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This version of NSU News has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of NSU News, visit news.nova.edu.
This version of SharkBytes has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of SharkBytes, visit sharkbytes.nova.edu.
NSU Teammates Headline DII Baseball Players in the MLB Postseason
Mike Fiers (Houston Astros) and J.D. Martinez (Arizona Diamondbacks
Welcome to October. The Major League Baseball postseason is here.
Ten teams will play for a chance at World Series glory. There are plenty of collegiate superstars among those postseason rosters. Here are some that hail from DII baseball:
Mike Fiers (Houston Astros) and J.D. Martinez (Arizona Diamondbacks), Nova Southeastern
The Sharks have a pair of teammates heading into the MLB postseason. If the Diamondbacks and Astros find their way to the World Series, there is going to be one heck of a viewing party on the Fort Lauderdale/Davie campus.
Fiers’ lone season with the Sharks was a memorable one. The right-hander posted a 10-3 record behind a 2.65 ERA. His 145 strikeouts led DII baseball and set the Sharks’ record at the time. It translated into a third team All-American campaign and a call from the Milwaukee Brewers in the 22nd round of the 2009 MLB Draft. Fiers was part of a blockbuster trade-deadline deal between the Brewers and Astros in 2015 and made his first postseason appearance that year against the eventual World Champion Kansas City Royals.
Giving Fiers plenty of run support was his Sharks teammate J.D. Martinez, who left as one of the most decorated players in Nova Southeastern history and became the first Shark ever to reach the pros. Martinez capped off his time in Fort Lauderdale with a huge season. He slashed .428/.530/.770 with 15 doubles and 15 home runs, earning All-American honors and leaving as the program’s all-time home run leader (32).
Martinez was chosen in the 20th round by the Astros. Spending time on three different teams, he has since become one of the premiere sluggers in MLB. His first taste of the postseason was in 2014 with the Detroit Tigers, where he hit .250 with two home runs in three games.