(Rochester,Minn.) Former Mankato MoonDog infielder Brandon Crawford was called up to the San Francisco Giants on Thursday, May 26thand made a big impact his Major League debut on Friday night. Crawford, a former 4th round MLB draft pick, was promoted from Single-A San Jose and hit a grand slam off Brewers starting pitcher Shaun Marcum in his third MLB at-bat.
The 6’2’’ 215 pound twenty-four year old began the 2011 season at Single-A San Jose dueto a broken finger in Spring Training. Crawford made his debut at shortstop for the 2010 World Series Champions at Miller Park on Friday against the Milwaukee Brewers. The former UCLA standout went 1-3 with a base on balls from the seven-hole in his debut in a Giants victory.
The Mountain View, CA native has spent the past four seasons in the Minor Leagues and had reached as high as Double-A in 2010 before his promotion. Crawford has a career .270 Minor League batting average with 20 home runs and 89 RBI’s. As a member of the San Jose Giants in 2011 the infielder was having an outstanding spring. Crawford was hitting .332 with 15 RBI’s in 14 games before his promotion.
Crawford played for the Mankato MoonDogs in 2005 and hit .274 in 42 games played. Crawford was a three-year starter at Pac-10 power UCLA from 2006-08 and started in all 179 games of his career. The Bruin infielder had a career .319 batting average with 20 home runs, 13 triples, 44 doubles, 136 RBI’s and 145 runs scored. The consistent Crawford helped the Bruins make three consecutive NCAA Regionals. Crawford is the 1st Bruin position player under current head coach John Savage to make it to the Major Leagues.
Crawford is the 78th former Northwoods League player to reach the Major Leagues.
The Northwoods League has more teams, plays more games, and draws more fans than any Summer Collegiate Baseball League in North America. Opening day 2011 is on Wednesday, June 1st.
