After six seasons in the minor leagues Neil Wagner can now call himself a Major Leaguer. The 27-year-old made his Major League Debut Tuesday night for the Oakland A’s in their 6-2 loss at Progressive Field against Cleveland. The 6-foot, 195-pound right-handed pitcher tossed a scoreless eighth inning, which started with a strikeout of Indians’ catcher Carlos Santana. Wagner’s top fastball in the inning registered at 98 MPH. In consecutive at-bats he faced two other Northwoods League alums. Jerad Head grounded out against Wagner and Jack Hannahan singled.

Wagner and Head faced each other in 2005 in the Northwoods League and later became teammates in the Cleveland organization. Wagner and Hannahan have the connection of being two of seven former Mankato Mashers/MoonDogs to reach the big leagues.

Wagner spent two summers playing for the Mankato MoonDogs. He gained experience in 2004 before becoming a top closer in the Northwoods League in 2005. He was 0-1 with four saves and a 4.38 ERA in 24 2/3 innings of relief in ’04. The hard-thrower struck out 38 in his 23 appearances. He returned to Mankato following his junior season at North Dakota State University. The Eden Prairie, Minnesota native was dominant in ’05 for the MoonDogs going 1-0 with 13 saves in 30 appearances. He fanned 43 in 30 innings pitched and registered a 2.10 ERA.

Wagner was drafted by Cleveland in the 21^st round in 2005. At that time, Major League teams had the draft rights for players up until the following year’s draft. Wagner opted to sign with the Indians and didn’t return to pitch his senior year at NDSU. In 266 career minor league appearances, Wagner was 15-23 with a 3.47 ERA, 44 saves, 425 strikeouts and 362 2/3 innings pitched. He’s the 83^rd former Northwoods League player to reach the majors and the 46^th to play in the big leagues in 2011. He was traded to Oakland in 2010.

The Northwoods League has more teams, plays more games, and draws more fans than any Summer Collegiate Baseball League in North America.