- Full name Jeremy Joseph Fikac
- Born 04/08/1975 in Shiner, TX
- Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 200 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Texas State
- Debut 08/16/2001
- Drafted in the 19th round (562nd overall) by the San Diego Padres in 1998.
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Organization Prospect Rankings
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Organizations love guys like Fikac, low-round picks who work hard and get better every year, surprising everyone but themselves when they reach the majors. And Fikac, who was more accomplished as a hitter than as a pitcher at Southwest Texas State, didn't just reach the majors last August. He struck out the side against the Mets in his debut and didn't allow a run in his first 12 appearances as he cemented a role for himself in the 2002 bullpen. Like Padres closer Trevor Hoffman, Fikac's best pitch is his changeup. His fastball isn't notable for its velocity or life, while his slider is average. He succeeds because he can throw any of his three pitches in any count and put them wherever he wants. Big league lefthanders were hitless in 27 at-bats against him. While Fikac has the fearlessness but not the stuff to close, he can be an extremely effective setup man for San Diego. He learned in January that he needs to have a cyst removed from his right index finger, surgery that will sideline hime until at least Opening Day.
