Sam Kennedy

Photo by: Brad Rempel

Position:
RHP
Ht./Wt.:
6-1 / 195
Bats/Throws:
R/R
Class:
Redshirt Freshman
Hometown:
St. Paul, Minn.
High School:
North St. Paul

PRONUNCIATION

HONORS & AWARDS
Academic All-Big Ten (2023-24)

2024 | SUMMER Kennedy played for the Minnestoa Mud Puppies · appeared in one game threw one inning and recorded one strike out.

2024 | REDSHIRT FRESHMAN made eight appearances with one start in his first season · had a 2-0 record with a 2.45 ERA · struck out 18 in 14.2 innings pitched, holding opponents to a .212 average against him. Game Highlights: Made his collegiate debut on Mar. 3 against Pacific, pitching 0.2 innings with one strikeout · pitched 2.2 scoreless innings with one strikeout against North Dakota State (Apr. 9) · stuck out seven batters in 3.0 shutout innings, allowing one hit and one walk against South Dakota State (Apr. 17) · pitched 4.0 innings of shutout ball, allowing three hits and striking out four against St. Thomas (Apr. 24)

2023 | SUMMER Kennedy stayed on campus to rehab, train and prepare for the 2024 season.

2023 | FRESHMAN Medically redshirted in 2023 after undergoing Tommy John surgery in the off-season.

BEFORE MINNESOTA Kennedy is a native of St. Paul, Minnesota and graduated in 2022 from North St. Paul H.S. · named the Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year in 2022, he was the first Gopher to win the award since Eddie Estrada in 2015 · the right-handed pitcher and shortstop led the Polars to a berth in the sectional tournament, posting a 3-1 record with a 0.64 ERA through 19 games, striking out 48 in 22 innings pitched while surrendering just eight hits and 10 walks · an All-Conference and All-Section honoree, he also batted .520 with five home runs and 14 RBI · he was a Rawlings/Perfect Game Second Team All-Central Region selection and played in both the Prep Baseball Report Futures Game and the Area Code Games · a two-time Perfect Game Underclassmen All-American selection, the 2021 team MVP for the Polars hit .451 as a junior with three home runs and a .549 slugging percentage while posting a 3.0 ERA on the mound with 54 strikeouts in 32 innings pitched · according to Perfect Game, Kennedy is the No. 2 pitcher and No. 7 overall player in the state of Minnesota in 2022 · he is the No. 411 player nationally according to Prep Baseball Report, including the No. 2 right-handed pitcher and No. 4 overall player in the state · he also considered USC, Indiana, Pepperdine, St. Louis, Grand Canyon, Georgia State, Milwaukee and Tennessee Tech in the recruiting process.

PERSONAL Native of St. Paul, Minnesota · the son of Laura and Dan Kennedy, he also has an older brother, Joe · he's a four-time honor roll student at North St. Paul High School · undecided on his major at Minnesota.

WHY MINNESOTA: "I chose Minnesota based off of the philosophy of their player development, playing for my home state, the rich culture of the program, and it felt like the best fit for me when I went of my visit."