Four Former Bats Head into Spring Training on the 40-Man

Former River Bat and current Los Angeles Angels infielder Rob Quinlan (above) has made the journey from the Northwoods League to the Major Leagues. Left-hander Tom Gorzelanny, right-hander Thomas Diamond and catcher Jason Jaramillo are the other River Bats who have gone from playing their summers in St. Cloud to earning a lofty paycheck as part of an MLB 40-man roster.

February 13, 2008

It has been a long trip from the Northwoods League to the Big Leagues.

But for former St. Cloud River Bats Rob Quinlan, Tom Gorzelanny, Thomas Diamond and Jason Jaramillo it has been a dream come true as they all are active members of an MLB 40-man roster.

They are set to head into spring training and have their background in the Northwoods League to thank for where they are today.

“That’s what this league is all about, advancing players to the next level,” River Bats manager Tony Arnerich said.

The Northwoods League is designed for a professional feel, with the largest crowds in all of summer collegiate baseball and a tight 68-game schedule.

“The Northwoods League is one that really prepares them for the minor league game,” River Bats assistant Jason Brueske said.

Quinlan played with the River Bats in 1998 and has spent the most time at the Major League level so far of any River Bat alum.

He moved through the minors with ease, making the MLB in his fifth professional season after amassing a .316 minor league average.

Quinlan broke through to the big leagues on July 28, 2003 for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and picked up his first major league hit the next day versus the New York Yankees.

He would stick on the roster for the rest of the season, amassing 94 at-bats and a .287 average.

The St. Paul native, who grew up idolizing Minnesota Twins hall of famer Kirby Puckett, would then begin the next season in Class-AAA before being called up in May and he batted .344 with a .401 on-base percentage in 56 total games.

His breakout season soon ended prematurely as he hit the 15-day DL towards the end of the season with a strained left oblique.

In 2005 his average dipped to .231 but he would get his first taste of the postseason.

He made his first postseason start in an 11-7 game 3 ALDS win for the Angels and he picked up a single in two at-bats.

Quinlan then had his defining moment in the ALCS versus the eventual World Series champion Chicago White Sox, when he pinch hit and hit a home run that tied the game at one.

In 2006 he spent his first full season at the major league level with the Angels and batted .321 with nine homers in 86 games.

Last season his average dropped to .247 but hopes to rebound this season as he will split time at first base with Casey Kotchman and at third base with Chone Figgins.

Gorzelanny has also made the jump for Dick Putz Field to respected Major League player as he heads into the 2008 season as the staff ace of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The 2001 River Bat is fresh off a breakthrough season where he went 14-10 with a 3.88 ERA in 201 and two-thirds innings.

His efforts landed him on the list of five players that fans got to vote for the final NL all-star spot.

Diamond missed all of last season recovering from Tommy John surgery, but heads into 2008 with hope to reach the big leagues at some point during the year.

He had a lot of success in his River Bat tenure of 2002-2003 and that made him the tenth overall pick in the 2004 draft by the Texas Rangers where he earned a signing bonus of $2,025,000, the fourth most ever given by the Rangers.

He made it to Class-AA in just his second professional season and was the Rangers fourth ranked prospect in 2007 according to Baseball America.

Jaramillo currently ranks as the Baseball America 10th best Phillies prospect.

The catcher who was Diamond’s battery mate in 2002, made strong accolades to himself last season, adding an offensive arsenal by batting .271 with six homers and 56 RBIs at Class-AAA Ottawa.

Jaramillo already had a reputation of a strong arm and solid defense.

The only problem for Jaramillo this year is that he is stuck behind another young bright catcher in Carlos Ruiz, so he should spend the majority of his time at Class-AAA.

Former River Bats right-handers Justin Huisman and Chris Demaria have also made major league appearances but both are currently out of affiliated baseball.

As members of the 40-man roster they can be called-up from the minor leagues at any time and are protected by the club from the Rule V draft.

They also receive increased pay and are guaranteed a certain amount for the rest of their career in affiliated baseball.