October 1, 2024 – Midwest League (MWL)
Fort Wayne TinCaps News Release
A total of 53 former TinCaps players appeared in Major League Baseball during the 2024 season, including six all-stars. Now, more than a dozen alumni are on postseason rosters vying for a World Series championship.
Since Fort Wayne’s Minor League Baseball franchise was established in 1993, there’ve been 228 players who’ve ascended from playing in the Summit City to the big leagues. (The club was known as the Wizards through 2008 before rebranding as the TinCaps in ’09.)
Jackson Merrill, who starred for the TinCaps just last year, was one of nine alums to make his MLB debut in 2024. The National League Rookie of the Year candidate was also one of six selected for MLB’s All-Star Game in July. Merrill was joined there in Texas by fellow Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (2017), plus Max Fried (2013-14 – Braves), Trea Turner (2014 – Phillies), Andrés Muñoz (2017 – Mariners), and CJ Abrams (2019 – Nationals).
Over the course of the campaign, former TinCaps appeared with 26 of MLB’s 30 teams. (The only clubs without a former ‘Caps player were the Angels, Blue Jays, Giants, and Tigers.) Thirteen alums played for the Padres, Fort Wayne’s parent club since 1999. San Diego’s coaching staff also included five former Fort Wayne staff memebrs: catching coach and game strategy assistant Brian Esposito (2022), hitting instructor Morgan Burkhart (2013-14), athletic trainer Ricky Huerta (2013-15), strength coach Jay Young (2017), and equipment manager T.J. Laidlaw. There are even more former players and coaches on the staffs of other teams.
“We’re proud to offer affordable, family fun at Parkview Field,” said TinCaps President Mike Nutter. “We know a lot of fans come to Parkview Field to simply enjoy the entertainment, the food and drinks, and the overall atmosphere, but here’s a reminder that there are also future big leaguers on the field – not to mention the prospects on the visiting teams. We’re so happy to see our old friends achieve their dreams of playing in The Show.”
Kevin Kiermaier (Dodgers) and Zach McKinstry (Tigers), who grew up in Fort Wayne and once played at Parkview Field as visitors, are on playoff teams, too.
The TinCaps will open their 2025 season at Parkview Field on Friday, April 5. Season ticket packages are on sale now through TinCaps.com. Before then, Parkview Field will stay busy hosting special events, including a brand new Holiday Lights walk-thru experience, presented by…
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