Major League Baseball is one of the best professional sports leagues in the world. They have many avenues for becoming a professional baseball player, and they give players throughout different leagues the chance to achieve their dreams. However, these leagues are deemed “independent” leagues, but they have a rich history within the diamond. One of the most popular leagues in the Midwest of the United States is the Frontier League.
The Frontier League is filled with historic teams, ballparks, and players. Many talented players were overlooked or undervalued, making their way to the Frontier League. However, with their dedication and hard work, they were able to make their dreams happen and make it to the majors.
However, these players didn’t just make the majors; they performed when they were given the opportunity. These players made the league because of their talent, and they made an impact on the teams they played for.
Here is a list of Frontier League players who became great MLB players.
* Research was conducted with Baseball Reference.
LHP Jared Koenig (Oakland Athletics, Milwaukee Brewers)
Career Stats:
- 16-8 Record
- 140 Games
- 3.34 ERA
- 1.26 WHIP
- 157 SO
Jared Koenig was drafted in the 35th round of the 2014 MLB June Amateur Draft by the Chicago White Sox. He wouldn’t stay long with the team and would soon be bouncing around Independent Leagues throughout the country.
Starting in 2017, Koenig would pitch for many different clubs throughout the Pecos League, American Association, Pacific Association, and USPBL. He would find success in the Pacific Association, making a return to the league in 2018 and winning Pitcher of the Year. Following the 2018 season, Koenig was still struggling to make the majors and had to continue his journey through independent ball.
In 2019, Jared Koenig would join the Lake Erie Crushers, who are a part of the Frontier League. Koenig would dominate in the Frontier League, finishing his only season 7-2 with a 2.24 ERA in 20 games. This would be the pushing point for Koenig to get into the league, making his way to the league after his 2019 stint.
Koenig first struggled with the Oakland Athletics; however, he has found a home in Milwaukee. In his two full seasons in Milwaukee, he has posted a season with an ERA+ of 140 or higher with sub-3.00 ERAs. He has become a crucial part of Milwaukee’s bullpen and has become one of the best Frontier League talents to make the majors.
LHP Steve Delabar (Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays, Cincinnati Reds)
Career Stats:
- 1x MLB All-Star
- 15-9 Record
- 190 Games
- 4.07 ERA
- 1.31 WHIP
- 242 SO
Steve Delabar was drafted by the Anaheim Angels in the 43rd round of the 2002 MLB June Amateur Draft after playing at Volunteer State Community College in Tennessee. In the following year, he was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 29th round of the 2003 MLB June Amateur Draft. However, it was going to be a long road for Delabar to make the majors, and this road would consist of independent baseball outside of the MLB.
Delabar would be released by the San Diego Padres in 2008, and he would get the opportunity to pitch in two different independent leagues. The first league was the Frontier League, pitching for the Florence Freedom (now Florence Y’alls). Delabar pitched in just four games, finishing with a 2.84 ERA, but quickly made the move to another independent league, the Canadian-American Association (Can-Am League).
The lefty would start 11 games in his first year with the team, finishing the season with a 3.28 ERA as a starter. He would pitch in 12 games in the following season, coming out of the bullpen for most of the appearances. Delabar finished the season with a 3.76 ERA before suffering a severe elbow fracture that required surgery. Over time, Delabar would finally earn a chance to play in the majors, and he would not disappoint.
Delabar would make his MLB debut with the Seattle Mariners in 2011 at 27-years old. He would finish his first season with a 2.57 ERA in just six games, but he would continue to become a key bullpen arm. Delabar would pitch for three different teams: the Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays, and Cincinnati Reds. Delabar is one of the only players to have ever played in the Frontier League and became an MLB All-Star, which he did in 2013 with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Steve Delabar suffered bad injuries and tough luck, but his skill was shown at the highest level. However, sometimes you have to start somewhere small to end up in the big leagues, and his short time in the Frontier League proved to be the right decision.
RHP Brendan Donnelly (Los Angeles Angels, Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Guardians, etc.)
Career Stats:
- 1x MLB All-Star
- 2002 World Series Champion
- 32-10 Record
- 386 Games
- 3.22 ERA
- 1.25 WHIP
- 369 SO
Brendan Donnelly was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 27th round of the 1992 MLB June Amateur Draft after playing collegiate baseball at Colorado Mesa University. Even though he was drafted in 1992, Donnelly would not make his Major League debut until 2002, but what happened in between?
Donnelly would be in and out of the minors throughout most of his career. In 1994, Donnelly would make his way to the Frontier League, pitching for the Ohio Valley Redcoats. He would throw in 10 games and total just 13.2 innings. He was effective, finishing his Frontier League stat line with a 2.63 ERA and 20 strikeouts. He would then make a move to another independent league on his way back to the MLB.
In 1999, the right-hander would sign with the Nashua Pride in the Atlantic League. However, his contract would be purchased by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in May of that year. Donnelly was inching closer to making his Major League debut, and he would do so with the Anaheim Angels in 2002.
Donnelly had a very productive MLB career. In his rookie season, he would pitch in 46 out of the bullpen and finish with a 2.17 ERA, becoming a crucial bullpen piece to a World Series-winning team that season. He would continue to pitch well into his 30s, making his first and only MLB All-Star game in 2003. He would throw for five different teams throughout his MLB career. He finished his career with an impressive 3.22 ERA.
It is hard to play independent baseball and make your way to the MLB. However, these players are examples of players who were found as hidden gems. These players would make an incredible impact with the teams they played for, but everything started in the Frontier League.
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