Former Rox Player Collects Hit in MLB Debut

(KNSI) – A former St. Cloud Rox player ended his six-year quest to make it to the major leagues on Tuesday and collected a base hit in his debut to boot.

Drew Avans was a member of the 2017 Northwoods League Championship team, where he took to the field in 54 games and hit .267 with 10 extra base knocks. He was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 33rd round of the MLB draft the following summer. Avans elected for free agency after a full term in the LA organization.

He was signed by the Athletics, who promoted him this week. Avans got into a game Tuesday against the Houston Astros in the ninth inning, collecting a single to left-center field in his only plate appearance. Before his call-up, Avans had been batting .328 with four home runs, eight doubles, and 16 stolen bases for the Athletics’ Triple-A affiliate, the Las Vegas Aviators.

Avans played collegiately at Southeastern Louisiana University on top of his stint with the Rox in the Northwoods League. He is the fourth member of the 2017 team to make it to The Show.

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