Former Mallard Ryan Spilborghs received the phrase on Saturday every Minor League player dreams about hearing; “You’re going to the Big Leagues.” Back for a second stint with the Colorado Rockies, Spilborghs was recalled from Triple-A Colorado Springs and was thrown into the mix immediately; earning a pinch hit at-bat in Sunday’s Interleague game versus the Kansas City Royals. On Tuesday he contributed to the team’s 3-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks with an RBI sacrifice fly.

The first Mallards alumnus to reach the Major Leagues, Spilborghs made his Big League debut on July 16, 2005 and went 2 for 4 with a run and RBI. Last season he appeared in 67 games for the Rockies and compiled a .287 batting average on 48 hits and 6 doubles. Spilborghs was re-signed to a minor league contract by Colorado Springs after spring training and had spent all of this season with the Sky Sox, hitting .323 with 40 hits and 17 RBI’s.

With the Mallards, Spilborghs was named the team’s co-MVP in 2001 and holds the Mallards record for career batting average (.331). The former UC-Santa Barbara star was drafted by the Rockies in the seventh round (201st overall) of the 2002 draft.

On Tuesday, June 19, we’re celebrating his accomplishments with Ryan Spilborghs’ Figurine Night! Come early; only the first 1,000 fans 14 & under will receive this unique piece of Mallards memorabilia!

The Mallards season starts Thursday May 31 against the Eau Claire Express at the Duck Pond. All tickets are on sale now. Call 246-4277 or log onto Mallardsbaseball.com for more information.