Long Island’s Brian Fitzpatrick reaches majors, delivers in debut

Welcome to the big show, Brian.

Port Jefferson’s Brian Fitzpatrick made his Major League Baseball debut Wednesday night with the Milwaukee Brewers — and looked the part.

The 6-foot-7 lefty tossed 1⅓ scoreless innings in a 6-2 loss to Arizona, allowing two hits and a walk while recording four outs against big-league hitters.

“I was ready to go from pitch one,” Fitzpatrick said after the game. “It actually felt like the most normal part of the day, to be honest. It felt like I was floating when I was running out from the bullpen for the first time.”

“I couldn’t be more thrilled for the kid,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy added. “To come in and face the hitters he faced — some of the best in the league — and get four big outs for us.”

Fitzpatrick said a large group of family and friends made the trip to Milwaukee for the milestone moment.

“It was pretty hard not to hear them — they’re a pretty loud bunch,” he said with a laugh. “You look up and see mom and dad, and you try to wait until after to tell them you love them. I knew I had a job to do, but it was so cool.”

The call-up didn’t come out of nowhere.

Fitzpatrick opened the season at Triple-A Nashville and was dominant, posting 10⅓ shutout innings with 11 strikeouts and a 0.87 WHIP — numbers that quickly forced the Brewers’ hand.

He also turned heads during spring training. Though not officially in big-league camp, Fitzpatrick appeared in Major League games and delivered, tossing 6⅔ scoreless innings against top competition.

“Our school community couldn’t be prouder of Brian’s success at the professional level,” St. Anthony’s athletic director Joe Minucci told Greater Long Island. “It’s always inspiring to see a former Friar achieve his dreams.”

After a standout high school career on Long Island, Fitzpatrick went on to star at Rutgers before being selected by Milwaukee in the 10th round (312th overall) of the 2022 MLB Draft.

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Top: Milwaukee Brewers reliever Brian Fitzpatrick runs to first base during the seventh inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)