Area baseball players may have misunderstood the mantra, “Go West, young man.”

Many are heading to the Midwest—specifically, the Midwest League.

Several locals play in the Midwest League, a Single-A minor league outfit with teams sprinkled in small towns across America’s Heartland.

Former Agoura High teammates Robert Stock and Jason Novak play for the Quad Cities River Bandits. They’re joined by ex-Calabasas Coyote Chris Notti.

They’re not alone.

Matt Magill, who starred at Royal, pitches for the Great Lakes Loons, an affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Cutter Dykstra of Westlake is a menace at the plate for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.

Mike Gilmartin, a Moorpark resident, patrols shortstop for the Kane County Cougars.

Corey Jones of Camarillo is an infielder with the West Michigan Whitecaps.

Stock is considered one of the finest prospects in the St. Louis Cardinals’ farm system.

The former Charger said he’s improved defensively as a catcher. He still wants to turn things around offensively after batting .208 with 11 doubles and 17 RBI in his first 56 games.

“Life is good,” Stock said.

Stock credited former Gold Glove Award-winning catcher Mike Matheny—a roving instructor— for improving his mechanics behind the plate.

“I’ve learned an incredible amount working with Mike Matheny,” Stock said. “He’s been so incredibly helpful.”

The catcher is excited about his future.

“Even though I’m struggling at the plate, I feel like the time I’m putting in will work out in the long haul,” Stock said.

Although life is certainly different in Davenport, Iowa— which sits on the Mississippi River—Stock has plenty of familiar faces nearby.

Stock and Novak played together for the Chargers.

They competed against each other in college, too, when the catcher suited for USC and Novak pitched for UCLA. They were roommates last year for the Johnson City Cardinals in Tennessee and live in the same apartment complex in Iowa.

“All these guys are from different places. We lived about five, 10 minutes apart back home,” Novak said. “(Stock) hangs out every day in our apartment.”

Novak, who shares a pad with Notti, has proved to be a reliable middle reliever. In his first 21 appearances for the River Bandits, Novak went 3-1 with a 3.90 ERA and 39 strikeouts in 32 1/3 innings.

“This season, I want to finish strong,” Novak said. “I want to be able to get through the grind and come up to spring and try to achieve my goal of getting to the next level every year. Every year I want to move on.”

Notti, who also suited for Moorpark College, has been a workhorse out of the bullpen.

The former Coyote had 50 strikeouts in his first 47 2/3 innings. The 6-foot-5, 210-pound reliever started his first two seasons in the minors.

He has enjoyed life in the Midwest League.

“It’s a good learning experience,” Notti said. “It’s quite a bit different from the two seasons I’ve been in short-season (leagues). You’re definitely treated better up here, and the competition is a lot better.

“Fans are one of the biggest differences. Fans come to every game. They know you. In the Appalachian League, you’re lucky to draw 150 people. In the Gulf Coast League, you’re lucky to get five people. On the Fourth of July, we had about 13,000 fans.”

Notti traveled a circuitous path to the mound.

He said he pitched only 18 innings with Calabasas while primarily manning center field and third base. He was a closer at Moorpark College.

Notti understands he’s blessed to keep playing baseball.

“I’m playing for my career and my life,” Notti said. “I don’t want to work at a desk. I love what I do. . . . It’s been a lot of fun. I wish the season could keep going. I don’t want the season to end.”

Magill, the Loons’ pitcher, is playing on a Michigan-based team that has dominated the Midwest League with a 62-31 record as of Tuesday.

“It’s been a very good season,” the former Highlander said. “I’m fortunate to be with the Dodgers. It’s an amazing organization. They treat us well.”

Magill, who was drafted out of Royal in 2008 with the 937th overall pick, entered the week 4-2. He had a 3.38 ERA, two saves, 84 strikeouts and 30 walks in 77 1/3 innings.

“It’s about confidence and getting more experience on the mound,” Magill said. “This is my third year. I know how to pitch to hitters. It’s not that I’m throwing harder—I know what to throw when.”

Dykstra batted .301 with four homers, 26 RBI and 38 runs scored in his first 216 at-bats. He struggled with the Milwaukee Brewers’ affiliate team in 2009, hitting .212 in a 29-game stint.

“I’m playing with a lot of confidence now,” Dykstra said. “I’ve just got to finish strong.”

Dykstra started his professional career patrolling center field and spent some time at second base last year. He’s operated out of third base every day this season.

“I never played third until this year,” he said. “It took a little getting used to. I feel real comfortable over there. I still have a lot to work on, but I like the position more and more.”

The Timber Rattlers are based in Grand Chute, Wis.

Dykstra hopes to continue developing so he can one day reach the major leagues.

“It’s about confidence and getting a routine down,” he said.

Gilmartin grew up in Moorpark and played high school ball at Crespi. He enjoyed one of the finest moments of his young career earlier this month.

The shortstop in the Oakland Athletics’ organization was one home run shy of hitting for the cycle in a 5-2 loss to the Peoria Chiefs at Wrigley Field on July 7.

Gilmartin went 3-for-4 with a single, double and triple at the Cubs’ historic stadium.

“It couldn’t have gone any better,” Gilmartin told MLB.com.

Gilmartin hit .254 with four homers and 40 RBI in his first 86 games.

Jones, who graduated from Camarillo High in 2006, starred at Cal State Fullerton. The second baseman was drafted this summer by the Detroit Tigers with the 223rd overall pick in the seventh round.

These players have a long road to make it to the Big Show, and their dreams are alive and well.

“There’s no timeline. You play until you can’t play anymore,” Notti said. “It would be great if I could move up every year or do a good job and get promoted. You just want to keep playing until they say you can’t play anymore.”