University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
Gophers Transfer Additions - Position Players
10/14/2022 1:00:00 PM | Baseball
Minnesota added four position players and three pitchers in the transfer portal
MINNEAPOLIS – Head coach John Anderson and the University of Minnesota Baseball program have begun to unveil their 2023 roster complete with the addition of seven transfers to their nine incoming freshmen. The 16-player recruiting class marks the second consecutive year in which the Gophers have brought in that many players following a COVID-19 shortened recruiting class in 2020, which saw the program only able to add five players. Of the 16 newcomers, 10 are from Minnesota, three are from Wisconsin, one is from Iowa, one is from North Dakota and another is from Pennsylvania.
"We wanted to return to our roots with this class and get back to recruiting kids with Minnesota ties who wanted to wear the maroon and gold, are here for the right reasons and who understand our why," said head coach John Anderson. "We've always prided ourselves on recruiting the best talent the state of Minnesota has to offer, but over the last few years there have been several challenges, and changes, that have taken place throughout college baseball the biggest of those being the NCAA Transfer Portal. We've had to adapt to the landscape and at times look nationally for players, find transfers but most importantly we need to find the kids who really want to be at Minnesota and wear the 'M'. I'm very excited about this group, as I am the 2021 class, and feel we have a group of men who are here for the right reasons who can lead Gopher Baseball to promise, both on and off the field."
The 2022 class features plenty of versatility and athleticism, but most importantly speed on the position player side. Eight of the incoming players are also options on the mound, with three of those players being two-way talents.
Today we will introduce the four position players that transferred into the program this off-season.
2022 Freshman Class
Position Player Additons: Josh Fitzgerald | Brady Jurgella | Sam Hunt | Ike Mezzenga
Josh Fitzgerald
| Position: OF | Height: 6-0 | Weight: 190 | Bat/Throws: R/R Hometown: Mason City, Iowa | High School: Newman Catholic | Previous School: Dallas Baptist Scouting Report: Flashes five-tool potential, a plus-plus runner with pull-side power and high baseball IQ. At the plate he profiles as a middle of the order bat who will hit for a high average and plenty of power. |
Fitzgerald comes to Minnesota after playing in three games for Dallas Baptist in 2022, totaling four at-bats. He also posted a pair of putouts in the field.
He played his first two seasons at Kirkwood Community College, where in 2021 he was named First Team All-Region after hitting .358 for a Kirkwood team that reached the NJCAA Division II World Series. He led the conference in home runs (17), posted a .670 slugging percentage and a .504 on-base percentage. Fitzgerald also collected 13 doubles, drove in 51 runs, and stole 29 bases.
In 2020 Fitzgerald was hitting .500 (14-for-28) through 10 games before the season was canceled due to COVID-19. Seven of his 14 hits went for extra bases, including three home runs, three triples, and one double.
Prior to college he was a four-year letterman at Newman Catholic High School, playing for head coach Alex Bohl. He was a three-sport standout in high school, starring in baseball, football, and basketball. A two-time First Team All-State selection in baseball, he was also twice named to the Iowa High School Baseball Super Team. Tabbed the 2019 1A Iowa High School Baseball Player of the Year, Fitzgerald was rated as the No. 1 outfielder and the No. 2 overall prospect in the class of 2019 from the state of Iowa by Perfect Game. He garnered First Team All-State honors and was named the Class A District Offensive MVP in football as a running back in 2019. Fitzgerald was also a two-time First Team All-Conference selection in basketball during his prep career.
Born on December 3, 2000, his parents are John and Shelley Fitzgerald. John played golf and his mother played softball at NIACC. His brother Jack played baseball at Houston Baptist University and his brother Ben was a First Team All-Sun Belt selection at the University of Louisiana in 2021. Ben currently plays baseball at UC Irvine.
Why Minnesota: "I chose Minnesota to receive a great education and to play for a team with a rich tradition. During the recruiting process I developed a great relationship with Coach Casey and the rest of the staff. I could tell that they are there for their players both on and off the field, and look to develop us as student athletes and also men. On my visit, I really felt at home and fell in love with The U. As a new resident of Minnesota, I couldn't be more excited to wear the M on my chest, and not just represent the state of Minnesota, but northern baseball players as a whole."
Schools Recruited By: Iowa (Football and Baseball), Iowa State (Football), Coastal Carolina, Michigan State, Louisiana, Dallas Baptist, TCU, USC, Northern Iowa (Football).
Packy Casey on Fitzgerald: "Josh is a legitimate five-tool talent in every sense. He's a plus-plus runner, hits with power, is an outstanding fielder and has a plus throwing arm. We've had a relationship with Josh going back to his freshman year in high school when he was one of the most highly recruited players in the country and we're very fortunate to have him back home representing the state of Minnesota. Josh will remind fans of former Gopher great Jason Kennedy (1999-02) with his power, throwing arm and all-around tools. Josh is an ideal 3-hole hitter at some point in his career, he's got everything you look for and he's only going to get better with more development time. He comes from a great baseball family and we can't to welcome Josh and his parents, John and Shelley, as a part of the Gopher Baseball family for many years to come."
Sam Hunt
| Position: C | Height: 6-2 | Weight: 205 | Bat/Throws: L/R Hometown: Minneapolis, Minn. | High School: St. Louis Park H.S. / IMG Academy | Previous School: Vanderbilt Scouting Report: A switch-hitting catcher with power from both sides of the plate, Hunt has a feel for the strike zone and as he gets older could be a high-average hitter as well. Excellent receiver with good arm strength, flexibility and athleticism. Has the makings of a potent middle of the order bat for the Gophers in the future. |
Hunt comes to Minnesota after spending his freshman year at Vanderbilt, where he redshirted and did not see game action.
Sam spent two years at St. Louis Park High School (St. Louis Park, Minn.) before transferring to IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) for his final high school season. He batted .342 as a senior at IMG Academy, including five doubles, two home runs and 14 RBI. Hunt helped IMG Academy to a conference championship in 2021, while concluding the season as the third-ranked team in the country by Max Preps. He was ranked as the second-best overall prospect in the state of Minnesota according to Perfect Game and rated as the 31st-best catcher nationally. A 2020 Perfect Game Preseason Underclassmen All-America selection, he also earned a Perfect Game Top 500 National Rank. Hunt was the first-ever unanimous all-conference honoree as a sophomore at St. Louis Park.
Born on Dec. 24, 2022, he is the son of Joan Staveley and David Hunt. He also has two sisters, Sarah and Kate. He was a four-year honor roll member in high school. Sam is majoring in business management at the 'U'.
Hunt on why he chose the University of Minnesota: "One of the main reasons I choose to come home to Minnesota was because I felt like in a time of many unknowns and changes in college baseball, I could trust the coaching staff here over at the 'U'. I have always had a great relationship with [assistant coach] Packy Casey and when I came on my visit over the summer, it just felt right for me. Selfishly, I also wanted to allow my parents to be able to come and watch me play as much as they want, whereas the past three years they couldn't. I also wanted to come here to win, and to show just how good, and how tough, us northern guys can be to face. I felt like being able to win and go to a regional and super regional with a bunch of guys from the Midwest would be very special for me."
Schools Recruited By: Arkansas, Clemson, Illinois, Missouri, LSU, Kentucky, Stanford, Texas, Texas A&M.
Packy Casey on Sam Hunt: "Sam is a premium talent that has the ability to develop into a very good Big Ten catcher. We've had a relationship with him dating back to his freshman year in high school, he comes from a very good family and has chosen to be at the University of Minnesota for all the right reasons. Sam is very gifted and extremely athletic behind the plate, he has an above average throwing arm, blocks the ball very well and has turned into an outstanding receiver. At the plate, Sam projects to hit in the middle part of our lineup at some point, he hits from both sides of the plate and has power to all fields with a very good understanding of the strike zone. It's critical to have a talent like Sam staying home and wearing the Maroon and Gold, he's a natural leader and will provide an immediate impact to our program, both on and off the field. We proudly welcome Sam and his family, parents David and Joan Staveley, to the Gopher Baseball Family."
| Position: INF/OF | Height: 6-0 | Weight: 180 | Bat/Throws: L/R Hometown: Menasha, Wis. | High School: Menasha | Previous School: Madison Area Technical College Scouting Report: One of the top defensive outfielders in the country who can play all three outfield positions and boasts an above average arm. A plus runner with potent left-handed bat and gap-to-gap power, Jurgella plays hard and is always a threat on the bases. Versatile athlete who could also see time in the infield next spring. |
Brady Jurgella is coming off a prolific career at Madison Area Technical College. His list of postseason accolades includes a third team All-America pick by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) and Rawlings, a first team selection on the All-Region 4 list, and a spot on the All-North Central Community College Conference Second Team in 2022. The native of Menasha, Wis. narrowly beat out teammates Gunnar Doyle and Eli Kramer for top honors on the Wolfpack with 73 hits, a number that ranks as the 11th-best single season total in program history. Jurgella led Madison College with four triples and was second on the team with 17 doubles and three home runs. His 50 runs scored make him one of five players on the team to reach that benchmark. He also was third in runs batted in with 49 and third in batting average at .378.
Historically, Jurgella's work in 2022 leaves him ranking tied for eighth in team history for three-baggers in a season and 21st for RBI. Over his time at Madison College, Jurgella has placed himself among the best in school history, ranking tied for third with seven career triples, tied for eighth with 27 total doubles, 15th in both total hits (122) and runs scored (94), and 22nd for career runs batted in with 76. He was also known to flash some leather, committing just three errors over 56 games played this spring, earning a fielding percentage of .967.
As a freshman in 2021, Jurgella was named a NJCAA Division II ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner after also being named to the Region 4 Rawlings Gold Glove Team. In 2021, he appeared in 52 games for the Wolfpack. Jurgella helped Madison College win a N4C and Region 4 title, and place in the top six at the NJCAA Division II World Series.. He was named to the Region 4 Rawlings Gold Glove Team as an outfielder after batting .318 with 49 hits, 44 runs scored, and 27 runs batted in. He produced 17 extra base hits, including four home runs.
In his school he hit .388 as a junior in 2019, making the all-district team as an infielder. He was a First Team All-Bay selection in both 2018 and 2019. Jurgella was ranked as the No. 25 player in Wisconsin in the 2020 class by Prep Baseball Report. On the gridirion, he was a First Team All-Bay and an All-Region selection at both wide receiver and defensive back in 2019. He led his team to a District 3 State Runner-Up finish.
Born February 17, 2002, Brady is the son of Mary and Jamie Jurgella. He has a younger sister, Carley. Jurgella received Academic High Honors and Service Learning High Honors in HS. He will be majoring in business at Minnesota.
Jurgella on why he chose the University of Minnesota: "I chose The University of Minnesota baseball program because of the history of players that came before me and what it means to represent the 'M'. The program values becoming a better player but also becoming a better person off the field. Coach Anderson preaches this program will develop us not only for the next couple of years, but the next 50 years of your life. On top of that, coach Anderson and his coaching staff have built a winning culture in the program, and to be a part of that was important to me."
Schools Recruited By: Jacksonville, Milwaukee, Illinois-Chicago, Northern Illinois.
Packy Casey on Jurgella: "Brady is someone we've had our eye on for a long time now. He was originally going to be part of a much larger 2020 class before COVID pushed everything back. He got the chance to play every day at a very good Madison Area Tech program for head coach Mike Davenport and developed into one of the better JUCO players in the country. Brady is an excellent outfield defender capable of playing all three spots. He can play infield, he's an above average runner with first step quickness and a high baseball IQ. With a full fall and winter season to work with, Brady will be an exciting addition to our position player core. We are thrilled to have Brady and his parents Jamie and Mary, as a part of the Gopher Baseball Family."
Ike Mezzenga
| Position: SS/OF | Height: 6-1 | Weight: 195 | Bat/Throws: L/R Hometown: Shoreview, Minn. | High School: Mounds View H.S. | Previous School: North Iowa Area CC Scouting Report: Mezzenga exploded onto the scene this past spring and summer as one of the top hitters in the second half of the Northwoods League season for the St. Cloud Rox. He has excellent arm strength, above average hitting skills with excellent bat speed and power to all fields. Mezzenga has the versatility, and athleticism to play shortstop or third base in the infield and could also see time in a corner outfield spot. |
Mezzenga comes to Minnesota after playing his first two years of college at North Iowa Area Community College. He had a huge sophomore season, hitting .345 with 15 home runs and 15 RBI while slugging .635 for the year in 53 games. He had 68 hits in 197 at-bats, knocking 12 doubles and tallying 34 walks. He played in 19 games in his freshman year, tallying a .150 batting average · hit one home run with five RBI, six hits and five runs scored · walked 10 times and stole a base · slugged .225 with a .314 on-base percentage. roster as one of the top prospects in the Northwoods League.
This past summer, he played in 13 games for the St. Cloud Rox, hitting .361 with two home runs, 19 RBI and 14 runs scored · had 22 hits in 61 at-bats, hitting six doubles and walking eight times · posted a .557 slugging percentage and a .429 on-base percentage.
Mezzenga was born on Jan. 18, 2002 in St. Paul, Minnesota to Rainie Mezzenga-McSherry and Tony Mezzenga. He has three brothers, Ben, Gabe and Luke. Ben played for the Gophers from 2016-19, earning All-Big Ten Second Team honors as a junior. He will be majoring in business marketing education at Minnesota.
Mezzenga on why he chose Minnesota: "I chose Minnesota because I grew up a Gopher and there's nowhere else I wanted to go. I had an older brother that played football for the 'U' and another brother that played baseball here. Being able to go to all of their games and see how much of a blast they had really made me want to follow in their footsteps. Also being able to continue playing with a friend from NIACC in Connor Wietgrefe and be able to get back on the field with high school teammate Brett Bateman helped make my decision easy. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to wear the maroon and gold."
Schools Recruited By: Washington, Washington State, Tulane, Murray State, Charleston Southern, and Southeastern Louisiana.
Packy Casey on Ike Mezzenga: "Gopher Baseball has always thrived on internally motivated and talented individuals who really want to be at Minnesota and Ike Mezzenga is definitely one of those players. Ike has transformed himself into a legitimate offensive threat these last two years at NIACC on top of working on his athleticism, versatility, and defensive acumen as an infielder. He had a huge summer with the St. Cloud Rox in the Northwoods League, where he ended up hitting 3-hole and producing extensively while playing multiple positions. Ike has shown the ability to handle playing shortstop on top of showcasing impressive leadership qualities and an exceptional work ethic. This is where Ike belongs - he's a classic Minnesota kid who's really started to reach the peak of his abilities and it's exciting to think what he'll be able to do for this program. We are extremely happy to have a Mezzenga back with Gopher Baseball, as Ben was a big part of the program from 16-19. Ike will be no different. We proudly welcome back his parents, Tony and Rainie, to the Gopher Baseball Family."
The new look Gophers have finished competition for the fall and will focus on strength training and development for the rest of the fall and winter until training camp starts in January.