University of Minnesota Athletics
Baseball Adds Six During Early Signing Period
12/15/2008 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Minnesota baseball team has signed Ryan Abrahamson, David Bettenburg, Kevin Kray and TJ Oakes to national letters of intent, and added recruited walk-on Kyle O’Shea and Billy Soule Jr. to the team during the early signing period according to an announcement made by Minnesota head coach John Anderson. All six players will be eligible to compete for the Golden Gophers in the 2010 season.
Abrahamson is a 6-3, 200 pound infielder out of Tartan High School. In his junior season with the program, Abrahamson batted .487 with 22 runs, 13 doubles, five home runs, 27 RBI, and was named All-Conference as a junior.
Bettenburg is a 6-1, 180 pound outfield out of Cretin Derham Hall. In his junior season, Bettenburg batted .429 with 14 runs, five doubles, six home runs and 13 RBI, and was named All-Conference in his junior season
Kray is a 5-11, 170 pound right-hander out of Osseo High School. In his junior season, Kray was an All-Conference pick after going 5-1 with a 0.23 ERA and 63 strikeouts in his junior season. He also batted .407 with two home runs, 18 RBI and 12 stolen bases. Kray is also a standout on Osseo’s hockey team, and had 17 goals and 18 assists last year for Osseo High School.
Oakes, who is the son of current Pitching Coach Todd Oakes, is a 6-5, 215 pound right-hander out of Jordan High School. In his junior season, he was 6-1 with a 0.42 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 49.2 innings. Oakes, who is regarded as one of the region’s top pitchers, also was 8-0 with a 1.07 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 58 innings in his sophomore season.
He also was named the conference Pitcher of the Year in 2008, and has received All-Conference honors the last two seasons. Oakes was invited to the USA Baseball Tournament this past summer as well.
O’Shea is a 6-1, 180 pound left-handed pitcher out of Centennial High School in Blaine, Minn. He was 2-4 with a 4.00 and struck out 51 batters in 35.0 innings. He is also the brother of current Golden Gopher Nick O’Shea.
Soule is a 6-0, 168 pound right-handed pitcher out of Wayzata High School. He is a letterwinner in both hockey and baseball. Heading into this senior season he is the captain for Wayzata Hockey team. Soule was also a former bat-boy for the Golden Gophers for several years.
“This class as a whole is a little smaller then the previous two by design, but it does a good job of meeting the needs we have," said Anderson. “We added some quality pitching, along with a strong middle infielder and good left-handed hitting outfielder. This is a great of players who really wanted to be a part of our program, and should all contribute to the team during their respective careers.”
Recruit Pos. B-T Ht. Wt. Hometown (High School)
Ryan Abrahamson IF R-R 6-3 200 Oakdale, Minn. (Tartan)
David Bettenburg OF L-L 6-1 180 St. Paul, Minn. (Cretin-Derham Hall)
Kevin Kray RHP R-R 5-11 170 Osseo, Minn. (Osseo)
TJ Oakes RHP R-R 6-5 215 Jordan, Minn. (Jordan)
Kyle O’Shea LHP R-L 6-1 180 Blaine, Minn. (Centennial)
Billy Soule Jr. RHP L-R 6-0 168 Wayzata, Minn. (Wayzata)
Ryan Abrahamson (on Coming to Minnesota) “I chose the University of Minnesota because I have grown up watching the Golden Gophers in a number of sports. It is also close to home, and I like the tradition the baseball program has had over the years. I wanted to become part of that tradition. I am also looking forward to working the Minnesota coaching staff.”
Rob Fornasiere Minnesota Assistant Head Coach (Recruiting Coordinator) on Ryan Abrahamson “Ryan is a physical infielder with a very good arm, speed and pop in his bat. He has the athleticism to be either a corner infielder or outfielder for our program.”
David Bettenburg (on Coming to Minnesota) “My family has been long time fans of the Golden Gophers, and I am honored to continue the excellent tradition of Cretin-Derham Hall players going to play for the University of Minnesota baseball program. I also am excited about the amazing academic opportunity the University of Minnesota will provide. The University of Minnesota baseball program has always had well-rounded student-athletes. I was inspired by one of those former players Tony Leseman, who is one of my coaches. I was also very impressed by the University of Minnesota coaching staff. I have also wanted to play at the University of Minnesota, and am excited that my family will have the opportunity to come and watch me play.”
Rob Fornasiere Minnesota Assistant Head Coach (Recruiting Coordinator) on David Bettenburg “David is a very good athlete with speed, a strong arm and a top flight bat. He fills a need for us as a good left-handed bat in the outfield.”
Rob Fornasiere Minnesota Assistant Head Coach (Recruiting Coordinator) on Kevin Kray “Kevin has an electric arm with a plus fastball and hard curveball. At this point, he is an emerging talented who has just scratched the surface.”
TJ Oakes (on Coming to Minnesota) “I selected the University of Minnesota because of the outstanding baseball program, and the quality of academics. The tradition of Golden Gopher baseball has been great over the years, and I am really glad that I can now be a part of it. ”
Rob Fornasiere Minnesota Assistant Head Coach (Recruiting Coordinator) on TJ Oakes “TJ is one of the most talented pitchers in the region. He has exhibited excellent control and great command of his pitched with only eight walks in 115 innings pitched. TJ is not only excellent on the field talent, but he is also an excellent student.”
Kyle O’Shea (on Coming to Minnesota) “Over the past few years, I have gotten to know the coaches at camps and in the Fall League, and I have really enjoyed working with them. I have also become familiar with the program through my brother Nick (O’Shea), who is a current member of the team. The University of Minnesota baseball program has a great tradition, and I look forward to contributing to that.”
Rob Fornasiere Minnesota Assistant Head Coach (Recruiting Coordinator) on Kyle O’Shea “He is the brother of current Golden Gopher Nick O’Shea, and has a live arm with huge upside. Kyle has a very solid foundation to be a very good left-handed pitcher. He is also an excellent student.”
Billy Soule Jr. (on Coming to Minnesota) “I have always wanted to play for the Golden Gophers. The University of Minnesota has a history of outstanding coaches, great players and excellent accomplishments. I am looking forward to play with the current team members who are first-class players and people.”
Rob Fornasiere Minnesota Assistant Head Coach (Recruiting Coordinator) on Billy Soule Jr. “Billy has a quick arm with very good command of two pitches coming out of high school. He is also a very competitive athlete who will fit in well with our program.”
Abrahamson is a 6-3, 200 pound infielder out of Tartan High School. In his junior season with the program, Abrahamson batted .487 with 22 runs, 13 doubles, five home runs, 27 RBI, and was named All-Conference as a junior.
Bettenburg is a 6-1, 180 pound outfield out of Cretin Derham Hall. In his junior season, Bettenburg batted .429 with 14 runs, five doubles, six home runs and 13 RBI, and was named All-Conference in his junior season
Kray is a 5-11, 170 pound right-hander out of Osseo High School. In his junior season, Kray was an All-Conference pick after going 5-1 with a 0.23 ERA and 63 strikeouts in his junior season. He also batted .407 with two home runs, 18 RBI and 12 stolen bases. Kray is also a standout on Osseo’s hockey team, and had 17 goals and 18 assists last year for Osseo High School.
Oakes, who is the son of current Pitching Coach Todd Oakes, is a 6-5, 215 pound right-hander out of Jordan High School. In his junior season, he was 6-1 with a 0.42 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 49.2 innings. Oakes, who is regarded as one of the region’s top pitchers, also was 8-0 with a 1.07 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 58 innings in his sophomore season.
He also was named the conference Pitcher of the Year in 2008, and has received All-Conference honors the last two seasons. Oakes was invited to the USA Baseball Tournament this past summer as well.
O’Shea is a 6-1, 180 pound left-handed pitcher out of Centennial High School in Blaine, Minn. He was 2-4 with a 4.00 and struck out 51 batters in 35.0 innings. He is also the brother of current Golden Gopher Nick O’Shea.
Soule is a 6-0, 168 pound right-handed pitcher out of Wayzata High School. He is a letterwinner in both hockey and baseball. Heading into this senior season he is the captain for Wayzata Hockey team. Soule was also a former bat-boy for the Golden Gophers for several years.
“This class as a whole is a little smaller then the previous two by design, but it does a good job of meeting the needs we have," said Anderson. “We added some quality pitching, along with a strong middle infielder and good left-handed hitting outfielder. This is a great of players who really wanted to be a part of our program, and should all contribute to the team during their respective careers.”
Recruit Pos. B-T Ht. Wt. Hometown (High School)
Ryan Abrahamson IF R-R 6-3 200 Oakdale, Minn. (Tartan)
David Bettenburg OF L-L 6-1 180 St. Paul, Minn. (Cretin-Derham Hall)
Kevin Kray RHP R-R 5-11 170 Osseo, Minn. (Osseo)
TJ Oakes RHP R-R 6-5 215 Jordan, Minn. (Jordan)
Kyle O’Shea LHP R-L 6-1 180 Blaine, Minn. (Centennial)
Billy Soule Jr. RHP L-R 6-0 168 Wayzata, Minn. (Wayzata)
Ryan Abrahamson (on Coming to Minnesota) “I chose the University of Minnesota because I have grown up watching the Golden Gophers in a number of sports. It is also close to home, and I like the tradition the baseball program has had over the years. I wanted to become part of that tradition. I am also looking forward to working the Minnesota coaching staff.”
Rob Fornasiere Minnesota Assistant Head Coach (Recruiting Coordinator) on Ryan Abrahamson “Ryan is a physical infielder with a very good arm, speed and pop in his bat. He has the athleticism to be either a corner infielder or outfielder for our program.”
David Bettenburg (on Coming to Minnesota) “My family has been long time fans of the Golden Gophers, and I am honored to continue the excellent tradition of Cretin-Derham Hall players going to play for the University of Minnesota baseball program. I also am excited about the amazing academic opportunity the University of Minnesota will provide. The University of Minnesota baseball program has always had well-rounded student-athletes. I was inspired by one of those former players Tony Leseman, who is one of my coaches. I was also very impressed by the University of Minnesota coaching staff. I have also wanted to play at the University of Minnesota, and am excited that my family will have the opportunity to come and watch me play.”
Rob Fornasiere Minnesota Assistant Head Coach (Recruiting Coordinator) on David Bettenburg “David is a very good athlete with speed, a strong arm and a top flight bat. He fills a need for us as a good left-handed bat in the outfield.”
Rob Fornasiere Minnesota Assistant Head Coach (Recruiting Coordinator) on Kevin Kray “Kevin has an electric arm with a plus fastball and hard curveball. At this point, he is an emerging talented who has just scratched the surface.”
TJ Oakes (on Coming to Minnesota) “I selected the University of Minnesota because of the outstanding baseball program, and the quality of academics. The tradition of Golden Gopher baseball has been great over the years, and I am really glad that I can now be a part of it. ”
Rob Fornasiere Minnesota Assistant Head Coach (Recruiting Coordinator) on TJ Oakes “TJ is one of the most talented pitchers in the region. He has exhibited excellent control and great command of his pitched with only eight walks in 115 innings pitched. TJ is not only excellent on the field talent, but he is also an excellent student.”
Kyle O’Shea (on Coming to Minnesota) “Over the past few years, I have gotten to know the coaches at camps and in the Fall League, and I have really enjoyed working with them. I have also become familiar with the program through my brother Nick (O’Shea), who is a current member of the team. The University of Minnesota baseball program has a great tradition, and I look forward to contributing to that.”
Rob Fornasiere Minnesota Assistant Head Coach (Recruiting Coordinator) on Kyle O’Shea “He is the brother of current Golden Gopher Nick O’Shea, and has a live arm with huge upside. Kyle has a very solid foundation to be a very good left-handed pitcher. He is also an excellent student.”
Billy Soule Jr. (on Coming to Minnesota) “I have always wanted to play for the Golden Gophers. The University of Minnesota has a history of outstanding coaches, great players and excellent accomplishments. I am looking forward to play with the current team members who are first-class players and people.”
Rob Fornasiere Minnesota Assistant Head Coach (Recruiting Coordinator) on Billy Soule Jr. “Billy has a quick arm with very good command of two pitches coming out of high school. He is also a very competitive athlete who will fit in well with our program.”
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