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MLB

Former Pelicans Faulkner, Asher earn MLB call-ups

Pitchers become 137th and 138th former Pelicans to make big leagues
By Mason Robinson
August 28, 2015

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AUGUST 28, 2015) - On Friday, two former Pelicans pitchers were promoted to the Major Leagues for the first time in their respective careers. The Texas Rangers purchased the contract of left-handed pitcher Andrew Faulkner, who pitched as a starter with Myrtle Beach during the 2014 season, and the Philadelphia Phillies announced that 2013 Pelicans right-hander Alec Asher will be promoted and make his big league debut on Sunday versus the San Diego Padres. Faulkner and Asher are the 137th and 138th players all-time to make the Major Leagues after playing on the Grand Strand. They are the twelfth and thirteenth former Pelicans players to be called up this year, and now in the last two seasons, twenty-six former Pelicans have earned their big league promotions for the first time in their careers.

Faulkner, 22, made 18 starting appearances with the Pelicans in 2014 and compiled a 10-1 record along with one save, a 2.08 ERA, and a 1.125 WHIP in 104.0 innings of work. He spent three months with Myrtle Beach before being promoted to Double-A Frisco in July of that season. He opened this season with the RoughRiders before being promoted to Triple-A Round Rock in early August. With the Express, Faulkner was impressive in six relief appearances, striking out 13 batters, walking just one, and allowing only two hits across eight shutout innings of work.

A native of Aiken, S.C., Faulker had committed to the University of South Carolina before signing with the Rangers in the 14th round of the 2011 MLB June Amateur Draft out of South Aiken (S.C.) High School.

The six-foot, three-inch lefty was a 2014 MiLB.com Organizational All-Star as well as a 2014 Carolina League Midseason All-Star. His ten wins in the Carolina League that year were tied for the second-most in the circuit with two other players. He was also the Rangers Minor League Pitcher of the Month for July last year.

Asher, 23, spent all of the 2013 season with the Pelicans, making 25 starts and one relief appearance, posting a 9-7 record along with the fourth-lowest ERA in the Carolina League at 2.90. In 133 1/3 innings on the mound, he led the Carolina League with 139 strikeouts, posted the best strikeout per nine innings pitched ratio (9.45), ranked third among starting pitchers in batting average against (.235), fourth in WHIP (1.20), and was tied with teammate Jerad Eickhoff for the third-fewest baserunners per nine innings. He opened the 2014 and 2015 campaigns with Frisco.

For his career, Asher was named the Carolina League Pitcher of the Week in back-to-back weeks on August 12 and August 19 of the 2013 season. Last season with Frisco, he earned the Texas League Pitcher of the Week award on July 29. Asher was a Carolina League Midseason All-Star in 2013 and a Texas League Midseason All-Star last year.

Asher, who underwent Tommy John surgery at age 14, signed with the Texas Rangers in the fourth round of the 2012 MLB June Amateur Draft out of Polk County (Fla.) Junior College, and entering the 2015 season, he was ranked as the Rangers' No. 14 prospect according to MLB.com. On July 31 of this season, he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in an eight-player deal that was headlined by three-time All-Star and World Series MVP Cole Hamels.

Asher joins former Pelicans Jerad Eickhoff and Odubel Herrera on the Phillies roster.

To make room for Faulkner, the Rangers optioned right-handed pitcher, and former Pelican, Nick Martinez to Triple-A Round Rock and designated left-hander Chris Rearick for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.

Faulkner and Asher are the twelfth and thirteenth former Pelicans players to make the big leagues for the first time this season. Keone Kela (with Pelicans in 2014, Rangers), Herrera (2012-2014, Phillies), Wilfredo Boscan (2011, Pirates), Hanser Alberto (2012-2014, Rangers), Alex "Chi Chi" Gonzalez (2013-2014, Rangers), Joey Gallo (2014, Rangers), Michael Broadway (2008, Giants), Abel De Los Santos (2014, Nationals), Ryan Strausborger (2011, Rangers), Luke Jackson (2012-2013, Rangers), and Eickhoff (2013, Phillies).

The 2015 season marks the 17th season for the Pelicans franchise and first as the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. For information on tickets to see the Pelicans in 2015, please call (843) 918-6000, e-mail [email protected], or visit www.MyrtleBeachPelicans.com.