John Fishel
Encyclopedia
John Alan Fishel is a former right-handed Major League Baseball
outfielder who played for the Houston Astros
in 1988.
Prior to playing professionally, he attended Cal State Fullerton, with whom he won the 1984
College World Series Most Outstanding Player
as a junior outfielder.
He was originally drafted by the New York Yankees
in the eighth round of the 1981 draft
, but he chose not to sign. In 1984, he was drafted by the Oakland Athletics
in the 19th round of the draft, but again, he did not sign. Finally, when he was drafted by the Houston Astros
in the ninth round of the 1985 draft by the Astros, he did sign.
In 1985, he began his professional career with the Auburn Astros
, with whom he hit .261 with nine home runs and 42 RBI in 268 at-bats. He played for the Osceola Astros
in 1986, hitting .269 with 12 home runs, 83 RBI and 17 stolen bases in 490 at-bats. With the Columbus Astros in 1987, he hit .276 with 24 home runs and 88 RBI in 457 at-bats.
Fishel began the 1988 season with the Tucson Toros
in 1988, and he hit .261 with 18 home runs and 68 RBI in 360 at-bats with them. On July 14, he made his big league debut, against pitcher Bruce Ruffin
of the Philadelphia Phillies
. Pinch-hitting for pitcher Mike Scott
, Fishel grounded out in his first and only at-bat of the game. Overall, he would hit .231 in 26 big league at-bats in his only season in the majors. He appeared in 19 major league games, hitting one home run with two RBI. The home run was perhaps the biggest highlight of his big league career. It was against pitcher Steve Peters
of the St. Louis Cardinals
on September 3. He played his final big league game on October 2.
Although his big league career was done, his professional career was not. On January 10, 1989, Fishel was traded by the Astros with minor leaguers Mike Hook and Pedro DeLeon to the Yankees for Rick Rhoden
. He played for the Columbus Clippers
in both 1989 and 1990, which was his final professional season. In 1989, he hit .218 with six home runs and 31 RBI, and in 1990 he hit .200 with three home runs and 21 RBI.
Overall, Fishel hit .254 with 72 home runs and 333 RBI in his six year minor league career.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
outfielder who played for the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
in 1988.
Prior to playing professionally, he attended Cal State Fullerton, with whom he won the 1984
1984 College World Series
The 1984 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, NE from June 1 to June 10. The thirty-eighth tournament's champion was California State University, Fullerton, coached by Augie Garrido...
College World Series Most Outstanding Player
College World Series Most Outstanding Player
The College World Series Most Outstanding Player is an award for the best individual performance during the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska. The recipient of the award is announced at the completion of the College World Series Championship Game...
as a junior outfielder.
He was originally drafted by the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
in the eighth round of the 1981 draft
1981 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1981 Major League Baseball draft.- Other notable players :*John Elway was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 2nd round of the 1981 amateur draft...
, but he chose not to sign. In 1984, he was drafted by the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
in the 19th round of the draft, but again, he did not sign. Finally, when he was drafted by the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
in the ninth round of the 1985 draft by the Astros, he did sign.
In 1985, he began his professional career with the Auburn Astros
Auburn Astros
The Auburn Astros were a minor league baseball team that existed from 1982 to 1995. The team played in the New York–Penn League and was affiliated with the Houston Astros. The team was located in Auburn, New York; played home games at Falcon Park; and was owned and operated by Auburn Community...
, with whom he hit .261 with nine home runs and 42 RBI in 268 at-bats. He played for the Osceola Astros
Osceola Astros
The Osceola Astros were a minor league baseball team that existed from 1985 to 1994. They played in the Florida State League and were affiliated with the Houston Astros. They were based in Kissimmee, Florida, making them the first professional baseball team from Kissimmee...
in 1986, hitting .269 with 12 home runs, 83 RBI and 17 stolen bases in 490 at-bats. With the Columbus Astros in 1987, he hit .276 with 24 home runs and 88 RBI in 457 at-bats.
Fishel began the 1988 season with the Tucson Toros
Tucson Toros
The Tucson Toros are a professional baseball team based in Tucson, Arizona, in the United States. They are owned by Tucson Baseball, LLC with Jay Zucker as chairman of the board. Sean Smock is the team's general manager....
in 1988, and he hit .261 with 18 home runs and 68 RBI in 360 at-bats with them. On July 14, he made his big league debut, against pitcher Bruce Ruffin
Bruce Ruffin (baseball)
Bruce Wayne Ruffin was a pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies , Milwaukee Brewers and Colorado Rockies ....
of the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. Pinch-hitting for pitcher Mike Scott
Mike Scott (baseball)
Michael Warren "Mike" Scott is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball for the New York Mets and the Houston Astros. He won the National League Cy Young Award in...
, Fishel grounded out in his first and only at-bat of the game. Overall, he would hit .231 in 26 big league at-bats in his only season in the majors. He appeared in 19 major league games, hitting one home run with two RBI. The home run was perhaps the biggest highlight of his big league career. It was against pitcher Steve Peters
Steve Peters (baseball)
Steven Bradley Peters is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Peters pitched in 56 games in and for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Sources:...
of the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
on September 3. He played his final big league game on October 2.
Although his big league career was done, his professional career was not. On January 10, 1989, Fishel was traded by the Astros with minor leaguers Mike Hook and Pedro DeLeon to the Yankees for Rick Rhoden
Rick Rhoden
Richard Alan Rhoden is a professional golfer and was a Major League Baseball pitcher. During his 16 year baseball career, he played for the Los Angeles Dodgers , Pittsburgh Pirates and Houston Astros of the National League; and the New York Yankees of the American League.-Early years:Rhoden was...
. He played for the Columbus Clippers
Columbus Clippers
The Columbus Clippers are a minor league baseball team based in Columbus, Ohio. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. The team is owned by the government of Franklin County, Ohio....
in both 1989 and 1990, which was his final professional season. In 1989, he hit .218 with six home runs and 31 RBI, and in 1990 he hit .200 with three home runs and 21 RBI.
Overall, Fishel hit .254 with 72 home runs and 333 RBI in his six year minor league career.