University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota Signs Alex Tukey
6/18/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Minnesota baseball team has signed Alex Tukey to a letter of intent according to Head Coach John Anderson. Tukey will be eligible to pitch for Minnesota in the 2010 season.
Tukey is a 6-4, 160 pound righthander out of Torrey Pines High School in San Diego, Calif. He was named Honorable-Mention All-Conference at Torrey Pines and tied for a team-high with 15 appearances, primarily as a closer, in his senior season. Tukey was part of a Torrey Pines team that finished 22-10 and won the Avocado League with a 12-3 record. He also helped Torrey Pines make the sectional playoffs.
He is the brother of former Golden Gopher swimmer Valerie Tukey, who competed for Minnesota from 2004-08. His parents, Robert and Joan, also are University of Minnesota alumni.
Tukey, who is the first Golden Gopher since Ben Pattee top hail from California since Ben Pattee, joins Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year Ryan Abrahamson, First-Team All-State honorees David Bettenberg, TJ Oakes and Billy Soule Jr., Second-Team All-State honoree Kyle O'Shea and Kevin Kray as part of the group of incoming freshmen that will join the Golden Gophers next year.
"What really impressed me about Alex (Tukey) was that he was very educated about the recruiting process and knew where he wanted to go from the beginning of the process," said Anderson. "Alex is a pitcher who made great strides during his senior season, and has a chance to come in an contribute right away to our program. We are getting a young man who really wants to be here, and a mature person who is ready to excel on and off the field in this program."
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)
Alex Tukey RHP R-R 6-4 160 San Diego, Calif. (Torrey Pines)
Minnesota Pitching Coach Todd Oakes on Alex Tukey: "Alex has made significant progress as a pitcher in the past year. He has worked very hard to improve himself physically and emotionally on the mound. He made a few starts on a very good high school team in the San Diego area but settled in as the closer for his team this spring. He typically pitches in the 90-94 mph range with an improved breaking ball. Alex is a great match for this program with his pitching ability and potential as well as a very strong academic profile. He has strong family connections with the University of Minnesota and wanted to follow the tradition. We are very fortunate to add a pitcher of his caliber in the spring signing period."
Alex Tukey on joining the University of Minnesota: "The decision to attend the University of Minnesota was a clear choice for me. I really enjoyed talking to the coaching staff and I got along with the players on the team. It was a group that seemed focused on success both on and off the field, and that fits what I am looking for. I also really enjoyed talking Pitching Coach Todd (Oakes). A lot of his philosophies lined up with my attitude as a player and I look forward to working with him. I am looking forward to getting a good education at Minnesota, and being part of a great program."
Torrey Pines Head Coach Matt Chess on Alex Tukey: "Alex was a bulldog on the mound for us last year, who pitched his best in tough situations for us last year. He is a hard working kid who is a very respectful of others. I am impressed by his high ceiling, and I think we started to see his whole package come together this year. He grew this year from an athletic and maturity standpoint in his senior season. He has a great makeup and a very good foundation to build on as he heads to the college level."
