Former Brainerd Blue Thunder infielder Xavier Scruggs made his major league debut for the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday, becoming the 122nd former Northwoods League player to reach the majors.
Scruggs, who played collegiately at UNLV, played for the Blue Thunder in 2007. He was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 19th round of the 2008 MLB draft.
While with the Blue Thunder, Scruggs hit .250 in 64 games. He also had seven home runs, 12 doubles, one triple and drove in 36 runs. Scruggs led the league in hit-by-pitches with 13 and intentional walks with seven.
In his major league debut against the Milwaukee Brewers, Scruggs was the starting first baseman for the Cardinals and went 0-for-3 but reached base in the third inning after being hit by a pitch.
Before being called up by the Cardinals, Scruggs had spent the entire season in Class AAA with the Memphis Redbirds of the Pacific Coast League where he hit .286 with 21 home runs, 29 doubles and three triples in 135 games.
