A’s reliever Anthony Maldonado learned from big moments

HOUSTON – Before A’s reliever Anthony Maldonado toed the rubber for the first time in the majors for the Marlins last season, he had already experienced pitching in big moments. As a freshman he was Bethune-Cookman University’s ace in the NCAA Tournament.

The Wellington, Fla., native has also pitched in the World Baseball Classic.

Maldonado, who was optioned to Class AAA Las Vegas on Saturday, was part of Puerto Rico’s roster for the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

The 6-foot-4 right-hander was one of the only pitchers on the team who hadn’t reached the majors yet. However, Maldonado wasn’t dazed when his entire nation was watching during this international tournament. 

Team Puerto Rico

The 27-year-old rookie was trusted to hold the lead in the eighth inning in pool-play versus Nicaragua. Anthony Maldonado pitched a clean inning. He struck out two, including former major leaguer Alex Blandino. 

While in the WBC, Maldonado took advantage of playing with plenty of Puerto Rican All-Stars. He took advice from two-time Reliever of the Year Edwin Diaz. Although Maldonado didn’t have any experience in the majors, Diaz reminded the young hurler there was a reason he was pitching for Team Puerto Rico. 

“The biggest thing was (to) trust your stuff. That’s what Edwin Diaz preached,” said Maldonado. “A guy like that is what every bullpen guy wants to be like. When he said ‘Trust your stuff, you are here for a reason,’ That meant a lot.”

Even though he had played on the biggest stage internationally, Maldonado was used to the bright lights. As a freshman, he led Bethune-Cookman to the NCAA tournament in 2017. The Wildcats played in the Gainesville Regional. 

Bethune-Cookman great

Maldonado won eight games with a 3.02 ERA as a freshman. He was named First-Team All-MEAC. After helping his team win the MEAC title, he received the nod to start the first game of the Gainesville Regional against Florida. 

The outing didn’t go his way. Nonetheless, the regional helped Maldonado learn to pitch with pressure. 

“It’s just exposure,” he said. “At that time, that was the highest level I ever pitched at. It molds you to pitch on a bigger stage. I’m very fortunate for that opportunity I had.”

Maldonado’s next two years at Bethune-Cookman were exceptional. He was named MEAC Pitcher of the Year in 2018, and named all-MEAC Second-Team in his final year in college.

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Anthony Maldonado was picked in the 11th round of the MLB draft by the Miami Marlins in 2019. He spent five years in the Marlins’ organization before being picked up via waivers by the Athletics this past offseason.

The A’s recently promoted Maldonado. The young reliever has appeared in six games thus far. He’s struck out seven batters and has yet to record a win while giving up six runs in five innings before he was demoted.

“We targeted him this past offseason,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said. “He was throwing the ball really well in Triple A. He has a pretty good slider that he can manipulate.”

Maldonado roots for alma mater

Maldonado is currently focused on pitching in the major leagues. However, that hasn’t stopped him from rooting for his alma mater. Bethune-Cookman has returned to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2017, when Maldonado was a freshman on the team. 

The Wildcats won the SWAC in walk-off fashion. Junior Audrey Martinez hit a three-run home run at Rickwood Park to clinch Bethune-Cookman’s spot in the Tallahassee Regional. 

From afar, Maldonado is hoping the Wildcats create some postseason magic. 

“I’m glad to see those guys get back to a regional and get another conference championship under their belt,” Maldonado said. “I know it’s been a tough few years, but I’m happy to see them in and I’m proud of those guys.”