Jeff Criswell, the A’s second-round pick in this year’s MLB draft, has plenty of versatility. He has proved himself to be a strong starter on the mound and can even make an impact coming out of the bullpen. But more importantly, he has a big heart.
The 21-year-old prospect out of Michigan recently invited two of his former teammates, Joe Pace and Matt Schmidt, over to his place and bribed them with free food.
“Everybody says yes to free food,” Criswell told The Detroit Free Press earlier this month.
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This wasn’t just a casual hangout with a lot of grub, though. It was a surprise graduation ceremony. Not for him, of course. Criswell is just a junior.
He wanted to make sure his teammates had a ceremony of sorts since, just like the baseball season, the usual one was cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“They came over and we were waiting for them,” Criswell said. “I put up a congratulations banner and stuff like that.”
The congratulatory words preceded a big pasta dinner put on by the pitcher and he ordered in some salads as well.
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He wasn’t done, though.
Criswell also provided caps and gowns from high school for them to wear and played “Pomp and Circumstance” while the two walked down the stairs. He then handed Pace and Schmidt fake diplomas as he announced their names.
Jimmy Kerr, a former Wolverine who was drafted by the Detroit Tigers last year, also gave a speech and complimented on how the two have grown over the years and during their time at the college.
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They wanted to make sure they had a special night while the world goes through a very unprecedented time.
Respect.