Alumni Spotlight: Sharks In The Pros: Opening Day 2016

Baseball is back and the boys of summer take center stage. Eight former Sharks highlight this addition of “Sharks In The Pros,” led by the “fab” four in J.D. Martinez, Mike Fiers, Miles Mikolas and Carlos Asuaje.

J.D. Martinez – Detroit Tigers

J.D. Martinez opened his third year with the Detroit Tigers against the Miami Marlins on Tuesday, April 4, at Marlins Park. Martinez comes into the year being considered one of the game’s premier power hitters after hitting 38 home runs in his first full season in MLB. Martinez has burst onto the scene after being released by the Astros after the 2014 Spring Training. The Tigers pounced on the opportunity to have Martinez in their lineup and the former Shark has done nothing but crush baseballs in his two years with Detroit. Martinez is coming off of a Spring Training in which he led the league in home runs with seven, including three against the New York Yankees on the final day. CBS Sports believes Martinez “should have several more seasons of 30-plus homers to come.” Martinez finished 15th in the American League MVP voting in 2015.

Mike Fiers – Houston Astros

After being traded to the Houston Astros from the Milwaukee Brewers right at the 2015 trade deadline and throwing one of six no-hitters in the bigs last season, Mike Fiers is prepared to help a young and talented Astros team make a deep postseason run in 2016. Last season, the former Shark recorded a 3.36 ERA with 117 strikeouts over his final 128 2/3 innings. Fiers is slated to start against the New York Yankees on Thursday, April 6. The 30-year old right-hander will go up against former Miami Marlins pitcher Nathan Eovaldi at 4:05 p.m. at Yankee Stadium.

Miles Mikolas – Yomiuri Giants

After spending a few years in Major League Baseball, Miles Mikolas jumped at the opportunity to play for what many call the New York Yankees of Japan, the Yomiuri Giants. The former Shark spent the 2015 season pitching for those same Giants and enjoyed an outstanding campaign. In 145 innings, he worked to a pristine 1.92 ERA with 6.6 K/9 against 1.4 BB/9 and held opponents to a minuscule .192 batting average. Mikoalas’ performance earned him a two-year deal with the Giants, as they have found their ace for the future.

Carlos Asuaje – El Paso Chihuahuas (San Diego Padres AAA)

After spending the summer of 2015 with the Boston Red Sox’s AA affiliate, the Portland Sea Dogs, Carlos Asuaje was sent to the Arizona Fall League, where he was named to the top prospect team. During his time in the Arizona Fall League, Asuaje was traded from the Boston Red Sox organization to the San Diego Padres in a deal that sent premier closer Craig Kimbrel to the Red Sox. Asuaje has been assigned to the Padres’ AAA affiliate, the El Paso Chihuahuas. In an preseason exhibition game against the big league club, Asuaje went 3-for-5, continuing to impress his new organization and build his resume for an opportunity to play in the big leagues.

Alexander Fernandez – Greensboro Grasshoppers (Miami Marlins A)

Alexander Fernandez spent most of his 2015 summer in Batavia, playing for the Muckdogs, the Miami Marlins short season A-affiliate. In 42 games in Batavia, the former Shark hit .277 with three home runs, while driving in 14 runs. His three home runs in Batavia were three of his four on the year, as he added a round-tripper during his eight-game stint with the GCL Marlins, the Miami Marlins rookie-ball affiliate. Fernandez will open his 2016 summer in Greensboro, playing for the Grasshoppers. Former Grasshoppers include Robinson Cano, Jose Fernandez, and Giancarlo Stanton.

Justin Garcia – Houston Astros Extended Spring Training

Justin Garcia will be assigned to the Houston Astros Extended Spring Training to begin the summer of 2016. Garcia had 12 extra-base hits in 46 games for the Astros rookie-ball affiliate, the Greensboro Astros, in 2015. Garcia spent the offseason working out with J.D. Martinez and Carlos Asuaje, as well as the Boston Red Sox’s Hanley Ramirez. The Astros consider Garcia to have the most raw power in their minor league system and are looking forward to his continued progression.

Ryan Castellanos – Detroit Tigers Extended Spring Training

Ryan Castellanos spent most of his 2015 summer with the Detroit Tigers short season-A affiliate, the Connecticut Tigers. Castellanos also made appearances for the GCL Tigers and Lakeland Tigers, as he totaled 50 innings in his first year of professional baseball. The former Shark posted an impressive 3.06 ERA, striking out 32 batters and walking just five.

Zachary Westcott – Lincoln Saltdogs

Zachary Westcott will return to the Lincoln Saltdogs for his second year with the independent league team based in Lincoln, Nebraska. Westcott recorded a team-high 3.22 ERA among pitchers that had 40 or more innings. In 44.2 innings pitched, Westcott struck out 36, while walking 13 batters. Westcott is looking forward to working with an entirely new set of coaches. The former Shark is viewed as the “jack of all trades” guy on the mound, as he has the ability to succeed within a starting, long relief, short relief, or closing role. “I couldn’t ask for a batter place to have the opportunity to play,” said Westcott. “I can’t wait to get up to Lincoln and get back on the mound.”