University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota Baseball Adds Nine During Early Signing Period
11/22/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Minnesota baseball team has added nine players to the program for the 2008 season according an announcement by Minnesota Head Coach John Anderson on Wednesday, Nov. 22. Minnesota signed Kyle Geason, Dustin Klabunde, Mike Kvasnicka, AJ Pettersen, Trip Schultz, Seth Rosin, Cullen Sexton and Luke Rasmussen to National Letters of Intent, and has added Nick O’Shea as a walk-on.
Geason is a 6-1, 180 pound infielder from Eden Prairie High School. He helped lead the Eden Prairie Legion Team to a state championship in both 2005 and 2006. Geason played with current Golden Gopher Nate Hanson as a member of the 2006 team. His team advanced to the American Legion Regional Championships in 2006. As a junior, Geason was voted the team MVP, was named All-Conference and was voted the “Best Fielder” on the team. He is also a safety on the football team that has advanced to the State Championship game to face Lakeville South on Nov. 24.
Klabunde is a 6-4, 190 pound right-handed pitcher from McLeod West High School in Brownton, Minn. He was All-State, All-Area and is a two-time All-Conference honoree at McLeod West. In his junior season, he was 10-1 with a 1.56 ERA, and 118 strikeouts in 80.2 innings of work.
Kvasnicka is a 6-2, 195 pound outfielder/infielder from Lakeville North High School in Lakeville, Minn. He batted .492 with four home runs and 29 RBI as a junior. Kvasnicka was named All-State, All-Metro and All-Conference in his junior season. He was also named All-Conference in hockey as a junior and Honorable Mention All-Conference in football last year. Kvasnicka was named one of the top 300 high school players in the nation by Baseball America.
O’Shea is a 6-2, 200 pound catcher out of Centennial High School. He is a two-time All-Conference catcher for Centennial. O’Shea also batted .400 with four home runs and 27 RBI in his junior season.
Pettersen is 5-9, 155 pound infielder from Minnetonka High School in Minnetonka, Minn. He was named Classic Lake All-Conference and All-Section in his junior season. Pettersen also batted .387, had a .485 on-base percentage, and added two home runs and 24 RBI that year.
Rasmussen is a 6-1, 185 pound pitcher/outfielder from Northfield High School. As a junior, Rasmussen was 5-2 with a 1.14 ERA and struck out 49 batters in 49.1 innings of work, and batted .382. He was also named All-Conference and All-Region for Northfield. Rasmussen was named Honorable Mention All-Conference in his sophomore year.
Rosin is a 6-6, 240 pound right-handed pitcher from Mounds View High School, which is the same high school that produced former Golden Gopher Andy Peters. Last year, Rosin won the Team’s CY Young Award and was named Honorable Mention All-Conference. He also pitched Legion Ball for the Tri-City Red where he went 6-2 with a save, a 2.60 ERA and 51 strikeouts in 58 innings of work.
Schultz is a 6-1, 205 pound outfielder from Forest Lake High School in Forest Lake, Minn. As a junior last year, he was named Honorable Mention All-State and was named First-Team All-Conference. Schultz was also Honorable Mention All-Conference in his sophomore season. He is coached by former Golden Gopher Brian Raabe, who played for the Golden Gophers from 1987-90. He also ran for 1,100 yards and scored 12 touchdowns for the football team this year.
Sexton is a 6-4, 180 pound right-handed pitcher from Stevens Point Area Senior High School in Stevens Point, Wis. He was Second-Team All-District and All-Conference in his junior season. Sexton also pitched in the Midwest Classic Baseball Tournament, where he shut down the Minnesota team by giving up one run, four hits and striking out eight in 3-1 victory for the Wisconsin team. Sexton was also the starting quarterback to the football team, who he helped lead to the Division 1 State Semifinals.
“This an extremely big and very athletic class that we signed this year,” said Anderson. “It is probably one of the most talented groups we have brought into the program since I have been here. Heading into this year, we knew we had 12 seniors to replace after this season, and several players who have a shot at the draft. We went about trying to fill those needs, and I think the number and quality of players that we got with this class will go a long way towards doing that. I feel like all of these players are a great fit for the university both on and off the field. Throughout the recruiting process you could tell that they had a strong desire to be part of our program, and that they were quality kids. That is a big part of what excites about this group, along with the obvious talent that this group possesses.”
Recruit Pos. B-T Ht. Wt. Hometown (High School)
Kyle Geason IF R-R 6-1 180 Eden Prairie, Minn. (Eden Prairie)
Dustin Kalbunde RHP R-R 6-4 190 Brownton, Minn. (McLeod West)
Mike Kvasnicka OF/IF R-R 6-2 195 Lakeville, Minn. (Lakeville North)
Nick O’Shea C R-R 6-2 200 Blaine, Minn. (Centennial)
AJ Pettersen IF R-R 5-9 155 Minnetonka, Minn. (Minnetonka)
Luke Rasmussen P/OF L-L 6-1 185 Faribault, Minn. (Northfield)
Seth Rosin RHP R-R 6-6 240 Shoreview (Mounds View)
Trip Schultz OF L-L 6-1 205 Forest Lake, Minn. (Forest Lake)
Cullen Sexton RHP R-R 6-4 180 Plover, Wis. (Stevens Point)
Kyle Geason (on Coming to Minnesota) – “I feel very lucky to have been part of two great baseball programs at Eden Prairie High School and the Eden Prairie Legion teams, and I am honored to join a great baseball program at the University of Minnesota. It is a program with a strong and successful history, and I can’t wait to put on the Maroon and Gold.”
Rob Fornasiere Assistant Head Coach (Recruiting Coordinator) on Kyle Gleason – “Kyle is an athletic strong infielder with multi-position capability. He is a very good athlete who also plays safety on the Eden Prairie football team. Kyle is a very good student who will be a strong fit with our program”
Dustin Klabunde (on Coming to Minnesota) – “I am excited to go to a program in the University of Minnesota that has a great tradition, and has been really good the past couple of years. I really like and trust the coaching staff a lot. It is a great campus, and the location is close to home which works out well for me. It is a perfect fit athletically and academically.”
Rob Fornasiere Assistant Head Coach (Recruiting Coordinator) on Dustin Klabunde – “Dustin is a very athletic pitcher who is a three-sport star at McLeod West. He is the top arm in Minnesota out of this year’s senior class. Dustin has a live arm and has touched 90 to 94 mph on his fastball.”
Mike Kvasnicka (on Coming to Minnesota) – “I am really excited about the opportunity to start a new phase in my life in 10 months, and to get my career started at University of Minnesota. I have been going to camps there since I was 10 years old, and I remember my dad coming to pick me up, and it turning into long conversation with the coaching staff, because of how much they all got along. With my father having played at the University of Minnesota, and knowing what a great coaching staff they have, it was always a goal of mine to play for the Golden Gophers. I am looking forward to getting started. I think the one thing I have always observed about the program is what great coaches and players they are. I think there is a definite correlation between the two. I think the coaching staff makes sure they are getting quality people when they recruit players, and you can tell when you are around the players on the team. The coaching staff told me when I visited that they want to help prepare me for the next 50 years of my life and not only for baseball. It is exciting to be part of such a winning tradition, but at the same time know you are not just a number to them.”
Rob Fornasiere Assistant Head Coach (Recruiting Coordinator) on Mike Kvasnicka – “Mike will be a second-generation Golden Gopher, following in the footsteps of his dad Jay who played here from 1986-88. Mike is one of the top prospects in the Midwest. He is a very talented three-sport star at Lakeville North High School who plays baseball, football and hockey. Mike is a versatile athlete who will play all over the diamond, has a very strong arm and is a powerful hitter.”
Nick O’Shea (on Coming to Minnesota) – “I am really excited to be going to the University of Minnesota and to be part of a program with such a rich tradition. I am looking forward to being on the same team with some of the guys that I grew up playing with the in the area, and meeting the other players and joining then together in the process of continuing to succeed at a high level in the program. I am also excited about working with the coaching staff. I have had the opportunity to be around them during camps and in the Fall League and look forward to learning and improving under them.”
Rob Fornasiere Assistant Head Coach (Recruiting Coordinator) on Nick O’Shea – “Nick is a strong catcher with power and a strong arm. He is an excellent student who is planning on studying engineering at the University of Minnesota. Nick is an emerging talent who turned down several Division I opportunities be part of our program.”
AJ Pettersen (on Coming to Minnesota) – “The University of Minnesota baseball program really appealed to me because it has such a rich history and they always play such great competition. I am also excited to get to learn from a great coaching staff.”
Rob Fornasiere Assistant Head Coach (Recruiting Coordinator) on AJ Pettersen – “AJ is a wiry strong action player with strong passion and desire. He reminds the Golden Gopher baseball staff of Brian Raabe. AJ has speed, a very strong arm and is a top notch student.”
Luke Rasmussen (on Coming to Minnesota) – “I am really excited to play at the University of Minnesota. As a kid growing up in the state of Minnesota it was always a dream to be a Golden Gopher. Another big reason I selected the program was the coaching staff. I feel they will help me improve as a player and help me take my game to the next level. I am also looking forward to working with the Pitching Coach Todd Oakes. Basically I am extremely proud to have the chance to play for the University of Minnesota.”
Rob Fornasiere Assistant Head Coach (Recruiting Coordinator) on Luke Rasmussen – “Outstanding athlete who may project as both a pitcher and outfielder at the college level. He is a talented player who can play anywhere and will provide versatility to our team. Outstanding student who is a perfect fit for the program.”
Seth Rosin (on Coming to Minnesota) – “I am grateful for the opportunity to play for such a successful program. I am excited to be part of a program that has such a rich history and tradition. I also think it will be a great opportunity to work with some great coaches and continue to improve throughout my career under their guidance.”
Rob Fornasiere Assistant Head Coach (Recruiting Coordinator) on Seth Rosin – “Hard throwing righthander with the arm strength and size to be intimidating on the hill. He has a quick arm, and can reach 90 mph. Talented athlete that also plays basketball as Mounds View..”
Tripp Schultz (on Coming to Minnesota) – “I think one of the biggest things that drew to me to the program was that it is the home-state university and a place where I have wanted to attend for a while. The coaching staff also played a big part in my decision where to go. They were very honest with me throughout the whole process and I look forward to playing for them and improving under them. I also enjoyed the players on the team and the campus. Overall, it was a very good fit and I am looking forward to being part of the program.”
Rob Fornasiere Assistant Head Coach (Recruiting Coordinator) on Tripp Schultz – “Tripp fills our need for a pure lefthanded (L-L) outfielder. He has power, speed and is a very physical outfielder. Tripp gained over 1,000 yards in football this past fall for Forest Lake High School. He is also a very good student who is a good fit for our program.”
Rob Fornasiere Assistant Head Coach (Recruiting Coordinator) on Cullen Sexton – “Athletic hard-throwing righthander who was considered the top arm in Wisconsin in the 2007 senior class. Cullen was also the starting quarterback for Stevens Point High School and ranked No. 1 academically in a class of 605.”
