WINTER HAVEN – After a solid baseball career, which includes four years in the majors, a Polk State Baseball legend has come home.

Alec Asher, 31, is the new pitching coach for the Eagles. From 2015 to 2018, Asher appeared in 46 Major League Baseball (MLB) games for the Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, and Milwaukee Brewers.

"I've come to terms with my playing days being over," Asher said. "I wanted to find a way to stay involved with the game and give back. I'd like to instill a strong work ethic and pass along what it takes to play at the next level."

Asher replaces Jordan Barrett, another former Polk State pitcher. Barrett accepted a job to serve as the pitching coach at Florida Southern College this offseason.

"What's unique about junior college is it gives guys the chance to develop at their pace," Asher explained. "I'm a huge advocate of junior college baseball. Not everyone needs to go (Division I) to get the development they need. This allows you to get the reps you need right away instead of maybe sitting behind an upperclassman or a graduate transfer."

A graduate of Lakeland High School, Asher began his collegiate career at Santa Fe College in Gainesville. A 6-foot-4, 240-pound hard-throwing right-hander, Asher spent just one season at Polk State, but it was one to remember.

"He's one of the best pitchers ever to come through this program," Head Coach Al Corbeil said. "I was blessed to have him as a player. He had a ton of ability, was an incredible teammate, and has a big-league personality."

During the 2012 season, Asher was named Suncoast Conference and FCSAA Pitcher of the Year and a first team NJCAA All-American while helping Polk State win the FCSAA title – its first under Corbeil and second overall. Asher also won a Rawlings Gold Glove and received the Robert Purkey Jr. Memorial Award, which goes to the FCSAA Tournament's best pitcher.

"The year I was here, we had great camaraderie," Asher recalled. "We were a bunch of misfits trying to make it, but we gelled together so well as a team. It was different than any other year of my baseball career."



Asher finished his lone Polk State season with a 13-1 record, 1.38 ERA, and 118 strikeouts in 111 innings pitched. He continues to hold the program records for wins, strikeouts, innings pitched, and starts (16). His final win came in Polk State's only ever JUCO World Series victory as Asher allowed just a run on five hits in seven innings in a 10-1 run-rule triumph over Western Nevada College.

"Al gave me an opportunity here that changed my life for the better," Asher noted. "I was a somewhat talented player without a huge work ethic. I didn't know how to prepare, but that was instilled in me here. You learn more than just baseball here like how to be a good person and how to be accountable. Al is a great coach and a great baseball mind."

Following his junior college career, Asher was selected in the fourth round of the 2012 MLB Draft by the Texas Rangers with the 156th overall pick, becoming the highest pick for a Polk State player in 26 years. Asher made his MLB debut at Citizens Bank Park for Philadelphia against the San Diego Padres on Aug. 30, 2015, at the age of 23.

"The ballclub will benefit in a big way from his experiences," Corbeil said. "We know he's going to be a great addition."

For what will be his first coaching job, Asher joins Rougie Odor as first-year coaches on the Eagles staff. Asher said he's excited to be back.

"All the memories I have here are good," he explained. "Coaching is about a lot more than baseball. You teach your players anything you can. I had an unbelievable time here. I want to pass that experience along the best that I can."