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Gophers Rookie Class Tops Big Ten in Rankings
9/25/2018 12:16:00 PM | Baseball
TUCSON, Ariz. – The Gopher Baseball team landed the no. 37 national rank as Collegiate Baseball compiled its annual list of NCAA Division I's top 2018 recruiting classes, announced Monday.
Minnesota is the top-ranked team in the Big Ten and the only one cracking the top 40, with nine conference opponents receiving recognition among other top classes outside the rankings. LSU received the top billing from the organization. Collegiate Baseball has ranked the nation's best incoming classes for the past 36 seasons.
"This class embodies the talent and athleticism that was necessary to replace eight players we lost through graduation and the MLB draft," said head coach John Anderson. "We added four right- handed and three left-handed hitters that were necessary to balance our line-up, two catchers to give us the depth we need at this important position, and two quality arms. These players have a strong desire to wear the 'M' as well as the motivation and make-up that will translate to consistent, optimal performance on the field, in the classroom and in the community."
This year's fresh crop of Gophers includes four of the top players from the state of Minnesota in infielders Zack Elliott and Zack Raabe, outfielder Otto Grimm, and catcher Riley Swenson, three Illinois products in right-handed pitcher J.P. Massey, catcher Chase Stanke, and infielder Andrew Wilhite, Wisconsin infielder Noah Berghammer, and South Dakota right-hander Gus Radel.
Stanke and Radel each received national rankings from both Perfect Game and Prep Baseball Report, while Berghammer, Grimm, Raabe, and Wilhite were each ranked as the top players at their position in their home state. Six members of the incoming class achieved All-America status during their prep careers. For more on the group, check out the original announcements about the class last season here and here.
The rookie nine can be seen along with their Gophers teammates at Siebert Field this weekend as the team's fall intra-squad series, Steak 'n' Beans, continues on Friday and Saturday afternoon.
Minnesota is the top-ranked team in the Big Ten and the only one cracking the top 40, with nine conference opponents receiving recognition among other top classes outside the rankings. LSU received the top billing from the organization. Collegiate Baseball has ranked the nation's best incoming classes for the past 36 seasons.
"This class embodies the talent and athleticism that was necessary to replace eight players we lost through graduation and the MLB draft," said head coach John Anderson. "We added four right- handed and three left-handed hitters that were necessary to balance our line-up, two catchers to give us the depth we need at this important position, and two quality arms. These players have a strong desire to wear the 'M' as well as the motivation and make-up that will translate to consistent, optimal performance on the field, in the classroom and in the community."
This year's fresh crop of Gophers includes four of the top players from the state of Minnesota in infielders Zack Elliott and Zack Raabe, outfielder Otto Grimm, and catcher Riley Swenson, three Illinois products in right-handed pitcher J.P. Massey, catcher Chase Stanke, and infielder Andrew Wilhite, Wisconsin infielder Noah Berghammer, and South Dakota right-hander Gus Radel.
Stanke and Radel each received national rankings from both Perfect Game and Prep Baseball Report, while Berghammer, Grimm, Raabe, and Wilhite were each ranked as the top players at their position in their home state. Six members of the incoming class achieved All-America status during their prep careers. For more on the group, check out the original announcements about the class last season here and here.
The rookie nine can be seen along with their Gophers teammates at Siebert Field this weekend as the team's fall intra-squad series, Steak 'n' Beans, continues on Friday and Saturday afternoon.
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