John Fishel

Who is John Fishel?

John Alan Fishel is a former right-handed Major League Baseball outfielder who played for the Houston Astros in 1988.

Prior to playing professionally, he attended Cal State Fullerton, with whom he won the 1984 College World Series Most Outstanding Player as a junior outfielder.

He was originally drafted by the New York Yankees in the eighth round of the 1981 draft, but he chose not to sign. In 1984, he was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 19th round of the draft, but again, he did not sign. Finally, when he was drafted by the Houston Astros in the ninth round of the 1985 draft by the Astros, he did sign.

In 1985, he began his professional career with the Auburn Astros, with whom he hit .261 with nine home runs and 42 RBI in 268 at-bats. He played for the Osceola Astros in 1986, hitting .269 with 12 home runs, 83 RBI and 17 stolen bases in 490 at-bats. With the Columbus Astros in 1987, he hit .276 with 24 home runs and 88 RBI in 457 at-bats.

Fishel began the 1988 season with the Tucson Toros in 1988, and he hit .261 with 18 home runs and 68 RBI in 360 at-bats with them. On July 14, he made his big league debut, against pitcher Bruce Ruffin of the Philadelphia Phillies.