After taking a two year hiatus from affiliated ball by playing in the Frontier League, right-handed pitcher Alan Oaks had his contract purchased by the San Diego Padres Thursday evening.
The 26-year-old was originally drafted in the 50th round by the Detroit Tigers back in 2006. However, Oaks chose not to sign with the Tigers and decided to attend the University of Michigan.
In his freshman year at Michigan, Oaks only pitched in two games for the Wolverines. He allowed one run, one walk and recorded one strikeout in his two innings pitched that season. Oaks sat out his entire sophomore year. The following year, he made eight appearances (four starts) and posted a 5.28 ERA in 30 2/3 innings pitched. He also struck out 15 batters and walked eleven in his junior season. He followed that up by going 6-5 and posting a 3.82 ERA in 92 innings pitched (15 starts) in his senior season. He punched out 71 batters while walking 42 that year.
Oaks was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the eighth round of the 2010 MLB Draft. He signed for $25,000. After posting a collective 4.45 ERA in his first three seasons in the Marlins organization, Oaks was released by the club on March 26, 2013. He never made it past Double-A.
Following his release from the Marlins, Oaks signed with the Normal Cornbelters of the Frontier League in April of that same year. He posted a 1.99 ERA in 49 2/3 innings pitched in 2013 and recorded 14 saves. He also had 59 strikeouts and walked just 19 batters that year.
This season, Oaks sported a 3.18 ERA in 28 1/3 innings pitched for the Cornbelters. He struck out 30 batters, walked twelve and notched ten saves.
It is still unclear what minor league affiliate the Padres will be assigning Oaks to.