42 Former Fort Wayne Players in Majors in First Half of 2018

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - 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 shortstopFernando Tatis Jr. (2017), second baseman Luis Urías (2015), and center fielder Buddy Reed (2017).
 
The most veteran Fort Wayne alum is left-handed pitcher Oliver Pérez  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," click here.