University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
Gopher Baseball Signs 10 to 2021 Recruiting Class
2/5/2021 3:00:00 PM | Baseball
Making up this year's signing class are right-handed pitcher/infielder Chase Becker (Coralville, Iowa), right-handed pitcher/infielder Seth Clausen (Bettendorf, Iowa), infielder Brady Counsell (Milwaukee, Wis.), outfielder/first baseman Jared Everson (Holmen, Wis.), infielder Jake Larson (Covington, Wash.), right-handed pitcher Sam Malec (Woodbury, Minn.), left-handed pitcher Tucker Novotny (Cottage Grove, Minn.), catcher/infielder/outfielder Jake Perry (Hopkins, Minn.), left-handed pitcher Noah Rooney (Perham, Minn.) and right-handed pitcher Alec Willis (Denver, Colo.).
"This was a challenging year from a recruiting standpoint, but we couldn't be more pleased with the group we have coming in," Anderson said. "Initially, we were planning the construction of the '21 class before the pandemic hit, but the cancelation of last season coupled with the extra eligibility and the changes to the Major League Draft ended up changing everything for us."
The incoming 2021 class is well-balanced, featuring four pitchers and four positional players to go along with a pair of two-way talents. Also a diverse group geographically, this year's signees represent five different states with four of these future Gophers hailing from Minnesota.
"The one area we knew we needed to focus on was pitching, with 25 current seniors and draft-eligible players on the roster and 13 of those being pitchers," Anderson said. "It was a major priority to replenish the talent on the staff. The six pitchers we've recruited are all high-end performers both on and off the field, with bright futures and the chance to make an immediate impact. The position players we have coming in fit our program perfectly. Each of them are versatile, internally motivated and multi-tooled athletes who will be able to fit into our defensive and offensive systems here at Minnesota very quickly. Our coaching staff is very excited to welcome this very talented 2021 class to the Gopher Baseball family!"
Jump to: Becker | Clausen | Counsell | Everson | Larson | Malec | Novotny | Perry | Rooney | Willis
Chase Becker
| Position: RHP/3B | Height: 6-4 | Weight: 225 | Bat/Throws: R/R Hometown: Coralville, Iowa | High School: Next Level Academy Scouting Report: A powerfully built athlete at six-foot-four, 225 pounds. Works in the high 80s with his fastball from a high three-quarters arm slot. Features a curveball (74-76 MPH) and changeup (79 MPH) with cutting action. Very loose arm action and good direction. Competitor on the mound who throws strikes and knows how to get hitters out. At the plate, takes violent hacks and can really do damage with his bat speed. Could potentially see time at either corner infield spot or in the outfield. |
Becker arrives in Gold Country after an impressive prep career, which he is set to complete this coming spring in Wetumpka, Alabama at Next Level Academy. The Coralville, Iowa native is a two-way player in addition to being a three-sport athlete in football, baseball and basketball, owning First Team All-River Valley Conference honors on the court. He earned four combined varsity letters in baseball under head coach Bret Hoyer at John F. Kennedy High School in Iowa and under his father, Todd, at Regina Catholic High School.
During his previous two years on the diamond, Becker has collected a handful of individual honors. As a sophomore in 2019, he was named Third Team All-State, First Team All-District and First Team All-River Valley Conference on top of being an Iowa City Area Prep Super Team player. On the mound, he registered two wins in 30 innings pitched with a 3.65 ERA, striking out 42 while limiting opponents to a .182 batting average against. In the batter's box, he posted a gaudy .417/.581/.690 slash line with one home run, 17 extra base hits, 26 runs scored, 28 RBI, 27 walks and 29 stolen bases.
For his junior encore in 2020, Becker once again garnered Iowa City Area Prep Super Team, First Team All-District and All-Conference honors, but elevated his All-State status to a Second Team selection thanks to a .385/.467/.641 batting line. Across a shortened summer season in Iowa, Becker recorded one triple, 11 runs scored, 13 RBI, three walks and seven stolen bases. As the staff ace, he posted a 2-0 record with a 1.37 ERA in 15 1/3 innings pitched to go along with 22 strikeouts, a 0.98 WHIP and a .161 batting average against.
In the high school offseason, Becker competed for Hitters Baseball Academy where he played for coaches RJ Fergus and Tim Schultz, as well as with the Diamondbacks Scout Team, appearing at the 2020 World Wood Bat Association World Championship for the latter squad. Ranked as the top-rated third baseman in Iowa by Perfect Game, Becker is the No. 19 overall player in the state and holds status as a top-500 player nationally, being the No. 71 third baseman in the country and No. 1 overall third basemen in Iowa. As one of the top high school talents in the country, Becker will play for the Rockford Rivets of the Northwoods League this upcoming summer.
Chase is the son of Julie and Todd Becker. He also has two sisters, Jade and Kailee. Chase will arrive at the U with closely-knit family connections, as aunts Vicki and Mary are both proud graduates of Minnesota. While following in their footsteps as a U of M student, he intends to major in sport management.
Schools Also Considered: Illinois, Iowa, Memphis, Southern Mississippi, Cal Poly, Oklahoma State, Missouri, Grand Canyon
Becker on why he chose Minnesota: "From the first time I stepped on campus and Siebert Field, I instantly felt a connection of being at home. Coach Anderson and his staff made me feel like I was part of the Gopher family. When I spoke to each of the coaches on staff, they never just asked about me about how I was doing. They always wanted to know how my family was doing as well. This showed me what type of people they are and how they genuinely cared about my life and not just me as a player. On my visit, Coach Anderson talked about preparing us for the next 50 years of our lives. That really hit home to me since my parents, whom both coached at the college level, instilled in me that athletics is an opportunity to develop life skills after your playing days are over. As a student-athlete at the University of Minnesota, I am overly excited to not only help my team win Big Ten Championships, but also get back to Omaha and compete for another NCAA Championship. And most importantly, I am looking forward to building lifelong friendships with my teammates and receiving a degree from the University of Minnesota."
Assistant Coach Packy Casey on Becker: "There's a ton to like with Chase both on the mound and at the plate. Over the last few years, we've had a lot of success developing two-way players like Matt Fiedler, Max Meyer and more recently, Sam Ireland. We feel that Chase will fit into that same mold. He's extremely athletic with an electric arm, a repeatable delivery and the ability to fill up the strike zone. As he continues to refine his delivery, improve his secondary pitches and develop his body, there's a lot to be excited about with him being a part of our future pitching staff. Over the last year, we've seen a big jump at the plate with him. He's really worked hard to add good weight to his body and the results have shown in his performance. At six-foot-four, 225 pounds, he's going to be a powerful right-handed hitter for us with the ability to drive the ball to all fields, hit with pull-side power and be a tough out with two strikes. Chase will remind Gopher fans of Dustin Barbender on the mound and Ryan Abrahamson at the plate. We're very excited to have Chase, his father, Todd, and mother, Julie, as part of the Gopher Baseball family."
Top
Seth Clausen
| Position: RHP/INF | Height: 6-0 | Weight: 195 | Bat/Throws: R/R Hometown: Bettendorf, Iowa | High School: Pleasant Valley Scouting Report: Two-way talent with a fastball (92 MPH), curveball (78-79 MPH) and changeup (82-84 MPH) on the mound. Was a force at the plate for Pleasant Valley last summer, slugging .514 with eight extra base hits as the everyday shortstop. Gifted athlete with strong frame, quick arm and high baseball IQ to go along with fierce competitiveness. |
As Perfect Game's fourth-ranked right-handed pitcher in Iowa and eighth-ranked overall player in the state, Clausen comes to the Maroon & Gold as a highly-accomplished hurler out of Pleasant Valley High School, where he excelled under head coach Derek Stecklein. Also a multi-sport athlete, Clausen lettered in basketball at Pleasant Valley and competed in football as a freshman.
Despite his wide range of athletic talents, the mound is where Clausen truly shines. During his sophomore 2019 season, the young righty helped power Pleasant Valley to an appearance in the Iowa State High School Baseball Tournament by going 1-0 with a 3.80 ERA and an impressive 29 strikeouts in 18 1/3 frames. Clausen also chipped in offensively, registering a .385 on-base percentage across 78 plate appearances. As a result, he was named Second Team All-District and Honorable Mention All-Conference.
The 2020 campaign was a breakout season for the versatile Clausen as he established himself both on the mound and at the plate in a big way by posting a .378/.511/.514 slash line in addition to being among the state leaders in hits (28), runs (23) and RBI (17). On the hill, he posted a 2.84 ERA with a 4-2 record in 32 innings pitched with a team-leading 52 strikeouts. Clausen's junior performance earned him Second Team All-State honors, as well as First Team All-Metro, All-District and All-Conference accolades in Iowa.
Additionally, the Pleasant Valley Spartan standout has competed for Hitters Baseball Academy during the summer and fall seasons, as well with the Quad Cities Sticks and Legends Baseball. Each of the past two summers, Clausen has continued to light it up on the hill. In the summer of 2019, he held opposing hitters to a .131 batting average against over 28 1/3 innings while recording 32 strikeouts.
On top of his status as the No. 4 right-handed pitcher and No. 8 overall player in Iowa, Perfect Game also named Clausen a Preseason Underclass Second Team All-American in 2019 and 2020. Elsewhere, Prep Baseball Report ranked Clausen as the No. 5 right-handed pitcher and No. 8 overall recruit in Iowa.
Seth is the son of Sarah and Brant Clausen and has one brother, Creighton, who is a sophomore at Indiana University. As a member of National Honor Society and the 2020 Mississippi Athletic Conference All-Academic Team, Clausen intends to major in business or biological sciences at the University of Minnesota
Schools Also Considered: Dartmouth, Furman, Iowa, Penn State, Northwestern, Cornell, South Dakota State, Harvard, Indiana State
Clausen on why he chose Minnesota: "The success of Minnesota Baseball speaks for itself. Historically, they are one of the best teams in the Big Ten. I was drawn to the emphasis the Minnesota Baseball program places on player and character development. I really connected with the coaching staff from the start. The coaches were easy to talk to, relatable and transparent about COVID and the recruitment process. I knew from the get-go they would be great mentors. On top of all this, the Minnesota facilities are top notch and I could definitely see myself there from the moment I stepped on campus. It has also always been a dream of mine to play in the Big Ten and play against all the teams I grew up watching."
Pitching Coach Ty McDevitt on Clausen: "There is a lot to like about Seth. He's a productive two-way player from Iowa who brings a blue-collar approach to the mound. His quick and dynamic arm produces a running action to his fastball and an impressive curveball featuring high spin with 11/5 shape. He's going to remind Gopher fans of Billy Soule Jr. with his build, hard breaking ball and competitive edge. Seth is going to be a great fit for our staff and immediately push for innings as a freshman."
Top
Brady Counsell
| Position: SS | Height: 6-1 | Weight: 170 | Bat/Throws: R/R Hometown: Milwaukee, Wis. | High School: Whitefish Bay Scouting Report: Athletic player who has the range and the arm to play up the middle. Moves well laterally and has been outstanding executing the fundamentals at the amateur level. Ideal two-hole hitter with compact swing and the ability to execute the short game. With more physical maturity, look for more gap power in the coming years. |
As the son of current Milwaukee Brewers manager and long-time Major Leaguer, Craig Counsell, Brady's inclusion in the 2021 class signifies yet another talented, multi-sport athlete primed to arrive in Gold Country this fall. Having captained the baseball team at Whitefish Bay High School each of the past two seasons, Counsell also boasts a varsity letter in golf in addition to being a member of the basketball team as a freshman.
Competing for Hitters Baseball Academy in the summer of 2020, Counsell experienced a career year at the plate. The Milwaukee native posted a .322 batting average to go along with a .429 on-base percentage across 266 plate appearances. Also skilled on the base paths, Counsell collected 14 doubles and stole 23 bases on 25 attempts. His performance helped power the Hitters to three tournament championships in 2020 in addition to finishing in the Elite 8 at the PBR National Championships. The up-and-coming shortstop was also named to the All-Tournament Team while playing for the Milwaukee Brewers Scout Team at the 2020 WWBA World Championships.
During the previous summer in 2019, Counsell arguably performed even better at the dish. Across 163 plate appearances, he batted .353 with a .443 OBP, 10 doubles and seven stolen bases. As a result of his performance on the diamond, Perfect Game ranked Counsell as the No. 2 shortstop in Wisconsin as well as the No. 7 overall player in the state in addition to tabbing him as the No. 92 shortstop and No. 462 player nationally. Brady will break into the college game early this coming summer, as he is signed to play with the Willmar Stingers of the Northwoods League.
As the son of Craig and Michelle Counsell, Brady has one brother, Jack, and two sisters, Finley and Rowan. Although his father currently serves as the manager of the Brewers of Major League Baseball, he also enjoyed a successful 16-year MLB career with five teams, during which he claimed two World Series Championships. Brady's grandfather, John, also worked in professional baseball for the Minnesota Twins.
At the University of Minnesota, Brady intends to study within the Carlson School of Management with the intention of majoring in finance.
Schools Also Considered: Washington, Notre Dame, Saint Mary's, George Washington, Western Kentucky
Counsell on why he chose Minnesota: "Coach Anderson and Coach Casey get it. I felt like they understood who I was as a player and a person. I can't wait to be challenged in the classroom and on the field and help the University Minnesota continue the great baseball tradition everyone has worked so hard to create."
Assistant Coach Packy Casey on Counsell: "Brady is the perfect fit for the Gopher Baseball program. He plays the game hard with proper fundamentals, has a high baseball IQ and fits into what we do offensively. He's exactly what we look for in a young player. He's internally motivated in the classroom and on the field. At the plate, he has a very simple approach with very few moving parts and most importantly, he puts the ball in play consistently with the ability to execute the short game. His style of play will remind Gopher fans of Mark Hess and more recently of AJ Pettersen. Brady's a leader, a true competitor and most importantly of all, he's a winner. We're very excited to add a player of his caliber to the program where we look forward to developing him for the next 50 years."
Top
Jared Everson
| Position: 1B/OF | Height: 6-3 | Weight: 195 | Bat/Throws: L/R Hometown: La Crosse, Wis. | High School: La Crosse Aquinas Scouting Report: Physically imposing at six-foot-three, 200 pounds, Everson has outstanding bat speed with great balance. Has tremendous pull-side power and has flashed the ability to drive the ball into the left-centerfield gap with ease. Good athlete in the outfield (7.3 second 60-yard dash) and possesses clean glove action habits at first base with a very good arm. |
As a multi-sport athlete and four-time letterwinner under head coach Scott Bagniefski at La Crosse Aquinas High School, Everson comes to Minnesota after turning in an excellent summer at the dish in 2020. Competing for STIKS Academy under coaches Karl Richter and Tell Taylor, the Holmen, Wis. native had the opportunity to compete against some of the best competition in the Midwest this past offseason. By season's end, Everson owned a .330/.457/.480 slash line, reflecting an impressive .937 OPS.
During the previous summer in 2019, Everson batted at an even higher clip, registering a .365 average across 36 games. That production came along with 19 extra base hits and 27 RBI. Throughout the 2018 campaign, the future Gopher posted yet another batting average above .300, finishing with a .313 mark to go along with 15 RBI over 20 games played. Stemming from his success over the past three seasons, Perfect Game ranked Everson as the No. 2 first baseman in Wisconsin and the No. 19 overall player in the state while grading him out as the No. 78 first baseman in the country. Prep Baseball Report lists Everson as the No. 1 first baseman and No. 20 overall player in the state.
In addition to his success on the diamond, Everson is also a two-year letterwinner in basketball at La Crosse Aquinas under coach Brad Reinhart. Although competing year-round in multiple sports, Everson is equally as strong in the classroom and has been awarded with All-Academic honors on three separate occasions. Everson will play for the Alton River Dragons in the Prospect League this coming summer season.
Jared is the son of Teri and Darin Everson and has two sisters, Taylor and Taryn. His father is the current Hitting Coordinator for the Colorado Rockies and is one of the most respected hitting instructors throughout the pro game. Jared intends to major in sport management at the University of Minnesota.
Schools Also Considered: Kansas, Tulane, Alabama
Everson on why he chose Minnesota: "I chose the University of Minnesota because of the great culture that the coaches have created. The whole coaching staff is outstanding and they will push me to my maximum potential as a player and a person. The University of Minnesota is the best place for me to grow as a student-athlete and get the most out of my education."
Assistant Coach Packy Casey on Everson: "When you set out to look for amateur hitters in the Midwest, it's very rare to find ones as polished and as proficient as Jared Everson. At a very young age, he's shown an above average understanding of the strike zone with great feel at the plate. As his strength continues to develop, there is no doubt he'll be a middle of the order force in our lineup in the coming years. Jared is versatile enough to play first base and both corner outfield positions. He has worked tremendously hard these last two off-seasons to improve his body and foot speed, and the results have really shown. His game will remind many of Andy Hunter and more recently of Toby Hanson. He'll be your classic, big Minnesota lefty bat, hitting in the heart of the order with the ability to hit to all fields with power."
Top
Jake Larson
| Position: 3B | Height: 6-0 | Weight: 200 | Bat/Throws: R/R Hometown: Covington, Wash. | High School: Kentlake Scouting Report: Impressive athlete with outstanding skill set in the infield. Moves very well with above average actions, arm strength and range. Projected as a future third baseman for the Gophers. Has shown tons of pop at the plate with a big frame (six-foot, 200 pounds), quick hands and powerful lower half. Good runner who will also be able to beat defenses with his foot speed. |
Larson brings his talents to the Gophers fresh off of being named a Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American for the second consecutive year in 2020. Although the most recent high school season was ultimately cancelled, Larson will eventually conclude his career as a four-year starter under head coach Brett Jaime at Kentlake High School while captaining the Falcons as a junior and senior.
Despite the cancellation of Larson's junior season, he still managed to get in some summer reps with Rock Creek Elite. In his first at bat of the summer, Larson hit a home run, ultimately finishing the season with more extra base hits than singles. The Covington, Wash. native was also invited to try out for the Chi-Town Cream, a team he ultimately made and allowed him the opportunity to train at MLB facilities over the winter months. Also in 2020, Larson was invited to the MLB Regional Scouting Series, which was attended by all 30 MLB teams.
Going back to his sophomore 2019 campaign at Kentlake, Larson earned All-League honors at third base while also seeing time at shortstop. Helping Kentlake reach the Premier League Championship game, Larson hit a crucial home run to tie the score late in the contest. Throughout the course of the campaign, Larson was the only sophomore to earn a roster spot for reigning League Champion Westlake, hitting over .300 for the majority of the season and closing out the year as the Falcons' three-hole hitter. The speedy infielder also finished a perfect 10-for-10 on stolen base attempts.
Since his age-15 season, Larson has competed for Rock Creek 18U Elite. While he was the lone freshman to make the 18U team during his inaugural year with the club, Larson also excelled for Westlake, starting every game in the infield for Kentlake's 4A, defending State Runner-Up team. During state playoffs, Larson paced the Falcons in hits, batting .438 over that seven-game span. Due to his success for both Kentlake and Rock Creek, Prep Baseball Report ranked Larson the No. 2 shortstop in Washington as well as the No. 12 player in the state. Perfect Game tabbed the future Gopher infielder as the No. 4 shortstop in Washington and No. 23 overall player.
As the son of Cheri and Jeff Larson, Jake has one younger brother, Kyle, who also plays baseball for Westlake. Jake's father is a former All-State shortstop and collegiate athlete, while his great grandfather, Tim O'Rourke, played Major League Baseball and registered 30 career bats against the legendary Cy Young. Jake intends to major in business marketing and education at the University of Minnesota.
Schools Also Considered: Washington, Oregon, Washington State, Brown, Columbia
Larson on why he chose Minnesota: "I have always wanted to play DI in a Power Five conference program. After Coach Casey reached out to me, I researched the baseball program and the University. I was really impressed and decided to make a visit in January to see the real Minnesota winter and know what it would be like to play ball in a cold weather environment. The indoor practice facility was amazing and the fact that Minnesota often leads the Big 10 in hitting was very encouraging. Then, I met Coach Anderson and it sealed the deal, because he is a very respected coaching legend that everyone talks highly of. After speaking with several players and how much they enjoyed playing in the program, I knew U of M would be a great place to play and get a quality education. I'm extremely excited to be joining the Gophers for the '22 season and am working very hard to prepare."
Assistant Coach Brandon Hunt on Larson: "I cannot tell you how excited we are to add Jake to the Gopher Baseball family. His athleticism and competitiveness are key attributes that we identified early in the recruiting process. Jake's ability to play multiple positions defensively and the skillset he provides offensively will lead to a great career in a Gopher uniform. We cannot wait to get Jake on campus!"
Top
Sam Malec
| Position: RHP | Height: 6-0 | Weight: 165 | Bat/Throws: R/R Hometown: Woodbury, Minn. | High School: Woodbury Scouting Report: One of the fastest rising arms in the country after he exploded onto the scene last summer. Malec comes at hitters with an electric 92-94 MPH fastball from a low three-quarters arm slot and compliments it with a 10-4 slider with considerable movement. His changeup is a legitimate third pitch at the collegiate level that has sinking, arm-side action to it. |
The hard-throwing Malec joins the Maroon & Gold as another multi-talented, three-sport athlete with a successful track record as a two-way player. On top of his achievements on the diamond, Malec also lettered in football and basketball at Woodbury High School, meaning he will look to follow in the footsteps of former prep multi-sport, two-way standout Gopher Max Meyer, who also arrived at the U with a low nineties fastball from the right side.
Competing for the Great Lakes Lumberjacks this past summer, Malec struck out a whopping 50 batters in just 28 2/3 innings of work, equating to 15.7 strikeouts-per-nine innings. Throughout that stretch, the right-hander surrendered only 16 hits and finished with a strong 3.77 ERA against elite competition. Malec also held his own in the batter's box, hitting .322 in 59 at bats with one triple, three doubles, 23 runs, 18 RBI and eight stolen bases.
Prior to his strong showing with the Lumberjacks, Malec also saw action with Woodbury in a limited summer schedule. Across 18 1/3 innings, Malec posted a dominant 0.99 ERA accompanied by 23 strikeouts and 12 hits allowed. He again showed off his athleticism by performing well offensively, recording a .381 batting average across 42 at bats with one double, 14 runs scored and nine RBI. In the summer of 2019, Malec produced on the mound for the Woodbury Legion team, tossing 5 1/3 scoreless frames and allowing just three hits while striking out five.
According to Perfect Game, Malec is the No. 3 right-handed pitcher in Minnesota and the No. 7 overall player in the state while being positioned as the No. 224 right-handed pitcher nationally. Prep Baseball Report has Malec positioned as the No. 2 right-handed pitcher and No. 7 overall player in the state. PBR also graded Malec as the No. 114 right-handed pitcher and No. 323 overall player nationally.
Sam is the son of Kate and Rob Malec, and has two younger brothers, Luke and Peter. In addition to his father, Sam has had five aunts and uncles attend the University of Minnesota.
Schools Also Considered: Illinois, Augustana, Central Michigan, Illinois-Chicago, Xavier, South Dakota State
Malec on why he chose Minnesota: "Best case scenario for me. I've been a Gopher fan all my life and now I get to be one. When it comes down to it, a lot of schools are great, but I'm choosing to be the loyal home boy."
Pitching Coach Ty McDevitt on Malec: "Sam was a late bloomer who kept finding ways to pique our interest. This past summer, he was impossible to ignore with a velocity increase and video game numbers. Sam features a low three-quarters arm slot which produces a run/ride action to his fastball (93 MPH) and possesses a hard slider to compliment it.With the hard slider and quick arm, it's hard to ignore the comparison to another recent Woodbury Royal, Max Meyer. Sam is a Minnesota sports fanatic who can't possibly get enough baseball - he'll fit right in. We fully expect Sam to make an impact on our staff soon after arriving on campus."
Top
Tucker Novotny
| Position: LHP | Height: 6-5 | Weight: 235 | Bat/Throws: R/L Hometown: Cottage Grove, Minn. | High School: Park Scouting Report: Imposing figure on the mound who works with a repeatable, smooth delivery and three-quarters arm action. Fastball reached as high as 92 MPH last summer. Features a sharp slider (78-80 MPH) with 1-7 shape and an above average changeup (76-79 MPH) with sinking action. |
Joining the Maroon & Gold as the top-ranked left-handed pitcher in the state of Minnesota, Novotny is yet another talented arm with the ability to add immediate depth to the Gopher pitching staff. He represents another multi-sport athlete that brings a wealth of athleticism to the 2021-22 Gopher roster.
Having lettered in baseball all four years at Park High School, the southpaw recently turned in a noteworthy fall 2020 campaign. Over 23 innings, Novotny posted a 4-0 record on the mound with a 0.61 ERA and one save. He held opposing hitters to a .117 batting average and finished with a sparkling 0.70 WHIP.
As a sophomore in 2019, Novotny earned All-Suburban East Conference and First Team All-Section honors. Overall, the left-hander struck out 56 batters in 47 innings of work, elevating his performance to another level when the postseason arrived. Shining brightly in the sectional playoffs, Novotny made two starts totaling 14 innings and delivered a 2.00 ERA with 16 strikeouts matched against just three walks.
On top of being the No. 1 left-handed pitcher in Minnesota, Perfect Game ranked Novotny as the No. 4 overall player in the state and as a top-400 player nationally (No. 44 left-handed pitcher). Prep Baseball Report tabbed Novotny at No. 1 in the state at his position and No. 6 overall in Minnesota, handing him national rankings of No. 54 positionally and No. 496 overall.
In regard to his family, Tucker is the son of Heather and Paul Novotny and he has one sister, Tori. While studying at the University of Minnesota, Tucker intends to major in accounting within the Carlson School of Management. Novotny is also an accomplished bowler and basketball player. In the past, Novotny has bowled a 300-point game and is a three-time letterwinner in the sport.
Schools Also Considered: Washington, Notre Dame, Saint Mary's, George Washington, Western Kentucky
Novotny on why he chose Minnesota: "The reason I chose to go to the U is that I've always been a huge Gopher fan growing up and will feel a lot of pride in playing for the team I've cheered for my whole life."
Pitching coach Ty McDevitt on Novotny: "Tucker is a pitching coach's dream, with a six-foot-five frame and a consistent, smooth delivery, there is a lot to like. Gopher fans will see an effortless, long-arm action that produces a fastball (89 MPH) with arm-side run and a hard slurve, both of which he can command to both sides of the plate. We expect his velocity to continue to rise as he matures and has more time with our strength coach, Scott McWilliams. The frame, arm action and easy velocity reminds me of a young DJ Snelten. We're excited to get Tucker on campus."
Top
Jake Perry
| Position: C/INF/OF | Height: 6-4 | Weight: 190 | Bat/Throws: L/R Hometown: Hopkins, Minn. | High School: Hopkins Scouting Report: Versatile player who can catch, play shortstop, first base or the outfield. Another big Minnesota lefty bat who started to show signs of big-time power at the amateur level. Has excellent bat speed to go along with a very good two-strike approach. |
The versatile, multi-positional Perry signs with the Gophers as two-time All-Section 6AAAA honoree and 2019 All-Lake Conference standout. Much like many of his future teammates in the 2021 Gopher recruiting class, Perry was a two-sport athlete for much of his athletic career, having played hockey through his freshman year at Hopkins High School.
Nevertheless, the batter's box is where Perry thrives. Since the eighth grade, the heavy-hitting Perry has been a varsity contributor for Hopkins under head coach Jason Mihalakis and owns an unearthly .510 career batting average in the Lake Conference. Overall, Perry wields a .375 career batting average for the Leos, which helped Hopkins claim the 6AAAA Section Championship in 2019.
Perry has also excelled at the dish for various other teams, including the Hopkins Flyers Legion program. From 2018-2020, the soon-to-be Gopher posted a .400 batting average while playing under head coach Todd Jahnke. In 2020, Perry suited up for the Northstar Baseball Club, where he appeared at seven different positions on the national circuit and slashed .432/.519/.605. In 2019, he played under coaches Aaron McEachran and Zach Elder for Macstrength 18U, hitting at a .523 clip in the process. One year prior, Perry hit .451 while playing 18U ball for Catchfire Select under Mihalakis.
The Hopkins native has garnered recognition as one of the top prospects in Minnesota, as Prep Baseball Report ranked Perry the No. 2 shortstop and No. 15 overall player in the state. Meanwhile, Perfect Game ranked Perry as the No. 4 shortstop and No. 11 overall player in Minnesota, also grading him as the nation's No. 222 shortstop.
Jake is the son of Kellie and Ryan Perry and has two younger sisters, Ella and Miley. In high school, Perry lettered in academics as both a sophomore and junior, currently holding a 3.85 grade point average. He intends to major in sport management at the University of Minnesota.
Schools Also Considered: Iowa, Eastern Michigan, Georgetown, Ohio
Perry on why he chose Minnesota: "I grew up watching the Gopher sports teams. I can remember at a young age going to the Dairy Queen Classic to watch the Gophers at the old Metrodome. I have always wanted to be a Gopher and I am excited to wear the Maroon and Gold. When it came time to visit the Gopher campus and specifically learn more about what it would mean/take to become a Minnesota Gopher baseball player, I was welcomed in by the coaching staff and it was a positive experience from the get-go. Everything from the camps to the campus tour made the recruiting process enjoyable. I truly felt that the coaching staff cared about me as a person first and baseball player second. Like Coach Anderson says, they are getting us ready for the next 50 years of our life. I feel like the University of Minnesota will give me an outstanding education. Becoming a Gopher Baseball player is a dream come true. It makes me proud that I set my goals high and was able to achieve them. I am very excited for the next chapter of my life to begin."
Assistant Coach Brandon Hunt on Perry: "Jake is a young man that I am really excited to work with. He has a great frame that our strength coach will be able to work with and an advanced skill set that will allow him to have a great career as a Gopher. Defensively, Jake has the ability to play at multiple spots on the field which has been a staple of Golden Gopher infielders for the last half century."
Top
Noah Rooney
| Position: LHP | Height: 5-11 | Weight: 170 | Bat/Throws: L/L Hometown: Perham, Minn. | High School: Perham Scouting Report: Athletic left-handed hurler who brings deceptiveness and a fierce competitiveness with him to the mound. A natural strike thrower with three above average offerings: 88-90 MPH fastball with excellent command, 72-75 MPH curveball with tight spin and a fading changeup that can be used at any time. |
Prior to the start of his senior season, Rooney signs with the U as a seven-time varsity letterwinner due to his status as a three-sport athlete at Perham High School. In addition to a trio of baseball letters, he holds two letters each in both football and wrestling. Dating back to the 2017 season, Rooney has excelled as a two-way player on the diamond for head coach James Mulcahy. Although there was no spring season in 2020, the southpaw pitched 14 1/3 summer innings for the Minnesota Starters under coaches Neal Kunik and Lincoln Hochmuth, finishing with a 0.78 ERA and 26 strikeouts.
En route to being named the 2019 Section 8AA Pitcher of the Year, Rooney enjoyed an elite sophomore campaign the last time he suited up for Perham. Tossing 48 innings, he went 6-2 and allowed just nine earned runs on the season to achieve a 1.31 ERA, earning him All-Conference honors for the second consecutive season. Those numbers came with a 0.85 WHIP and a school-record 94 strikeouts, translating to a 17.6 K/9. At the plate, he batted .365 accompanied by a .529 OBP, 23 hits, 25 runs and 23 RBI. While playing for the Perham Legion team over the summer, Rooney posted even better numbers. The lefty delivered a 5-1 record and registered a 1.02 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 60 strikeouts across 41 frames. Rooney also batted .371 with a .480 OBP, 32 hits, 20 runs scored and six RBI.
During the 2018 season, Rooney posted a 5-2 record on the hill with a 2.73 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 51 strikeouts over 33 1/3 innings pitched. In Legion action, he fired another 29 innings of work and concluded with a 3-1 record, 2.17 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 35 strikeouts. As a result of his career performance, Perfect Game ranked him as the No. 3 left-handed pitcher in Minnesota and the No. 20 overall player in the state while handing him recognition as the No. 179 left-handed pitcher nationally. Meanwhile, Prep Baseball Report graded Rooney as the No. 3 left-handed pitcher and No. 10 overall player in the state.
On top of the aforementioned achievements, Rooney also owns the Perham record for most strikeouts (16) in a single game. He helped power the Yellowjackets to one Class AA State appearance on the diamond, while leading the school to two Class AAA State appearances on the gridiron. In 2019, Rooney was named All-District Honorable Mention in football after hauling in eight touchdowns for 753 yards. Also successful on the mat, he owns two career appearances at the Class AA Wrestling State Tournament.
As the son of Courtney and Nathan Rooney, Noah is the eldest of five children. He has one younger brother, Ty, and three younger sisters, Natalie, Josie and Paisley. Also highly accomplished in the classroom, Rooney was named Academic All-Conference in both baseball and football in 2018 and 2019, owning a 3.99 GPA as part of the 2020 Academic All-State Champion Perham baseball program. Noah is also a member of National Honor Society and Perham's Rotary Club. He intends to major in health science at the University of Minnesota.
Schools Also Considered: Michigan, Pittsburgh, Bradley, Charleston Southern, Indiana State, Xavier, North Dakota State, South Dakota State
Rooney on why he chose Minnesota: "I chose the University of Minnesota because it was the best place for me to develop not only as an athlete, but also academically and as a person. I have a tremendous amount of respect for the coaching staff and the history that comes with putting on a Minnesota Baseball jersey. Having the opportunity to play for the home state team is something that I've dreamed about since I was a little kid and I couldn't be more excited to become a Gopher."
Pitching Coach Ty McDevitt on Rooney: "Noah is a multi-sport athlete who displays athleticism and deceptiveness that can be a nightmare for left-handed hitters. He has made a significant jump between his sophomore and junior year which was highlighted by a tight breaking ball and an electric fastball (90 MPH) that jumps on hitters. Noah's athleticism forms a perfect foundation for success on the mound. He'll remind Gopher fans a lot of John Lowery and Andy Hammerschmidt. We couldn't be more excited to get him on campus."
Top
Alec Willis
| Position: RHP | Height: 6-5 | Weight: 220 | Bat/Throws: R/R Hometown: Denver, Colo. | High School: Regis Jesuit Scouting Report: Nationally ranked RHP who features a sinking fastball in the 91-93 MPH range from a high three-quarters arm slot featuring arm side run and more velocity down the road. Flashes a plus breaking ball to go along with a solid circle change-up. |
Having been named a Preseason Honorable Mention Underclass All-American by Perfect Game, Willis represents another highly-motivated and talented pitcher in this year's class. Willis appeared in limited summer action in 2020 following the cancellation of his junior prep campaign, tossing four innings and striking out eight batters while not allowing a single opposing batter to reach base.
This came on the heels of an excellent junior 2019 showing, during which the right-hander excelled for Regis Jesuit High School under head coach Matthew Darr. Pitching Regis Jesuit to the 5A State Championship title, he totaled 18 1/3 innings pitched with a 1.53 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 14 strikeouts. That summer, Willis accumulated another 15 1/3 frames on the mound and registered a 2.25 ERA to go along with a 1.29 WHIP and 18 batters set down on strikes.
Outside of the high school circuit, Willis has also laced up the spikes for Colorado Junior Sunbelt and the Rockies Senior Scout Team. In 2019, he earned a spot in the Rockies Junior vs. Senior Futures Game. One year prior, the Denver native received an invitation to compete at the 2018 USA National Team Identification Series in Cary, N.C.
According to Prep Baseball Report, Willis ranks as the No. 3 right-handed pitcher in Colorado and the No. 4 overall player in the state. He also received recognition from Perfect Game, who tabbed him as the No. 7 right-hander and No. 12 overall player in Colorado. Nationally, Willis is the No. 265 overall player according to PBR and stands as Perfect Games's No. 414 player in the country.
Alec is the son of Tracy and Jeff Willis and has one younger brother, Bradshaw. Arguably as successful in the classroom as he is on the field, Alec received Magna Cum Laude status as a student in each of his first three years at Regis Jesuit. He intends to major in kinesiology at the University of Minnesota.
Schools Also Considered: USC, Penn State, Oregon, San Diego, Xavier, Santa Clara, Air Force
Willis on why he chose Minnesota: "Every school that I was recruited by had either high education, great facilities, high player development or a strong baseball history, and the University of Minnesota had all of those plus more. When making my commitment, I looked at how comfortable I was with the coaches and their trust in me as a player and a person, and it was a perfect fit."
Pitching Coach Ty McDevitt on Willis: "With Alec's large frame and athletic body, he was a tremendous pick-up for us in the '21 class. As a right-handed pitcher, he features a three-pitch mix and the potential to mature with top-end velocity. He's a proven strike thrower and has excelled at every level he has played at. Gopher fans may be reminded of Reggie Meyer when Alec steps on the mound. We couldn't be more excited for him to get on campus."