We often think we know everything about the players on our favorite team, as well as everything about the team in general. However, sometimes we may be shocked when we think a player is younger than they are, and they are in fact, much older.
1) Miles Mikolas, 37 years old
Drafted in the seventh round of the 2009 MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres out of Nova Southeastern University, Miles Mikolas has been in professional baseball for some time, and while not putting up the best numbers, he has remained on big league rosters for some time since getting called up in 2012. He has played for the Padres, the Texas Rangers, the St. Louis Cardinals, and now the Washington Nationals. He did not play in the majors between 2015 and 2017.
Instead, he played in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball League for the Yomiuri Giants--and he did not participate in the 2020 COVID-shortened season, not for isolation reasons, but instead because of a flexor tendon repair needed in his right arm. He will be turning 38 years old in August, and I don't know if anyone ever thinks about how Miles is older than Manager Blake Butera, President of Baseball Operations Paul Toboni, or General Manager Anirudh Kilambi. For me, that is wild to think about.
2) Jake Irvin, 29 years old
Jake Irvin was drafted all the way back in the fourth round of the 2018 MLB draft by the Washington Nationals out of the University of Oklahoma. Having made his major league debut in 2023 for the Nationals, he is one of the more tenured players on the team.
He brings a veteran presence and experience of consistently playing, especially in competitive situations, as a Sooner at the University of Oklahoma. The best part for the Nationals, and for Irvin, is that despite getting knocked around while on the mound, his health has been consistent, and he has not dealt with many injuries while in the MLB. He will turn 30 before the start of next season.
3) Zack Littell, 30 years old
Drafted in the eleventh round of the 2013 MLB Draft by the Seattle Mariners, Zack Littell did not play for the Mariners' major league team. Instead, after spending parts of five seasons in the minor leagues, he made his major league debut in 2018 with the Minnesota Twins. Following his time in Minnesota, Littell went on to play for the San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays, and Cincinnati Reds, and is currently with the Nationals. Littell is 30 years old and will turn 31 at the conclusion of the regular season.
Which player's age surpised you the most? Let me know on X @jeremyhasson.
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