Sunbirds in the Pros
Fresno Pacific began its baseball program in 2006 and since that time has consistently developed top-level talent. In 2011, Chris Schwinden became the first former Sunbird to reach the major leagues, debuting with the New York Mets. Schwinden, the 2011 Mets Minor League Pitcher of the Year, credited the majority of his development to FPU head coach Oscar Hirschkorn and the Sunbird coaching staff.
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In 2011, the Sunbirds beat out Fresno State and Fresno City to have the first local college player selected in the MLB draft when Jesse Darrah went in the 8th round to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
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2011 also marked the first time that two former Sunbirds squared off in a professional game as Jesse Darrah faced Andrew Douglas in the minor league playoffs.
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All-Time FPU Players Drafted/Signed
2019
Jarrett Anton, Infielder (signed by Bakersfield Train Robbers, Pecos League)
2018
Braden Frankfort, Catcher (32nd round, #946 overall, San Francisco Giants)
2016
Preston Scott, Outfielder (34th round, #1029 overall, Texas Rangers)
2014
Joshua Banuelos, First Baseman (28th round, #843 overall, Kansas City Royals)
Kaohu Gaspar, Outfielder (signed by Roswell Invaders, Pecos League)
2012
Michael Vaughn, Catcher (14th round, #437 overall, Miami Marlins)
Alec Mehrten, Shortstop (25th round, #768 overall, Colorado Rockies)
Michael Rivera, Right-Handed Pitcher (signed by Arizona Diamondbacks - MLB)
2011
Jesse Darrah, Right-Handed Pitcher (8th round, #244 overall, Arizona Diamondbacks)
Andrew Douglas, Second Baseman (signed by Chicago White Sox - MLB)
Case Rigby, First Baseman (signed by Gateway Grizzlies, Frontier League)
Kelyn Schellenberg, Right-Handed Pitcher (signed by Lake Erie Crushers, Frontier League)
2009
Brian Oliver, Right-Handed Pitcher (signed by Calgary Vipers, North American League)
2008
Chris Schwinden, Right-Handed Pitcher (22nd round, #647 overall, New York Mets)
2006
Mike Pierce, Catcher (28th round, #835 overall, Baltimore Orioles)
*Non MLB-signees listed only include those signed into top-tier independent leagues
