MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Michael Grove’s ascension through the Los Angeles Dodgers’ farm system reached the summit Sunday when the former Wheeling Park and WVU pitcher made his MLB debut.
Grove was called up to the big league roster for a spot start and picked up a no decision in the Dodgers’ 5-4 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. Grove pitched 3 2/3 innings. He allowed four hits and four runs. None of the runs were earned however after a fielding error by Gavin Lux with two out extended the second inning. Grove walked three batters and struck out three. He tossed 70 pitches.
Welcome to The Show, @mgrove_2! pic.twitter.com/pz395M6IFa
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 15, 2022
Grove was selected by the Dodgers in the second round of the 2018 draft with the 68th pick. In five starts this season with the Class AA Tulsa Drillers, Grove posted a 2.76 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 16 1/3 innings.
Grove spent three seasons at WVU from 2016-2018. He was an All-Big 12 Second Team selection as a sophomore in 2017, after being named to the league’s honorable mention list a year earlier. He became the 27th former Mountaineer to play in the big leagues.
In his high school days at Wheeling Park, Grove led the Patriots to the state tournament appearances in 2014 and 2015.