SAN ANGELO – Baseball is said to be a game which provides you nothing but opportunity. For Quaid McKinnon, his chance to compete continues in independent professional baseball after playing two seasons for Angelo State and signing with the Vallejo Admirals earlier this month.

"Playing at the next level has always been a dream of mine and it's so exciting to have this opportunity," McKinnon said. "I'm so thankful. The level of play is different, but also really fun to be a part of. Hopefully I will continue to grow as a player."

A member of the Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs, the Admirals are in their first season as an organization and are coached by former Major League Baseball player Pedro Guerrero. The Pacific Association is made up of teams from Vallejo, Calif., San Rafael, Calif., Kahului, Hawaii and Hilo, Hawaii. The Admirals, who are 5-11 early in their season, will also play teams from The Freedom League in Arizona this summer.

McKinnon hit .324 with 91 singles, 30 doubles, four triples, seven home runs and 84 RBIs in his career at Angelo State. He ranks second in program history with 81 walks and a .990 fielding percentage. At first base for the Rams, he had 973 putouts and 62 assists at first base. As a senior, he had 19 multi-hit games, seven multi-RBI games and led the Rams with 40 walks. He started all 115 games the Rams played once he arrived on campus after starting his collegiate career with two seasons at Paradise Valley Community College (Arizona).

"Playing at ASU was one of the greatest experiences of my life," McKinnon said. "I cannot say enough about the coaches, the players and everything about ASU. Playing at ASU truly changed my life and I will always be in debt to the program."

At Angelo State, McKinnon was a two-time all-Lone Star Conference selection along with being named the 2012 LSC tournament MVP and to the 2013 all-tournament team. He was also a three-time LSC Diamond Hitter of the Week in his career and earned a spots on the LSC All-Academic team and Capitol One CoSIDA Academic All-District team.  

"Quaid definitely has the ability to be a really great baseball player," ASU head coach Kevin Brooks said. "I'm excited for him and think this will give him the chance to refine his skills and become even better."