Loretto’s Blade Tidwell on the way up with New York Mets

LORETTO, Tenn. — Less than a month after the New York Mets drafted him, former Loretto High School pitcher Blade Tidwell was called up to Single-A, got the start, and threw 1.2 scoreless innings as the St. Lucie Mets beat the Lakeland Flying Tigers. Both teams are in Minor League Baseball’s Florida State League.

On July 17, Tidwell was drafted in the second round at 52nd overall, and on July 26, he signed a Major League Baseball contract with the Mets worth $1.85 million. 

“It has been a long ride,” he said. “I am super excited to be a part of the Mets organization and cannot wait to launch my career.” (Don’t worry, as a two-time SEC Academic Honor Roll member, Tidwell is a smart guy and says a financial advisor is in the works.)

Just before his first pro start Aug. 9 with the rookie league FCL Mets, Tidwell said, “Right now I am in Port St. Lucie, Fla., pitching in rookie ball and don’t know the next step quite yet. I am pretty much just waiting and playing it by ear.”

In that debut, he gave up no hits, no runs, walked one batter, and struck out two. After the game and getting that first professional outing in the books, he said, “It felt good. I’m ready to get back full throttle.”

Now, it looks like things are picking up speed. 

On Aug. 16, one week after his first and only outing in rookie ball, Tidwell was promoted to Single-A St. Lucie. He started the game on the road against Lakeland, gave up no hits, no runs, walked one, and hit two batters in a 7-3 Mets win. Like the temperature in Lakeland, his fastball was touching the upper 90s. His slider and changeup were both in the mid-80s. 

“Right now I am focused on getting better in small ways and progressing through the minor leagues. There’s still a lot for me to learn from everyone along the way,” Tidwell said. 

He credits those around him for preparing him for the journey ahead.

“I have been fortunate enough to be surrounded by a great support system so nothing has hit me unexpectedly throughout the process,” he said.

In the game, Tidwell and former Vol teammate Seth Stephenson were in opposite dugouts. During a pregame chat, the St. Lucie broadcast team asked Tidwell, slated to pitch only two innings, how he felt about possibly facing his old teammate, who would be batting ninth. 

“Hopefully, it won’t come to that,” Tidwell said. The announcers got a good laugh and, ultimately, Tidwell did not have to throw to Stephenson.

Tidwell said it was awesome seeing former Vols be drafted and take the next step in their careers. 

“I was close with quite a few of the guys,” he said. “We put a lot of hard days in to get to where we are right now and it’s nice seeing everyone’s work pay off.”

During his freshman year at Tennessee, Tidwell earned several awards, including 2021 freshman All-SEC, 2021 freshman All-American, and he played on the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team.

In his sophomore season, a shoulder issue kept him off the mound until April. Otherwise, he would have been a first-round draft pick.

Once back in the lineup, he pitched in 13 games, including nine starts, and finished with a 3.00 ERA and 51 strikeouts over 39 innings. He also earned 2022 NCAA Knoxville Regional All-Tournament Team honors.

The Florida State League regular season ends Sept. 11. In the off-season, Tidwell will head back home to Loretto.

“When I leave here it is pretty much my time to rest and train however I please,” he said.

That will likely include only a few days off. 

Ben Bates, a personal trainer in Loretto, Tenn., who has worked with Tidwell since his senior year in high school, said, “Every kid should idolize Blade’s drive and willpower to get better every single day – from day one throughout the rest of his career, regardless of the copious amount of God-given talent he has. He knew we were on a mission, and that is all that mattered.

“What did Blade do the Sunday night after he got drafted? He texted me and said, ‘Can we train tomorrow?’ There is so very much to learn for kids of all ages – from the mental aspect of all sports and life – from his approach to be better every single day.”