Rachel Crader is the editor of semoball.com. She graduated from the University of Missouri School of Journalism in May of 2009 before spending the summer covering the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.

Highlights from Rachel's days in college include having a class down the hall from Chase Daniel and having NCAA wrestling champion Ben Askren hold the door open for her at Brady Commons, Mizzou's student center. She spent time covering Mizzou basketball, softball and baseball while working for the Columbia Missourian and is excited to return home to Southeast Missouri to cover local sports for semoball.com.

Rachel has covered three Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournaments for the Southeast Missourian and semoball.com, and she'll see you courtside again this year.

Former Scott City/Southeast pitcher Shae Simmons called up to Atlanta Braves

Posted Saturday, May 31, 2014, at 12:52 AM

Shae Simmons' rapid ascent through the Atlanta Braves organization is complete -- and he's skipped Triple A in the process.

The Scott City High School graduate who spent three seasons pitching for Southeast Missouri State before being drafted in the 22nd round of the 2012 MLB draft had pitched at the Double A level all season before being called up the the Braves MLB club on Friday.

Simmons has been dominate this season, as he has been throughout his short professional career. He has a 0.78 ERA this season and has struck out 30 batters in 23 innings of work while compiling 14 saves as the closer for the Mississippi Braves.

I haven't seen any quotes from Simmons about his call-up yet. I doubt we'll be able to get him on the phone tomorrow, but he should talk to Atlanta media and I'll share some coverage.

For now, here's the story Erin Unerstall wrote on Simmons before the season started when he garnered his first invite to the major league camp at spring training.

Here's a short story from MLB.com on his promotion and here is a recent story about how Simmons "fits the mold" of a Braves closer.

This point is highlighted in Erin's story I linked above, but it's worth repeating that Simmons has rocketed through the minor league system in a way few do -- a way very few 22nd-round draft picks do. He's gotten exponentially better each of the last three or four years of his career, and now (and forever) he can call himself a big leaguer.

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Congratulations Shae. It's always great to see a local player make it!

-- Posted by MortCooper42 on Sat, May 31, 2014, at 2:45 PM
One has to admire the continued work of the Atlanta Braves in our region.

-- Posted by Dustin Ward on Sun, Jun 1, 2014, at 3:00 AM
Very admirable, fun stuff.

-- Posted by joefrank78 on Sun, Jun 1, 2014, at 1:59 PM
Great Stuff! Congrats Shae!

-- Posted by SportsMediaInformant on Mon, Jun 2, 2014, at 7:59 AM

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