Alumni Update 9/3: Call-ups and MiLB Awards

In our first Alumni Update presented by Lakeland University, we are taking a closer look at the Minor League seasons of Sam Haggerty and Daulton Varsho.

2013 Express Alum Sam Haggerty has enjoyed an impressive season playing within the New York Mets Minor League system. The utility infielder from New Mexico rose quickly through the Mets farm system this summer, making stops in Brooklyn (A), Binghamton (AA) and Syracuse (AAA) before earning a September call-up to the bigs.

Haggerty hit .271 with 15 doubles, six triples, three homers, 26 RBI, .376 OBP and 23 stolen bases in 86 minor league games. The Phoenix, Arizona native played in 34 games for the Express in 2013 recording a .317 average with 39 hits, 23 RBI, six doubles and two homeruns. Haggerty joins a Mets squad that is currently four games back of an NL Wild Card position.

For Sam Haggerty this is a dream come true. #Mets pic.twitter.com/PVHNXsoF3n

— Mets Farm Report (@MetsFarmReport) September 1, 2019

Daulton Varsho is making waves in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization. Recently, Varsho was named the Diamondbacks 2019 Minor League Player of the Year by Baseball America.

Varsho has played the entire 2019 season with double-A Jackson Generals helping the ball club to a North Division runner-up finish and ending his regular season with a team-high .301 batting average and league-best marks in runs (85), on-base-plus-slugging (.899), and total bases (206). The UW-Milwaukee product was also recognized as a Mid-Season All-Star, Post-Season All-Star, and was a Futures Game selection.

Varsho appeared for the Express during the 2015 and 2016 seasons, playing his way into the record books. He led Eau Claire in several offensive categories in 2015, including runs (37), doubles (11), triples (7), RBIs (32) and stolen bases (21). He ranked second in games played (63), at-bats (247), home runs (4) and hits (73). Varsho was a two-time Northwoods League All-Star and was a Major League Dreams participant.

Varsho and the rest of the Generals will start their post-season trek Wednesday when they begin a best-of-five North Division Series against the Montgomery Biscuits.

Keep a lookout all off-season for more alumni updates presented by Lakeland University. At Lakeland University you’ll find unique 14-week BlendEd courses that allow you to complete coursework either online or in class from week to week depending on your location, schedule, and other life commitments allowing you to choose the format that works best for you.

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The Eau Claire Express are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The 25-year old summer collegiate league is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 22 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, over 200 former Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (BOS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET) and Curtis Granderson (MIA). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.eauclaireexpress.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Express as your favorite team.