Rochester, MN – Former Green Bay Bullfrog Daniel Robertson made his Major League debut for the Texas Rangers on Tuesday, April 29. Robertson is the 119th former Northwoods League player to reach the Major League level and the second Bullfrog after Josh Prince debuted for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2013.
Robertson, who played collegiately at Oregon State University, played for the Green Bay Bullfrogs during their inaugural season in 2007, and was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 33rd round of the 2008 MLB draft.
While with the Bullfrogs, Robertson hit .328 over 65 games. He also had 15 doubles, drove in 31 runs and stole an astonishing league leading 45 bases on his way to being named the Northwoods League MVP. Robertson also led the league in hits (87) and total bases (111) and was third in the league with 53 runs scored.
Robertson began his minor league career in 2008 with Eugene in the Northwest League. Over 73 games with the Emeralds he hit .377 with 21 doubles, three triples and 20 stolen bases.
In 2009 Robertson was promoted and spent the entire season in the Lo A Midwest League with the Fort Wayne TinCaps. Over 121 games Robertson hit .293 with 23 doubles, 65 RBI and 20 stolen bases.
The 2010 season saw Robertson once again climb the minor league ladder beginning and ending the year with Hi A Lake Elsinore in the California League. Over 135 games with the Storm, Robertson stole 30 bases and hit 27 doubles, nine triples and compiled a .300 batting average.
In 2011 Robertson once again made another leap as he was promoted to AA with the San Antonio Missions of the Texas League. In 124 games he hit .283 with 23 doubles, 44 RBI and stole 20 bases.
The 2012 through 2013 seasons saw Robertson excel with AAA Tucson and then El Paso in the Pacific Coast League. During the 2012 season with the Tucson Padres he hit .302 with 28 doubles and 18 stolen bases. The 2013 season saw him continue to put up steady numbers as he hit .285 and stole 23 bases for the El Paso Chihuahuas.
On Wednesday, April 23, Robertson had played in five games for El Paso before he was acquired by the Texas Rangers for cash considerations. Texas then purchased his contract from their AAA club in Round Rock and added him to their active MLB roster. Robertson was hitting .364 with 2 home runs, 2 doubles and had 5 RBI during the start of his 2014 season.
In his Major League debut, versus the Oakland Athletics, Robertson entered the game in the 7th inning as a pinch runner at first base for Shin-Soo Choo. Elvis Andrus then grounded into a fielder’s choice as the third baseman threw out Robertson at second base. Robertson then came to the plate in the bottom of the ninth inning and struck out against Sean Doolittle to end the game.
