Cavalier Corner is the publication just for UVa sports fans!
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/174129
cavalier profile Phil Gosselin Alum • Baseball Phil Gosselin was hanging out in suburban Atlanta on a Friday morning in August when he got a call from Randy Ready, his manager for the Triple‑A Gwinnett Braves of the International League. Major leaguer Tyler Pastornicky tore up his knee and needed season-ending surgery, and the Atlanta Braves needed an infielder. As a result, Gosselin, the former Virginia baseball standout, was called up to the "Show" for the first time. "I drove over to Gwinnett and got all of my stuff," he said. "It was a whirlwind. Everything was going so fast." Gosselin, who was drafted by the Braves in the fifth round in 2010, headed to Turner Field that day and made it in time for batting practice prior to the Aug. 16 game with the Washington Nationals. He entered the game at second base in the top of the 10th inning. "The first play was a grounder from Ryan Zimmerman," said Gosselin, who retired the former Virginia star. "Bryce Harper walked and then we turned a 6‑4‑3 double play on Jayson Werth." The Braves won the game with a walk-off homer by Justin Upton in the bottom of the 10th inning. The next night, Gosselin was retired in his first two big league atbats. Then on Aug. 18, he had his first two major league hits in four at-bats. "The first hit was a bunt hit. I was so happy to get it," said Gosselin, who added that he took some ribbing from teammates that his first hit came on a bunt. Gosselin was not listed among the top 30 prospects in the Braves system prior to this year according to Baseball America. He began the 2013 season with Double-A Mis‑ sissippi of the Southern League, where he hit .243 in 218 at-bats. He was then sent to Gwinnett, where he batted .266 with two homers and 15 RBI in 207 at-bats. Gosselin, who turns 25 in October, had a short stint in Atlanta. He had two hits and a walk in seven plate appear‑ ances in four games with Atlanta, and he was not with the team when rosters expanded Sept. 1. Now on the 40-man roster of the Braves, Gosselin is eager for next season to start. "It will be my first big league spring training," he said. "I will try to learn as much as I can. I am going to work out and try to get better. I am going to get after it and bear down." — David Driver ◆ Photo by Patrick Duffy/ courtesy Atlanta Braves