MANKATO, MINN.- The Mankato MoonDogs, members of the Northwoods League are proud to announce that yet another former MoonDog has been called up to the Major Leagues. Outfielder Sean Halton was called up to the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday night, and made his big league debut Thursday afternoon.
While Halton has now been with the Brewers for a couple days, the San Francisco native admits his achievement hasn’t really sunk in yet. "I’m still asking myself if this is real or not," Halton says. "It didn’t start to settle in until I got to the hotel in Milwaukee and realized that I am not in AAA anymore."
Halton, a six-foot-four inch, 260 pound, 26-year-old played for the MoonDogs during the 2006 season, where he batted .227 over 51 games played, racking up 39 hits and 14 runs batted in. He remembers most the grind of his time in Mankato and the Northwoods League and how it helped prepare him for a life of professional baseball. "The Northwoods League is extremely comparable to the minor league lifestyle," Halton said, "plus you never know who could be watching you play."
After his college career at Fresno City College and Lewis – Clark State College, Halton was drafted by Milwaukee in the 13th round of the 2009 MLB June Amateur Draft before embarking on a five-year stint in the minor leagues. Despite the difficulties that come with bouncing from team-to-team and league-to league, Halton never lost sight of his ultimate goal. "I always believed in myself and what I could do, I never doubted that I had a chance," he reflects.
Prior to his call-up, Halton has spent the last two seasons with the Nashville Sounds of the Pacific Coast League. In 66 games this year he has hit nine home runs and 35 runs batted in.
Halton didn’t have to wait long to make an impact with his new team, as he hit a pinch-hit single in his first Major League at-bat on Thursday night, a fifth-inning shot off of Cubs pitcher Matt Garza.
The MoonDogs alumus marks the tenth former Mankato player to play in the Major Leagues, joining the ranks of Major League All-Star Curtis Granderson (N.Y. Yankees) and World Series Champion Brandon Crawford (S.F. Giants). Halton also marks the 104th Northwoods Leaguer to make it to the highest level, continuing the tradition of excellence both the Northwoods League and Mankato MoonDogs have become known for.
The MoonDogs would like to once again congratulate Halton for his achievement and wish him the best for a long and successful career.
