The year was 2022, the weather was wet and cold, and baseball players were arriving in numbers to the city of Everett. Minor League baseball was getting ready to fire up again in Everett as the AquaSox were about to encounter their 2nd season in High A. High A baseball was where the baseball season lasted from April to September. Many players were back for their second time as others stepped onto Funko Field wondering where this rain was coming from.
Once the season began, these ballplayers from all over the world quickly got used to their new environment. The Everett AquaSox were once again stacked with a plethora of talent. Isaiah Campbell, Bryce Miller and Bryan Woo were three talented athletes who shared their life stories with us during the 2022 season, little did we all know that they would be in the big leagues with the Seattle Mariners the following season (2023).
Isaiah Campbell was one amazing individual who shared his time with us. He couldn’t have been more grateful. That 2022 season, Isaiah was the Frogs closer after being moved to the bullpen. During his short season in Everett (was promoted to Arkansas eventually, the Mariners AA ballclub) he achieved double digit in saves while striking out more than a batter per inning.
When we talked with Isaiah, he shared many things with us. Believe it or not, baseball wasn’t his first choice. He loves playing basketball with a passion and he didn’t realize until high school that baseball was the way to go and he loved pitching.
Guess who his role model in MLB was growing up? One would think perhaps a pitcher and they would be incorrect. It was Albert Pujols, an excellent choice.
Last little-known fact; Isaiah Campbell majored in Criminal Justice with a minor in Biochemistry.
Flash forward to July 8th, 2023; Isaiah Campbell was called up to the big leagues and his first game was in Texas against the Rangers. Isaiah threw a perfect 3 out inning, while he also accomplished his first major league strike out. It was such a perfect moment as his family and friends cheered his name as he walked off the field. His teammates, in particular fellow former Frogs Bryan Woo and Bryce Miller, were so ecstatic for him. Isaiah would finish the 2023 season with the ballclub, quite an impressive feat. Congratulations to Isaiah for making it to the top of the ladder!
Bryce Miller, what can we say about Bryce that everyone already knew? Bryce was a phenomenal pitcher. We knew it from the moment he arrived in Everett. The kid threw heat with a side of arsenal pitches. In the stands people were “wow”ing and “woo”ing as pitch after pitch smacked the catcher’s glove, ending usually with a strike out or a pop out. Bryce Miller ended up starting 15 games for the Frogs back in 2022 (before finishing his season in Arkansas). He finished with a 3-3 record, had a 3.24 ERA and struck out 99 batters in 77 ⅔ innings.
When we sat down with Bryce, we weren’t sure how much longer he’d be in Everett, and guess what, we were right. We were very thankful for the opportunity to chat with Bryce. Bryce did not become a pitcher until his Senior year in high school. His team needed pitching, and he figured why not? It’s a good thing he did! Bryce didn’t become a starting pitcher in college until his Senior year, something we were in shock to hear about, as he looked like he’d been doing it for years.
Would you believe that if it were the bottom of the ninth and the count was full, he would throw a fastball up as hard as he could (we would see that in Seattle one day in the near future)? We asked Bryce about his future after baseball. He responded “I majored in Finance and minored in Sports Management. I hope to one day perhaps be in Real Estate and the Finance World. It depends on my baseball career. Hopefully I will make enough money and have my own ranch one day”. (Bryce Miller, if we could go back in time, we’d tell you that you have secured that hope for a ranch). Last known fact about Bryce Miller; when asked what his favorite Hollywood movie was, he answered “Wyatt Earp”. Why is that? It is because of the mustache! We walked away knowing that Bryce Miller had an excellent chance to be the future ace for the Seattle Mariners organization.
Fast forward to May 1st, 2023. Bryce Miller is called up to the big leagues. Bryce’s first start was against the Oakland A’s on May 2nd. He ended up retiring the first 16 batters before giving up a hit, and striking out 10 batters. What a debut! Bryce Miller would stick around and finish the 2023 season with the baseball club. In 2024, Bryce is looking like an Ace out there on the mound. Congratulations Bryce on climbing the ladder!
Bryan Woo, what can we not say about Bryan Woo. One of the hardest workers on this baseball club. The man has been through surgery after surgery and he continues to excel at his position. Bryan came to Everett not knowing what to expect during the summer of 2022 after making two stops at other minor league clubs just below Everett. Woo was drafted in 2021 by the Seattle Mariners after having Tommy John surgery that April. One year later, he’s in High A baseball. We all knew there was something special about this young man.
Bryan told us his story and what a journey it had been for him. A little-known fact; Woo didn’t really become a pitcher until high school. He told his coaches that he could throw a couple innings here and there. “I ended up developing a lot faster as a pitcher than I thought I would,” he told us.
At the time of the interview, Woo had 37 k’s and 6 walks. Great control for someone with his experience. When we asked him if he was always like this, he told us; “No, not always. Every day I try to get a little bit better and work on little things. I am always tweaking these little things and I guess as I get older, my command has gotten better”.
Asked what his out pitch was, he told us, “it has been my fastball, but my changeup has been getting more use as well”. Hmm, (I’d say he has gotten better over the last couple of years for sure).
One last fun fact about Bryan Woo. He told us that Adam Sandler would play Bryan Woo in his Hollywood story. I can imagine that, and it makes me smile every time.
Fast forward to June 3rd, 2023. Bryan appeared in his first major league game. He was called up to start against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas. Yes, it ended up in a loss, but Woo couldn’t have said it any better about his performance. “My stuff was good today,” Woo said. “I just made a couple of mistakes. … It’s up from here, though. I got a lot of good feedback from the guys, so I’m just going to keep working.”
Bryan Woo was the same person as he was the year before when he sat down with us. His work ethic and attitude will make him successful and it has already started to show. Bryan finished out the year with the Seattle Mariners, averaging over a strikeout per inning while racking up 4 wins along the way (A great way to start his career after only pitching 16 minor league games in his short career). Bryan is yet another former Everett AquaSox who has only just begun a stellar career. Congratulations on making it to the top young man. Well deserved!!!
These kinds of stories are why I love watching AquaSox baseball and following the players in their journeys to the Show. Getting to know them is something I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to do so. Keep an eye on the field this year, and maybe we’ll see another success story!
