THSB All-Decade Team: Tyler Kolek, RHP/1B, Shepherd, 2014

Tyler Kolek was a RHP/1B for the Shepherd Pirates 2011-2014. As a senior, Kolek compiled a 5-2 record with a 0.35 ERA and 126 Strikeouts in 60.1 innings with only 8 walks. At the plate, he hit .313 with 5 Doubles, 2 Home Runs and 16 RBIs. He didn’t allow a single hit in his first three games of the season. He was named a 3A 1st Team All State Pitcher and was selected the Texas Gatorade Player of the Year for 2014.

As a junior, Kolek got off to a great start hurling 42 Strikeouts in 18 innings while giving up only 6 hits with a fastball sitting in the 90’s. However, in their 2nd district game, he broke his non-throwing arm in a collision at 1st Base and missed the rest of the season.

Things began moving fast during the summer after his junior year. Kolek hit 99 mph during the Area Code Games and then was clocked 100+ in a couple of showcases.  By the end of the summer, he was ranked the #1 High School player by Baseball America.

Kolek signed a National Letter of Intent with Texas Christian University in November 2013. He was selected with the 2nd pick of the draft by the Miami Marlins. He signed with the Marlins on June 16, 2014 and received a $6 million bonus.

In his first two years in the minors, Kolek was 0-3 and 4-10. He did have 99 strikeouts in 130 innings. On April 7, 2016, Kolek underwent Tommy John surgery and sat out the 2016 season and part of 2017. Though battling several injuries, he continues to pitch in the Marlins farm system. In five seasons, Kolek has only appeared in only 64 games with a career minor league record of 5-16, a 5.66 ERA and 134 Strikeouts.

The complete 20 member THSB All-Decade Team can be found in the 2020 Preseason THSB Magazine.