Travel Baseball Teams in Kansas

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MLB Players from Kansas

We may think of the Royals when we think of Kansas baseball, but there are also plenty of major league players who got their start in Kansas. There are 14 currently active players. Among them are Andy Dirks, Logan Watkins, Derek Norris, and Brad Ziegler.

Andy Dirks

Andy Dirks was born in 1986 in Hutchinson. He was an outfielder at Dirks Haven High School; a multi-sport talent, he also lettered in basketball and football.

Dirks played as a freshman and sophomore at Hutchinson Community College. His team made it to the JuCo World Series.

Dirks was later on the team at Wichita State University. He also played baseball in the collegiate Northwoods League in 2008; his team was the Brainerd Blue Thunder.

Dirks was an 8th round draft pick in 2008 at age 22. As a minor leaguer, he played for the Rookie Gulf Coast Tigers, A West Michigan Whitecaps, A+ Lakeland Flying Tigers, AA Erie SeaWolves, and AAA Toledo Mud Hens (http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/profile.asp?P=Andy-Dirks). His major league debut came in 2011.

At the start of his major league career, Dirks played in the winter league in the Dominican Republic, helping his team win the 2012 title (http://www.mlive.com/tigers/index.ssf/2012/02/detroit_tigers_andy_dirks_down.html). His performance on the baseball field, along with his friendliness and accessibility off the field, made him a popular figure.

Derek Norris

Derek Norris was born in 1989 in Goddard. He played catcher in Little League, but played third base in high school before moving back to catcher (http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/national-pastime/2009/may/15/prospect-qa-derek-norris-nationals/). He was selected as a Louisville Slugger All-American his senior year.

Norris participated in the Perfect Game WWBA Championship in 2006 (https://www.perfectgame.org/Players/Playerprofile.aspx?ID=46158). He was selected in the 4th round of the 2007 draft when he was 18. He began his pro career with the Gulf Coast Nationals. From there, it was on to the Low A Vermont Lake Monsters. He later played for the Class A Hagerstown Suns, High A Potomac Nationals, Double A Harrisburg Senators, and Triple A Sacramento River Cats (http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/profile.asp?P=Derek-Norris)

He made his MLB debut in 2012 at age 23.

Brad Ziegler

Brad Ziegler was born in 1979 in Pratt. He was an infielder and pitcher during his time at Odessa High School. He later pitched for Missouri State. He also played summer ball in the Cape Cod League (http://www.pastimeforpatriots.org/bio.cfm).

Ziegler was selected in the 20th round of the 2003 draft when he was 23. He was released by the team that drafted him but picked up by another team (the A’s) after doing well in an independent league. Modesto, Midland, and Sacramento were among his minor league teams. He converted to sidearm pitching toward the end of his time in the minors.

In 2008, his major league debut finally came; he was 28. Ziegler notes that Opening Day is still a thrill (http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/news/article/ari/opening-day-brings-chills-for-d-backs-pitcher-brad-ziegler-every-year).

Now he's paying it forward. Ziegler recently played with, and offered some support to, the Ahwatukee Little League; he was helping kick off Give Back Jersey, a program that donates uniforms and caps to Little Leaguers (http://www.ahwatukee.com/community_focus/article_2b67dc72-9e4a-11e3-9d12-001a4bcf887a.html)

Learning from the Pros

As Ziegler knows, youth baseball can be beneficial to kids, even for those who aren't future major leaguers.

Role models can be important on many levels. As a minor leaguer, Norris referenced his catching coordinator as instrumental to his development.

Success at any level takes more than athleticism. A person can aim to play not only hard but smart. Ziegler has said, “A lot of what I try to do on the mound is based on how hitters are reacting to the pitches I'm throwing (http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=7925).”

There is also a human element to forming a winning team, even at the higher levels. “One of the main strengths for sure is the clubhouse chemistry,” Ziegler once said of his team (http://www.athleticsnation.com/2010/4/4/1403674/the-brad-ziegler-interview-or)

Travel Baseball Teams in Kansas

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