Eric Stout can't quit the game he loves. Baseball keeps pulling him back in.

Last week, Eric Stout was sitting in the first row of seats at Victory Field while the Toledo Mudhens took batting practice. He's reflecting, and there's so much to remember. From Butler to Idaho Falls to Omaha, from Kansas City to Mayaguez to Chicago, and so many stops in between. And to think that a decade ago, he was a kid at Butler just hoping to get a shot.

It’s been a whirlwind of a career for the 29-year-old left-hander who just keeps hanging around, trying to make the most of his opportunity. He’s thought before about hanging it up — not long ago, he thought this season might be his last — but this crazy, beautiful game of baseball keeps luring him back. And he’s made it this far. Why not keep going?

“It's crazy how things work out in this business,” he said. “You never know. This is my fifth organization I've played for. I’m happy for the opportunity, trying to take advantage of every day that I can."

'His talent was exceptional.'

Stout never seemed destined for stardom. Former Butler baseball coach Steve Farley was impressed by what he saw from the lanky lefty during a high school showcase and gave him a shot. His freshman season was unremarkable. During his sophomore campaign, he had a 5.21 ERA. During his junior season, he led the team with 64 strikeouts, but his ERA (6.78) did little to impress.

But in the 13th round of the 2014 MLB Draft, the Kansas City Royals called his name.

“His talent was exceptional. He's an extremely talented guy — best bowler on the team, good basketball player, good golfer,” former Butler pitching coach Miles Miller said. “You put him in any scenario, and he was going to find a way to be the best guy and find a way to win. He really knew where he wanted to go, and he did everything along the way that you're supposed to do to get there. When you have the talent level that Eric has, you’ve got a chance.”

The Society for American Baseball Research says a player drafted in the 12th round or later of the MLB Draft has less than a 10% chance of making it to the majors.

Mike Stout is one of his son’s biggest advocates. But even he didn’t see his son’s professional career being a long one.

“I don't think I ever really pictured him being where he is today back then,” he said.

His first MLB Spring Training came in 2014, as the Royals were coming off a World Series appearance. They’d win a title that fall. He started the 2018 season in Triple-A. On April 24, he got the call. He was going to the majors.

“You dream of that moment for a really long time,” Stout said. “I called my dad right away. He was working and didn't think I was serious at the time … The call is the one thing. Pitching in the games is a completely different thing.”

He made his debut on April 25 against Milwaukee. He gave up two runs in two-thirds of an inning. Three days later, he gave up two more runs in 1⅓ innings.

He got sent down, and returned for just one game in May. In three Major League games that season, he gave up seven runs in 2⅓ innings.

“I learned that consistency is probably the biggest thing as a relief pitcher,” he said. “You sometimes don't get a lot of opportunities, and you have to take advantage of it. You’ve got to be prepared mentally and physically. It's all about the preparation.”

'It's crazy how things work out in this business.'

That began a circuitous journey for Stout. He spent part of the 2019 season in the independent league and part with the Reds organization. He spent the next several seasons bouncing between the minors (Miami) and independent baseball. Independent baseball was a shock for a player who’d gotten a taste of the top of the baseball world. He had to go to the local YMCA to work out. Instead of plane rides from one city to the next, he sat in cramped bus seats for hours at a time.

“You realize that everybody there has the same goal and is trying to get back into baseball,” he said. “We’re pushing each other trying to get back into affiliated ball. It was definitely hard. I had plenty of doubts along the way after a rough outing. ‘Am I ever going to get back?’”

Had the Cubs not come calling, Stout had considered hanging it up after this season.

“I would have maybe given it this year. If I didn't latch on anywhere, I probably would have spent another year in (independent) ball and see where things went,” he said. “There have definitely been times where I thought about hanging it up and going back to Butler and getting my degree and going from there. It's crazy how things work out in this business.”

Stout had spent the past three seasons playing in Puerto Rico. He caught the eye of the Cubs. On March 8, he signed with his hometown team.

“That was probably the most emotional I’ve felt as a baseball player,” he said. “Being from Chicago, growing up a Cubs fan, always dreaming about playing for the Cubs if you have the opportunity, it just gave me extra motivation to make it to the major leagues. All my friends and family live there.”

On June 13, nearly nine years after making his major league debut, he got the call that he was going to Chicago.

He pitched two innings at Wrigley Field against San Diego on June 14.

“There was an hour and a half rain delay, and there were 35,000 fans still,” he said. “The atmosphere is unmatched, that's for sure.”

He pitched just one more game for the Cubs before being designated for assignment. The same day, he was claimed by Pittsburgh — and made it full circle when he was sent to Triple-A Indianapolis.

He’s been brilliant in limited time with Indianapolis (0.68 ERA in 13⅓ innings pitched). And for the first time in his career, he’s getting a chance to prove himself as a pro. He’s appeared in 17 games with Pittsburgh.

“I’m just trying to prove that I can get lefties and righties out just as well,” he said. “We definitely have some very good arms in Triple-A here. Their system is very solid with arms. I think I’d be a good fit for any type of role that they have along the way. I definitely think this is a good place for me. It's a great organization to be with. They're going through a little bit of a rebuild. I'd be happy to be along for the ride.”

At plenty of points along the way, he could have given up. Maybe, finally, this is where he sticks.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Former Butler pitcher can't quit the game he loves. It pulls him back