University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
Eight Gophers Picked on Day Two of 2026 MLB Draft
7/12/2026 6:39:00 PM | Baseball
Gophers set new program record for players taken in a single draft
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. – The University of Minnesota baseball program saw a group of eight players taken on the second and final day of the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft today. Cole Selvig was taken with the 176th overall pick in the sixth round by the Miami Marlins, Isaac Morton was taken with the 188th overall pick in the sixth round by the Chicago Cubs, Marcus Kruzan was taken with the 371st overall pick in the 12th round by the Milwaukee Brewers, Jack Spanier was taken with the 386th overall pick in the 13th round by the Arizona Diamondbacks, Will Whelan was taken with the 387th overall pick in the 13th round by the Texas Rangers, Charlie Sutherland was taken with the 460th overall pick in the 15th round by the Seattle Mariners, high school commit Keaton Maiorana was taken with the 461st overall pick in the 15th round by the Milwaukee Brewers, and Weber Neels was taken with the 566th overall pick in the 19th round by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The group continues a streak for Gopher baseball of 39 consecutive years with a draft pick, beginning in 1988 when Jay Kvasnicka was selected in the eighth round by the Minnesota Twins.
Junior right hander Cole Selvig made 14 appearances for the Gophers in the 2026 season, starting in all of them. The six-foot tall weekend starter collected a 5-4 record and a 5.21 ERA with 58 strikeouts over 67.1 innings of work, leading the pitching staff in wins, innings pitched, and total appearances.
Junior right hander Isaac Morton made 13 total appearances for the Gophers throughout 2026, starting in all of them. The six-foot-three weekend starter posted a 4-2 record and a 3.26 ERA with 63 strikeouts over 60.2 innings of work, leading the Gopher arms in ERA, opposing batting average, win/loss percentage, and strikeouts. His efforts earned him Second Team All-Big Ten honors.
Junior right hander Marcus Kruzan made 14 appearances on the mound for the Gophers in 2026, starting in 12 of them. The six-foot-two weekend starter collected a 4-5 record and a 4.10 ERA with 54 strikeouts over 54.4 innings of work, recording a season high six strikeouts over 4.0 innings of work against Michigan.
Junior shortstop Jack Spanier appeared in 51 games for the Gophers throughout 2026, starting in them all. The six-foot tall middle infielder slashed a .291 average, .428 on-base percentage, and a .487 OPS with 16 doubles, four triples, five home runs, and 35 RBIs, leading the team in doubles, triples, and walks.
Junior southpaw Will Whelan made 12 appearances in relief for the Gophers in 2026. The six-foot tall reliever recorded a 0-0 record and a 6.19 ERA with 19 strikeouts over 16.0 innings of work, tallying a season high five strikeouts at Penn State.
Junior outfielder Charlie Sutherland appeared in all 53 games throughout 2026 for the Gophers, starting in 52 of them. The six-foot-two right fielder slashed a .325 average, a .434 on-base percentage, and a .572 OPS with 11 doubles, two triples, 11 home runs, and 56 RBIs with 63 hits and 47 runs over 194 at bats, leading the team in total hits and RBIs. His efforts earned him Third Team All-Big Ten honors.
Class of 2026 commit Keaton Maiorana ranks as the 43rd ranked player overall and the 15th ranked right handed pitcher out of the state of Colorado by Prep Baseball Report. The six-foot-five arm is also the 500th ranked player and the 436th ranked righty in the nation by Perfect Game USA.
Senior catcher Weber Neels appeared in 51 games during his final campaign with the Gophers, starting in 50 of them. The six-foot-one backstop slashed a .337 average, a .437 on-base percentage, and a .603 OPS with 10 doubles, 13 home runs, and 53 RBIs with 62 hits and 49 runs over 184 at bats, leading the team in batting average, OPS, slugging percentage, hit by pitches, and sac flies. His efforts earned him First Team All-Big Ten Honors.