Texas Rangers: Top MLB debuts of the last decade

ANAHEIM, CA - JUNE 03: Nomar Mazara #30 is congratulated by Jurickson Profar #19 of the Texas Rangers after hitting a solo home run in the eighth inning of the game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium on June 3, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Matt Bush’s Texas Rangers debut: May 13, 2016

Trust me when I say you could make a movie based on the journey Matt Bush has taken to the big leagues.

He was drafted with the first overall pick by the San Diego Padres in 2004 out of high school as a shortstop.

Bush later spent time in a Florida state prison, and was ultimately discovered in a Golden Corral parking lot.

All of that led him to the Rangers in 2016.

After being called up, his first appearance was against the Toronto Blue Jays just days before the infamous Odor-Bautista bout.

It would not prove to be an easy task for Bush initially, as he had to face the then-reigning MVP Josh Donaldson and sluggers Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion.

But after sitting down Donaldson on strikes, the former top pick escaped the inning after getting both Bautista and Encarnacion to fly out.

Making your debut as a pitcher at the age of 30 doesn’t set you up for a long career and Bush has dealt with a few injuries the last couple of years.

However, he’s still in the Rangers organization as a minor leaguer and could see big-league playing time again soon.

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