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Photo by: Miami Marlins
Gophers in the Pros: 2021 Preseason Edition
4/19/2021 9:26:00 AM | Baseball
Although the 2021 Minor League Baseball season will not be fully operational across all levels until May 4, 13 former Gophers are primed to open the campaign on MLB-affiliated rosters. Over the past several months, many of these players have been anxiously preparing to get back to competitive baseball after the 2021 MiLB season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of these players even spent time at MLB Spring Training just one month ago, such as 2021 third overall pick Max Meyer, 2017 draftee Lucas Gilbreath and 2018 All-American Terrin Vavra.
Across the history of the program, Minnesota has seen 37 alumni reach the Major Leagues, as one former Gopher just recently received the call this past weekend. Most notably, that total features two MLB Hall of Famers in Dave Winfield ('73) and Paul Molitor ('77), which is tied for the second most Hall of Famers of any NCAA school. Each of the following players now look to extend this legacy of success at the highest level, having been prepared by one of the finest collegiate coaching staffs in the country.
Lucas Gilbreath | LHP, Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes, Colorado Rockies Organization
Just this past Saturday, Gilbreath received the call to the majors from the Rockies in advance of their April 17 doubleheader against the Mets. Although he did not see game action, the promotion effectively made Gilbreath the 37th former Gopher to reach the MLB level.
After the 2020 MiLB season was canceled, Gilbreath went to work during the extended time off. The right-hander made significant gains with his arsenal while training on his own while also getting some side work in with Colorado's Double-A pitching coach, Frank Gonzales, which ultimately earned him a chance to raise some eyebrows with an invitation to Instructional League camp. With a new chance to reinvent himself as a reliever, Gilbreath impressed during his time at Instructs, ultimately being added to the Rockies' 40-man roster as a result. Gilbreath will likely open the 2021 campaign at Triple-A Albuquerque, but this past weekend served as proof that he is just a quick call away from throwing his first MLB pitch.
Max Meyer | RHP, Miami Marlins Organization
After tying Paul Molitor as the highest Gopher player to ever be selected in the MLB Draft this past summer by going third overall to Miami, Meyer quickly got to work with an invitation to the Marlins' alternate training site as part of their 60-player pool. While there, Meyer had the opportunity to train with MLB-caliber players, even throwing his first professional bullpen in a Miami uniform. Following the end of the season, Meyer received an invitation to Miami's fall Instructional League camp. More importantly, the hard-throwing righty also attended MLB Spring Training as one of the Marlins' non-roster invitees, where he was able to experience the feel of a Major League camp while practicing alongside some of the top players in the organization. Meyer is not yet assigned to a specific level of the minors, but Double-A would be the most likely starting point for an arm expected to move quickly through the system.
Brett Schulze | RHP, Philadelphia Phillies Organization
After a strong pro debut (0.38 ERA, 26.2 IP, 24 K) upon being drafted in the seventh round in 2019, Philadelphia included Schulze on their fall Instructional League roster this past offseason. Having gained the chance to prove himself against live competition, Schulze appears most likely to open the 2021 MiLB season at either the Single-A or High-A level.
Jake Stevenson | RHP, Cincinnati Reds Organization
Representing another former Gopher to earn an invitation to his respective team's fall Instructional League camp, Stevenson heads into 2021 looking to improve upon his excellent pro debut in 2019. Upon being drafted in the 10th round by Cincinnati in 2019, the right-hander impressed with five saves, a 3.10 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 20 1/3 innings of work. Although currently unassigned, Stevenson could potentially begin the 2021 season at the Single-A level.
D.J. Snelten | Tampa Bay Rays, RHP
This past November, Snelten inked a free-agent contract with the Chicago Cubs following stints with the San Francisco Giants and Tampa Bay Rays organizations. As a matter of fact, Snelten was even included in Tampa Bay's 60-man player pool in 2020, which gave him the unique opportunity to gain live reps at the team's alternate site. Now with Chicago, Snelten received an invitation to MLB Spring Training camp and is currently listed as a member of the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, which would be the most logical starting point for the righty in 2021.
Sam Thoresen | RHP, Rookie-Level AZL Cubs Red, Chicago Cubs Organization
After going undrafted in the abbreviated, five-round draft this past summer, Thoresen signed a free-agent contract with Chicago. Entering his first season with the club, Thoresen is currently listed as a member of the rookie-level AZL Cubs Red.
Terrin Vavra | SS, High-A Aberdeen IronBirds, Baltimore Orioles Organization
At the 2020 MLB Trade Deadline, Vavra was flipped by Colorado to Baltimore in exchange for reliever Mychal Givens. Already listed as the No. 12 overall prospect in the organization, Vavra was one of just 10 non-roster invitees to receive an invitation to Baltimore's 2021 Spring Training camp. After earning Single-A South Atlantic League MVP honors in 2019, Vavra will look to build off the pro success he has experiences thus far. Vavra is currently listed as a member of the High-A Aberdeen IronBirds, but he could also be a candidate to open 2021 with Double-A Bowie.
Below is a full list of Gophers in pro baseball along with each player's updated 2021 assignment.
Complete List of Former Gophers in MiLB Organizations
LHP Lucas Gilbreath, Colorado Rockies Organization (Albuquerque Isotopes, Triple-A)
LHP Nick Lackney, Philadelphia Phillies Organization (GCL Phillies West, Rookie-Level)
RHP Ben Meyer, Colorado Rockies Organization (Hartford Yard Goats, Double-A)
RHP Max Meyer, Miami Marlins Organization (Unassigned)
RHP Jackson Rose, Miami Marlins Organization (Unassigned)
LHP Dalton Sawyer, Oakland Athletics Organization (Midland RockHounds, Double-A)
RHP Brett Schulze, Philadelphia Phillies Organization (Unassigned)
LHP D.J. Snelten, Chicago Cubs Organization (Iowa Cubs, Triple-A)
RHP Jake Stevenson, Cincinnati Reds Organization (Unassigned)
RHP Sam Thoresen, Chicago Cubs Organization (AZL Cubs Red, Rookie-Level)
SS Terrin Vavra, Baltimore Orioles Organization (Aberdeen IronBirds, High-A)
C Eli Wilson, Pittsburgh Pirates Organization (Unassigned)
LHP Tom Windle, New York Mets Organization (Syracuse Mets, Triple-A)
Across the history of the program, Minnesota has seen 37 alumni reach the Major Leagues, as one former Gopher just recently received the call this past weekend. Most notably, that total features two MLB Hall of Famers in Dave Winfield ('73) and Paul Molitor ('77), which is tied for the second most Hall of Famers of any NCAA school. Each of the following players now look to extend this legacy of success at the highest level, having been prepared by one of the finest collegiate coaching staffs in the country.
Lucas Gilbreath | LHP, Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes, Colorado Rockies Organization
Just this past Saturday, Gilbreath received the call to the majors from the Rockies in advance of their April 17 doubleheader against the Mets. Although he did not see game action, the promotion effectively made Gilbreath the 37th former Gopher to reach the MLB level.
Rocky Mountain born and raised, Lucas Gilbreath has been called up for today's doubleheader🏔️ pic.twitter.com/xpUZcr1Wih
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) April 17, 2021
After the 2020 MiLB season was canceled, Gilbreath went to work during the extended time off. The right-hander made significant gains with his arsenal while training on his own while also getting some side work in with Colorado's Double-A pitching coach, Frank Gonzales, which ultimately earned him a chance to raise some eyebrows with an invitation to Instructional League camp. With a new chance to reinvent himself as a reliever, Gilbreath impressed during his time at Instructs, ultimately being added to the Rockies' 40-man roster as a result. Gilbreath will likely open the 2021 campaign at Triple-A Albuquerque, but this past weekend served as proof that he is just a quick call away from throwing his first MLB pitch.
Max Meyer | RHP, Miami Marlins Organization
After tying Paul Molitor as the highest Gopher player to ever be selected in the MLB Draft this past summer by going third overall to Miami, Meyer quickly got to work with an invitation to the Marlins' alternate training site as part of their 60-player pool. While there, Meyer had the opportunity to train with MLB-caliber players, even throwing his first professional bullpen in a Miami uniform. Following the end of the season, Meyer received an invitation to Miami's fall Instructional League camp. More importantly, the hard-throwing righty also attended MLB Spring Training as one of the Marlins' non-roster invitees, where he was able to experience the feel of a Major League camp while practicing alongside some of the top players in the organization. Meyer is not yet assigned to a specific level of the minors, but Double-A would be the most likely starting point for an arm expected to move quickly through the system.
Max Meyer says what's up. pic.twitter.com/w3UofO16rT
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) July 7, 2020
Brett Schulze | RHP, Philadelphia Phillies Organization
After a strong pro debut (0.38 ERA, 26.2 IP, 24 K) upon being drafted in the seventh round in 2019, Philadelphia included Schulze on their fall Instructional League roster this past offseason. Having gained the chance to prove himself against live competition, Schulze appears most likely to open the 2021 MiLB season at either the Single-A or High-A level.
Jake Stevenson | RHP, Cincinnati Reds Organization
Representing another former Gopher to earn an invitation to his respective team's fall Instructional League camp, Stevenson heads into 2021 looking to improve upon his excellent pro debut in 2019. Upon being drafted in the 10th round by Cincinnati in 2019, the right-hander impressed with five saves, a 3.10 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 20 1/3 innings of work. Although currently unassigned, Stevenson could potentially begin the 2021 season at the Single-A level.
D.J. Snelten | Tampa Bay Rays, RHP
This past November, Snelten inked a free-agent contract with the Chicago Cubs following stints with the San Francisco Giants and Tampa Bay Rays organizations. As a matter of fact, Snelten was even included in Tampa Bay's 60-man player pool in 2020, which gave him the unique opportunity to gain live reps at the team's alternate site. Now with Chicago, Snelten received an invitation to MLB Spring Training camp and is currently listed as a member of the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, which would be the most logical starting point for the righty in 2021.
Cubs Sign Triple Digit Lefty D.J. Snelten to a Minor League Deal - https://t.co/zzpmKlF85i pic.twitter.com/rdtXKvE0k2
— Bleacher Nation Cubs (@BleacherNation) November 19, 2020
Sam Thoresen | RHP, Rookie-Level AZL Cubs Red, Chicago Cubs Organization
After going undrafted in the abbreviated, five-round draft this past summer, Thoresen signed a free-agent contract with Chicago. Entering his first season with the club, Thoresen is currently listed as a member of the rookie-level AZL Cubs Red.
Proud to join the Cubs organization! pic.twitter.com/2aqUJ1mk3V
— Sam Thoresen (@SamThoresen) June 15, 2020
Terrin Vavra | SS, High-A Aberdeen IronBirds, Baltimore Orioles Organization
At the 2020 MLB Trade Deadline, Vavra was flipped by Colorado to Baltimore in exchange for reliever Mychal Givens. Already listed as the No. 12 overall prospect in the organization, Vavra was one of just 10 non-roster invitees to receive an invitation to Baltimore's 2021 Spring Training camp. After earning Single-A South Atlantic League MVP honors in 2019, Vavra will look to build off the pro success he has experiences thus far. Vavra is currently listed as a member of the High-A Aberdeen IronBirds, but he could also be a candidate to open 2021 with Double-A Bowie.
One last clip from a productive day at the plate for the #BabyBirds. Terrin Vavra and Brett Cumberland each with a late-game single.
— The Verge- An Orioles MiLB Podcast (@BSLOnTheVerge) March 28, 2021
Going to be a long wait for the minor league season. pic.twitter.com/8BLwQLBVP6
Below is a full list of Gophers in pro baseball along with each player's updated 2021 assignment.
Complete List of Former Gophers in MiLB Organizations
LHP Lucas Gilbreath, Colorado Rockies Organization (Albuquerque Isotopes, Triple-A)
LHP Nick Lackney, Philadelphia Phillies Organization (GCL Phillies West, Rookie-Level)
RHP Ben Meyer, Colorado Rockies Organization (Hartford Yard Goats, Double-A)
RHP Max Meyer, Miami Marlins Organization (Unassigned)
RHP Jackson Rose, Miami Marlins Organization (Unassigned)
LHP Dalton Sawyer, Oakland Athletics Organization (Midland RockHounds, Double-A)
RHP Brett Schulze, Philadelphia Phillies Organization (Unassigned)
LHP D.J. Snelten, Chicago Cubs Organization (Iowa Cubs, Triple-A)
RHP Jake Stevenson, Cincinnati Reds Organization (Unassigned)
RHP Sam Thoresen, Chicago Cubs Organization (AZL Cubs Red, Rookie-Level)
SS Terrin Vavra, Baltimore Orioles Organization (Aberdeen IronBirds, High-A)
C Eli Wilson, Pittsburgh Pirates Organization (Unassigned)
LHP Tom Windle, New York Mets Organization (Syracuse Mets, Triple-A)
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