Published On: May 17th, 2011

Andy Dirks made his Major League debut last night, Monday, May 16th for the Detroit Tigers.  The former Brainerd Blue Thunder standout went 1-for-2 in his debut and singled off Blue Jays starting pitcher, Kyle Drabek in the 3rd inning.  Dirks started in left field for Tigers manager Jim Leyland after Magglio Ordonez was placed on the 15-day disabled list.

The 6-foot-0 195-pound outfielder spent the beginning of the 2011 season with the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens of the International League.  Dirks had an impressive start with the Mud Hens as he hit .328 with 6 home runs, 17 RBI’s and 43 hits in 34 games.  The left-fielder was in the starting lineup for the Tigers game Sunday, May 15th, but the game was postponed due to rain. 

The Burrton, Kan. native and Wichita State alum was drafted by the Tigers in the 8th round of the 2008 MLB Amateur Draft.  Dirks played for the Gulf Coast Tigers (Rookie) and Western Michigan Whitecaps (Single-A) in 2008, Lakeland Flying Tigers (Single-A) and Erie SeaWolves (Double-A) in 2009, and Erie SeaWolves and Toledo Mud Hens (Triple-A) in 2010.  Dirks boasts a career .291 Minor League batting average with 92 extra-base hits and 154 RBI’s in 1,115 at-bats. 

Dirks played for the Brainerd Blue Thunder in 2006 and 2007 while attending national baseball power Wichita State University.  The speedy outfielder won the ‘Silver Glove’ award in his 1st season with the team and also was named a Post-Season All-Star in 2007.  Dirks holds a Northwoods League record after reaching base safely in 52 consecutive games.  His 52 game streak broke the old record of 50 set in 1995. 

The Northwoods League is currently preparing for an exciting and successful 18th season as games begin June 1st, 2011.  The Northwoods League has more teams, plays more games, and draws more fans than any Summer Collegiate Baseball League in North America. 

Latest News