Yes, and he still is. But on a forgettable night for the Bucs, the former prep pitcher had an unforgettable experience.
"I had fun with it," Decker said. "When they told me I'd have the opportunity, I was pretty excited. I wish the opportunity wasn't there, but … it was cool."
A good enough hurler for Sunrise Mountain High School in Peoria, Ariz., for some teams to consider drafting him as a pitcher, Decker had not toed the rubber since a high school state championship game in 2008.
Manager Clint Hurdle told him he'd get his chance while sending him up in the top of the eighth to pinch-hit for Caminero.