By Max Garcia (@Maxgarci09) – Spear Reporter | Senior Alex Fernandes celebrates with senior Jake McCoy and redshirt junior Alan Ramirez after Ramirez’s three-run home run against Saint Mary’s on Feb. 28 (Photo by Max Garcia Ortiz (@maxgarci09)
Multiple San Jose State baseball players have signed with Major League Baseball organizations as notable undrafted free agents in recent days.
Although the Spartans fell short of a Mountain West Tournament berth in 2026, three players earned professional opportunities following the season.
The group includes outfielder Alex Fernandes, who signed with the Athletics organization, and right-handed pitchers Tyler Albanese and Kyle Calzadiaz, who signed with the Cleveland Guardians and Pittsburgh Pirates, respectively.
Alex Fernandes, OF: Athletics
Fernandes is a disciplined hitter who consistently gets on base. Fernandes finished his two seasons at SJSU with 155 hits, 28 doubles, 12 triples, and 112 runs scored in 110 games.
In 2026, he hit .400, becoming the first Spartan since 1993 to reach that mark while also setting a career high with seven home runs and earning first-team All-Mountain West honors.
Fernandes gives the Athletics a disciplined contact hitter with speed and defensive versatility.
Tyler Albanese, RHP: Cleveland Guardians
Albanese is a dependable late-inning reliever who thrives in high-pressure situations. Albanese made 14 appearances during his time at SJSU, recording 10 career saves, which tied for fourth in program history.
While recording 96 strikeouts across 84 1/3 innings in the 2025 campaign for the Spartans, he earned second-team All-Mountain West honors. His 2026 campaign saw him allow a career-low 20 hits in 13 appearances.
Cleveland’s bullpen just added another experienced arm in Albanese.
Kyle Calzadiaz, RHP: Pittsburgh Pirates
Calzadiaz is a durable pitcher with strikeout ability. Spending his final two seasons with the Spartans, Calzadiaz made 32 appearances, including 12 starts.
Calzadiaz recorded 111 strikeouts, along with three saves and three wins, and finished his Spartan career with a 5.03 ERA. That earned him a spot on the 2024-2025 Mountain West All-Tournament Team and the 2026 Preseason Mountain West All-Conference Team.
The Pirates added a starting pitcher with the ability to miss bats.
With professional contracts in hand, all three will begin the climb through the minor leagues in pursuit of a spot in the majors.
