Following a ballplayer rise through the baseball ranks in hopes of eventually catching on with a Major League club is what makes the Northwoods League fan experience so unique and intriguing. Fans are given the opportunity to take stock in their favorite amateur player’s up-and-down journey and track their day-to-day accomplishments by any means possible. With the Mallards season concluded, let’s take a peek around the baseball world and uncover how notable Alumni are performing for their respective teams. Stay tuned to Mallardsbaseball.com for more updates in the near future.
Ryan Rogowski (’04, ’05) Inland Empires (A) – A key member of the Mallards ’04 NWL Championship team, Rogowski is experiencing some growing pains for the Los Angeles Dodgers Class A affiliate. As of Wednesday he was hitting .255 with 25 doubles and 43 RBI’s in 113 games. The Mallards single season record holder for stolen bases with 44, Rogowski continues to elude catcher’s throws as he’s only been caught seven times in 41 chances.
Mike Rozema (’03) Richmond (AAA) – Rozema was called up to the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves on August 13. In four games, he has two hits in six at-bats with three RBI’s. Rozema was hitting .250 with five home runs and 24 RBI’s in 66 games for the Double-A Mississippi Braves.
Ryan Spilborghs (’01) OF Colorado Rockies – Spilborghs just might have found his niche in the big leagues. The first Mallard in Major League Baseball, Spilborghs continues to swing a consistent bat, compiling a .318 batting average with an eye-opening 10 home runs and 43 RBI’s. He tattooed Milwaukee Brewers pitching in a two-game set on August 7th and 8th; going 6 for 10 with two doubles and four runs scored. As of Wednesday, the Rockies stand six games back of the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NL West Division.
Ryan Zink (’04, ’07) Staten Island Yankees (A) – After being drafted by the Yankees organization in the 17th round of the 2007 MLB Draft, Zink has thrown well for the Staten Island club, posting a 5-1 record and 3.76 ERA in 40.2 innings pitched. He has made five starts and seven relief appearances.
