Former Mighty Gull Mike McCoy Makes MLB Debut
28-Year Old Finally Gets His First Crack in the Bigs
(DENVER, CO) Colorado Rockies infielder Mike McCoy made his Major League debut Wednesday night in the Rockies’ thrilling 4-3 win against the Cincinnati Reds at Coors Field. The former Brainerd Mighty Gull entered the game defensively at second base in the top of the ninth inning after Dexter Fowler pinch-ran for Todd Helton in the bottom of the eighth. McCoy was on deck when Seth Smith hit a game-winning two-run single with two out in the bottom of the ninth. In Thursday’s 5-1 win against the Reds, McCoy appeared in his second game, striking out against Kip Wells in a fourth-inning pinch-hitting appearance.
After eight years and 859 games in the minor leagues, the 28-year old McCoy finally earned his first call up to the Majors. He’s a career .270 hitter in the minors but has become a much better hitter the last two seasons batting .310 during that time. This year at Triple-A Colorado Springs he hit .307 while posting personal bests with 40 steals, 80 walks, 27 doubles, five triples, and 52 RBI.
In 2000, the 5’9″, 171 pound McCoy had an all-star season with the Brainerd Mighty Gulls, being named to the NWL Postseason All-Star team as the second baseman. The El Cajon, CA native led the league with 30 stolen bases and hit .257 with seven doubles and 17 RBI. He scored 37 runs and was fifth in the league with 42 walks in 53 games. For a short time in 2000 McCoy was paired up the middle with another future big leaguer, shortstop Mike Rouse. McCoy is one of five Mighty Gulls to make it to the Major Leagues from the team’s five years of existence.
The St. Louis Cardinals drafted McCoy in the 34th round in 2002 following his junior season at the University of San Diego. He spent six years in the Cardinals organization before joining the Baltimore Orioles organization in 2008. In July of ’08 he was traded to the Rockies for infielder Juan Castro.
The Northwoods League plays more games than, draws more fans than, and plays in venues superior to any Summer Collegiate Baseball League in North America. To date, 58 of the NWL’s former players have gone on to play Major League Baseball.
