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2024 Minnesota High School Scout Blog

May 24, 2024
Prep Baseball MN Staff
Prep Baseball Minnesota

The Minnesota Scout Blog provides insider information and scouting notes from the Prep Baseball Scouting Staff during the season. This running blog will feature information on underclass prospects, unsigned seniors, draft prospects, and anything else that is notable. We will provide a wide range of information, including player evaluations, velocities, pop times, home to first times, and more. Simply put, the Minnesota Scout Blog is loaded with information.

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🎧: Ducks On The Pond

NEW PRAGUE VS BLOOMINGTON JEFFERSON | MAY 23, 2024 

New Prague 3
Bloomington Jefferson 0

On a gorgeous spring night in Bloomington, this end-of-season non-conference matchup between the Trojans and Jaguars featured clean defense, pitchers working quickly, and just enough hitting for the Trojans. It was a crisp contest that wrapped up in under two hours. 

Both starting pitchers settled in early, as there was only one baserunner through the first two innings. The third inning featured all the scoring for the night, with all three of New Prague’s runs coming in this frame, courtesy of a two-RBI single up the middle by Michael Beckius (who took second on the throw), followed by an RBI double by starting pitcher Sam Gilles. Gilles pitched the first four innings, spotting his 76-77 mph fastball and a 66 mph twelve-to-six curveball. He worked quickly and efficiently, facing one batter over the minimum, striking out five while walking none, and throwing only 53 pitches, 39 of which were strikes. He moved to SS for the last three innings, as three New Prague relievers shut down the Jefferson offense the rest of the way.

Another player who left an impression for New Prague was SS/2B Concordia-St. Paul commit, Eric Berg. Berg showed good range and athleticism in the infield and put a nice, smooth swing with a hard double to left center.

📝: Tony Livorsi

ROGERS VS CHAMPLIN PARK | MAY 23, 2024 

Rogers 2
Champlin Park 0

Two Division 1 arms went toe to toe in a big Northwest Suburban matchup with playoff implications heading into sections. 2024 Riane Ritter (St. Thomas) took the mound for the Rogers Royals and was dominant. Ritter went a complete game shutout, allowing just four hits, walking 2, and striking out 12 Rebels. The Royals' ace attacked with the fastball and mixed in a breaking ball when needed, 90 pitches and 63 for strikes, 70 strike percentage. A fastball that seemed to get stronger as the game progressed, Ritter sat 88-91 mph, but reached back late in the game and saw multiple 92s and a 93 in the 7th. Ritter was a force and should be a tough matchup for anyone heading into section play.

TCU commit Tyler Phenow went for the Champlin Park Rebels in the matinee contest. The Royals offense chipped away at Phenow, scoring in the 3rd and insurance in the 6th. Phenow, at times, made things uncomfortable for hitters with the angles he created from his 6-foot-6, 200-pound frame. The fastball sat 87-88, topping 89 early in the game, and settled in 85-86 in the middle innings, a big sweeping breaking ball delivered for weak contact ahead in the count or with runners in scoring position. Phenow went six innings, allowing 5 hits, two earned runs, walking 3, and striking out 8 Rebels. 

These two may meet again in section play and this could be a repeat duel on the mound.

📝: Andy Judkins

SHAKOPEE VS WACONIA | MAY 22, 2024 

Shakopee 2
Waconia 3

+ Landon Majerus | 2025 | RHP | Waconia

The recent St. Thomas commit showed off all his stuff in his three innings. Majerus showcased a fastball at 87-89 with some sink at times. Landon also demonstrated the ability to spin two effective breaking balls throughout the night. First, he used a harder slider that had sweep at times (79-81). The second was a curveball with lots of depth (73-75). Tunneling off his fastball, he forced uncomfortable takes from the Shakopee hitters.

Majerus would finish with six strikeouts, giving up two unearned runs on a pickoff attempt overthrow in the first. Majerus, with a big frame (6-4, 225lbs), could be a workhorse in the future for Tommies.

+ Maddux Schrupp | 2024 | RHP/OF | Waconia 

The Butler Community College commit was sharp in his inning out of the pen. Throwing primarily breaking balls at 77-to-79, Schrupp worked backward against the Sabers. The fastball he used sat in the mid-80s, topping out at 86 MPH. Schrupp had a mature plan of attack on the hill, collecting a strikeout while forcing weak contact. 

+ Soren Marker | 2025 | C | Waconia

Marker showed composure behind the dish the entire night. The uncommitted junior was a workhorse, blocking, receiving, and controlling the run game. He collected a back pick to get his pitcher out of an inning early while attempting multiple during the contest. He also collected one of four hits on the night for the Wildcats. 

+ Tanner Heller | 2025 | LHP | Shakopee

Heller kept the game close for Shakopee through five innings. Heller worked efficiently, throwing 67 pitches in five innings. He didn’t blow it by hitters per se; he used above-average sequencing and pitched to contact. Heller collected four strikeouts, giving up two unearned runs.

+ Reed Klatt | 2024 | RHP/C | Waconia

Klatt answered the call when Waconia was needed. He collected a knock and would throw the final three innings. The Golden Bear commit would get the win on the mound.

📝: Dayne McNaughton

ST. THOMAS ACADEMY VS TWO RIVERS  | MAY 17, 2024 

St. Thomas Academy 0
Two Rivers 2

+ JD Dobis | 2024 | RHP | St. Thomas

The Gopher commit was on a pitch count, but he made the most of each one. The 2022 Future Game alum gave up consecutive hits to the first two batters he faced and did not allow another the rest of his outing.

He rushed his fastball to 90, cruising 86-to-88—the pitch profiles with some cut action. Spin wins for Dobis: He has a slider at 74-75 and a curve at 71-72. Both pitches had over 2,700 RPMs; he used to land for strikes and swing/miss. 

He threw 71% strikes, attacking the zone with competitive pitches.

 

+ Mason Boyken | 2025 | SS | Two Rivers

Two Rivers’ Boyken had the lion’s share of offense in a contest with little output. The five-foot-eleven shortstop laced an 87 mph fastball into left in the first inning, collecting one of the Warriors’ two hits off of Dobis, and then drove in the second run of the game on a 74 mph curve that he deposited into right-center for a double. 

He almost made his presence known on the defensive side as well. He made several plays in the field at short, including a longer throw on a ball to the 5.5 hole. The hands were consistent and showed good rhythm while presenting the glove.  

Boyken was called upon to get the final out in relief in the top of the seventh, with two outs and the bases loaded. The right-hander was 79-80 in his one at-bat and ended the game with a strikeout.

+ Tate Slowiak | 2024 | LHP | Two Rivers

The tall, lanky left-hander was highly effective for the Warriors while not possessing premium velocity. His fastball tickled 79 a few times but was mainly 76-78 with it. That did not matter much, considering he primarily worked with secondary offerings, including a slider with sweep between 69-72 and a slow hook that landed between 59-62. 

Slowiak threw from a three-quarter slot but occasionally dropped down side-arm to give hitters another look. He was comfortable throwing the slider to left-handed hitters and had decent run on the fastball.  

His final line was 6.2 innings with eight strikeouts, three hits, and two walks. He’s a multi-sport athlete (basketball), but if his performance on Friday night indicated his overall pitchability, Slowiak could be an interesting project for a college program.

📝: Parker Hageman

TRI-CITY UNITED VS BELLE PLAINE  | MAY 15, 2024 

Tri-City United 2
Belle Plaine 6

On a day that threatened rain, it held off just long enough for the Tri-City United Titans and the Belle Plaine Tigers to engage on the diamond. 

Ted Hohn, a presence on the mound, got the start for Belle Plaine. Hohn, who already had two no-hitters under his belt this season, showed well again. His fastball sat at 84-86 (T87) with plenty of sink. His change-up, though firm, deceived hitters well (80-82), and he used a sweeping slider to land for strikes at 73-76. The St. Thomas commit would settle into the low 80s in the back half of his outing but held his velocity well, especially through the first four innings.


Jackson Hohn (2024) also had a solid day for the Tigers. Ted's brother and catcher caught a few barrels and kept balls in front defensively. The Tigers' offense contributed all-around, collecting big hits when needed.

Tri-City United's Dylan Westerman was an obvious leader on the team. The catcher threw out a potential base stealer and commanded the game well for his pitcher. He also showed maturity when his team got into jams. 

The win for Belle Plaine earned them at least a share of the title of the Minnesota River Conference, a notable accomplishment since the conference will disband after this school year, giving the Belle Plaine Tigers the right to call themselves the final conference champions.

📝: Dayne McNaughton

EDEN PRAIRIE VS CHASKA | MAY 13, 2024 

Eden Prairie 6
Chaska 3

The annual "Battle of the Birds" took place Monday at Athletic Park between the Hawks and the Eagles. Senior Austin Kemp (Sioux Falls Commit) was the first to toe the rubber. Kemp, with his promising performance on the bump for Chaska, showcased a fastball 86-88 T89 with some sink at times. Also, he demonstrated a breaking ball at 76-79, profiling as a sweeper. Despite some spotty command throughout the night, the potential in his game is undeniable. With a 6-foot, 170lb frame, Kemp's future could see further velocity jumps, sparking hope for his fans.

The other Sioux Falls commit in the contest toed the rubber for the Eagles. Zach Peta is an intriguing arm from the left side. Working backward at times, Peta kept the Chaska offense off-balance for 6 2/3 innings. The fastball sat in the mid-80s (T86), also throwing a curveball with depth (71-73). Peta would finish with a dominant line of 6.2 IP, 1 ER and 12 strikeouts. He could be an immediate impact pitcher going into next year.

Nick Thompson (2024) highlighted the Eagles' offense, collecting two hits on the day. The Minnesota-Duluth commit showed signs of maturity at the plate, selective in counts for balls he could barrel up. Quick twitch up the middle and on the bases, running a 6.54 60 in a showcase setting.

Jacob Welter (2025) is another interesting follow-up for the Hawks. Welter has a compact swing and doesn't get himself out easily. He could be a solid player at the next level with added athleticism.

Along with Welter, Gustavus commit Logan Grinnell (2024) was a bright spot for Chaska. The fastball sat (83-85), working inside on hitters, making for a lot of uncomfortable at-bats.

Ryan Holtz (2024, uncommitted) brought juice into the Eden Prairie lineup. He barreled one deep into left-center for the hardest-hit ball of the night. 6-4, 185lb body could be a big swinging first baseman.

📝: Dayne McNaughton

LAKEVILLE NORTH VS FARMINGTON | MAY 9, 2024 

Lakeville North 4
Farmington 11

Lakeville North and Farmington squared up in a South Suburban Conference matchup on Thursday evening. The no. 2 ranked Tigers brought juice from multiple bats throughout the contest. Northern State commit Dalton Kesti started the hit parade for Farmington, driving a two-strike fastball for an RBI knock. The quick-twitch outfielder was a tough out at the plate, battling in when behind in the count, and finished the day 2-for-2 with two runs scored. Kesti was also very aggressive on the bases, swiping three bags on the day.

Farmington catcher Marshall Gordon was solid at the plate as well. The junior would lead the Tigers' offense with three hits and collecting 5 RBIs. Gordon was solid behind the dish as well. His partner in crime, Brandon Lund (2025), pitched a complete game while only giving up two free passes. He used all three pitches to generate weak contact, living in the low 80s (T84). 

Lakeville North's Teddy Jauire was a bright spot. The uncommitted junior hammered a double to deep center, collecting two RBIs on the day. Jauire also up to 89 on the mound at this year's Preseason All-State event.


Ethan Mrnak (2026) also added a two-run triple for the Panthers.

📝: Dayne McNaughton

CHAMPLIN PARK VS MAPLE GROVE | MAY 7, 2024 

Champlin Park 4
Maple Grove 12

Champlin Park traveled to play Maple Grove in a Northwest Suburban conference matchup. The Crimson jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead in the first, thanks to uncommitted senior Kellen Riskedahl's three-run home run on a breaking ball to left field. The 2024 showed strength at the dish and was a tough out all night, even against a power arm

Preston Thielke was the starter for the Rebels. He had a raw arm that ran it up to 88 (84-88) and showed a hammer curveball at 74-76. Thielke was competing well in the zone but got caught up by some hot Maple Grove bats throughout the night.

The other starter, Brody Berglin, used deception and pitchability to fuel his performance. The righty started at 82-84 early and would settle in at 80-82. From a high ¾ slot, Berglin used the depth of his curveball to get whiffs. He worked somewhat efficiently, throwing 71 pitches through 5 innings. 

One of the bright spots in the Champlin Park lineup was 2025 Nick Carlson, a Jr. Future Games Alum. Carlson's performance was commendable, barreling baseballs and finishing the night with a .500 OBP. 

Another standout was Crimson senior Nathan Schmidt. He finished the night 2-for-4, including a ground-rule double that secured the Maple Grove victory. Schmidt has been an impact player for the offense, posting a slash of .564/.653/.872 with seven extra-base hits (2 home runs) in 49 plate appearances. He's the team leader with 16 runs batted in. 

Beckett Shimpa collected three hits on the day, two for extra bases. The 2027 was in right field yesterday, but the six-foot-three lefty can also run it up to 87 on the mound, as he did at this year's Preseason All-State. Another underclassman who performed well was Kaden Harney (2026). He would close the game sitting 83-85 with the fastball and flipped in a curveball at 72-74. With added strength, Harney could see big jumps.

📝: Dayne McNaughton

SOUTHWEST CHRISTIAN VS MOUND-WESTONKA | MAY 6, 2024 

Mound-Westonka 5
Southwest Christian 4

+ Zach Trettin | 2025 | RHP | Southwest Christian

Trettin (2025) got the start for Southwest Christian and gave the Stars a chance to win the game. The Gopher commit didn't necessarily have his best stuff that night, but he found a way to go seven strong innings. The lengthy righty got up to 87 once with the heater (84-86), worked a sweeping slider (72-73) to land for strikes, and held velo throughout his outing. Trettin worked himself in and out of trouble throughout the first four innings, with some plays not made in the field. The righty would finish with a line of 7 IP, 10 Ks, and 1 ER while throwing 70% strikes. Trettin has plenty of room to add more strength and has the potential to be a starter at the next level.

 + Melvin Maldonado | 2025 | SS | Southwest Christian

The junior had a day for Southwest Christian. The shortstop collected two hits out of the two holes, including a double in the first inning to start the scoring. Maldonado looked to do damage at the plate every at-bat, with tough at-bats even when getting out.

+ Grayson Van Nelson | 2025 | C | Mound-Westonka 

Another 2025 player, Van Nelson, was a reliable presence behind the dish for the White Hawks. His raw movements to block showed potential for further development with his athleticism. Van Nelson's effective sequencing with pitcher Bryce Tappen was crucial in navigating through a tough Stars top of the order. His performance allowed his battery mate to go 6 2/3 IP on the mound. Tappen's ability to get out of trouble multiple times was a testament to his skill and composure. 

+ Connor Esposito | 2024 | 1B/RHP | Mound-Westonka

Esposito was called on to slam the door for Westonka. After playing 1st Base for seven innings, answers the call to close in the 8th inning, and strikes out the side. Esposito worked primarily with the fastball (77-79) and curveball (68-69). Bigger frame with a bulldog mentality out of the pen.

📝: Dayne McNaughton

EDINA AT OSSEO | MAY 6, 2024 

Edina 10
Osseo 5

Edina and Osseo clashed in a 4A non-conference matchup on a sunny yet challenging evening. Edina, utilizing a stiff wind blowing out to right field, saw their top-of-the-order shine, delivering 7 of the team’s ten hits. The number three and four hitters, third baseman George Mcintyre and first baseman Michael Simonson, orchestrated two 3-run rallies with back-to-back RBI doubles in both the first and third innings. McIntyre, with a solid 3-4 performance, and Simonson (video below), going 2-3, left a mark on the game. Edina’s leadoff hitter, centerfielder Jack McCoy, played a crucial role as well, going 2-5 and setting up the Hornet rallies.

Osseo did cut Edina’s lead to 6-5 in the middle innings, but Edina answered back and extended the lead by adding two runs in both the sixth and seventh to make it 10-5, taking advantage of some Osseo miscues.

Osseo’s third pitcher of the night, Logan Partanen, sat 85-86 mph (T88) with his fastball and showed a hard, late-breaking 76mph slider. He threw two innings, struck out three, with 0 earned runs, and threw 26 of 37 pitches for strikes.

📝: Tony Livorsi

ANDOVER AT MINNEAPOLIS SOUTH | MAY 3, 2024 

Andover 9
Minneapolis South 4

+ Alex Menth | 2025 | LHP | Minneapolis South

A standout uncommitted left-hander, Menth, currently ranked 31st in Minnesota's 2025, possesses a towering 6-foot-5 frame with promising room for further physical development. His recent performance on Friday night, a four-inning outing versus Andover, showcased his focused and determined approach. 

Menth's fastball, a key weapon in his arsenal, consistently sat at 83-85, with occasional bursts up to 86 and 87. Thrown from a high ¾ slot, it demonstrated varying shapes, but the fastball's carry gained numerous swinging strikes above the zone. The elevated fastball proved challenging for Andover hitters to lay off. 

He mainly worked north and south, and his secondary offerings—including a hard slider, a bigger breaking curve, and a firm changeup—changed the eye level of the Huskies' hitters down in the zone. Menth did not throw many of these on the night, but they effectively set up his fastball. 

His final line on the day was four innings, one hit, two walks, and ten strikeouts on 56 pitches. On the season, Menth has worked 23 innings with a tidy 40/10 K/BB ratio. 

Menth is the number two ranked uncommitted left-handed pitcher from the class and is a must-follow prospect.  

📝: Parker Hageman

WEST FARGO AT FARGO DAVIES | MAY 1, 2024 

West Fargo 3
Fargo Davies 2

+ Drew Rerick | 2024 | RHP | Fargo Davies

Our first in-game viewing of the big-bodied right-hander since his appearance at the Midwest ProCase in February, Fargo Davies’ Drew Rerick was every bit of the power pitcher he has shown on the showcase circuit. With a solid number of scouts on hand, Prep Baseball Minnesota’s number 2 prospect in the class of 2024 threw a hard riding fastball that was up to 96 (91-94), flashing a biting slider (82-84) with an 11/5 shape, slightly slower curve (79-80) with a 12/6 tilt, and the occasionally firm change (87-88) with some fade. 

In the first inning, Rerick quickly retired the first two hitters he faced and, after a missed foul pop that could have ended the inning, he surrendered a home run on a solid swing by West Fargo’s Caleb Anderson on a middle-low fastball. The only other damage from West Fargo came in the third inning when he issued two consecutive walks and the runners came home on a grounder that got through short, once again off the bat of West Fargo’s Anderson.   

Outside of the one bad pitch in the first and the jam in the third, Rerick was dominant. Following the two-run single, he retired the next eight straight hitters, six on strikeouts. His final line for the day was five innings, two hits, three earned runs, two walks and 13 strikeouts. He threw 99 pitches, 60 for strikes. 

Rerick is your classic power pitcher and the Texas A&M commit was the most effective when he elevated his fastball and located his slider on the glove side of the zone. Both pitches got a number of swinging strikes from hitters on both sides of the plate. Rerick settled into the 92-94 range as the game progressed but had the ability to add when strike three was needed. 

+ Caleb Anderson | 2024 | RHP | West Fargo

West Fargo sent out Iowa Western commit Caleb Anderson to face the Eagles lineup. The six-foot-two right-hander’s fastball was 87-to-89, touching 90 once. This was a sizable jump since the last time we saw him at the Top Prospect Games in 2022 where he was 83-84. 

Currently ranked 55th in Minnesota’s class of 2024, he possesses a projectable frame with a loose, long arm with some whip. In addition to the high 80s fastball, Anderson threw a curveball at the 73-75 range and mixed in a splitter at 77-79. He did not miss many bats in this game but his strength was staying out of the middle of the zone and working both edges of the plate. 

With his current stature and skill set, it’s not difficult to envision him making significant strides after entering a college development program next year. Velocity should climb as should the swing-and-miss. 

The Davies lineup would begin to add solid contact into his fifth inning of work, including a solo home run to bring the Eagles within one of West Fargo. Anderson left in the fifth inning with a 3-2 lead. HIs final line was 5.1 innings, scattering five hits, two earned runs, two walks and four strikeouts. 

In addition to his work on the mound, Anderson was money in the batter’s box too. He jumped on a Rerick fastball to give the Packers an early lead in the first. Later in the game, he smashed a hard ground ball that got through the shortstop and scored two more runs to move West Fargo ahead three to one. He was 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI. 

+ Andre Werk | 2024 | 1B | Fargo Davies

The multisport athlete (football) showed some good actions in the box against West Fargo. In the bottom of the first, the left-handed hitting first baseman put a nice inside-out swing on a pitch to drive it into the left-center gap for a run-scoring double. He singled on a grounder in the fourth and smashed a liner to center that was caught. He ended the day, 2-for-3 with a double and RBI. 

+ Caleb Christianson | 2025 | MIF | Fargo Davies

The Eagles starting shortstop has a compact swing that can generate some pop. The righty led off the sixth inning with a solo home run to left to bring Fargo Davies within one. Somewhat undersized, Christianson has a strong lower half and uses the ground well to create some force. Solid actions in the field with the glove. 

📝: Parker Hageman

HOPKINS AT WACONIA | APRIL 22, 2024 

Hopkins 9
#9 Waconia 12

A perfect night of baseball unfolded on Monday evening in Waconia at Lion’s Field. The Wildcats jumped out to an early 3-0 lead and eventually saw only three zeros on the evening. Guy Ladwig and Maddux Schrupp (2024, Butler Community College commit) led the Waconia offense with two hits each. Schrupp, who went 2-4 on the game, made a key 2-RBI single in the bottom half of the first, giving Waconia the lead they held onto for the rest of the game. 

Hopkins continued to chip away at an early Waconia 8-3 lead and scored in innings two through six. The closest Hopkins could get was an 8-6 Wildcat advantage in the top half of the fourth. The Royal offense saw hits from eight of their nine starters, with Dylan Lindstrom (2027), Max Lerner (2027), and Noah Goldman (2024) leading with two hits each. Lindstrom went 2-3 with an RBI and a walk, Lerner was 2-4 with two runs scored, and Goldman drove in 5 Royals.  

Hopkins moved to 1-5 on the season, while the 9th-ranked Wildcats are now 3-1.

📝: Andy Judkins

CHASKA AT CHANHASSEN | APRIL 18, 2024 

Chaska 2
Chanhassen 5

On a chilly 45-degree and windy evening, the atmosphere at Chanhassen High School was electric as crosstown rivals Chaska and Chanhassen faced off. Chaska wasted no time, scoring two runs at the top of the first, with left fielder Tate Miller’s smooth left-handed swing sending a home run to right center and giving the Hawks an early 2-0 lead. 

Despite the early setback, Chanhassen starter Mason Brokl (2025) demonstrated resilience, finding his rhythm and keeping the Chaska hitters off balance. His repertoire, including an over-the-top FB (78-79mph), slider (68mph), and changeup (70mph) with some nice sink, proved to be a challenge for the Hawks. He finished with 83 pitches over four innings, allowing one earned run with 7 Ks. 

Chaska’s starter, Parker Killian (2026), sometimes showed signs of dominance. His fastball was 84-85mph (T86) with some arm-side run and a hard slider (77-78mph). Other times, he tended to work deep into counts but showed good poise working out of a couple of jams. His final line was 61 pitches, 2.2 IP, 1 ER, and 2Ks..

The Storm took the lead for good in the bottom of the 5th and added two in the 6th to come out on top 5-2. Storm third baseman Brander Lovig had a solid day at the plate, going 3-4, including a triple in the 5th to push across the go-ahead run.

📝: Tony Livorsi

WATERTOWN-MAYER AT ROCKFORD | APRIL 15, 2024 

Watertown-Mayer 5
Rockford 6

+ Jaren Vogt | 2025 | RHP | Watertown-Mayer

The uncommitted RHP was solid through his first five innings of work. Vogt, a 6-foot-1, 180-pound two-way player for Watertown-Mayer, was strong and held his velocity for most of his outing. The no. 47th ranked player in Minnesota's 2025 had a 3-pitch mix but mainly relied on a fastball, breaking ball combo. We haven’t seen this type of fastball velocity from Vogt before; he consistently sat 85-87 mph and touched multiple 88s and 89s early in his outing. He is an athletic presence on the mound and through his delivery. Vogt’s final line was 5.2 innings pitched, allowing just 2 hits, 0 earned runs, walking 4, and striking out 8 Rocket bats.

Max Edwards | 2025 | RHP/C | Rockford

Edwards went toe to toe with Vogt in the evening matchup, going all seven innings, allowing seven hits, 0 earned runs, and striking out 6 Royals. It was a show of four pitches that played off two different breaking balls that he used in any sequence to any part of the order. The fastball lived at 78-80 mph while topping 81 mph, and a combination of the slider at 72-74 mph and curveball at 66-69 mph also showed a changeup at times. Edwards was one of the main reasons Rockford came away with the victory.

+ Rockford Bats

Two big doubles came off the bats of both Will Hass (Tennessee) and Aiden Smith (Iowa Central). Smith tied the game with an RBI double to right center in the fourth, and Haas broke the lead, opening the bottom half of the 6th with a bases-clearing double to left center. Smith eventually ended the game in walk-off fashion with a 1-out single to center.

Rockford moved to 2-1 on the season, while Watertown-Mayer fell to 1-2.

📝: Andy Judkins

MANKATO WEST AT ROCHESTER MAYO | APRIL 13, 2024 

Mankato West 3
Rochester Mayo 0

+ Wilson Magers | 2025 | RHP | Mankato West

The Creighton commit was every bit as impressive as he had been in recent showcase settings. He showed a clean, quick arm that worked well out front and pounded the zone with multiple pitches. 

Magers began his outing with a fastball that was 87-88 but quickly found another effortless gear and dotted 90-92. He held that velocity well into the fifth inning, unleashing several 92 MPHs in pitch # 65-to-75. It took an inning to hone his curveball, but once he had the feel, he implemented it to land strike one and chase pitch. Against lefties, he featured a burrowing changeup that saw splitterish actions. 

His final stat line in his second start of the season was six innings, no runs, two hits, two walks, and 10 strikeouts. He is now at 12 innings with a 20-to-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio. 

+ Ethan Labrash | 2024 | RHP/1B | Rochester Mayo

The Spartans sent the uncommitted right-hander Labrash out to match Magers and the Scarlets. Labrash was a competitor on the mound. Not overpowering, he showed a 78-81 MPH fastball (topping out at 82) that the Rochester Mayo starter would move around the zone and use to set up his big breaking ball that he would freeze hitters and miss bats. He dropped down sidearm to give hitters another look at the curve. 

Labrash worked five innings on the day, allowing four hits, two earned, two walks, and six strikeouts. 

Labrash was also one of the few Spartans to not strike out facing Magers, drawing a pair of walks to boot. He's hitting over .400 at the plate and has an 8-to-2 walk-to-strikeout ratio. His decent frame suggests he could add more velocity or power in the right college program. 

+ Jayden Knutson | 2025 | OF/LHP | Mankato West

Knutson drew attention based on his athleticism—particularly his speed. He had a 6.5 sixty-time at the recent Preseason All-State, and it was on display on Saturday: The Scarlets' right fielder reached on an infield single and stole two bases. 

📝: Parker Hageman

ROSEMOUNT AT PRIOR LAKE | APRIL 11, 2024 

Rosemount 7
Prior Lake 9

+ Mason Golberg | 2027 | LHP/1B | Prior Lake

Prior Lake's freshman starter showed good rhythm and tempo on the mound against the Rosemount Irish lineup. His fastball showed late life in the zone at 79-80, which he matched with a changeup at 70-71 that featured good fade. He also had a curveball that he added and subtracted with (63-69). Golberg had a good cadence and was quick to the plate when he had early traffic on the bases. 

It was a solid first varsity start for the young lefty, who went four innings, allowing five hits, two earned, while striking out four and walking none. Golberg should be an interesting follow in the class. 

+ Jaeger Solis | 2025 | C | Prior Lake

Solis has a muscular build and athletic actions in the box from the left side, possessing a smooth, quick swing that produces line drive to all parts of the field, diving this pitch to center for a single. 

At the recent All-State event, he maxed out at 92 MPH and was 78 with a 2.05 pop time from behind the dish. 

+ Tyler Japel | 2024 | RHP/1B | Rosemount

The uncommitted 2024 hit cleanup in the Irish lineup and delivered three of Rosemount's seven runs. In the fifth, he singled in Ty Hansen on a liner to left and, later, followed that up with a two-run home run in the seventh to bring the Irish within three of the Lakers. 

+ Dylan Kulper | 2025 | RHP | Prior Lake

Kulper worked in two innings of relief and came out of the bullpen throwing upper 80s heat. He touched 88 multiple times in his first inning of work and was sitting 83-87. Kupler has a projectable build on the mound and moves well; his next step will be to remain consistent with all pitches and hold velocity—a projectable, uncommitted arm. 

📝: Parker Hageman

PROVIDENCE ACADEMY AT HOLY FAMILY | APRIL 10, 2024 

Providence Academy 5
Holy Family 2

This early season matchup between two Catholic school rivals provided plenty of action and momentum swings. Although Holy Family led from start to finish, the game was not decided until the final out. Ryan Poppitz (’25, Century College commit) started for Holy Family and went five innings, mixing a 77mph FB and upper 60’s CB, pitching out of several jams and striking out six in the process.

Providence countered with Caleb Cisewski (’27), who used his low ¾ delivery, mixing his FB (80-81 mph) and slider (73-74) to give the Lions 4 solid innings.

Holy Family struck first, scoring three in the bottom of the second, taking advantage of some Providence miscues. Providence came right back in the top of the third to cut the deficit to 3-2 off of a hard single up the middle by Nick Nathe (’25), scoring the two runs.

In the bottom of the 4th, Jameson Quinn (Southwest Minnesota State commit, ’24) extended Holy Family’s lead with a bases-clearing double to RF as part of the four-run inning.

Providence, however, came right back with two in the top of the 5th and another in the 6th to close the gap to 7-6. Both rallies were started by leadoff doubles: one by Nathe and another by Jacob Cisewski (’24, DCTC commit).

The offensive fireworks continued into the final innings. Holy Family seemingly put the game away in the bottom of the 6th, with Andrew Athmann (’24, UW-River Falls) executing a textbook suicide squeeze, and Cameron Dean (2025, Uncommitted) added a three-run HR to left, extending the lead to 12-6.

Providence, however, fought to the end, scoring four runs with two outs in the 7th, highlighted by a dramatic 3-run HR by Jacob Cisewski. After the HR, Providence had two more singles, and Holy Family brought in Quinn to get the final out to secure the 12-10 win.

📝: Tony Livorsi

BURNSVILLE AT SHAKOPEE | APRIL 9, 2024 

Burnsville 5
Shakopee 2

+ Jack Morris | 2024 | RHP | Shakopee

Sabres’ first-year head coach Eric Schmitz ran out Clemson commit, 6-foot-2 right-hander Jack Morris, to open the season against the Blaze. Morris, a Future Games and Midwest Procase alum, leaned heavily on his fastball the first time through the Burnsville order, and he came out hot, topping at 89 miles per hour while sitting 86-88 in the first inning. As the game progressed, Morris turned to his high spin slider/curveball combination (both have over 2,500 RPM) to land strikes and miss bats. 

Morris finished the day with 93 pitches over five innings, five hits allowed, an earned run, eight strikeouts, and one walk. He is currently ranked 11th in the state’s class of 2024.

+ Connor McGee | 2024 | 1B | Shakopee

The uncommitted senior first baseman provided the Sabres’ lone offensive production, driving in two runs on a double to left field.

+ Nick Discher | 2024 | RHP | Burnsville

The Blaze also featured a new head coach for the 2024 season, Justin Bannitt, who sent Nick Discher to the mound to face Shakopee. Discher, an Iowa Central commit, has some funky to his delivery with a clean arm action that creates tons of movement on all his pitches. He has a heavy fastball with hard sink action to the arm side, a pitch that he got up to 87 but sat 84-86 for most of the night. His changeup might have been his most impressive offering, showing lots of fade with good arm speed that follows the same shape as his fastball but dies as it approaches the zone. He was also generous with his use of his breaking balls – a slider and curveball pairing with two distinct movement patterns: the slider cut across the zone while the curveball had more vertical depth. 

Discher worked fast, attacked the zone, and kept Sabre hitters off-balanced. Overall, the right-hander had a high level of pitchability. His final line was six innings, two hits, two earned, four walks, and nine strikeouts. 

+ Jacob Neutz | 2024 | C/1B | Burnsville

Catcher Jacob Neutz (NIACC commit) sparked Burnsville’s offense with a double in the first inning off an 86 MPH fastball and another to lead off the fifth on a two-strike riding fastball. Neutz has in-game pull-side juice and is capable of turning on fastballs. 

+ Collin Heckman | 2025 | RHP | Burnsville

A member of Team Midwest at the 2023 Future Games and participant at the Midwest Procase, Collin Heckman (Uncommitted), was asked to get the final three outs. The long and lean right-hander needed just nine pitches (throwing seven for strikes) in his economical inning of work. His fastball was 88-89 MPH in this outing, but his slider at 77 MPH was a highly effective pitch. 

Heckman is ranked 7th in Minnesota's class of 2025 and 424th nationally. 

📝: Parker Hageman