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Article published Apr 15, 2009 From Fort Wayne to the show 76 who played minor league baseball here made it to the MLB, with more on the cusp
With the opening of every new season comes hope from major league organizations that players in their minor league systems can develop from prospects into legitimate professionals.
A lot of the optimism is for the higher draft picks, for whom the organizations spent six or seven figures in signing bonuses. But those picks don't always pan out, and sometimes the future big-leaguers are later-round selections.
Consider the Fort Wayne Wizards' and TinCaps' two major league affiliates, the Minnesota Twins (1993-98) and the San Diego Padres (1999-present).
From the 16 years of minor league baseball in Fort Wayne, 76 players have made it to the majors.
Five in particular - relief pitcher LaTroy Hawkins (1993), center fielder Torii Hunter (1994), catcher A.J. Pierzynski (1995-96), infielder Michael Cuddyer (1998), starting pitcher Jake Peavy (2000) and relief pitcher Joakim Soria (2006) - have starred here and have enjoyed MLB success.
But only Hunter and Cuddyer were first-round picks. Pierzynski was a third-rounder, Hawkins a seventh-rounder and Peavy a 15th-rounder.
Hunter and Peavy have enjoyed the most MLB success. Hunter, 33, has hit 214 home runs, was named an American League All-Star in 2002 and 2007, and collected eight Gold Gloves for his dazzling defense. The 13-year MLB veteran spent all of the 1994 season in Fort Wayne.
Peavy, 27, was picked out of high school in the 1999 draft. He debuted in the majors in 2002 and won the National League Cy Young Award in 2007. He was a National League All-Star in 2005 and 2007. He's tied for third all-time in wins (13) and second in strikeouts (164) for the Fort Wayne club.
Notable Fort Wayne alumni who have made it to the majors are Josh Barfield (2002), Eddie Bonine (2004), Chase Headley (2005), Nick Hundley (2005-06) and Oliver Perez (2001).
Players on the cusp of breaking through are Will Venable (2006), Kyle Blanks (2006), Josh Geer (2005-06), Wade LeBlanc (2006) and Matt Antonelli (2006). Only Antonelli was a first-round pick. LeBlanc, Headley and Barfield were all second-rounders. Geer was selected in the third round.
The TinCaps have three first-round picks on the 2009 roster and another likely on the way in a few weeks. Starting pitcher Nick Schmidt and shortstop Drew Cumberland were selected in the 2007 first round, and first baseman Allan Dykstra was picked in the 2008 first round. Outfielder Jaff Decker is a 2008 first-rounder on his way.
Eight members of the 2009 TinCaps Opening Day roster were fifth-round picks or higher. Six were selected between the seventh and 19th rounds. Six were selected in the 23rd round or later. Five were undrafted free agents.