100th Northwoods League Player Reaches Major Leagues
Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013 -- 1:05 PM
Former Brainerd pitcher Hiram Burgos was called up by the Milwaukee Brewers to start against the Chicago Cubs last weekend. Burgos is the 100th former Northwoods League player to reach the major league level.Burgos, who played collegiately at Bethune-Cookman College, played for the Brainerd Blue Thunder during the 2006 season, and was drafted by Milwaukee in the sixth round of the 2009 MLB Draft.
During the 2006 season Burgos compiled a 4.61 ERA in nine games with the Blue Thunder. He also struck out 26 batters in 41 innings pitched.
From 2010 through 2012 Burgos steadily climbed the minor league ladder while winning 24 games. During the 2012 season Burgos spent time at high A, AA and AAA and produced a stellar 1.95 ERA while striking out 153 batters in 171 innings. For his effort in 2012 Burgos was named the Brewers minor league pitcher of the year.
In his first Major League start last Saturday, against the Cubs, Burgos was the winning pitcher while allowing only one run over five innings pitched. He didn?t walk a batter and struck out one.
Notable alumni of the league include Curtis Granderson (Yankees), Chris Sale (White Sox), Max Scherzer (Tigers), Josh Willingham (Twins) and Andre Ethier (Dodgers).
The 2013 season will mark the 20th season of Northwoods League baseball.
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