Feb 27

Monday, February 27, 2012 6:13 PM 

Miles Mikolas is a rising star in the San Diego Padres organization. The 6-foot-5 reliever, who has yet to officially reach the Majors, has earned an invitation to Spring Training with the Padres. Mikolas was a seventh-round selection of the Padres in the 2009 draft. He began his professional career as a starter and then was moved to the bullpen after one year. Since converting to a reliever, Mikolas moved quickly through the San Diego system. He was a Midwest League all-star in 2010 with the Fort Wayne Tin Caps and struck out 78 batters in 60 appearances. Last season, the Nova Southeastern product split time between Advanced-A Lake Elsinore and Double-A San Antonio. He went a combined 4-0 with 21 saves and a 1.38 earned run average. Milles struck out 69 in 72.0 innings over 62 appearances. Most recently, he pitched in 11 games for the Arizona Fall League’s Peoria Javelinas.