Ross is the 436th former NWL player to make his MLB debut
Rochester, Minn. – The Northwoods League is proud to announce that former Wisconsin Rapids Rafter Ben Ross has made his Major League Baseball debut with the Minnesota Twins. The versatile infielder reached the majors on September 1, 2026.
The Springfield, Ohio native and Notre Dame College (Ohio) product was selected by Minnesota in the fifth round (144th overall) of the 2022 MLB Draft.
A right-handed hitter who plays shortstop, third base, second base, and the outfield, Ross earned his first big-league call-up as a September roster expansion addition. In the Northwoods League with the Rafters in 2022, Ross delivered a dominant summer, leading the entire league with a .421 batting average. Over 42 games he collected 72 hits, including 10 home runs and 39 RBI, while posting a .502 on-base percentage and 17 stolen bases. His outstanding performance earned him the Rawlings “Big Stick” Award as the top-hitting shortstop in the Northwoods League.
Ross’s professional career has shown steady development with a strong breakout in 2026. After earlier seasons that included a power surge at High-A Cedar Rapids in 2023 (.240 average with 19 home runs and 71 RBI in 103 games), he spent full seasons at Double-A Wichita in 2024 and 2025. In 2026 he opened the year by tearing through Double-A, batting .424 with five home runs and 16 RBI in just 16 games before earning a promotion to Triple-A St. Paul. With the Saints he hit .249/.353/.458 with 15 home runs, 55 RBI, and 12 stolen bases over 102 games. Combined across Double-A and Triple-A in 2026, Ross finished with a .274 average, 20 home runs, 71 RBI, and 20 stolen bases.
In his MLB debut on September 1, 2026, Ross entered as a defensive replacement for the Minnesota Twins in a 15-2 win over the Detroit Tigers at Target Field. He came into the game in the seventh inning, playing second base. He later moved to third base in the eighth inning. In his only plate appearance (bottom of the seventh), he struck out swinging.
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The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Having completed its 33rd season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in history with 26 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires, and front office staff, nearly 2400 NWL alums have been drafted and over 435 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and two-time World Series Champion Max Scherzer (TOR), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford and World Series Champion and Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale (ATL). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (BAL) and 2023 World Series Champion, MLB All-Star, MLB Gold Glove, two-time Silver Slugger winner and two-time All-MLB first team shortstop Marcus Semien (NYM). League games are viewable live on FloSports.tv.