2013 was a make-or-break year for Johnny Fasola, as the eventual Kent State pitcher was at a crossroads.

Just three years later, the Texas Rangers organization announced Fasola as the winner of its annual Minor League Reliever of the Year for his 2016 season. He finished the year 5-1 with a 3.18 ERA to go along with 11 saves and 58 strikeouts in 51 innings. 

At one point, Fasola was drafted right out of Walsh Jesuit High School to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 36th round of the MLB draft. He instead elected to go to Kansas State, where he went 1-3 with a 7.44 ERA in two years there. Fasola then chose to go back to his northern Ohio roots, as he transferred to Kent State after two years with the Wildcats. 

Fasola sat out all of 2013 and received a Tommy John surgery. Fasola then returned to the mound in 2014 for the Flashes, encompassing a 2-2 record to go along with a 4.66 ERA in 29 innings. Texas then selected Fasola in the 31st round of the MLB Draft. 

Henry Palattella is the sports editor, contact him at [email protected].