Diaz is the 105th Northwoods League player to reach the Major Leagues
Former Thunder Bay Border Cat Jonathan Diaz was called up by the Boston Red Sox on Saturday. Diaz is the 105th former Northwoods League player to reach the Major League level.
Diaz, who played collegiately at North Carolina State University, played for the Thunder Bay Border Cats during the 2005 season, and was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 12th round of the 2006 MLB draft.
During the 2005 season Diaz hit .245 in 52 games. Diaz also stole 7 bases and had 8 doubles during his time with the Border Cats.
Diaz began his minor league career in 2006 in rookie ball with Auburn in the New York Penn League.
From 2006 through 2013 Diaz played in a total of 763 minor league games. He spent his first seven seasons in the Blue Jays system before being signed in January of this year to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training by the Red Sox.
During the 2013 season Diaz was hitting .242 with 6 stolen bases and 21 RBI for the AAA Pawtucket Red Sox.
In his first Major League appearance on Saturday, against the Blue Jays, Diaz went 0 for 3 with a run scored. He reached base on a fielder’s choice in the 7th inning and came around to score from second on a single to center by Shane Victorino. Diaz started at third base in place of Jose Iglesias who has been moved to shortstop while Stephen Drew is out nursing a hamstring injury.
During Sunday’s game Diaz entered the game as a pinch runner in the 9th inning and scored the game winning run when Shane Victorino’s ground ball was misplayed by Toronto first baseman Josh Thole.
The Northwoods League has more teams, plays more games, and draws more fans than any other Summer Collegiate League in North America. The 2013 season marks the 20th season of Northwoods League baseball. 105 former players have gone on to play Major League baseball. Notable alumni of the league include Curtis Granderson (Yankees), Chris Sale (White Sox), Max Scherzer (Tigers), Josh Willingham (Twins) and Jordan Zimmermann (Nationals).
