out the news of the call up and what was your reaction?
We were just about to leave for a road trip and they said it was a possibility, so I packed accordingly, and I can't remember exactly where we were when they told me for sure. They called me in the office and told me I was making a start on Tuesday in Pittsburgh. Obviously I was excited, it's something I've looked forward to for a long time. It's where I've always wanted to be and where I feel like I should be. So I was excited.
Describe your emotions in your first start. Did it go incredibly fast or did things slow down?
I had a lot of my family, I had some friends, really everyone there to enjoy it with me. It was pretty awesome. I was a little anxious in the bullpen before the game, but once I got in and threw that first pitch, got through the first batter, I felt pretty relaxed. I was able to stay within myself.
Skip Johnson described you as a big-game pitcher. When you got to the big leagues, did you feel more comfortable with the bigger stage, as opposed to the minor leagues?
To be honest yeah, I do feel more comfortable up here. In the minor leagues you're always working on things, trying to impress people, worrying about what people are thinking, things like that. Once you get up here, it's all about winning. So all you're trying to do is compete, and that's what I like to do. So I do find it a little more enjoyable to pitch up here.
Did playing at Texas prepare you for that?
Yeah I think so. Pitching in front of 10,000 people every Friday night, College World Series, regional games, things like that, having the media there in Austin. The University of Texas sports is the focus in Austin and you get used to having media at every game and practices, so it prepares you in a lot of ways.
How would you compare your time at Texas to your time playing professionally?
Nothing will replace that time at Texas, I loved it. All three years were great, going to the College World Series, all the guys on those teams are still my best friends. In minor league ball you see guys during the season that are friends but in the offseason, they're from all different places. College is where you make your lifelong friends. I think that's the biggest difference between college and professional baseball – you're playing with your friends to win a championship. In minor league baseball it's a little bit different; everyone is working for themselves and trying to get themselves to the big leagues.
Did you talk to any other Texas guys before making your debut?
I got some "good lucks, hope you do well," I didn't talk to anybody in depth. I talk to Skip [Johnson] all the time, after every one or two starts. But I heard from just about everybody.
How important is it to you to have the relationship with Skip that you do to this day?
It's huge for me. If I'm struggling – the pitching coaches up here are great, they know what they're doing – but Skip's known me for a lot longer than these guys. So he knows my motions and my mechanics better than anybody. He keeps up with all of us, he watches games when he can, and he can pick up little things because he knows me so well whereas other guys may not pick up something small. So if I'm struggling or even if I'm pitching well, trying to fix something small and always having him there to talk to and get advice on what that problem might be is great.
What's it been like having a former Texas teammate on the roster with you in Corey Knebel?
It's pretty cool. Not only being from Texas but being another young guy, just having someone to ask questions about what we can and can't do, what we can get away with in the clubhouse and on the field. Stuff most people don't think about but as a rookie in the big leagues, you have to know the little things. He's always keeping everybody entertained so it's fun.
How cool has it been to have Corey come on in relief right after you in several of your games?
Yeah it's pretty cool. I think he's come in maybe four out of my five games; he always seems to be up and throwing as I'm getting ready to leave. So it's pretty cool to be able to say we went to the same college.
What are some of your best memories at Texas?
I think 2009, the year we went to the College World Series. Playing with Travis Tucker, Brandon Belt, Austin Wood, that team was just unbelievable. The type of wins we had, all the walk-offs, I don't think anybody thought we'd be that good the first year. That team just had great chemistry from the older guys all the way down to the young guys. We came together and we couldn't quite finish it off, but it was an awesome team to be a part of.
