University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Sign Six in 2024 Class
1/12/2024 2:16:00 PM | Baseball
MINNEAPOLIS - Head Coach John Anderson has announced the signings of six student-athletes for the 2024 recruiting class.Â
The class is made up of Hunter Cook (RHP; Polk City, Iowa), Jonathon Dobis (RHP/OF; Eagan, Minn.), Jameson Martin (INF/RHP; Westchester, Ill.), Jake Quinn (OF; St. Paul, Minn.), Simon Skroch (LHP/1B; Yorkville, Ill.) and Junior College transfer from Kirkwood Community College Brayden Hellum (OF; Stillwater, MN).Â
All six of the commits hail from the Midwest, with three coming from the Twin Cities. Four of the five recruits are ranked nationally in the top-500 at their positions by Perfect Game.Â
"I've been very impressed with this incoming group of young men, not only for what they've shown on the field, but off the field as well. Each of them has shown the qualities which we strive for at Minnesota: excelling in the classroom, possessing leadership qualities, demonstrating exceptional hard work and a passion for wanting to be at the University of Minnesota for a balanced experience and wanting to wear the 'M'," said Anderson. "Our current (2024) roster has twenty-one players who are either seniors or draft eligible, so there's a lot of uncertainty beyond this year with who signs and who stays, plus you have the transfer portal to factor in as well. I'm very excited for this class to join the Golden Gopher Baseball Family as they begin their journey of developing for the next fifty years of their life."
Hunter Cook
Cook comes to Minnesota after what has been a stellar career at North Polk High School. As a sophomore, Cook had a 5-2 record with a 1.99 ERA through 38.2 innings. Named first team all-conference and second team all-district, he struck out 53 batters while only allowing five walks and 11 earned runs.Â
He improved on the mound as a junior, being named first team all-conference, first team all-district and first team all-state after posting an 8-2 record with two saves and a 1.05 ERA. Cook's 103 strikeouts through 66.2 innings helped power North Polk to a State Runner-Up title this past spring in 2023. For the season, he allowed just 10 earned runs and 13 walks.
Perfect Game ranks Cook as a top-10 right-handed pitcher in Iowa and top-25 player overall in the state. Prep Baseball Report lists Cook as the No. 7 RHP in Iowa and No. 22 player overall.
The son of Christine and Ryan Cook, he has three siblings, Baily, Alysen and Harrison. Baily played college softball at Marshalltown Community College. Hunter plans to major in Sports Management at the University of Minnesota.Â
Schools Considered: South Dakota State, Valparaiso, Illinois State, Western Illinois, Tarleton State, Lindenwood, and Minnesota State.Â
Cook on why he chose Minnesota: "Being an Iowa guy I would've never envisioned myself wearing maroon and gold, but I'm super pumped to say I'll be a Gopher. Reasons like the campus, coaches, community, facilities, and success are why I want to be a part of the family. I have so many great things to discover and I can't wait to spend my college academic and baseball career at Minnesota."
Assistant Coach Alec Crawford on Hunter Cook: "Hunter is exactly the type of pitcher that we are looking for on this staff. His competitiveness paired with his ability to get outs in multiple ways make him a dynamic addition to the future Gopher Baseball pitching staff. He has competed in his high school team's biggest games and has shown the ability to embrace big moments while having a ton of success in those moments. We are very excited to get Hunter on campus next fall."
Jonathan Dobis
A standout two-way player, Dobis comes to the Gophers after a successful career at St. Thomas Academy. As a junior in 2023, Dobis went 5-1 on the mound, posting an impressive 0.70 ERA with 57 strikeouts in 49 innings. The team's captain, he also hit .321 on the season, collecting 21 RBI, 10 doubles, two home runs and five stolen bases en route to being named all-conference and all-metro.
As a member of the Minnesota MASH, Dobis has been a four-time WWBA All-Tournament selection and two-time Perfect Game Preseason Underclass All-American. In 2023, he tallied 103 strikeouts through 74 total innings, holding opponents to a .153 batting average. With an ERA of 0.82, he went 11-1 for the year on the mound. Offensively, Dobis collected 31 hits, 18 of which were extra bases. He maintained a .329 average for the year and drove in 47 runs.
Dobis was also selected to participate in the Prep Baseball Report Future Games and was a member of the 2022 USA National Team Development program. Prep Baseball Report ranks Dobis as the No. 3 right-handed pitcher in Minnesota and No. 16 player overall.Â
J.D. is the son of Tricia and Jason Dobis. His father, Jason, pitched for the Gophers from 1995-98 and was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 27th round in 1998 MLB Draft. He plans to major in Business at the Carlson School of Management.
Schools Considered: Tennessee, Oregon, Tulane, Arizona State, Stanford, TCU and Northwestern.Â
Dobis on why he chose Minnesota: "I chose the University of Minnesota because there is a very special thing about being able to wear the name of your home state across your chest and represent the university that your dad played at. I also chose Minnesota because of the connections and bonds that I formed with the coaches. When I had my first calls with coach Ty McDevitt, it felt as if he did not just care about me as a baseball player, but also as a person. Lastly, I chose Minnesota because of the strong academics and connections that the University offers."
Pitching Coach Ty McDevitt on JD Dobis: "Jonathan checks every box for us. He's a multi-sport athlete who has dominated high school baseball to date. His velocity has continued to mature year-over-year and we expect that to continue during his time on campus. As a pitcher he features a mature three pitch mix highlighted by an elite slurvy breaking ball he can land for a strike in any count. JD has a unique passion for the University of Minnesota and Gopher Baseball with his father Jason playing here as well."
Jameson Martin
Martin comes to the Gophers from St. Lawrence High School where he was named a two-time second team All-Chicago Catholic League honoree along with being named a two-time Chicago League All-Academic honoree.
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As a sophomore in 2022, Martin slashed .320/.416/.515 with 33 hits and 30 RBI. Following his sophomore campaign, he played summer ball with Top Tier Baseball, collecting 25 hits with a .291 average while getting on base at a .373 clip.Â
Named a 2022 and 2023 Perfect Game Preseason Underclassmen All-American, Martin hit .385 during the 2023 spring season. He held a .510 on-base percentage with 25 stolen bases and three home runs.Â
Martin comes in as the No. 8-ranked shortstop in Illinois and the No. 49 overall player by Perfect Game. Nationally, Perfect Game has him ranked as the No. 327 shortstop in the country. Prep Baseball Report ranked Martin as the No. 11 shortstop in Illinois and No. 39 player overall in the state.
Jameson is the son of Abigail and Matthew Martin. His mother played volleyball at Northern Illinois, and his father graduated from Northwestern University and is currently the acting fire chief of Broadview, Illinois. He has two younger brothers, Declan and Finley and plans to major in Kinesiology at the University of Minnesota.
Schools Considered: Tennessee, Purdue, Xavier, and Kent State.
Martin on why he chose Minnesota: "The coaches greeted me with such enthusiasm and excitement. I immediately felt like I was a part of their family, and one of their own players. The University of Minnesota will provide me with the best opportunities to excel, grow as a leader, and become a better person when I leave campus after graduation. I am excited to become a part of the Gopher baseball and academic community and I can't wait to get on campus and get to work for the team."
Assistant Coach Alec Crawford on Jameson Martin: "Jameson is a true middle infielder with great glove action habits and fundamentals on defense. He's athletic and versatile, which is something we look for in young players, he can play multiple positions, run and has good arm strength. He's flashed pull-side power as a prep but will be more of a contact, gap-to-gap style hitter with a spray approach. He comes from a great high school program at St. Lawrence, which competes in one of the best high school baseball conferences in the country. Aside from everything, Jameson is coachable, has a great personality and has a passion to wear the Maroon and Gold. I'm really looking forward to having him on campus this fall and can't wait to prepare him for the next fifty years of his journey."
Jake Quinn
A two-time Suburban East All-Conference honoree, Quinn comes to gold country after what has been an exceptional career at the storied Cretin-Derham Hall baseball program. As a sophomore, Quinn hit .328 with an on-base percentage of .423, collecting nine doubles and five stolen bases.Â
In the summer of 2022, he hit .452 with a 1.192 OPS, 13 RBI, six stolen bases, five doubles and a triple with the Dirtbags. He was selected to participate in the 2022 Prep Baseball Report Future Games at LakePoint in Emerson, Ga.
Prior to his junior year, Quinn was named a 2023 Preseason Underclass All-American by Perfect Game. In the season that followed, he hit .367 with a 1.108 OPS and 29 hits through 26 games for the Raiders. He slugged five home runs, four doubles and a triple, collecting 19 RBI with 15 walks and six stolen bases.Â
Last summer, as a member of Northstar Navy, Quinn hit .308 and got on base at a .429 clip. He tallied 10 walks, four stolen bases, and one double, triple and home run.Â
A four-year member of the President's Honor Roll list at Cretin-Derham hall, Quinn is also ranked by Perfect Game as the No. 1 outfielder in the state of Minnesota and No. 3 player overall. At the national level, he is listed as the No. 36 outfield and No. 226 player by Perfect Game.Â
The son of Jessica and Jeff Quinn, his mother played basketball at the University of St. Thomas and father swam at St. Thomas. Jake has one younger brother, Sam who swims for St. Thomas Academy. He plans on majoring in Business and Marketing at the University of Minnesota.Â
Schools Considered: Virginia, Kentucky, Iowa, Illinois, Illinois State, Bradley, Saint Louis, Butler, Memphis, Michigan State and College of Charleston.Â
Quinn on why he chose Minnesota: "I chose the University of Minnesota for many reasons. I grew up watching the maroon and gold every chance I could, and ever since, I've wanted to put on the Minnesota jersey. The Gophers are my hometown team and it is very important for me that my family and friends can come watch me play without booking a plane ticket. Another aspect is the coaching staff is filled with experience and knowledge. I feel very comfortable in their care, and I know they can help me maximize my potential. I fell in love with the atmosphere and the facilities. I'm extremely blessed to be able to call myself a future Gopher, and can't wait to be a part of the team."
Recruiting Coordinator Packy Casey on Jake Quinn: "Jake is everything you could want in a player, and a person. He wants to be at Minnesota, a great student, is passionate about being a Gopher and representing the state of Minnesota. He had an outstanding junior year and followed it up with an impressive summer where he showed the ability to do just about everything you'd want to see from a young player. He checks all of the boxes and has impressed us every step of the way in his development process. A lot of that comes from his mom and dad and the values they've instilled in Jake. He's well respected by his friends, teammates and coaches and even with the amount of success he's had thus far, he still maintained a growth mindset which is something we're always encouraging our current players to have. I'm extremely excited for Jake to join the Gopher Baseball Family along with his parents Jeff and Jessica."
Simon Skroch
Skroch joins the Gopher Baseball program after a decorated career at Yorkville High School. A three-year letter winner, Skroch has a career ERA of 2.04 in 140.2 innings pitched.
In his sophomore season, he started 10 games for Yorkville, posting a 7-1 record with a 1.35 ERA and .140 opponent batting average through 52 innings. He struck out 77 batters and allowed just 10 earned runs en route to being named to the all-conference, all-area and all-state teams.
As a junior, the southpaw hurled 54 innings, amassing 95 strikeouts while allowing just 14 earned runs. His performance for the season earned him all-conference and all-area selections. Throughout his prep career, Skroch has also maintained a spot on the high honor roll and was selected as an Illinois Student Assistance Commission 2024 State Scholar.Â
Named to the 2022 and 2023 Perfect Game Preseason Underclassmen All-America teams, Simon has been impressive on the mound over the past three summers as well. Playing for ESP Select, he has posted an 18-0 record in 25 appearances from 2021 to 2023. In 92.2 innings pitched during that span, he has an ERA of 0.45, allowing just six earned runs with 166 strikeouts.Â
Additionally, Skroch was named to the PBR at The Rock All-Tournament Team, WWBA Kernels Foundation Championship All-Tournament team, and was the WWBA Championship Pitching MVP.Â
Perfect Game ranks Skroch as the No. 5 left-handed pitcher in the state of Illinois and No. 146 LHP nationally.Â
The son of Valerie and Michael Skroch, Simon has one younger sister, Gracie. His father Michael played baseball at Aurora University and is currently the Head Baseball Coach at Romeoville High School in Romeoville, Illinois. Simon plans to major in Finance at the University of Minnesota.
Schools Considered: Belmont University, Valparaiso, Xavier, and the University of St. Thomas.
Skroch on why he chose Minnesota: "I chose the University of Minnesota because the coaching staff was excellent and extremely welcoming, and the school has great facilities and plenty of resources that will allow me to be the best I can be. I also loved the school itself and believe it is a great academic and athletic fit for me. The big school feel and lengthy history was also a plus for me and made the university stand out compared to others. The added benefit of being in the Big Ten and playing against some of the best in the country was also very important to me and made my choice very clear and easy."
Assistant Coach Alec Crawford on Simon Skroch: "Simon has an uncanny ability to strike hitters out from the left side which makes him a very valuable asset to our future pitching staff. His unwavering competitiveness and desire to deliver on a consistent basis is something that we are looking forward to seeing in the Maroon and Gold. His accolades and statistical accomplishments speak for themselves - a young man who takes baseball and academics very seriously, Simon is a great fit for the future of Gopher Baseball."
Brayden Hellum
A 2022 graduate of Stillwater High School, Hellum lettered three years for the Ponies in baseball and hockey while also being named to the Stillwater Academic Honor Roll. As a senior, the lefty had one of the best seasons in school history. He holds the single-season school record of hitting .553 and shattered school records in hits (49), singles (37), total bases (69) and runs scored (35).Â
Additionally, Hellum led the team on the mound as the Ponies ace. He finished with a 6-1 record to go along with one save in 40 innings pitched, 43 strikeouts and a 1.03 ERA. By season's end, Hellum led Stillwater to a 23-4 record and the Minnesota Class 4A Championship en route to being named to the All Tournament Team.Â
Hellum's list of awards includes being named first-team All-Metro in 2022, first-team All-State Minnesota, All-Section and All-Conference (Suburban East), as well as being selected for the Play Ball Minnesota All Star team where he was named MVP of the Play Ball All Star Game series.Â
After his prep career, Hellum played his first year of junior college at North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City, where he was named second-team ICCAC Academic All-Region for the 2022 fall semester and first-team ICCAC Academic All-Region for the 2023 spring semester.Â
He led the Trojans in hits as a freshman with 65 and finished third on the team in hitting with a .340 average. Through 51 games, Hellum tallied 24 RBIs, 30 walks, and led the Trojans with 19 doubles (ranked 27th nationally). He also slugged one triple, three home runs and 23 extra base hits, finishing second on the team with 14 stolen bases while only striking out 22 times.
Brayden is the son of Sarah and Mike Hellum and has one younger sister, Kylie. He plans to major in Business at the University of Minnesota
Schools Considered: James Madison, Miami University, USC Upstate, Charleston Southern, Southeast Missouri State University.
Hellum on why he chose Minnesota: "I'm choosing to play baseball at the University of Minnesota next year because of the great academics and baseball opportunities. Growing up as a kid from Minnesota it's always been a dream of mine to be a Gopher. So when the opportunity came it was a pretty easy decision for myself. It's a great honor for me and most definitely will not be taken for granted. When I join the team next year, I hope to make an immediate impact on the team's success, and help play a big role in bringing home championships to the university. It would personally mean a lot to me to help maintain the great culture that the University of Minnesota provides, as well as be a leader on and off the field in any way I can. I'm very grateful for the opportunity, and I can't wait to see what the future holds for Gopher Baseball!"
Recruiting Coordinator Packy Casey on Brayden Hellum: "Brayden was meant to be a Gopher. He embodies everything that makes this program great. He's a hard-nosed Minnesota kid who has a passion to wear the Maroon and Gold and represent the state with integrity and pride. He comes from one of the best high school programs in the state at Stillwater, won a State Championship there and has continued to perform at a high level in junior college. I initially wanted Brayden out of high school, and we came close to signing him but didn't have roster room at the time. His time in junior college has afforded him immediate playing time, the ability to develop his body and progress in his academic goals. Brayden is everything I want in a player, plays with a high motor, has tons of energy and can really hit. He's an exciting player to watch but most importantly he's a true representation of Minnesota- hard working, tough, dedicated and passionate. I'm extremely excited to welcome Brayden to the Golden Gopher Baseball Family, along with his parents Mike and Sarah."
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The class is made up of Hunter Cook (RHP; Polk City, Iowa), Jonathon Dobis (RHP/OF; Eagan, Minn.), Jameson Martin (INF/RHP; Westchester, Ill.), Jake Quinn (OF; St. Paul, Minn.), Simon Skroch (LHP/1B; Yorkville, Ill.) and Junior College transfer from Kirkwood Community College Brayden Hellum (OF; Stillwater, MN).Â
All six of the commits hail from the Midwest, with three coming from the Twin Cities. Four of the five recruits are ranked nationally in the top-500 at their positions by Perfect Game.Â
"I've been very impressed with this incoming group of young men, not only for what they've shown on the field, but off the field as well. Each of them has shown the qualities which we strive for at Minnesota: excelling in the classroom, possessing leadership qualities, demonstrating exceptional hard work and a passion for wanting to be at the University of Minnesota for a balanced experience and wanting to wear the 'M'," said Anderson. "Our current (2024) roster has twenty-one players who are either seniors or draft eligible, so there's a lot of uncertainty beyond this year with who signs and who stays, plus you have the transfer portal to factor in as well. I'm very excited for this class to join the Golden Gopher Baseball Family as they begin their journey of developing for the next fifty years of their life."
Hunter Cook
| Position: RHP | Height: 6-2 | Weight: 180 | Bat/Throws: R/R Hometown: Polk City, Iowa | High School: North Polk Scouting Report: Athletic right-handed pitcher with a sturdy build and quick arm. Body is still developing and has a very high ceiling with more room for physical maturity. Has flashed a FB in the upper 80's with good movement and late life. Slider is a true out-pitch at the next level with sharp, vertical break. Fierce competitor on the mound who throws strikes and has acted as a true #1 starter for his high school team for three seasons. Multi-sport athlete who broke out in a big way last spring in Iowa summer baseball. |
Cook comes to Minnesota after what has been a stellar career at North Polk High School. As a sophomore, Cook had a 5-2 record with a 1.99 ERA through 38.2 innings. Named first team all-conference and second team all-district, he struck out 53 batters while only allowing five walks and 11 earned runs.Â
He improved on the mound as a junior, being named first team all-conference, first team all-district and first team all-state after posting an 8-2 record with two saves and a 1.05 ERA. Cook's 103 strikeouts through 66.2 innings helped power North Polk to a State Runner-Up title this past spring in 2023. For the season, he allowed just 10 earned runs and 13 walks.
Perfect Game ranks Cook as a top-10 right-handed pitcher in Iowa and top-25 player overall in the state. Prep Baseball Report lists Cook as the No. 7 RHP in Iowa and No. 22 player overall.
The son of Christine and Ryan Cook, he has three siblings, Baily, Alysen and Harrison. Baily played college softball at Marshalltown Community College. Hunter plans to major in Sports Management at the University of Minnesota.Â
Schools Considered: South Dakota State, Valparaiso, Illinois State, Western Illinois, Tarleton State, Lindenwood, and Minnesota State.Â
Cook on why he chose Minnesota: "Being an Iowa guy I would've never envisioned myself wearing maroon and gold, but I'm super pumped to say I'll be a Gopher. Reasons like the campus, coaches, community, facilities, and success are why I want to be a part of the family. I have so many great things to discover and I can't wait to spend my college academic and baseball career at Minnesota."
Assistant Coach Alec Crawford on Hunter Cook: "Hunter is exactly the type of pitcher that we are looking for on this staff. His competitiveness paired with his ability to get outs in multiple ways make him a dynamic addition to the future Gopher Baseball pitching staff. He has competed in his high school team's biggest games and has shown the ability to embrace big moments while having a ton of success in those moments. We are very excited to get Hunter on campus next fall."
Jonathan Dobis
| Position: RHP/OF | Height: 6-0 | Weight: 180 | Bat/Throws: R/R Hometown: Eagan, Minn. | High School: St. Thomas Academy Scouting Report:Â Athletic right-handed pitcher/outfielder who has excelled in multiple sports and was named 1st Team All Metro as a junior. Strike thrower who works with a repeatable delivery and very quick arm action. FB sits anywhere from 88-90 with life and command. Has a very good off-speed arsenal starting with a 12-6 CB with very high spin, a SLD with 11-5 shape with late breaking action and a very good CHG with sinking action. Has the ability to make an impact on a college pitching staff as a freshman. |
A standout two-way player, Dobis comes to the Gophers after a successful career at St. Thomas Academy. As a junior in 2023, Dobis went 5-1 on the mound, posting an impressive 0.70 ERA with 57 strikeouts in 49 innings. The team's captain, he also hit .321 on the season, collecting 21 RBI, 10 doubles, two home runs and five stolen bases en route to being named all-conference and all-metro.
As a member of the Minnesota MASH, Dobis has been a four-time WWBA All-Tournament selection and two-time Perfect Game Preseason Underclass All-American. In 2023, he tallied 103 strikeouts through 74 total innings, holding opponents to a .153 batting average. With an ERA of 0.82, he went 11-1 for the year on the mound. Offensively, Dobis collected 31 hits, 18 of which were extra bases. He maintained a .329 average for the year and drove in 47 runs.
Dobis was also selected to participate in the Prep Baseball Report Future Games and was a member of the 2022 USA National Team Development program. Prep Baseball Report ranks Dobis as the No. 3 right-handed pitcher in Minnesota and No. 16 player overall.Â
J.D. is the son of Tricia and Jason Dobis. His father, Jason, pitched for the Gophers from 1995-98 and was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 27th round in 1998 MLB Draft. He plans to major in Business at the Carlson School of Management.
Schools Considered: Tennessee, Oregon, Tulane, Arizona State, Stanford, TCU and Northwestern.Â
Dobis on why he chose Minnesota: "I chose the University of Minnesota because there is a very special thing about being able to wear the name of your home state across your chest and represent the university that your dad played at. I also chose Minnesota because of the connections and bonds that I formed with the coaches. When I had my first calls with coach Ty McDevitt, it felt as if he did not just care about me as a baseball player, but also as a person. Lastly, I chose Minnesota because of the strong academics and connections that the University offers."
Pitching Coach Ty McDevitt on JD Dobis: "Jonathan checks every box for us. He's a multi-sport athlete who has dominated high school baseball to date. His velocity has continued to mature year-over-year and we expect that to continue during his time on campus. As a pitcher he features a mature three pitch mix highlighted by an elite slurvy breaking ball he can land for a strike in any count. JD has a unique passion for the University of Minnesota and Gopher Baseball with his father Jason playing here as well."
Jameson Martin
| Position:Â INF/RHP | Height:Â 5-11 | Weight: 180 | Bat/Throws: R/R Hometown: Westchester, Ill. | High School: St. Lawrence Scouting Report:Â Athletic middle-infielder who hails from a very good program in one of the most competitive high school conferences in the Midwest. Advanced actions and plus glove for a defender, throws well and is capable of playing multiple positions at the college level. Has a balanced approach offensively, flashing power but also has the ability to hit gap to gap. |
Martin comes to the Gophers from St. Lawrence High School where he was named a two-time second team All-Chicago Catholic League honoree along with being named a two-time Chicago League All-Academic honoree.
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As a sophomore in 2022, Martin slashed .320/.416/.515 with 33 hits and 30 RBI. Following his sophomore campaign, he played summer ball with Top Tier Baseball, collecting 25 hits with a .291 average while getting on base at a .373 clip.Â
Named a 2022 and 2023 Perfect Game Preseason Underclassmen All-American, Martin hit .385 during the 2023 spring season. He held a .510 on-base percentage with 25 stolen bases and three home runs.Â
Martin comes in as the No. 8-ranked shortstop in Illinois and the No. 49 overall player by Perfect Game. Nationally, Perfect Game has him ranked as the No. 327 shortstop in the country. Prep Baseball Report ranked Martin as the No. 11 shortstop in Illinois and No. 39 player overall in the state.
Jameson is the son of Abigail and Matthew Martin. His mother played volleyball at Northern Illinois, and his father graduated from Northwestern University and is currently the acting fire chief of Broadview, Illinois. He has two younger brothers, Declan and Finley and plans to major in Kinesiology at the University of Minnesota.
Schools Considered: Tennessee, Purdue, Xavier, and Kent State.
Martin on why he chose Minnesota: "The coaches greeted me with such enthusiasm and excitement. I immediately felt like I was a part of their family, and one of their own players. The University of Minnesota will provide me with the best opportunities to excel, grow as a leader, and become a better person when I leave campus after graduation. I am excited to become a part of the Gopher baseball and academic community and I can't wait to get on campus and get to work for the team."
Assistant Coach Alec Crawford on Jameson Martin: "Jameson is a true middle infielder with great glove action habits and fundamentals on defense. He's athletic and versatile, which is something we look for in young players, he can play multiple positions, run and has good arm strength. He's flashed pull-side power as a prep but will be more of a contact, gap-to-gap style hitter with a spray approach. He comes from a great high school program at St. Lawrence, which competes in one of the best high school baseball conferences in the country. Aside from everything, Jameson is coachable, has a great personality and has a passion to wear the Maroon and Gold. I'm really looking forward to having him on campus this fall and can't wait to prepare him for the next fifty years of his journey."
Jake Quinn
| Position:Â OF | Height: 6-3 | Weight: 190 | Bat/Throws:Â L/R Hometown: St. Paul, Minn. | High School: Cretin-Derham Hall Scouting Report:Â Highly talented recruit out of Cretin-Derham Hall who was one of the best players in the state as a junior and was invited to the National Showcase in Arizona for the best high school prospects in the country. Has rare five-tool talent ability, has showcased the ability to hit for average and power while combining it with 6.4 speed and has been up to 93 mph from the OF. Has the potential to hit in the middle part of the Gopher order early in his career and provide instant impact as an incoming freshman. |
A two-time Suburban East All-Conference honoree, Quinn comes to gold country after what has been an exceptional career at the storied Cretin-Derham Hall baseball program. As a sophomore, Quinn hit .328 with an on-base percentage of .423, collecting nine doubles and five stolen bases.Â
In the summer of 2022, he hit .452 with a 1.192 OPS, 13 RBI, six stolen bases, five doubles and a triple with the Dirtbags. He was selected to participate in the 2022 Prep Baseball Report Future Games at LakePoint in Emerson, Ga.
Prior to his junior year, Quinn was named a 2023 Preseason Underclass All-American by Perfect Game. In the season that followed, he hit .367 with a 1.108 OPS and 29 hits through 26 games for the Raiders. He slugged five home runs, four doubles and a triple, collecting 19 RBI with 15 walks and six stolen bases.Â
Last summer, as a member of Northstar Navy, Quinn hit .308 and got on base at a .429 clip. He tallied 10 walks, four stolen bases, and one double, triple and home run.Â
A four-year member of the President's Honor Roll list at Cretin-Derham hall, Quinn is also ranked by Perfect Game as the No. 1 outfielder in the state of Minnesota and No. 3 player overall. At the national level, he is listed as the No. 36 outfield and No. 226 player by Perfect Game.Â
The son of Jessica and Jeff Quinn, his mother played basketball at the University of St. Thomas and father swam at St. Thomas. Jake has one younger brother, Sam who swims for St. Thomas Academy. He plans on majoring in Business and Marketing at the University of Minnesota.Â
Schools Considered: Virginia, Kentucky, Iowa, Illinois, Illinois State, Bradley, Saint Louis, Butler, Memphis, Michigan State and College of Charleston.Â
Quinn on why he chose Minnesota: "I chose the University of Minnesota for many reasons. I grew up watching the maroon and gold every chance I could, and ever since, I've wanted to put on the Minnesota jersey. The Gophers are my hometown team and it is very important for me that my family and friends can come watch me play without booking a plane ticket. Another aspect is the coaching staff is filled with experience and knowledge. I feel very comfortable in their care, and I know they can help me maximize my potential. I fell in love with the atmosphere and the facilities. I'm extremely blessed to be able to call myself a future Gopher, and can't wait to be a part of the team."
Recruiting Coordinator Packy Casey on Jake Quinn: "Jake is everything you could want in a player, and a person. He wants to be at Minnesota, a great student, is passionate about being a Gopher and representing the state of Minnesota. He had an outstanding junior year and followed it up with an impressive summer where he showed the ability to do just about everything you'd want to see from a young player. He checks all of the boxes and has impressed us every step of the way in his development process. A lot of that comes from his mom and dad and the values they've instilled in Jake. He's well respected by his friends, teammates and coaches and even with the amount of success he's had thus far, he still maintained a growth mindset which is something we're always encouraging our current players to have. I'm extremely excited for Jake to join the Gopher Baseball Family along with his parents Jeff and Jessica."
Simon Skroch
| Position:Â LHP/1B | Height: 6-1 | Weight: 175Â | Bat/Throws:Â L/L Hometown: Yorkville, Ill. | High School: Yorkville Scouting Report:Â Strike throwing lefty who is just beginning to scratch the surface of his potential. Works a fastball in the high 80's with ride and late life. Breaking ball has 1-7 shape and can be thrown early in the count for strikes and for swing-and-miss later in the count. Changeup has arm-side run with sink. Fierce competitor on the mound who has racked up a ton of strikeouts early in his high school career. Is not afraid to pitch inside and can throw any pitch, in any count, for a strike. Has a smooth, repeatable delivery, and with continued strength and development could emerge as one of the better left-handed arms out of the Midwest in the 2024 class. |
Skroch joins the Gopher Baseball program after a decorated career at Yorkville High School. A three-year letter winner, Skroch has a career ERA of 2.04 in 140.2 innings pitched.
In his sophomore season, he started 10 games for Yorkville, posting a 7-1 record with a 1.35 ERA and .140 opponent batting average through 52 innings. He struck out 77 batters and allowed just 10 earned runs en route to being named to the all-conference, all-area and all-state teams.
As a junior, the southpaw hurled 54 innings, amassing 95 strikeouts while allowing just 14 earned runs. His performance for the season earned him all-conference and all-area selections. Throughout his prep career, Skroch has also maintained a spot on the high honor roll and was selected as an Illinois Student Assistance Commission 2024 State Scholar.Â
Named to the 2022 and 2023 Perfect Game Preseason Underclassmen All-America teams, Simon has been impressive on the mound over the past three summers as well. Playing for ESP Select, he has posted an 18-0 record in 25 appearances from 2021 to 2023. In 92.2 innings pitched during that span, he has an ERA of 0.45, allowing just six earned runs with 166 strikeouts.Â
Additionally, Skroch was named to the PBR at The Rock All-Tournament Team, WWBA Kernels Foundation Championship All-Tournament team, and was the WWBA Championship Pitching MVP.Â
Perfect Game ranks Skroch as the No. 5 left-handed pitcher in the state of Illinois and No. 146 LHP nationally.Â
The son of Valerie and Michael Skroch, Simon has one younger sister, Gracie. His father Michael played baseball at Aurora University and is currently the Head Baseball Coach at Romeoville High School in Romeoville, Illinois. Simon plans to major in Finance at the University of Minnesota.
Schools Considered: Belmont University, Valparaiso, Xavier, and the University of St. Thomas.
Skroch on why he chose Minnesota: "I chose the University of Minnesota because the coaching staff was excellent and extremely welcoming, and the school has great facilities and plenty of resources that will allow me to be the best I can be. I also loved the school itself and believe it is a great academic and athletic fit for me. The big school feel and lengthy history was also a plus for me and made the university stand out compared to others. The added benefit of being in the Big Ten and playing against some of the best in the country was also very important to me and made my choice very clear and easy."
Assistant Coach Alec Crawford on Simon Skroch: "Simon has an uncanny ability to strike hitters out from the left side which makes him a very valuable asset to our future pitching staff. His unwavering competitiveness and desire to deliver on a consistent basis is something that we are looking forward to seeing in the Maroon and Gold. His accolades and statistical accomplishments speak for themselves - a young man who takes baseball and academics very seriously, Simon is a great fit for the future of Gopher Baseball."
Brayden Hellum
| Position: OF | Height: 5-8 | Weight: 180 | Bat/Throws: L/L Hometown: Stillwater, Minn. | High School: Stillwater Scouting Report: Prototypical leadoff hitter with plus speed and above average arm strength. Plays with energy and intensity. Runs a 6.7/60 and throws 93 mph from the outfield. Left-handed bat who should slot immediately near the top of the Minnesota lineup. Has exceptional bat-to-ball skills with the ability to execute the short game and create problems on the basepaths for opposing teams. Is an exciting player to watch on defense, capable of playing all three outfield spots but is best utilized in centerfield where he covers considerable ground. Will be a boost to Minnesota, both offensively and defensively, upon his arrival in the fall after a successful junior college career. |
A 2022 graduate of Stillwater High School, Hellum lettered three years for the Ponies in baseball and hockey while also being named to the Stillwater Academic Honor Roll. As a senior, the lefty had one of the best seasons in school history. He holds the single-season school record of hitting .553 and shattered school records in hits (49), singles (37), total bases (69) and runs scored (35).Â
Additionally, Hellum led the team on the mound as the Ponies ace. He finished with a 6-1 record to go along with one save in 40 innings pitched, 43 strikeouts and a 1.03 ERA. By season's end, Hellum led Stillwater to a 23-4 record and the Minnesota Class 4A Championship en route to being named to the All Tournament Team.Â
Hellum's list of awards includes being named first-team All-Metro in 2022, first-team All-State Minnesota, All-Section and All-Conference (Suburban East), as well as being selected for the Play Ball Minnesota All Star team where he was named MVP of the Play Ball All Star Game series.Â
After his prep career, Hellum played his first year of junior college at North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City, where he was named second-team ICCAC Academic All-Region for the 2022 fall semester and first-team ICCAC Academic All-Region for the 2023 spring semester.Â
He led the Trojans in hits as a freshman with 65 and finished third on the team in hitting with a .340 average. Through 51 games, Hellum tallied 24 RBIs, 30 walks, and led the Trojans with 19 doubles (ranked 27th nationally). He also slugged one triple, three home runs and 23 extra base hits, finishing second on the team with 14 stolen bases while only striking out 22 times.
Brayden is the son of Sarah and Mike Hellum and has one younger sister, Kylie. He plans to major in Business at the University of Minnesota
Schools Considered: James Madison, Miami University, USC Upstate, Charleston Southern, Southeast Missouri State University.
Hellum on why he chose Minnesota: "I'm choosing to play baseball at the University of Minnesota next year because of the great academics and baseball opportunities. Growing up as a kid from Minnesota it's always been a dream of mine to be a Gopher. So when the opportunity came it was a pretty easy decision for myself. It's a great honor for me and most definitely will not be taken for granted. When I join the team next year, I hope to make an immediate impact on the team's success, and help play a big role in bringing home championships to the university. It would personally mean a lot to me to help maintain the great culture that the University of Minnesota provides, as well as be a leader on and off the field in any way I can. I'm very grateful for the opportunity, and I can't wait to see what the future holds for Gopher Baseball!"
Recruiting Coordinator Packy Casey on Brayden Hellum: "Brayden was meant to be a Gopher. He embodies everything that makes this program great. He's a hard-nosed Minnesota kid who has a passion to wear the Maroon and Gold and represent the state with integrity and pride. He comes from one of the best high school programs in the state at Stillwater, won a State Championship there and has continued to perform at a high level in junior college. I initially wanted Brayden out of high school, and we came close to signing him but didn't have roster room at the time. His time in junior college has afforded him immediate playing time, the ability to develop his body and progress in his academic goals. Brayden is everything I want in a player, plays with a high motor, has tons of energy and can really hit. He's an exciting player to watch but most importantly he's a true representation of Minnesota- hard working, tough, dedicated and passionate. I'm extremely excited to welcome Brayden to the Golden Gopher Baseball Family, along with his parents Mike and Sarah."
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First Practice of Fall
Thursday, September 18
Weber Neels Highlights
Wednesday, May 28
Gophers (11) - Michigan State (5) Highlights
Friday, May 16
Gophers (4) - Michigan State (3) Highlights
Thursday, May 15