Backyard product: A’s top pick Tyler Soderstrom boosted his MLB stock in Turlock – The Athletic

Steve Soderstrom pitched three games for the Giants in 1996, allowing 16 hits and 11 runs, eight of them earned, in 13 2/3 innings. These numbers are forgettable, at best, but Turlock is not most places, and in Turlock, Steve is a legend. Soderstrom was the first alum of Turlock High to be selected in the first round of the MLB Draft (in 1993, after competing collegiately at Fresno State), and when he first touched big-league grass on Sept. 17, 1996, he became the second player from the high school to do so.

Sure, he gave up three hits and five runs in his debut, but he also shared a field with Barry Bonds and Tony Gwynn. His legend wasnt born that night in San Francisco, though; that came years later. By the time he debuted with the Giants, Steve had long considered himself an almond farmer he still does today. His baseball career is the source of fond memories from a different time.

In 2003, his oldest son, Tate, fell in love with the game just like...

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Backyard product: A's top pick Tyler Soderstrom boosted his MLB stock in Turlock - The Athletic