Alex Hinshaw
Alexander "Alex" Omar Hinshaw (born October 31, 1982) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He graduated from Claremont High School and attended Chaffey College and San Diego State University. He played in Major League Baseball for the San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres and Chicago Cubs from 2008-2012. Background. Hinshaw was born in California to an American father and Afghan mother. San Francisco Giants. Hinshaw was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 28th round of the First-Year Player draft, the 29th round of the draft, and by the Florida Marlins in the 25th round  of the draft, but did not sign. In the draft, he was once again selected by the Giants in the 15th round and made his professional debut with the Class A Salem-Keizer Volcanoes. He finished with a 3.68 ERA in 25 relief appearances, struck out 33 batters and walked 18 in 22 innings. For the advanced Class A San Jose Giants in , Hinshaw had a 6–3 record with a 4.26 ERA in 30 games, giving up 58 hits and striking out 78 in 69 innings. He struck out a season high nine batters in five shutout innings to earn  a win on May 11, 2006. On May 15, 2008, Hinshaw made his major league debut after being called up when Merkin Valdéz went on the disabled list. Facing the Houston Astros, he gave up one hit and struck out one in 1/3 of an inning. San Diego Padres. Hinshaw signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres on December 1, 2011. He was designated for assignment on August 14, 2012, and claimed off waivers by the Chicago Cubs on August 19. On October 6, 2012 Hinshaw elected free agency. In 37 games with the Padres, Hinshaw had  a 4.50 ERA while striking out 36 in 28 innings. In 2 games with the Cubs, Hinshaw had a 135.00 ERA, giving up 5 runs while recording 1 out. Toronto Blue Jays. On November 21, 2012, the Toronto Blue Jays announced that Hinshaw had been signed to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. Hinshaw started the 2013 season with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons but encountered troubles with walks (17 in 11 innings pitched), and was released on May 10. Somerset Patriots. Hinshaw was signed by the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball  on May 31, 2013, and released on June 13. Bridgeport Bluefish. He was signed by the Bridgeport Bluefish, also of the Atlantic League, on June 22. Wichita Wingnuts. Hinshaw signed with the Wichita Wingnuts for the 2014 season. Scouting report. He throws his fastball in the mid 90s, and also has a slider and a big-breaking curveball. Personal life. Enters home games to the song "All the Above" by hip-hop artist Maino. Parents are Robert and Homa Hinshaw of Claremont, California. Hinshaw is married to his San Diego State University sweetheart Courtney Fritz, a guard on the Aztecs  Women's Basketball team.