Nick Schulz Named MWL Player of the Month

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - TinCaps outfielder Nick Schulz has been named the Midwest League Player of the Month for August, Minor League Baseball announced Tuesday afternoon.

In August, Schulz topped the 16-team circuit in slugging percentage (.765) and on-base percentage (.472). The corner outfielder was second in home runs (7), third in runs (20), and fourth in RBIs (24).

"I'm very appreciative of the chance I had to play in Fort Wayne for the TinCaps and represent the Padres this season," Schulz said. "I'm just glad I was able to contribute to our team's great run down the stretch and make the playoffs. I couldn't have won this without my teammates, our manager Michael Collins, and hitting coach Morgan Burkhart, who kept us locked in."

Schulz was an unlikely candidate to win a Midwest League Player of the Month award at the start of the 2014 season. That's because not only was Schulz not yet a TinCap, he also was not a member of the Padres organization, or any other for that matter.

The former San Jose State Spartan went undrafted a year ago after a four-year collegiate career. Even after the draft, Schulz went unsigned for the rest of the 2013 season. However, the Mountain View, Calif., native continued to work out and stay in shape for baseball, hoping a team to give him a call.

In January and February of this year, Schulz played for the Oregon Jacks in the California Winter League - an instructional showcase league for free agents. His performance there earned him a contract with the Schaumburg Boomers of the independent Frontier League.

Just as Schulz was preparing to report to Schaumburg, Ill., at the end of April, he was invited to a tryout by San Diego in Lake Elsinore, Calif. The Padres liked what they saw from the 6-3, 220-pound outfielder and signed him.

Schulz began his affiliated-baseball career with the Eugene Emeralds in June before transferring to the TinCaps on June 27. In 49 games with Fort Wayne, Schulz hit .341 with 8 HR and 30 RBI as he developed into the role of starting left fielder.

"The environment at Parkview Field was amazing this season," Schulz said. "TinCaps fans are a big part of this award, too."