As Trey Yesavage’s Cinderella run captivates baseball, a wave of Northwoods League grads— including a Thunder Bay Border Cats alum—are chasing rings
THUNDER BAY – NETNEWSLEDGER SPORTS — While the 2025 World Series has turned the spotlight on Blue Jays rookie sensation Trey Yesavage, don’t miss the deeper storyline: the Northwoods League (NWL) continues to be a big-league pipeline. Of 35 former NWL players in this year’s MLB postseason, seven remain in the hunt for a World Series title—and one of the 2025 playoff alums has a direct Thunder Bay tie.
The Thunder Bay Connection
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Greg Weissert (Red Sox, NWL: Thunder Bay 2015) — The Border Cats alum reached the postseason with Boston this fall, another reminder that Port Arthur Stadium has been a launch pad for talent that climbs all the way to October.
Jays, Dodgers, and the NWL Imprint
With Toronto up in the series, the Blue Jays’ room is loaded with Northwoods League roots:
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Toronto Blue Jays (5 on WS roster)
Max Scherzer (La Crosse ’04) • Louis Varland (Willmar ’17–’18) • Tyler Heineman (Wisconsin ’11) • Ernie Clement (Wisconsin Rapids ’15) • Daulton Varsho (Eau Claire ’15–’16)
Also appeared earlier in playoffs: Joey Loperfido (Kalamazoo ’18) -
Los Angeles Dodgers (2 active, 1 unavailable)
Alex Call (Eau Claire ’13–’14) • Will Klein (Lakeshore ’19)
Unavailable WS roster: Alex Vesia (Mankato ’16)
Why it matters
From La Crosse to Willmar to Eau Claire—and right here in Thunder Bay—the NWL’s summer grind is translating to October poise. Whether it’s Scherzer’s savvy, Varsho’s two-way spark, or Clement’s clutch defense, the league’s fingerprints are all over this World Series.
NWL Alumni Around the 2025 Postseason (Earlier Rounds)
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Mariners (3): Mitch Garver (St. Cloud ’10–’11), Miles Mastrobuoni (Rochester ’15), Luke Raley (Lakeshore ’15)
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Brewers (5): Chad Patrick (Traverse City ’19–’20), Caleb Durbin (Rockford ’19; Fond du Lac ’20–’21), Joey Ortiz (Willmar ’18), Isaac Collins (Duluth ’17), Nick Mears (Willmar ’17–’18)
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Guardians (3): Kyle Manzardo (Willmar ’20), Daniel Schneemann (St. Cloud ’17), CJ Kayfus (Wisconsin ’21)
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Tigers (1): Zach McKinstry (Waterloo ’15)
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Yankees (1): Will Warren (St. Cloud ’18)
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Red Sox (3): Greg Weissert (Thunder Bay ’15), Justin Slaten (Eau Claire ’18), Nick Sogard (Duluth ’18)
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Phillies (5): Tanner Banks (Willmar ’11–’12), Matt Strahm (Rochester ’11), Otto Kemp (St. Cloud ’21), Bryson Stott (Wisconsin Rapids ’17), Harrison Bader (Lakeshore ’13)
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Cubs (2): Michael Busch (St. Cloud ’17), Nico Hoerner (Madison ’16)
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Padres (1): Mason McCoy (La Crosse ’15–’16)
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Reds (2): Jose Trevino (Madison ’12), TJ Friedl (St. Cloud ’16)
Northwoods League: A Proven Pipeline
Now in its 32nd season with 26 teams, the NWL has seen ~2,400 alumni drafted and 400+ reach MLB—among them names like Max Scherzer, Curtis Granderson, Chris Sale, Pete Alonso, Marcus Semien, Ben Zobrist, and Brandon Crawford. Games stream on Northwoods League+ and ESPN+.
Bottom Line for Thunder Bay Fans
Keep an eye on the World Series scoreboard—and remember: the path to October glory often runs through summer nights in the Northwoods. For local kids chasing the dream, the message is clear: the big leagues aren’t that far from the Lakehead.
