University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
Jaenke Named to NCBWA Stopper of the Year Preseason Watch List
2/10/2026 2:21:00 PM | Baseball
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. – University of Minnesota right handed pitcher Brandon Jaenke was named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association's (NCBWA) Stopper of the Year award watchlist, as announced this afternoon.
The NCBWA Stopper of the Year award was introduced in the 2005 season to honor the nation's top relief pitcher. The 104 player preseason watch list is set to be reduced midseason on April 22, 2026.
Jaenke joins the Gophers after a decorated career with the Viterbo University V-Hawks, tallying a 4.84 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP over 199.0 total innings of work. During the 2024 season, Jaenke set the season strikeout record at Viterbo with 104 total strikeouts and currently holds the school's career strikeout record with 260.
Minnesota baseball begins their season this weekend with a three game weekend against Stetson University, St. John's University, and Ball State University. All the action begins against the Hatters on Friday, Feb. 13, at 5:30 PM (CT).