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Photo by: Brad Rempel
Trio of Gophers Named to All-Big Ten Teams
5/21/2024 5:32:00 PM | Baseball
Fitzgerald, Merila, Spanier and Wietgrefe were honored
ROSEMONT, Ill. -- Three Golden Gophers were named to All-Big Ten Teams, the conference announced on Tuesday evening.
Junior starting pitcher Connor Wietgrefe made first team, redshirt junior Josh Fitzgerald made second team and rookie shortstop Jack Spanier made the All-Freshman team. It's the first postseason honor for all three players in their careers.
Connor Wietgrefe dominated on the mound in 2024 for the Gophers. The southpaw had a 7-4 record in 13 starts. His eight wins tied for first and his 2.77 ERA ranked second among Big Ten pitchers. Wietgrefe ranked in the top ten in the conference in strikeouts (74 - sixth), innings (78.0 - eighth), earned runs (25 - fourth) and runs (35 - ninth). Named the Dave Winfield Pitcher of the Year by the team, Wietgrefe also stood out in advanced metrics. He was second among Big Ten hurlers in fielding independent pitching (FIP) at 2.88 and third in wins above replacement (WAR) at 1.53.
A Prior Lake, Minn. native, Wietgrefe was one of nine players in the conference to pitch a complete game this season. In 78.0 innings, he allowed just 12 extra-base hits, only one of which was a home run that did not leave the ballpark. The Gophers won 10 of the 15 games he appeared in, including winning six of his eight Big Ten starts. Wietgrefe is the first Gopher since Eli Wilson in 2019 to be named First Team All-Big Ten.
After missing all of 2023 due to injury, Josh Fitzgerald made his presence known in 2024. The redshirt junior led the team in average (.360), slugging (.632) and on-base percentage (.467). He was fourth in the Big Ten in OPS (1.100), fifth in slugging, sixth in OBP, and ninth in batting average.
Despite missing six games, Fitzgerald still ranked third on the team in home runs (9) and RBI (38), and fifth on the team in runs (31), hits (49) and total bases (86). He was a perfect 11-for-11 in stolen bases and committed just one error in the outfield while recording 87 putouts which was fourth-most on the team. A Mason City, Iowa native, Fitzgerald was named the Richard "Chief" Siebert Most Valuable Player and the Paul Molitor Batting Champion at the team banquet.
Jack Spanier earned the starting shortstop position halfway through the season and made the most of his opportunity. The rookie from Cold Spring, Minn. was the only unanimous selection for the All-Freshman team. Spanier hit .361 in Big Ten play, the second highest average for any freshman in 2024 and led all Minnesota starters with a .458 on-base percentage against conference opponents.
After going 5-for-33 in his first 14 games, Spanier came alive offensively in the back half of the season. Over his final 16 games, Spanier hit .388 with nine RBI and nine runs scored. He drew seven walks with a .464 on-base percentage, slugging .429 with two doubles in that span. For the season, Spanier hit .293/.414/.329 with 12 RBI and 17 runs scored. He stole four bases and recorded 36 putouts with 58 assists, committing just two errors as a rookie at shortstop.
Senior outfielder Boston Merila was chosen as Minnesota's Big Ten Sportsmanship Award recipient. Merila slashed .254/.355/.305 for the season with 17 RBI and 23 runs scored. After starting the season as the primary left fielder, Merila missed 15 games with an injury. The St. Michael, Minn. native leaves Minnesota as the all-time leader in hit by pitches. Merila was given the David Chelesnik, Jr. Memorial Award at the team banquet for demonstrating the special qualities of courage, determination and perseverance that were exhibited by David.
The Gophers finished their season on Saturday with a 25-23 (11-13 Big Ten) record in head coach John Anderson's final season. It is the first time since 2019 that the team has finished above .500.
2024 BIG TEN BASEBALL AWARDS
PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
Josh Kuroda-Grauer, Jr., INF, Rutgers
PITCHER OF THE YEAR:
Brett Sears, Sr., RHP, Nebraska
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR:
Luke Gaffney, Fr., C/1B, Purdue
COACH OF THE YEAR:
Dan Hartleb, Illinois
ALL-BIG TEN, FIRST TEAM
C – Camden Janik, Jr., Illinois
1B – Eddie Hacopian, Jr., Maryland
2B – Sam Hojnar, Sr., Maryland
SS – Josh Juroda-Grauer, Jr., Rutgers
3B – Raider Tello, Jr., Iowa
OF – Devin Taylor, So., Indiana
OF – Stephen Hrustich, Gr., Michigan
OF – Jack Frank, Sr., Michigan State
SP – Brody Brecht, Jr., Iowa
SP – Brett Sears, Sr., Nebraska
SP – Connor Wietgrefe, Jr., Minnesota
RP – Jacob Denner, 5th, Michigan
DH – Jacob Shroeder, Sr., Illinois
At-Large – Mitch Voit, So., Michigan
ALL-BIG TEN, SECOND TEAM
C – J.T. Marr, Gr., Penn State
1B – Luke Gaffney, Fr., Purdue
2B – Brody Harding, Sr., Illinois
SS – Henry Kaczmar, So., Ohio State
3B – Chris Hacopian, Fr., Maryland
OF – Ryan Moerman, Jr., Illinois
OF – Josh Fitzgerald, Jr., Minnesota
OF – Adam Cecere, Gr., Penn State
SP – Connor Foley, So., Indiana
SP – Joseph Dzierwa, So., Michigan State
SP – Mason McConnaughey, So., Nebraska
RP – Logan Berrier, Sr., Maryland
DH – Tyler Stone, Jr., Nebraska
At-Large – Joey Brenczewski, Fr., Indiana
ALL-BIG TEN, THIRD TEAM
C – Connor Caskenette, Sr., Michigan
1B – Drake Westcott, Jr., Illinois
2B – Mack Timbrook, Gr., Michigan
SS – Tyler Cerny, So., Indiana
3B – Bryce Molinaro, Fr., Penn State
OF – Andy Nelson, Sr., Iowa
OF – Case Sanderson, Fr., Nebraska
OF – Mike Bolton Jr., 5th, Purdue
SP – Kurt Barr, So., Michigan
SP – Jordan Morales, Gr., Purdue
SP – Justin Sinibaldi, Sr., Rutgers
RP – Blaine Wynk, So., Ohio State
DH – Reese Moore, Fr., Iowa
At-Large – Cameron Chee-Aloy, Fr., Illinois
ALL-BIG TEN FRESHMAN TEAM
C – Reese Moore, Fr., Iowa
1B – Luke Gaffney, Fr., Purdue
2B – Jasen Oliver, Fr., Indiana
SS – Jack Spanier, Fr., Minnesota +
3B – Chris Hacopian, Fr., Maryland
OF – Cameron Chee-Aloy, Fr., Illinois
OF – Case Sanderson, Fr., Nebraska
OF – Jackson Freeman, Fr., Northwestern
SP – Gavin DeVooght, Fr., Ohio State
SP – Mason Horwat, Fr., Penn State
SP – Cole Van Assen, Fr., Purdue
RP – Jacob Vogel, Fr., Indiana
DH – Collin Priest, Fr., Michigan
At-Large – Joey Brenczewski, Fr., Indiana
+ unanimous selection
SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
Connor Milton, Sr., OF, Illinois
Jake Stadler, Jr., C, Indiana
Michael Seegers, Sr., IF, Iowa
Jacob Orr, Jr., IF, Maryland
Dylan Stanton, Sr., IF, Michigan
Dillon Kark, Sr., IF, Michigan State
Boston Merila, Sr., OF, Minnesota
Drew Christo, Jr., RHP, Nebraska
Matt McClure, Sr., RHP, Northwestern
Mitchell Okuley, Sr., OF, Ohio State
C.J. Pittaro, Sr., IF, Penn State
Thomas Green, Gr., IF, Purdue
Sonny Fauci, Gr., RHP, Rutgers
Junior starting pitcher Connor Wietgrefe made first team, redshirt junior Josh Fitzgerald made second team and rookie shortstop Jack Spanier made the All-Freshman team. It's the first postseason honor for all three players in their careers.
Connor Wietgrefe dominated on the mound in 2024 for the Gophers. The southpaw had a 7-4 record in 13 starts. His eight wins tied for first and his 2.77 ERA ranked second among Big Ten pitchers. Wietgrefe ranked in the top ten in the conference in strikeouts (74 - sixth), innings (78.0 - eighth), earned runs (25 - fourth) and runs (35 - ninth). Named the Dave Winfield Pitcher of the Year by the team, Wietgrefe also stood out in advanced metrics. He was second among Big Ten hurlers in fielding independent pitching (FIP) at 2.88 and third in wins above replacement (WAR) at 1.53.
A Prior Lake, Minn. native, Wietgrefe was one of nine players in the conference to pitch a complete game this season. In 78.0 innings, he allowed just 12 extra-base hits, only one of which was a home run that did not leave the ballpark. The Gophers won 10 of the 15 games he appeared in, including winning six of his eight Big Ten starts. Wietgrefe is the first Gopher since Eli Wilson in 2019 to be named First Team All-Big Ten.
After missing all of 2023 due to injury, Josh Fitzgerald made his presence known in 2024. The redshirt junior led the team in average (.360), slugging (.632) and on-base percentage (.467). He was fourth in the Big Ten in OPS (1.100), fifth in slugging, sixth in OBP, and ninth in batting average.
Despite missing six games, Fitzgerald still ranked third on the team in home runs (9) and RBI (38), and fifth on the team in runs (31), hits (49) and total bases (86). He was a perfect 11-for-11 in stolen bases and committed just one error in the outfield while recording 87 putouts which was fourth-most on the team. A Mason City, Iowa native, Fitzgerald was named the Richard "Chief" Siebert Most Valuable Player and the Paul Molitor Batting Champion at the team banquet.
Jack Spanier earned the starting shortstop position halfway through the season and made the most of his opportunity. The rookie from Cold Spring, Minn. was the only unanimous selection for the All-Freshman team. Spanier hit .361 in Big Ten play, the second highest average for any freshman in 2024 and led all Minnesota starters with a .458 on-base percentage against conference opponents.
After going 5-for-33 in his first 14 games, Spanier came alive offensively in the back half of the season. Over his final 16 games, Spanier hit .388 with nine RBI and nine runs scored. He drew seven walks with a .464 on-base percentage, slugging .429 with two doubles in that span. For the season, Spanier hit .293/.414/.329 with 12 RBI and 17 runs scored. He stole four bases and recorded 36 putouts with 58 assists, committing just two errors as a rookie at shortstop.
Senior outfielder Boston Merila was chosen as Minnesota's Big Ten Sportsmanship Award recipient. Merila slashed .254/.355/.305 for the season with 17 RBI and 23 runs scored. After starting the season as the primary left fielder, Merila missed 15 games with an injury. The St. Michael, Minn. native leaves Minnesota as the all-time leader in hit by pitches. Merila was given the David Chelesnik, Jr. Memorial Award at the team banquet for demonstrating the special qualities of courage, determination and perseverance that were exhibited by David.
The Gophers finished their season on Saturday with a 25-23 (11-13 Big Ten) record in head coach John Anderson's final season. It is the first time since 2019 that the team has finished above .500.
2024 BIG TEN BASEBALL AWARDS
PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
Josh Kuroda-Grauer, Jr., INF, Rutgers
PITCHER OF THE YEAR:
Brett Sears, Sr., RHP, Nebraska
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR:
Luke Gaffney, Fr., C/1B, Purdue
COACH OF THE YEAR:
Dan Hartleb, Illinois
ALL-BIG TEN, FIRST TEAM
C – Camden Janik, Jr., Illinois
1B – Eddie Hacopian, Jr., Maryland
2B – Sam Hojnar, Sr., Maryland
SS – Josh Juroda-Grauer, Jr., Rutgers
3B – Raider Tello, Jr., Iowa
OF – Devin Taylor, So., Indiana
OF – Stephen Hrustich, Gr., Michigan
OF – Jack Frank, Sr., Michigan State
SP – Brody Brecht, Jr., Iowa
SP – Brett Sears, Sr., Nebraska
SP – Connor Wietgrefe, Jr., Minnesota
RP – Jacob Denner, 5th, Michigan
DH – Jacob Shroeder, Sr., Illinois
At-Large – Mitch Voit, So., Michigan
ALL-BIG TEN, SECOND TEAM
C – J.T. Marr, Gr., Penn State
1B – Luke Gaffney, Fr., Purdue
2B – Brody Harding, Sr., Illinois
SS – Henry Kaczmar, So., Ohio State
3B – Chris Hacopian, Fr., Maryland
OF – Ryan Moerman, Jr., Illinois
OF – Josh Fitzgerald, Jr., Minnesota
OF – Adam Cecere, Gr., Penn State
SP – Connor Foley, So., Indiana
SP – Joseph Dzierwa, So., Michigan State
SP – Mason McConnaughey, So., Nebraska
RP – Logan Berrier, Sr., Maryland
DH – Tyler Stone, Jr., Nebraska
At-Large – Joey Brenczewski, Fr., Indiana
ALL-BIG TEN, THIRD TEAM
C – Connor Caskenette, Sr., Michigan
1B – Drake Westcott, Jr., Illinois
2B – Mack Timbrook, Gr., Michigan
SS – Tyler Cerny, So., Indiana
3B – Bryce Molinaro, Fr., Penn State
OF – Andy Nelson, Sr., Iowa
OF – Case Sanderson, Fr., Nebraska
OF – Mike Bolton Jr., 5th, Purdue
SP – Kurt Barr, So., Michigan
SP – Jordan Morales, Gr., Purdue
SP – Justin Sinibaldi, Sr., Rutgers
RP – Blaine Wynk, So., Ohio State
DH – Reese Moore, Fr., Iowa
At-Large – Cameron Chee-Aloy, Fr., Illinois
ALL-BIG TEN FRESHMAN TEAM
C – Reese Moore, Fr., Iowa
1B – Luke Gaffney, Fr., Purdue
2B – Jasen Oliver, Fr., Indiana
SS – Jack Spanier, Fr., Minnesota +
3B – Chris Hacopian, Fr., Maryland
OF – Cameron Chee-Aloy, Fr., Illinois
OF – Case Sanderson, Fr., Nebraska
OF – Jackson Freeman, Fr., Northwestern
SP – Gavin DeVooght, Fr., Ohio State
SP – Mason Horwat, Fr., Penn State
SP – Cole Van Assen, Fr., Purdue
RP – Jacob Vogel, Fr., Indiana
DH – Collin Priest, Fr., Michigan
At-Large – Joey Brenczewski, Fr., Indiana
+ unanimous selection
SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
Connor Milton, Sr., OF, Illinois
Jake Stadler, Jr., C, Indiana
Michael Seegers, Sr., IF, Iowa
Jacob Orr, Jr., IF, Maryland
Dylan Stanton, Sr., IF, Michigan
Dillon Kark, Sr., IF, Michigan State
Boston Merila, Sr., OF, Minnesota
Drew Christo, Jr., RHP, Nebraska
Matt McClure, Sr., RHP, Northwestern
Mitchell Okuley, Sr., OF, Ohio State
C.J. Pittaro, Sr., IF, Penn State
Thomas Green, Gr., IF, Purdue
Sonny Fauci, Gr., RHP, Rutgers
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