According to reports, free agent Miles Mikolas has agreed to sign a two-year deal with the St. Louis Cardinals worth $14-$16 million. The deal, which is pending a physical, keeps him in a Cardinals uniform through the 2020 season.
Mikolas, returning to majors with #STLCards, was one of top pitchers in Japan last season. Had 2.18 ERA in 62 starts for Yomiuri Giants from 2015-17.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 5, 2017
Mikolas, 29, played 10 games for the Texas Rangers in 2014. During this season he recorded a 2-5 record with a 6.44 ERA. A bad defensive rating (0.0 WAR), which doesn’t help what is already an unimpressive career WAR (-0.8). However, Mikolas was able to strike out batters at a high clip finishing his last season in the majors with a 6 K/9 while also keeping his walks at bay with a 2.8 BB/9.
Mikolas has spent two seasons in the majors, his time in the show was split between the San Diego Padres and the Texas Rangers. Mikolas has become a journeyman around baseball; while he’s been with the Padres and the Rangers in the majors, he was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for Alex Dickerson in 2013 before being traded to the Rangers in 2014 for Chris McGuiness. Mikolas was then released by Texas that same year. He has a career 4-6 record with a career 5.32 ERA. He’s totalled 91.1 innings in 37 games. In those 37 games, Mikolas has 10 starts. Since being released from the Rangers in 2014, Mikolas has spent 2015 through 2017 in Japan playing for the Yomiuri Giants. In 62 starts, Mikolas posted a 2.18 ERA.
Miles Mikolas, 28, comes out of Jupiter, Florida. He went to college at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Mikolas was then drafted by the San Diego Padres during the 2009 Junior Amateur Draft, where he was selected in the 7th round. Mikolas made his debut with the Padres in 2014 against the Miami Marlins. He made a strong start in his debut against the Marlins, going 8 innings of three-hit ball, while only giving up one walk and picking up five strikeouts.
2018 will be a big year for Mikolas. Being known as a journeyman around the league, he’s looking to solidify a spot on a major league roster. While he does have a history of getting hit around, Mikolas can easily rack up a ton of strikeouts. Keep an eye on Miles Mikolas as he plans to fight his way back into the league. The most recent player to succeed in the majors after spending time in Japan is Eric Thames.
