Search the Community

With the news that St. Paul native Louie Varland has been called up to the Minnesota Twins and will make his major-league debut on Wednesday in The Bronx, let’s take a look at the meteoric rise of the right-hander from Concordia University in St. Paul. Image courtesy of graphics by Thieres Rabelo The Twins acquired right-hander Tyler Mahle from the Cincinnati Reds for three prospects including Spencer Steer at the trade deadline. He made three starts for the Twins, went on the IL, came back, pitched two more innings and is back on the IL. About a week after the trade deadline, right-hander Louie Varland was promoted to Triple-A St. Paul. And just one month (and four Triple-A starts) later, Varland is taking over Mahle’s spot in the big-league rotation. While we had heard the news 3-4 hours earlier, Patrick Reusse was the first to announce the news. Amateur Days Louie Varland was born and raised in St. Paul. No need to mention that Hall of Famers Dave Winfield, Paul Molitor and Jack Morris grew up in St. Paul, as did soon-to-be Hall of Famer Joe Mauer. He went to high school at North St. Paul where he was also a star on the wrestling mat. As his high school days were winding down, he was considering several schools. His older brother Gus Varland was pitching in his freshman season at Concordia University in St. Paul, but Louie kind of wanted to get away from his brother’s spotlight. Ultimately, Louie joined Gus and the two pitched very well under the tutelage of legendary coach Mark “Lunch” McKenzie. As a freshman in 2017, he pitched in eight games. That summer, he played for Utica in the Perfect Game College League. As a sophomore, he went 5-1 with a 1.41 ERA over nine games (6 starts) and 44 2/3 innings. That summer, he played for Willmar in the Northwoods League. That was a great summer for the Varland family as Gus was drafted in the 14th round by the Oakland A’s. In 2019, Louie’s junior season, he went 4-5 with a 3.58 ERA over nine starts. In 55 1/3 innings, he walked 14 and struck out 68 batters. In June, his hometown team, the Twins, selected him in the 15th round of the draft. He signed and pitched in three games at Elizabethton before being shut down with some shoulder discomfort. The pitcher development staff really worked with him in the offseason and throughout the lost Covid season of 2020 on some mechanical things designed not only to keep his arm in a better position but also to increase velocity. It worked. As he was preparing for spring training in February of 2021, he hit 100.2 mph. Wade Varland, Gus and Louie’s father, told @Parker Hageman, “It was like I won gold in the Olympics” That 2021 Season Even with the 100 mph milestone reached off a practice mound was exciting, no one was sure what to expect from Louie Varland as the 2021 season approached. We discussed it on a Twins Spotlight show in early January of 2021. He began the season with the Ft. Myers Mighty Mussels. He pitched in 10 games (8 starts) and went 4-2 with a 2.09 ERA. In 47 1/3 innings, he walked just 16 and struck out 76 batters (14.5 K/9). He was promoted to Cedar Rapids and performed equally well. In 10 starts, he went 6-2 with a 2.10 ERA. In 55 2/3 innings, he walked 14 batters and struck out 66. In 103 total innings, that is 142 strikeouts (12.4 K/9). Following the season, he was named the Twins Minor League Pitcher of the Year, as well as the Twins Daily Starting Pitcher of the Year. Following the season, I had the opportunity to put both Varland brothers under the prospect spotlight. The 2022 Season While his prospect status was certainly significantly higher, there were still question marks regarding his game. It’s a well-known thought that a lot of times, college pitcher draft picks meet their biggest struggles when they get to the Double-A level. In addition, while he did a great in the lower levels in 2021, he was primarily known as a two-pitch pitcher (fastball, slider). His change-up needed to continue to progress, but he also said that the Twins wanted him to add more horizontal movement to his slider as well. I’m not a pitching guru, so I won’t speak to whether or not his slider has more break, or how consistent the Twins pitching coaches would say that his changeup has become. But we can look at the numbers. At Double-A Wichita this year, he went 7-4 with a 3.34 ERA in 20 games (19 starts). In 105 innings, he walked 39 and struck out 119 (10.2 K/9). In his time with the Wind Surge, there were several matchups between Tulsa and Wichita. The two made history in starting opposite each other in what was a lot of fun for their family and friends. In his four starts at Triple-A St. Paul, he is 1-1 with a 1.69 ERA. In 21 1/3 innings, he has 27 strikeouts and just three walks. Varland tossed five no-hit innings in his Saints debut and then left to a standing ovation at CHS Field. The Twins could have gone safe and returned Aaron Sanchez to the starting rotation. He had pitched fine in limited time with the Twins. They could have selected Ronny Henriquez or Simeon Woods Richards, or Louie Varland. On Monday, Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said regarding having a starter make his debut on Wednesday, “That wouldn't bother me one bit to pitch [a rookie]. We’re going to pitch whoever we think the best pitcher is for that spot on that day. And I mean, hypothetically, I would never hesitate to put a young pitcher on the mound and just let him go do his job.” That day will be Wednesday at Yankees Stadium for Louie Varland. He is set to make his MLB debut against Aaron Judge and the Yankees. Louie Varland is the Twins #12 prospect currently at Twins Daily. Check out the dozens of articles and videos that Varland has been tagged in on Twins Daily over his time with the Twins. He has been fantastic for Twins Daily, doing several Q&As, interviews and more, so there is a ton of great content. And because of that, we congratulate him and his family and wish him the best going forward. And Gus Varland is currently at Triple-A Oklahoma City, hoping he soon gets the same call. View full article

The Minnesota Twins were probably hoping to have a top pitching prospect emerge from Triple-A St. Paul to look like a future rotation mainstay this year. It’s hard to say it hasn’t happened, but it wasn’t who you expected. Last season the Twins saw Canadian right-hander Jordan Balazovic show up on multiple top 100 prospect lists. He was a sleeper pick to rocket up those same rankings in 2022, and there’s no denying Derek Falvey and Thad Levine had dreams of him slotting into Rocco Baldelli’s rotation. Balazovic started the season late after a knee injury, and nothing has gone right since. There’s been no indication that he’s still injured, but you certainly have to hope that something has been off. The former 5th round pick in 2016 now owns a 9.06 ERA across 49 2/3 innings at Triple-A this year, and he’s gone from a double-digit strikeout pitcher to one with declining numbers and the ball leaving the park at an alarming rate. No matter how the rest of the string plays out, Minnesota has to figure out a way for Balazovic to get right next season. In his place, you could have assumed Cole Sands, Simeon Woods-Richardson, Matt Canterino or any number of other top prospects in the upper levels may have stepped up. Instead, the arm that won Minnesota’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year a season ago just kept going about his business. Louie Varland was grabbed in the 15th round during the 2019 Major League Baseball draft. Concordia St. Paul is a Division 2 school right down the street from Target Field. Gus Varland, Louie’s brother, was selected a year earlier by the Oakland Athletics. Bryan Lippincott and Jake Schmidt were drafted from legendary coach Mark McKenzie’s program before them. It’s maybe not the most glorious path, but with talent, it won’t ever matter. Varland has been a lunch-pail type of pitcher since the moment he joined the Twins organization. He posted a 2.10 ERA across his first 100 professional innings in Single-A ball, and followed it up with a 3.34 ERA for Double-A Wichita in 105 innings this season. Now knocking on the doorstep playing for the St. Paul Saints, Varland has been nothing short of magical in three turns. With 17 Triple-A innings under his belt, Varland has a 24/3 K/BB while allowing just three runs (two earned) on 11 hits. He’s never been one to give up the long ball, he’ll mow down batters in bunches, and he’s remained stingy with free passes. There isn’t a ton of deception at play here either, and Varland has worked to push his velocity into the triple-digits during offseason workouts. Nearing a 25th birthday it’s fair to understand that Varland doesn’t have the luster brought on by some of the teenage hitting prospects. He is about to capture a second-straight Minor League Pitcher of the Year award though, and it will be because he’s earned it in the most dominating fashion. With Minnesota needing to infuse the starting rotation with homegrown talent, it’s hard to get better than a kid from their own backyard, that’s taken the path less traveled, and beaten the odds. Maybe the organization can right whatever went wrong with Balazovic this season, but they have to be ecstatic with the found money and developmental progress Varland has displayed. The next stop will be on a mound with slightly more fans than Barnes Field. View full article

Seth chats with the Varland brothers. Gus Varland is a pitching prospect who spent 2021 with the Dodgers AA affiliate. Louie Varland was the Twins minor league pitcher of the year in 2021, splitting time between Low-A and High-A. We'll see how the brothers have helped each other since their young days through today when they work together toward their goal of pitching in the big leagues. View full video

Twins right-handed pitcher Louie Varland was arguably one of the most dominant pitchers in all of minor league baseball last year. His brother Gus is a talented righty pitching at Double-A for the Dodgers organization. Catch the action from their appearance on Twins Spotlight with Seth Stohs. "He may have been a 15th rounder but he's a first rounder in my book." In a world of challenges and turmoil, nothing draws a smile like the sight of brotherly love. Poking back and forth with grins and banter, it's safe to say the connection is tightly-wound between the Varland brothers. Sons of North St. Paul and alumni of Concordia-St. Paul, Louie and Gus have emerged as rising stars in their respective organizations. WATCH TWINS SPOTLIGHT WITH GUS AND LOUIE VARLAND Louie Varland started the 2021 season in Low-A Fort Myers and finished a bulk of the season with High-A Cedar Rapids, throttling the competition at both levels. The younger brother finished the season with a 10-4 record and 2.10 ERA in addition to being named Twins Minor League Pitcher of the Year in his first professional season. Not a bad first rodeo. Older brother Gus has cemented himself as a staple in the Dodgers organization just a year after receiving Tommy John surgery. Despite what some would call a setback, the Dodgers had so much faith in Varland that they placed him at the Double-A level in 2021 despite his injury-riddled season at High-A in 2020. Just 24 and 25 years old, the road ahead looks bright for two of the most exciting prospects to come out of the Land of 10,000 Lakes in recent history. Twins Daily's Seth Stohs had a chance to chat with the two on Wednesday night, here's what you need to know. 1. College, Man As mentioned, both Gus and Louie pitched at Concordia University in St. Paul, etching themselves as two of the most dominant players in Golden Bear history. Yet playing with his older brother for the DII school wasn't initially the plan for Louie. Like many younger siblings, Louie wanted to go anywhere besides the school that his brother was pitching for. "I just wanted to go to a place where I could pitch against him and beat him," Louie chuckled. That didn't stop Gus from putting on his recruiting shoes and doing everything possible to get another member of the family in a navy blue and gold jersey. "I was encouraging him through the entire process to come and sign at Concordia," Gus said. "I was talking to the coaches, we had him throw a bullpen in front of us, and I was trying my hardest to get him there. He fought it off for the longest time but ended up signing in the end, and it was the best thing ever." "It worked out the absolute best way that it could have, and I really enjoyed those two seasons that I had with him," Louie responded. Both brothers experienced immense individual success on the mound but cited underdog team performances as their favorite memories from CSP. Gus recalls his freshman season when the Golden Bears went into the season unranked and ended up mounting an incredible run that landed the team in the NSIC conference championship game. Louie's favorite moment came two years later when the Golden Bears rallied another incredible run before falling to eventual national champion Augustana (SD) in the conference championship. On paper you'd assume that the two spent three seasons together given that they're only one year and school grade apart. They only spent two. The reason? Gus was drafted after his junior year by the Oakland Athletics in the 14th round of the 2018 Draft; not a bad reason to leave! 2. Scouting Reports Gus spent 2021 with the Tulsa Drillers, a team that frequently plays the Twins' Double-A affiliate Wichita Wind Surge. Throughout the course of the season he would hear scouting reports on how his younger brother was pitching in Low and High-A. "I was in Tulsa running foul poles right around when Louie was called up to High-A and I remember chatting with (Wichita pitcher) Cole Sands and him saying 'He's tearing it up, I wouldn't be surprised if he gets called up (to Double-A).'" Louie stayed in High-A Cedar Rapids for the rest of the year, cementing himself as the team's ace. He credits his success to the talented crop of arms pitching alongside him and fellow 2019 Twins draft picks, including names like Tyler Beck, Casey Legumina, and Sawyer-Gipson Long. "It's a really supportive relationship with those guys, we're always bouncing ideas off of each other," Louie said "Yes, we're competing against each other but at the end of the day it's very friendly and great to work with them." Could the two face off at the Double-A level in 2022? There's a fairly high probability; you betcha, wouldn't that be awesome! 3. Life After Baseball Perspective is huge in life and in baseball. And while the Varland's both have an excellent shot at making the show, they haven't forgotten about the over-arching 'life after baseball question.' Both brothers completed their degrees from Concordia-St. Paul in 2020. Gus finished his mathematics degree and would love to one day teach math or work in the baseball industry in data analytics. Louie earned a degree in Sports Management and Marketing. Will Louie serve as his own agent? Probably not. Still, the fact that both men have taken the extra step to prioritize their education is impressive. On the topic of analytics, both men spoke volumes on the technology and data analysis used in their respective organizations. This has been echoed by many if not most Twins prospects that have appeared on Twins Spotlight, yet it was awesome to hear Gus' perspective on the Dodger's organization. Traded from Oakland, he appreciates the investment that Los Angeles has made in being as 'cutting edge' as possible. Organizations like the Dodgers are nationally-recognized for their emphasis in staying 'on top of the modern edge,' it seems like the Twins are working their way into that silo as well. 4. Respective Arsenals The 2022 season presents opportunities to hone in on successes and foster new pitches for both Louie and Gus. Louie's arsenal consists of a strong fastball, changeup, and slider. "I have to keep my fastball at the top of the zone because that's where it works best, my changeup is a work in progress but has come a long way, and I need to get my slider to move more horizontally while keeping the same velocity," he said. That slider is something the the Twins have worked on with him and that he hones in on when throwing bullpens with his brother in the offseason. Similar to his brother, Gus relies on a high-riding fastball, changeup, and slider. He has also begun to add a cutter to his skillset and plans to make that an emphasis in his '22 campaign. Extra Innings Gus received a non-roster invite to Dodgers spring training in 2021 and struck out Fernando Tatis Jr! In addition to playing baseball at North St. Paul, Louie wrestled and played football. Gus played basketball through his junior year. Similar to Drew Strotman (who was featured on Twins Spotlight earlier this week), Gus describes being traded as a mixed bundle of emotions. Luckily for him, the Dodgers and A's both call Arizona their home for spring training so he gets to catch up with his old friends and teammates from Oakland each year. In addition to being named Twins Minor League Pitcher of the Year, Louie was the unanimous winner of our Twins Daily Minor League Starting Pitcher of the Year Award. Past winners of the Twins Minor League Pitcher of the Year award include Jose Berrios, Johan Santana, and Brad Radke. Feel free to discuss this impressive brother tandem below. View full article

In recent years, it has been fun to follow the Twins draft, especially during the really bad years when the Twins received some very high draft picks. For me, it’s also fun to hear the names of Minnesota natives get selected and get the opportunity to live out a dream. Today, we take a quick glimpse to see which Minnesotans could be drafted. It is unusual to have Minnesota natives in the first round. Guys like Joe Mauer and Glen Perkins are rare. But last year, Burnsville’s Sam Carlson was a second-round pick of the Mariners. Michael Baumann, a Mahtomedi graduate who went to Jacksonville University, was a third-round pick. The Twins drafted Woodbury’s Max Meyer late in the draft a year ago. He didn’t sign and he’s currently the closer for the NCAA regional-hosting Gophers. UPDATED - See bottom of article for results of draft. Where were Minnesotans selected?As we are just days away from the 2018 MLB Draft, there are a few Minnesota natives that could find themselves drafted in the first ten rounds of the draft. And that Gophers baseball team that faced the Twins in an exhibition game in February could have as many as eight players drafted this year. We’ll get to those Gophers, but let’s start with the guy who just might be the highest player from Minnesota to be drafted. SEAN HJELLE Hjelle graduated from Mahtomedi High School three years ago. Despite being 6-10 and working with an upper-80s fastball, he went undrafted. He decided to go to the University of Kentucky. He worked out of their bullpen as a freshman. Last year as a sophomore, he moved into their rotation and was the SEC Pitcher of the Year. Now 6-11, Hjelle sits in the 92-94 range with his fastball and touches 95 and 96 at times. He also has a good changeup and curveball, both pitches in the low 80s. Unlike many tall pitchers, Hjelle is very coordinated and has a very repeatable delivery. He is expected to be taken anywhere from the late first round to the early second round. JAKE IRVIN The Minnesota Twins drafted the Bloomington Jefferson grad in the 37th round of the 2015 draft. He chose to attend Oklahoma where he has become a Friday night starter and an All American. He has gone 18-7 during his three years. In 2018, he is 6-2 with a 2.84 ERA. He struck out 109 batters in 91 2/3 innings (just 24 walks). At 6-6 and 225 pounds, he’s got a great build for a pitcher. He’s got good mechanics and a fastball that reaches to 93-94 mph. He also throws a slider and a changeup as well. He could be drafted as high as the second round and should be selected before the fifth round ends. SETH HALVORSEN There are a lot of good high school starting pitchers in the draft this year, and Seth Halversen from Heritage Christian Academy is the tops from Minnesota. He has a commitment to the University of Missouri where he would pitch and play shortstop. In terms of the draft, it is clear that he would be seen as a pitcher. He considers himself a shortstop first, but he obviously understands that he’s got a big arm. He has a very strong arm and has hit 95 and even 96 on some radar guns this spring. He also has a hard slider in the upper 70s that could be a real good pitch. In comparison to Carlson, Halvorsen is much more raw. But he’s got good size and big potential. He could be taken as early as the late second round. He should be taken in the third or fourth rounds. But as always, money will factor into it and if he doesn’t get his number, he could fall and happily head to Missouri. AIDAN MALDONADO Maldonado attends Rosemount High School and has a commitment to play at Illinois next year. However, he is an intriguing draft possibility. While he stands just 6-0 tall and weighs in at just 175 pounds, he has already been clocked up to 95 mph. He’s got a real smooth delivery with efficient arm action along with a three-pitch mix. Right now, he primarily works anywhere from 88-92 mph but he’s got room to add more velocity. He fits in as a potential fifth to seventh round pick though signability may push him back a few rounds, or potentially down to the later rounds for a team willing to take a flyer. GUS VARLAND Varland has a lot of steam. The right-hander from Concordia-St. Paul has reached 97 mph with his fastball this spring. He went 7-1 with a 1.04 ERA his junior season. In 60 1/3 innings, he struck out 79 and walked 14. He’s high energy and kind of a max effort guy. He’s got a decent slider too. Probably profiles as a reliever eventually, especially as he’s just 6-1 and 190 pounds. The North St. Paul graduate could be a Day 2 draft pick. His brother (Louie) has a very similar profile and could be drafted next year. THE GOPHERS The Gophers are having a remarkable season. When we talked to some of their seniors on the podcast before the season, there was definitely an excitement. The theme then was that they had a veteran lineup and some very talented, but very young pitchers. Today, they host their first regional tournament in over a decade as they take on Canisius. There could be anywhere from five to eight Gophers drafted, and here is a little bit about each. TERRIN VAVRA Vavra is the son of long-time Twins coach Joe Vavra (now with the Tigers) and the brother of former Twins minor leaguers Tanner Vavra and Trey Vavra. As good as those two were, there was an acceptance that Terrin had the most talent. The Menomonie, Wisconsin, native received a late offer from the Gophers and accepted. Just this week, he was named a first-team All-American by Baseball America. In 53 games, he’s hit .385/.458/.620 (1.078) with 11 doubles, three triples and ten home runs. He could got as high as the fourth or fifth round of the draft. Listen to Terrin’s appearance on my podcast. BEN MEZZENGA The Shoreview native attended Totino-Grace High School. Now a junior, he got a bigger opportunity to play and took advantage. In 54 games played, Mezzenga hit .381/.470/.440 (.910) with eight doubles and a triple. He’s stolen 11 bases. He’s a real good athlete who can play all around the outfield. He could be a late Day 2 or early Day 3 pick. ALEX BOXWELL The outfielder is a senior from Coon Rapids. He was injured during his junior season which likely cost him from being drafted and also caused him to miss the Cape Cod League opportunity. This season, he's hitting .264/.315/.393 (.708) with seven doubles, a triple and four homers. He also has a team-leading 19 stolen bases. Boxwell is intriguing because he is a such a good athlete. He's got power potential and great speed. REGGIE MEYER In 15 starts this year for the Gophers, Meyer is 7-3 with a 2.75 ERA. In 95 innings, he’s walked 13 and struck out 65. Meyer is a redshirt junior who also went to Totino-Grace in high school. He went 5-1 in 2017. He stands 6-4 and 210 pounds. He’s pitched real well for the Gophers late in the year and threw a complete game shutout in the Big 10 tournament. He tops out right around 90, but he’s got a good feel for pitching and command of three pitches. He’s got a year of eligibility remaining, so he may come back even when he gets selected sometime on Day 3. NICK LACKNEY The 6-4, 205 pound left-hander is from Wisconsin Bay, but he chose to attend Minnesota. After working in relief his first two Gophers seasons, he made 10 starts for them in 2018. He went 4-2 despite an ERA over five. He struck out 43 batters in 45 2/3 innings. The numbers may not jump off the charts, but he’s left-handed and throws into the 90s. Could be a Day 3 pick, though he likely would come back for his senior season. JACKSON ROSE Rose is a senior from Omaha who would love to finish his college career playing at the College World Series in Omaha. The 6-2 right-hander has really become a reliable bullpen option for John Anderson. This year, he worked 27 innings over 20 appearances. He posted a 2.00 ERA. He struck out 26 batters and walked 13. Probably a late-round flyer. JAKE STEVENSON Jake Stevenson is a hard-throwing right-hander. At 6-4 and 225 pounds, he’s strong and his velocity is now reaching into the low and mid-90s. He made seven starts and worked out of the bullpen five times. The junior from Waconia posted a 5.52 ERA, and in 29 1/3 innings, he walked 16 and struck out 15. So, based on the numbers, you can see why it is the scouting stuff that could make him a late-round pick. MICAH COFFEY Coffey came to Minnesota from Batavia, Illinois. The 6-1, 200 pound corner infielder has had a really strong career with the Gophers. He got off to a slow start this year, but he’s now hitting .281/.370/.414 (.784) with nine doubles, two triples and five home runs. He is a good athlete with a strong arm and a good approach at the plate and potential to hit for some power. Listen to Micah’s appearance on my podcast which also included Clark Beeker, Hector Lujan and Cory Provus.. TOBY HANSON Hanson was off to a fast start in his senior season. He had a strong junior season in which he played all 57 games and returned for his senior year. Unfortunately, a wrist injury cost him nearly a month and slowed down his numbers. Overall, he’s’ still hit .306/.382/.439 (.821) with 14 doubles, two triples and a homer. At 6-2 and 220 pounds,, he does have potential to hit for power (when his wrists are right). The Delano grad has played a lot of first base but early this year he was playing in right field as well. Listen to Toby’s appearanceon my podcast which also includes Aaron Slegers, Royce Lewis, Brent Rooker and Alex Kirilloff. LUKE PETTERSEN Pettersen has played all four seasons for the Gophers since joining the school from Minnetonka High School. The 6-0, 185 pound, second baseman has been the team’s leadoff hitter throughout his senior season. He is hitting .333/.415/.414 (.829) with 13 doubles, one triple and his first college home run. His 13 stolen bases led the team. Luke’s brother AJ played for the Gophers and was the Twins 25th round pick in 2011 and spent four years in the organization. Luke Pettersen appeared on the first episode of my podcast (with Jonathan Mayo, Stephen Gonsalves, LaMonte Wade and Tyler Wells) and then Episode 7 of the podcast (with Dick Bremer, Jake Reed, Jordan Gore and Pat Mahomes). While Vavra could be drafted in the first five rounds or so, it’s really hard to predict where the seniors will be drafted. As you know, senior-signs can help a team stay under its draft allotment because they sign for way below slot value. Most of them will be selected sometime on Day 3. OTHER POSSIBLE DRAFT PICKS Here are a few more Minnesota-related names to remember as you watch and listen to the draft next week. DALTON ROACH As a junior, Roach went 10-1 with a 1.56 ERA for Mankato. He struck out 128 and walked just 12 batters in 86 2/3 innings. He went undrafted despite the big numbers. He returned for his senior season and went 8-2 with a 3.30 ERA. In 71 innings, he walked 15 and struck out 86. He has an upper-80s fastball that reaches into the low-90s. He’s got four pitches and could be a mid-Day 3 pick by the right team. HENRY DeCASTER DeCaster is a junior at St. Thomas. The right-handed pitcher went 8-3 with a 2.42 ERA for the Tommies in 2018. The Mounds View graduate stands 6-3 and 190 pounds, so he’s got room to grow. His fastball sits in the upper 80s and reaches into the 90s. Possible late-round pick. NICOLAS JUIAIRE Juiaire goes to Lakeville North High School. The catcher has committed to Texas Christian University. He doesn’t have the size typically seen in a higher draft pick, but he’s worth watching. He’s just 5-8 and 175 pounds. He’s good behind the plate. He’s got a strong and accurate arm. He’s got quick feet. He frequently has “pop times” below 2.0. He is a switch hitter with gap-to-gap power. He’s had a solid spring offensively. He’s a real good athlete and could be a later-round draft pick for someone. DYLAN TEBRAKE The right-hander from Rocori High School has had several scouts at most of his starts this year. Over a year ago, he committed to play at Creighton University in Omaha. He has had a strong season this year In fact, he threw seven innings of a no hitter against a Parker Hageman led Holy Angels team this year. In another game about two weeks ago, he was taken out at 75 pitches on a Tuesday. Why? To appease pro scouts who wanted to see him on that Saturday. NATHANIEL PETERSON Peterson is another player from Lakeville North. He has committed to Oklahoma State. The lefty from Lakeville North generally got pretty good control of a fastball that reaches 90 or just a tick above,, and he’s got a good feel for his secondary pitches. He stands 5-11, or maybe 6-0, so if he grows, he’s got room for improvement. Likely a late-round pick, if selected at all this year. He may be one to remember for the 2021 draft though. DAVID RODERICK Roderick is a right-hander who reaches back and throws over 90 mph with his fastball already. He has really come a long way in the last couple of years. He was a very skinny kid with an awkward motion and delivery as recently as two years ago. But he’s filled out and the Minnetonka grad is now throwing harder with a much more fluid delivery. He is committed to Oklahoma. If the right scout saw him on the right day, he could be drafted in the teens, but with a strong commitment, he’s likely headed to college. There should be several Minnesotans drafted next week in the 2018 MLB Draft. There are even three or four of these guys who will be drafted in the top five rounds. If you want to get excited about the 2019 MLB Draft, names like Matt Wallner and Michael Busch could be first-round picks. Feel free to discuss the names mentioned above, and let me know if I missed anyone. UPDATED The draft is complete. Here is a list of Minnesotans drafted: Sean Hjelle - RHP - 2nd round - (Kentucky, Mahtomedi HS) Terrin Vavra - SS - 3rd round - Colorado Rockies (Gophers) Luke Becker - 2B - 9th round - San Diego Padres (Kentucky, ,Fairmont, MN) Gus Varland - RHP - 14th round - Oakland A's (North St. Paul, Concordia St. Paul) Jacob Rhinesmith - OF - 18th round - Washington Nationals (Western Kentucky, Shakopee HS) Ryan Tapani - RHP - 21st round - Washington Nationals (Creighton, Providence Academy) Dalton Roach - RHP - 21st round - Houston Astros (Minn State - Mankato) Kellin Rholl - LHP - 25th round - Cleveland (Angelo St., Mound View) Zach Seipel - RHP - 27th round - Atlanta (UM-Crookston, Eagan)) Micah Coffey - SS - 30th round - Chicago White Sox (Gophers) Seth Halvorsen - RHP - 30th round - Minnesota Twins (Heritage Christian Academy) Jackson Rose - RHP - 35th round - Miami Marlins (Gophers) Tyler Reichenborn - OF - 35th round - LA Dodgers (Iowa Western CC, Blaine HS) Brandon Williamson - LHP - 36th round - Milwaukee Brewers (North Iowa Area CC, Welcome, MN) Reggie Meyer - RHP - 38th round - Texas Rangers (Gophers, Totino-Grace) Aidan Maldonado - RHP - 38th round - Milwaukee Brewers (Rosemount HS) Click here to view the article