TOPEKA (KSNT) - After about five years working his way through the farm system, Ryan Zeferjahn is now pitching in the major leagues. The Seaman High School alumni was first drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays after his senior year in 2016. He elected to take the mound for the Kansas Jayhawks instead. "Growing up a KU fan, I wanted to go there my whole life," Ryan said. "To me and my family a college education was also very important." Tish Zeferjahn, Ryan's mom, was supportive of his decision to go the college route as well. "I think his decision to go to KU was a good one," Tish said, "because he had a chance to mature and get stronger.  It’s a rough life in the minor leagues and when you are young I think it’s even tougher." After three years at KU, Ryan was taken in the third round, 107th overall by the Boston Red Sox in the 2019 MLB draft. He was with the organization until this summer. Ryan said he was getting ready to play in a game the night of the July 30 trade deadline and the next thing he knew he was on a plane to Salt Lake City. Topeka eyes Lauren’s Bay do-over to combat housing shortage The coaches came and grabbed me and the two other guys and brought us in and kind of walked through the locker room. Like, wow, you know your heart kind of drops and you're like wow this is it. And they brought us in and were like 'You've been traded to the Angels.' Ryan Zeferjahn on finding out he was traded The North Topeka native said he quickly got to work for the Salt Lake Bees. Less than a month in with his new team, he got the news many people only dream of. He was headed to the majors. "When they called down to the bullpen," he said, "and told me to come to the dugout, you know, they told me 'hey, you're no longer needed here. Pack your stuff.' Obviously, in that moment it's pretty surreal." Zeferjahn made his major league debut Aug. 25 against the Toronto Blue Jays. He relieved teammate Matt Moore in the bottom of the 7th, facing batter Ernie Clement with a 2-2 count. The first pitch Zeferjahn ever threw on baseball's biggest stage was a strikeout. A lifelong friend and high school teammate of Zeferjahn's, Mason Diederich, was back home cheering him on. "His first appearance," Diederich said, "I was just waiting. I'm like, it's gonna happen, it's gonna happen! I was jumping up and down, screaming in my apartment. And he comes in, first pitch, K. Not many times you get to say one pitch, one strikeout. So it's been just so fun to watch." A few days later the Seaman product pitched again in Detroit against the Tigers. Three of his high school coaches made the 12-hour drive from Topeka to see him take the major league mound. "It's truly like one of your own kids," Steve Bushnell said. "To have Ryan make it to the pinnacle of baseball and play in the major leagues is truly a dream come true for me as a coach." Zeferjahn told 27 News he couldn't be more grateful for the support from his family and friends. "Especially my family, them being there," he said, "it's so nice to have those people in my corner." City council approves Topeka’s 2025 budget with no mill levy increase Those supporters say there's no one more deserving to be living out their dream. "Whether Ryan put on a Major League uniform or not," Bushnell said, "that would not change the type of person that he is. You kind of tear up and you know, it's kind of like watching your own son out there so-to-speak. And so I'm just so proud of Ryan." As for the future, Zeferjahn said he's treating this opportunity like a tryout for next season and he's working harder than ever. "When you get your chance you gotta take it and run," he said. "That's how I was and you know the time came, and you know, when I got my opportunity, I've got up here and I've taken it and I've run with it." The Jayhawk grad said he plans to spend his off-season training back in Lawrence to keep the dream alive. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.