University of Minnesota Athletics
Jack Spanier Signs with Gophers
4/17/2023 1:52:00 PM | Baseball
The shortstop is a Cold Spring, Minn., native
MINNEAPOLIS -- The University of Minnesota Baseball program announced an addition to their 2023 class this week with the signing of shortstop Jack Spanier (Cold Spring, Minn./Rocori H.S.). The addition brings the Gophers '23 class to eleven signees, nine of which hail from Minnesota, and addresses every major position group on the field with a strong emphasis placed on athleticism and versatility, similar to the 2022 class. Spanier joins Alex Altmann (OF; Buffalo, Minn.), Cade Bruett (OF/1B; Delano, Minn.), Oliver Giel (RHP; Wayzata, Minn.), Tyler Hemmesch (RHP; Sartell, Minn.), Gunnar Heuchert (SS, Grand Forks, N.D.), Parker Lewin (RHP/OF; Minnetrista, Minn.), Kyle Remington (RHP/SS/OF; Grand Rapids, Mich.), Charlie Sutherland (SS/OF; Duluth, Minn.), Jack Taxdahl (C/SS; Prior Lake, Minn.) and Will Whelan (Centennial, Minn.).
Spanier, a three-sport standout at Rocori High School, has totaled 10 varsity letters during his prep career (four in football, three in basketball and three in baseball) in addition to being one of the top dual threat quarterbacks and one of the premier shooting guards in the state. This past fall, he led the Spartans to a 9-3 season and made it all the way to the Class 4A semifinals at U.S. Bank Stadium. For the season, Spanier threw for 1,711 yards and 22 touchdowns while also running for 443 yards and 11 additional touchdowns. By seasons end, Spanier had one of the highest completion percentages in the state at 68.2% in 176 attempts, finished ninth in the state in passing TD's and finished as one of the state's best punters with a 41.5 average. The Cold Spring native also earned First Team All-Central Lake Conference honors and was twice named to the All-District Team (2022, 2023). He was named District QB of the Year, St. Cloud Times Second Team All-Metro and was a semifinalist for the Steve Walsh Minnesota QB of the Year award.
On the hardwood, Spanier started and lettered three years for the Spartans, leading them to 37 wins in three seasons. For his career, the 6-foot, 180-pound shooting guard totaled 782 points, twice leading Rocori in scoring. As a junior he averaged a team-best 13.2 point per game. As a senior, he once again led the way in scoring, averaging 12.5 points, eight rebounds and four assists per game. He was most recently named the Spartans team MVP and garnered Central Lake All-Conference honors.
A three-year starter for the Spartans at shortstop, Spanier heads into his senior season as one of the top players in Minnesota. Over the previous two seasons, he's helped lead the Spartans to a 29-19 record and twice into the section semifinals. Making an immediate impact as a sophomore, he led the Spartans with a .377 average with a team-best 29 hits, 10 doubles and 23 RBI to go along with six stolen bases and one of the highest OBP in the state at .468, he garnered Central Lakes All-Conference honors in 2021.
As a junior, Spanier once again led the charge for the Spartan offense, finishing with a .323 average. He amassed 20 hits, six doubles, scoring 19 runs and stealing 13 bases, all the while breaking out defensively at shortstop where he earned the Spartans 'Defensive Player of the Year' award fielding .961 in 77 defensive chances. Spanier has twice been named to the All-District Team in addition to being named to the St. Cloud Times All-Metro 2nd Team and to the American Legion All Star Team this past summer representing Cold Spring Post 455. Spanier follows a long line of prominent Rocori graduates to Gold Country to play for John Anderson, a list that includes Steve Huls ('96), Ben Griffin ('97), Troy Stein ('97), Eric Decker ('09) and most recently Austin Athmann ('16).
Schools Recruited By: NDSU, St. Johns (football and baseball)
Spanier on why he chose Minnesota: "I chose the University of Minnesota because of the rich tradition, incredible staff and facilities. It has been my dream as far back as I can remember to be a Gopher. The 'U' has an incredible history of players making it to the next level and great success for their athletes after college. Whether that's a job, or continuing their baseball career, the players' have great success. The coaching staff did an incredible job recruiting me and making me feel at home, and the players who were already committed in my class are a great group of dudes who were easy to connect with. The facilities are great and I can imagine myself there for the next four years! I remember watching my high school team play in the state tournament there and thinking I wanted to be there someday. The education is top notch, and I am excited to continue my academic and athletic career at such a prestigious university."
John Anderson on Spanier: "Jack comes to us from a very proud and successful baseball program in Rocori, where we've recruited some outstanding players and developed lifelong relationships in the community. We are always looking for the best fits, and Jack matches the values, character traits and internal motivation we strive to find in young men who have a strong desire to wear our uniform and represent Minnesota baseball proudly. We've made a point to recruit great athletes who excel in a variety of ways and Jack has shown the ability to play consistently at a high level, in multiple sports, with the leadership qualities and outstanding academic credentials that will serve him well during his time at the University of Minnesota. This addition to an already very promising 2023 class will not only help strengthen the competitiveness of the program, but add another quality individual to our group that will help make others around him better. I'm very excited to welcome Jack and his family to the Gopher Baseball Family, where I look forward to working with him and preparing him for the next 50 years of his life."