MIAMI - Nova Southeastern University alumnus Mike Fiers of the Milwaukee Brewers will return to South Florida Monday in his first start at Marlins Park.
Despite a late start to the race after being called up in late May, Fiers has emerged as a candidate for National League Rookie of the Year against highly touted rookies such as Arizona Diamondback's pitcher Wade Miley and Washington Nationals' prospect Bryce Harper.
Since being called up to pitch in the absence of then-injured Marco Estrada, Fiers has become a staple in the Brewers' rotation. He holds an ERA of 2.85 and strikes out nine batters from every two he walks. Despite the Brewers' sub-.500 record, Fiers holds an 8-6 mark.
Fiers' season has put him in an elite class of NL rookie pitchers over the past decade. In the nine seasons prior to this year, only five NL pitcher have finished the season with a sub-3.00 ERA and pitched in over 100 innings. Four of the pitchers are still starters in the major leagues, while Brandon Webb went on to win the 2006 Cy Young Award.
As a Shark in 2009, Fiers held a 10-3 record with a 2.65 ERA in 108.2 innings pitched and led the nation (setting a new NSU single season record) with 145 strikeouts. He compiled three shutouts, while holding opposing batters to a .209 batting average.
Amongst his many accolades prior to 2009, Fiers was honored as a Third-Team NCBWA All-American, Third-Team ABCA/Rawlings All-American, Second-Team All-SSC, First-Team ABCA/Rawlings All-South Region, First-Team NCBWA All-South Region and Second-Team Daktronics, inc. All-South Region.
On Monday, Fiers will be looking for redemption after his loss to the Marlins at home back in July. In his lone start against Miami, Fiers earned a loss despite allowing only two earned runs in 7.1 innings pitched and striking out nine batters.
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