Who Are The Best MLB Players From North Dakota?

Williston, ND (KEYZ) - With the 2022 Babe Ruth World Series less than 48 hours away, we take a look at some of the most notable Major League Baseball players to come out of North Dakota. As always, in no particular order

Roger Maris (1957-1968)

The Hall of Famer was born in Hibbing, MN but grew up in Fargo, Maris is a legend in the game with a lengthy list of accomplishments: Seven time All-Star, three time World Series champion (1961, 1962, 1967), and two time American League MVP (1960, 1961) among others.

Rick Helling (1994-2006)

Born in Devils Lake, but went to high school at Fargo Shanly, Helling’s claim to fame came in 2006, when he recorded what is known as an immaculate inning: He struck out three batters on only nine pitches. Only 43 players have ever achieved this feat. The lefty pitched from 1994 to 2006, posting a record of 93 wins and 81 losses.

Chris Coste (2006-2009)

Hailing from Fargo, Coste bounced around the minor leagues before being called up by the Phillies in 2006. He was a World Series Champion in 2008 and stayed with Philly until 2009 where he moved to Houston to play his final big league ball with the Astros.

Darin Erstad (1996-2009)

The Jamestown native played for three teams in his 14-season career, compiling a .282 batting average with 124 home runs and 699 RBIs. He was a two time All-Star (1998, 2000) and a World Series champion (2002). Erstad is statistically one of the best defensive players in Baseball history.

Travis Hafner (2002-2013)

The Pride of Sykeston played for 12 seasons in the big leagues with all but two of them being played in Cleveland. Hafner also played for the Texas Rangers and New York Yankees. In 2006, the slugger hit a career high 42 home runs, and 117 RBI’s.

Tim Johnson (1973-1979)

The Grand Forks native played in the Major Leagues as a shortstop and utility infielder from 1973 to 1979. Johnson’s most notable contribution to the game came when the Blue Jays named Johnson as their manager for the 1998 where he served in that position for one year. He left the game in 1999 when it came out that he fabricated stories about his military service.

Lynn Nelson (1930-1940)

Born in 1905 in Sheldon, Nelson played seven seasons in the Majors over a 10 year span. On the hill for the Cubs, Philadelphia Athletics, and Tigers, Nelson had a 33 and 42 record with a 5.25 ERA.

Matt Strahm (2016-Current)

From West Fargo, Strahm broke into the league in 2016 with the Kansas City Royals where he stayed for two years. Then after another two year stint with the Padres, Strom landed in his current role as a relief pitcher for the Boston Redsocks. He has a career record of 16-27 with a 3.79 ERA.

Ken Hunt (1959-1964)

Hunt appeared in six Major League seasons for the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Angels and Washington Senators. An outfielder, the native of Grand Forks, North Dakota had a career batting average of .226 and 33 home runs.

Mark Lee (1988-1995)

The lone Williston native on the list pitched in all or parts of four seasons between 1988 and 1995. As a minor leaguer he was traded with Rey Palacios from the Detroit Tigers to the Kansas City Royals for Ted Power during the 1988 season. Lee also played for the Brewers and Orioles and had a career record of 5 wins and 5 losses.

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