Former Eagle Steve Cishek becomes first Eagle to reach majors since Clyde Wright, joins Marlins 40-man roster

MIAMI – Former Carson-Newman standout and Florida Marlins pitching prospect Steve Cishek (Falmouth, Mass.) is part of the Florida Marlins 40-man roster for the rest of the major league season.

Cishek joined the Marlins prior to their 4-0 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday afternoon.

The Falmouth, Mass. product was drafted out of Carson-Newman in the fifth round by the Marlins in the 2007 draft.

Cishek appeared in 26 games in advanced-A this season with the Jupiter Hammerheads, posting a 2.83 ERA with four saves. He struck out 28 batters in 35 innings, holding opponents to a .223 batting average.

 The right-hander was promoted to Double-A Jacksonville, where he went 3-1 with a 4.31 ERA over 31.1 innings, while striking out 34. That performance helped propel the Suns into the playoffs, where they won their second consecutive Southern League championship.

Cishek becomes the first Eagle since all-star Clyde Wright to reach the major leagues.

Wright pitched for the Eagles in the 1960's, leading Carson-Newman to the NAIA National Championship in 1965. He struck out 22, an NAIA World Series record, during the championship run.

Wright would go on to win 100 games with three major-league teams, and would be named an all-star in 1970.  On July 3, 1970, he fired a no-hitter in a 4-0 win over the Oakland Athletics.

C-N head coach Tom Griffin:   

"We're all very excited for Steve. Knowing him and his character and work ethic, he is extremely deserving…I think (getting called up) stems from his ability to mature at every level and develop as the game dictate. He took his game to another level at Carson-Newman and has done so at each level in pro ball…He is a great example for (Carson-Newman) guys. A hard worker and, the thing with Steve, is that no one ever has a bad word to say about the kid. He's a good person, and you find yourself cheering harder for guys like him."