News release from the TinCaps:
42 Former Fort Wayne Players in Majors in First Half of 2018
All-Time TinCaps/Wizards MLB Alumni List Up to 167 Players(July 17, 2018) – As the Major League Baseball season has reached its All-Star break, 42 former Fort Wayne TinCaps and Wizards have played in the big leagues so far in 2018. Of the 42 players, nine have made their MLB debuts this season, raising the total of Fort Wayne alums to reach the majors to 167.
“As an organization, we pride ourselves on offering affordable family-friendly entertainment,” Team President Mike Nutter said, “But when fans come to Parkview Field, they get a chance to see future big-league players. It’s not only for the TinCaps, but for the guys in the other dugout too.”
Among the former Fort Wayne players, two were tabbed as 2018 MLB All-Stars. Corey Kluber (2008) of the Cleveland Indians was selected to his third All-Star appearance while Miles Mikolas (2010) of the St. Louis Cardinals was selected as an All-Star for the first time in his career.
The most recent player to make his big-league debut is pitcher Enyel De Los Santos (2016) of the Philadelphia Phillies. De Los Santos was also one of four players who came through Fort Wayne that earned the honor of being selected for the 2018 Futures Game on Sunday at Nationals Park. De Los Santos was joined by Padres prospects shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. (2017), second baseman Luis UrÃas (2015), and center fielder Buddy Reed (2017).
The most veteran Fort Wayne alum is left-handed pitcher Oliver Perez of the Cleveland Indians. Perez made his way through Fort Wayne in 2001. He has pitched for eight different major-league clubs and currently holds a 0.75 ERA in 16 appearances out of the Indians’ bullpen.
Of the 42 former TinCaps and Wizards, 13 have appeared with Fort Wayne’s parent club, the San Diego Padres, in 2018.
Meanwhile, more players from Fort Wayne are on their way to the big leagues. In March, the Padres farm system was ranked as the best in baseball by MLB Pipeline (MLB.com). Among the Padres top 30 prospects, 27 have appeared in a TinCaps uniform, including nine current players.
(Note: Fort Wayne changed its name from Wizards to TinCaps before the 2009 season. The Fort Wayne franchise has been a Midwest League member since 1993.)
Player Name / (Year in Fort Wayne) / 2018 MLB Team
- Johnny Barbato / 2012 / Detroit Tigers
- Anthony Bass / 2009 / Chicago Cubs
- Jake Bauers / 2014 / Tampa Bay Rays
- Brad Brach / 2009 / Baltimore Orioles
- Matt Bush / 2007 / Texas Rangers
- Jose Castillo / 2015-16 / San Diego Padres
- Franchy Cordero / 2014-15 / San Diego Padres
- Enyel De Los Santos / 2016 / Philadelphia Phillies
- Zach Eflin / 2013 / Philadelphia Phillies
- Tim Federowicz / 2015 / Houston Astros
- David Freese / 2006 / Pittsburgh Pirates
- Max Fried / 2013-14 / Atlanta Braves
- Trevor Gott / 2013 / Washington Nationals
- Jedd Gyorko / 2010 / St. Louis Cardinals
- Tayron Guerrero / 2013-14 / Miami Marlins
- Justin Hancock / 2012-13 / Chicago Cubs
- Chase Headley / 2005 / San Diego Padres
- Austin Hedges / 2012 / San Diego Padres
- Nick Hundley / 2005-06 / San Francisco Giants
- Travis Jankowski / 2012 / San Diego Padres
- Brandon Kintzler / 2005 / Washington Nationals
- Corey Kluber / 2008 / Cleveland Indians
- Eric Lauer / 2016 / San Diego Padres
- Wade LeBlanc / 2006 / Seattle Mariners
- Jose Lobaton / 2005-06 / New York Mets
- Walker Lockett / 2014, ’15, ’16 / San Diego Padres
- Joey Lucchesi / 2016 / San Diego Padres
- Phil Maton / 2016 / San Diego Padres
- Kyle McGrath / 2015 / San Diego Padres
- Miles Mikolas / 2010 / St. Louis Cardinals
- Oliver Perez / 2001 / Cleveland Indians
- Dustin Peterson / 2014 / Atlanta Braves
- Jace Peterson / 2012 / Baltimore Orioles
- Kevin Quackenbush / 2011 / Cincinnati Reds
- Hunter Renfroe / 2013 / San Diego Padres
- Franmil Reyes / 2014-15 / San Diego Padres
- Mallex Smith / 2013 / Tampa Bay Rays
- Eric Sogard / 2007 / Milwaukee Brewers
- Joakim Soria / 2006 / Chicago White Sox
- Cory Spangenberg / 2011 / San Diego Padres
- Trea Turner / 2014 / Washington Nationals
- Matt Wisler / 2012 / Atlanta Braves
For a complete list of alumni who’ve gone from the 260 to “The Show,” Box Score.
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