{{Short description|American baseball player (born 1991)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}} {{Infobox baseball biography | name = Alec Asher | image = Alec Asher.jpg | caption = Asher with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2015 | position = Pitcher | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1991|10|4}} | birth_place = Lakeland, Florida, U.S. | bats = Right | throws = Right | debutleague = MLB | debutdate = August 30 | debutyear = 2015 | debutteam = Philadelphia Phillies | finalleague = MLB | finaldate = July 12 | finalyear = 2018 | finalteam = Milwaukee Brewers | statleague = MLB | stat1label = Win–loss record | stat1value = 4–12 | stat2label = Earned run average | stat2value = 5.42 | stat3label = Strikeouts | stat3value = 78 | teams = *Philadelphia Phillies ({{mlby|2015}}–{{mlby|2016}}) *Baltimore Orioles ({{mlby|2017}}) *Milwaukee Brewers ({{mlby|2018}}) }} '''Alec Edward Asher''' (born October 4, 1991) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, and Milwaukee Brewers, and in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) for the Uni-President Lions.
==Playing career== Asher had Tommy John surgery when he was 14 years old.<ref name="tommyjohn">{{cite web|url=http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/jul/04/spokane-indians-pitcher-asher-proves-resilient/|title=Spokane Indians pitcher Asher proves resilient|publisher=The Spokesman-Review|first1=Jess|last1=Brown|date=July 4, 2012|accessdate=August 30, 2015}}</ref> He attended McKeel Academy of Technology through his sophomore year of high school. He then transferred to Charlotte High School during his Junior year, but later went on to graduate from Lakeland Senior High School.
Asher was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 23rd round of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft out of high school. He had agreed to an $80,000 signing bonus with the Giants; however the team decided not to sign Asher after a bone spur was revealed in his physical.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theledger.com/article/20110417/NEWS/110419512?tc=ar|title=Former Lakeland Star Alec Asher Looks to Get Another Shot|publisher=The Ledger|first1=Tom|last1=Zebold|date=April 17, 2011|accessdate=August 30, 2015|archive-date=March 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316122603/http://www.theledger.com/article/20110417/NEWS/110419512?tc=ar|url-status=dead}}</ref> He attended Santa Fe College for a year before transferring to Polk Community College.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theledger.com/article/20120323/NEWS/120329666|title=Asher Rebuilding Major League Dreams at PSC|publisher=The Ledger|first1=Lisa|last1=Coffey|date=March 23, 2012|accessdate=August 30, 2015|archive-date=March 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317211037/http://www.theledger.com/article/20120323/NEWS/120329666|url-status=dead}}</ref>
===Texas Rangers=== The Texas Rangers selected Asher in the fourth round of the 2012 Major League Baseball (MLB) draft.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.polkeagles.com/sports/bsb/2011-12/releases/20120605hntong|title=Polk's Asher Selected by Texas Rangers in Fourth Round of 2012 MLB Draft|work=polkeagles.com|date=June 5, 2012|accessdate=August 30, 2015|archive-date=March 31, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160331172001/http://polkeagles.com/sports/bsb/2011-12/releases/20120605hntong|url-status=dead}}</ref> He made his professional debut for the Spokane Indians that year.<ref name=tommyjohn/> He pitched in 20 games as a relief pitcher, finishing with a 3.09 earned run average (ERA), five saves and 50 strikeouts over 35 innings.
In 2013, Asher was a starting pitcher for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wbtw.com/story/22597983/asher-overcomes-arm-obstacles-on-way-to-pelicans|title=Asher overcomes arm obstacles on way to Pelicans|work=WBTW.com|date=June 15, 2013|first1=Jeff|last1=Zell|accessdate=August 30, 2015}}</ref> He appeared in 26 games with 25 starts and went 9–7 with a 2.90 ERA and 139 strikeouts over {{frac|133|1|3}} innings.
===Philadelphia Phillies=== On July 31, 2015, Asher was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies along with Nick Williams, Jorge Alfaro, Jake Thompson, Matt Harrison, and Jerad Eickhoff in exchange for Cole Hamels and Jake Diekman.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/majors/trade-central-hamels-texas-ranger/|title=Trade Central: Phillies Get Impact Talent, Depth In Hamels Deal|first=Ben|last=Badler|work=Baseball America|date=July 31, 2015|accessdate=July 31, 2015}}</ref> He made his major league debut on August 30. Asher made seven starts for Philadelphia during his rookie campaign, but struggled to an 0-6 record and 9.31 ERA with 16 strikeouts over 29 innings of work.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Alec Asher 2015 pitching Stats Per Game|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/gamelog/_/id/33787/year/2015/category/pitching|access-date=May 4, 2026|website=espn.com|language=en}}</ref>
On June 16, 2016, Asher was suspended for 80 games for violating MLB's drug policy after testing positive for chlorodehydromethyltestosterone.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/sports/phillies/Phillies-pitcher-Alec-Asher-suspended-80-games.html|title=Phillies pitcher Alec Asher suspended 80 games|first=Matt|last=Gelb|accessdate=June 16, 2016|work=The Philadelphia Inquirer|date=June 16, 2016}}</ref> He would make five starts for the Phillies during the regular season, with a 2–1 record , 2.28 ERA, and 13 strikeouts over {{fraction|27|2|3}} innings of work.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Alec Asher 2016 pitching Stats Per Game|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/gamelog/_/id/33787/year/2016/category/pitching|access-date=May 4, 2026|website=ESPN}}</ref>
===Baltimore Orioles=== Asher was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for a player to be named later on March 28, 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/19025576/baltimore-orioles-acquire-starting-pitcher-alec-asher-philadelphia-phillies|title = Orioles acquire pitcher Asher from Phillies|date = 28 March 2017}}</ref> He made his season debut on April 15 against the Toronto Blue Jays, he tossing 6{{fraction|1|3|}} innings, giving up just one run while striking out five. He earned a no decision in a 2–1 Orioles' loss. Asher earned his first win of the year on April 26 against the Tampa Bay Rays. Out of the bullpen, Asher gave up a run in the 11th inning, before the Orioles would score two in the bottom half to win 5–4. Asher made 24 total appearances (including six starts) for Baltimore, posting a 2–5 record, 5.25 ERA, and 47 strikeouts across 60 innings pitched.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Alec Asher 2017 pitching Stats Per Game|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/gamelog/_/id/33787/year/2017/category/pitching|access-date=May 4, 2026|website=espn.com|language=en}}</ref>
Asher was designated for assignment on March 29, 2018, after the Orioles added players to their Opening Day roster.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Orioles Designate Four Players, Set Opening Day Roster|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/03/orioles-designate-four-players-set-opening-day-roster.html|access-date=May 4, 2026|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}</ref>
===Los Angeles Dodgers=== Asher was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 5, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/04/dodgers-claim-alec-asher.html|title=Dodgers Claim Alec Asher, Designate Zach Neal|work=MLB Trade Rumors|first=Jeff|last=Todd|date=April 5, 2018|accessdate=April 5, 2018}}</ref> He made one start for the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits with one strikeout over three innings pitched.
===Milwaukee Brewers=== On April 17, 2018, Asher was claimed off of waivers by the Milwaukee Brewers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.truebluela.com/2018/4/17/17248522/alec-asher-waiver-claim-brewers-dodgers|title=Brewers claim Alec Asher off waivers from Dodgers|work=True Blue LA|first=Eric|last=Stephen|date=April 17, 2018|accessdate=April 17, 2018|publisher=SB Nation}}</ref> The Brewers designated him for assignment two days later, following the acquisition of Tyler Saladino.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/04/brewers-acquire-tyler-saladino-designate-alec-asher.html|title = Brewers Acquire Tyler Saladino, Designate Alec Asher| date=April 19, 2018 }}</ref> Asher cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox on April 23.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Brewers Outright Alec Asher|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/04/brewers-outright-alec-asher.html|access-date=May 4, 2026|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}</ref> On May 12, the Brewers selected Asher's contract, adding him to their active roster.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Brewers Select Alec Asher, Wade Miley To 60-Day IL|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/05/brewers-select-alec-asher-miley-to-60-day-dl.html|access-date=May 4, 2026|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}</ref> He made two scoreless appearances for Milwaukee, recording two strikeouts over three innings. On August 14, Asher was designated for assignment by the Brewers after they acquired Jake Thompson.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Brewers Acquire Jake Thompson, Designate Alec Asher|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/08/phillies-trade-jake-thompson-brewers.html|access-date=May 4, 2026|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}</ref> Asher cleared waivers and was sent outright to Colorado Springs on August 17.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Outrighted: Alec Asher, George Kontos|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/08/outrighted-alec-asher-george-kontos.html|access-date=May 4, 2026|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}</ref> He elected free agency on October 23.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Minor MLB Transactions: 10/23/18|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/10/minor-mlb-transactions-102318.html|access-date=February 21, 2026|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}</ref>
===Atlantic League=== On January 26, 2019, Asher signed a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/MaxWildstein/status/1089324090387767297|title=Max Wildstein on Twitter|publisher=}}</ref> He was released by the Rockies prior to the start of the regular season on March 14.
On April 15, Asher signed with the Sugar Land Skeeters of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He made two appearances for Sugar Land, registering a 1–0 record and 9.00 ERA with three strikeouts over three innings of relief. Asher was released by the Skeeters on May 2.
On May 13, Asher signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League. In seven appearances (six starts) for the Ducks, Asher had a 3–1 record, 3.12 ERA, and 21 strikeouts across {{fraction|34|2|3}} innings pitched.
===Uni-President Lions=== On June 19, 2019, Asher's contract was purchased by the Uni-President Lions of the Chinese Professional Baseball League.<ref>{{cite news|date=June 19, 2019|accessdate=June 19, 2019|publisher=cpblstats.com|title=Uni-Lions Sign Alec Asher from Atlantic League|url=http://cpblstats.com/uni-lions-sign-alec-asher-from-atlantic-league/}}</ref> Asher made 15 appearances (including nine starts) for the Lions, logging a 1–6 record and 4.29 ERA with 43 strikeouts and two saves across {{fraction|56|2|3}} innings pitched.
===Minnesota Twins=== On January 28, 2020, Asher signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins. Asher did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2020 Minor League Season Canceled|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/06/2020-minor-league-season-will-be-canceled.html|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=June 30, 2020 |language=en}}</ref> He became a free agent on November 2.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Full List of 2020-2021 MiLB Free Agents|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/full-list-of-2020-2021-milb-free-agents/|access-date=September 17, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 2, 2020 |language=en}}</ref>
==Coaching career== On September 8, 2023, Asher was hired as the pitching coach for the baseball team at Polk State College.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 8, 2023 |title=Former big leaguer, Polk State Baseball All-American Asher returns as pitching coach |url=https://polkeagles.com/news/2023/9/8/former-big-leaguer-polk-state-baseball-all-american-asher-returns-as-pitching-coach.aspx |website=Polk State College}}</ref>
==See also== *List of Major League Baseball players suspended for performance-enhancing drugs
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
==External links== {{Commonscat}} {{baseballstats|mlb=594742|espn=33787|br=a/asheral01|fangraphs=13560|brm=asher-001ale|retro=A/Pashea001}} *[http://polkstate.prestosports.com/sports/bsb/2011-12/bios/asher_alec_g0av Polk State Eagles bio]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Asher, Alec}} Category:1991 births Category:Living people Category:Baseball players from Lakeland, Florida Category:American sportspeople in doping cases Category:Lakeland High School (Lakeland, Florida) alumni Category:Major League Baseball pitchers Category:Philadelphia Phillies players Category:Baltimore Orioles players Category:Milwaukee Brewers players Category:Spokane Indians players Category:Myrtle Beach Pelicans players Category:Frisco RoughRiders players Category:Round Rock Express players Category:Lehigh Valley IronPigs players Category:21st-century American sportsmen Category:Reading Fightin Phils players Category:Florida Complex League Phillies players Category:Gigantes del Cibao players Category:American expatriate baseball players in the Dominican Republic Category:Norfolk Tides players Category:Oklahoma City Dodgers players Category:Colorado Springs Sky Sox players Category:Sugar Land Skeeters players Category:Long Island Ducks players Category:American expatriate baseball players in Taiwan Category:Uni-President Lions players Category:Santa Fe Saints baseball players Category:Polk State Eagles baseball players