Florence native Erik Ostberg gets second all-star nod in pro baseball league

For the second time in as many seasons, Erik Ostberg is headed to the American Association of Professional Baseball All-Star Game.

The Florence native and former Williston-Northampton School standout is a catcher for the Milwaukee Milkmen of the AAPB, and his batting average of .315 and team-leading 14 home runs and 40 RBIs have earned him the starting spot on the East Division All-Star Team for Tuesday’s contest. Ostberg is also in the Home Run Derby as he currently stands in fourth place in the league in long balls.

After seven years within the Tampa Bay Rays organization, where he was drafted to in the 2017 MLB Draft (13th round), Ostberg is thriving in his every day role behind the plate. He’s emerged as one of the best players in the AAPB.

“When you show up to a league like this, the goal is to be among the best,” Ostberg said. “So to be in the All-Star Game two years in a row, it’s awesome. Last year I came off the bench in the All-Star Game, but this year I’m a starter. Just continuing to move forward and press upward, that’s what you want as a player. I’m hoping that the fact that I’m in this game two years in a row can sort of speak volumes to me as a player, and made the MLB teams out there realize that I’m still getting better.”

Back when Ostberg was in Tampa Bay (2017-2023), he did everything that his coaching staff asked of him. They could see Ostberg had talent, and his natural ability as a leader stood out to them even more. But the Rays had two first-round picks at the catcher position in their system as well, so they saw almost all of the action on game days.

But because Ostberg was such a positive presence in the clubhouse, Tampa Bay kept him on board.

When free agency hit Ostberg after the 2023 season, he was faced with the difficult decision of either staying where he is and potentially never receiving a chance to play meaningful innings, or sign with one of the handful of MLB Partner Leagues — like the AAPB — to take on an every day role and show what he can do if given the opportunity.

He chose the latter, and it’s led him to back-t0-back stellar campaigns with the Milwaukee Milkmen.

“It’s a place where I can get every day at-bats,” Ostberg said. “I’ve evolved as a hitter, and I’ve evolved as a player. When I was with Tampa Bay, I was never really able to get every day at-bats. I was stuck behind a couple of first-round picks and it just wasn’t really lined up well for me there. But I never got released. I was a good, smart older guy that they kept around because I was good with the pitchers and coaches. But I never got the opportunity to propel myself forward.”

Because the MLB decreased the overall amount of affiliate spots available in the minor leagues, partner leagues have continued to improve top to bottom over the last few seasons. Ostberg has come in and hit over .300 and has a low strikeout rate for someone who has his kind of power. He’s also drawn a team-high 34 walks at the plate.

Ostberg is playing against top talent and proving he is more than ready for another shot with an MLB organization. He also told the Daily Hampshire Gazette that there are a handful of teams he is currently talking to, several of which are seriously interested in bringing him on board for next season.

“I’ve been in this league for a year and a half now, and I’ve been raking,” Ostberg said. “I’m trying to get signed, and we’re actually talking to some teams on a daily basis. So I’m hoping something goes through here after the season ends … I’m sending them my game reports, and I’ve heard a lot of positive things back. It’s one of those things where I’m just grinding through these games, trying to stay with it. If you just keep stacking quality at-bats and getting on base, I believe there’s a good opportunity to come.”

At 29-years old, Ostberg’s baseball dream is more than alive, and his time in the AAPB has resurrected his career.