News release from the TinCaps:
Two Recent TinCaps Make Leap to Padres
Jace Peterson and Kevin Quackenbush Go from Fort Wayne to Fruition
(April 26, 2014) – When you go to a Minor League Baseball game, you never know which players will one day be playing in the bright lights of the majors. But if you’ve been out to Parkview Field, then chances are you’ve seen quite a few. The burgeoning list of former Fort Wayne players to receive “the call” to the big leagues has swelled to 123 with the promotions of Jace Peterson and Kevin Quackenbush to the San Diego Padres.
Peterson, who was the 58th overall selection in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft, is the first member of the 2012 TinCaps to make the show. In 117 games as a TinCap, the shortstop hit .286 with two home runs and 48 runs batted in. Peterson led Fort Wayne in 2012 in runs (78), hits (127), triples (9), walks (62), and stolen bases (51). The 23-year-old from Louisiana ranks fourth in franchise history for most stolen bases in a single season. Peterson is also one of only 14 Fort Wayne players to ever have a five-hit game. He had been playing for Double-A San Antonio this season before being called up.
Quackenbush pitched in 18 games as a reliever for the TinCaps in 2011. The righty from Florida posted a 0.84 ERA while striking out 38 and walking just six in 21.1 innings of work. Quackenbush, 25, was with Triple-A El Paso this year. He’s the third 2011 TinCap to play for the Padres, following Andrew Werner and Tommy Medica.
Both debuted with the Padres on Friday night at Washington. Peterson singled off Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg in his first big-league at-bat. Quackenbush recorded a strikeout out of the bullpen.
Of the 123 former Fort Wayne players to reach the majors, five have suited up for the first time in 2014. Peterson and Quackenbush join Dean Anna ’09-10 (Yankees), Vince Belnome ’09 (Rays), and Daniel Robetson ’09 (Rangers).
“It’s incredible to see the success of our former guys,” TinCaps President Mike Nutter said. “Since we moved to Parkview Field, the rate of TinCaps making the majors has been off the charts. For 14 players on the ’09 Midwest League title team to have gone up to the bigs is unheard of. And now with Peterson and Quackenbush, they’re just the start of what will become long lists of guys from their teams, too.”
Considering Parkview Field hosted the 2010 Midwest League All-Star game featuring stars like Mike Trout (Angels), Jean Segura (Brewers), Wil Myers (Rays), and more, Downtown Fort Wayne has seen more than its share of talent in recent years.
Said Nutter: “The future stars of Major League Baseball come through Parkview Field.”
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