Imagine the pressure of stepping onto the mound for your first collegiate game, facing a ranked opponent. That's exactly what USF pitcher Bryce Archie did on February 18, 2025. A year later, he found himself watching someone else pitch, but this time from the comfort of the home-side bleachers at Red McEwen Field.
Life has taken an exciting turn for Archie since leaving USF. He bid farewell to textbooks and embraced a new path, one that led him straight to the MLB draft. In July 2025, while finishing homework and contemplating a return to football, Archie was selected in the 14th round by the Cincinnati Reds. It was a whirlwind 24 hours that saw him pack his bags and head to a new state, ready to play baseball once again.
But here's where it gets controversial... Archie's journey back to Tampa, to work with USF assistant coach Daniel Schlereth, sparked some interesting conversations. Schlereth, a veteran of the diamond with a decade of professional baseball experience, had high praise for Archie, calling him a "sneaky big leaguer waiting to happen." Yet, USF coach Mitch Hannahs and Schlereth both expressed gratitude for Archie's visit, seeing it as a testament to their successful coaching methods.
"I hope we've created an environment where our players feel they've gained something unique," Hannahs said. "It's a great feeling when they want to stay connected."
Archie, too, had kind words for his former team, believing that the program had improved in his absence. He was excited to see the team succeed, perhaps even surpassing their achievements from the previous year.
And this is the part most people miss... Archie's transition to the pros wasn't without its challenges. He described it as "growing pains" initially, feeling like he hadn't done enough. Balancing football and baseball during his senior year at USF was no easy feat. Every day, he juggled workouts for both sports, a demanding schedule that required mental reframing when he finally focused solely on baseball.
Despite the challenges, Archie's quick adaptation to the big leagues didn't surprise his coaches. Schlereth praised Archie's ease of adjustment, attributing it to his immediate buy-in.
Now, as Archie embarks on his new journey with the Arizona Complex League Reds, he's determined to keep things simple. He believes players often get caught up in the allure of post-college success, but at the end of the day, it's still just baseball. "I wouldn't say it's a lot different," Archie said. "You still have those strikes to deal with."
So, even though life has taken him away from Red McEwen Field, Archie's connection to the place remains strong. He might not be wearing his glove anymore, but he's still very much a part of the baseball community, cheering from the stands.
