Goldy Gopher
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- Nov 30, 2011
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The Gophers lose 7 seniors 4 position players in Eddie Estrada, Riley Smith, Cole McDevitt, and Ben Mezzenga and 3 pitchers in Jeff Fasching, Jake Stevenson, and Nick Lackney. They also could lose a couple guys to the draft. Eli Wilson is the most likely but Brett Schulze and Jordan Kozicky are also possibilities.
As of right now the Gophers have announced a very talented class of 8 athletes. JUCO 1st baseman Ronnie Sweeny is probably the guy I have the most confidence in to make a big impact immediately but I think a number of guys will have really solid roles as freshman. P/IF/OF Sam Ireland was the player of the year in Colorado last year and has put up similar numbers this season. Kyle Bork and Steve Jamroziak are the two other position players in the class and are very athletic and advanced with the bat. Michael Gurka, Trent Schoeberl, Bennett Thiesen, and Will Anderson are the other pitchers in the class and I think they can find a role as well despite the pitching depth the Gophers have. They are very talented guys that have all experienced a lot of winning throughout high school and travel team ball. Anderson is a lefty while the others are all right handed. Jack Liffrig will also transfer in as a left handed pitcher from Utah who played on the same high school team as Ireland last season but that has not officially been announced yet.
Gophers will be led by a strong pitching staff again headed by a guy who can be a 1st round pick next June in Max Meyer. Classmates Patrick Fredrickson, Sam Thoresen, Josh Culliver, and Ryan Duffy will also be counted on heavily.
There was some improvement offensively at the plate as the year went on but no doubt that was the team weakness this year. You have to think you will see some improvement from guys over the summer with more at bats but I also think there is openings for guys like Sweeny, Ireland, and Bork to grab some positions as newcomers.
Schedule wise I believe U.S. Bank Stadium will be back in use and the couple series I've heard about are TCU coming to town and a B1G/ACC Challenge facing Duke, NC State, and UNC. If anyone else has any tidbits go ahead and add them.
As of right now the Gophers have announced a very talented class of 8 athletes. JUCO 1st baseman Ronnie Sweeny is probably the guy I have the most confidence in to make a big impact immediately but I think a number of guys will have really solid roles as freshman. P/IF/OF Sam Ireland was the player of the year in Colorado last year and has put up similar numbers this season. Kyle Bork and Steve Jamroziak are the two other position players in the class and are very athletic and advanced with the bat. Michael Gurka, Trent Schoeberl, Bennett Thiesen, and Will Anderson are the other pitchers in the class and I think they can find a role as well despite the pitching depth the Gophers have. They are very talented guys that have all experienced a lot of winning throughout high school and travel team ball. Anderson is a lefty while the others are all right handed. Jack Liffrig will also transfer in as a left handed pitcher from Utah who played on the same high school team as Ireland last season but that has not officially been announced yet.
Gophers will be led by a strong pitching staff again headed by a guy who can be a 1st round pick next June in Max Meyer. Classmates Patrick Fredrickson, Sam Thoresen, Josh Culliver, and Ryan Duffy will also be counted on heavily.
There was some improvement offensively at the plate as the year went on but no doubt that was the team weakness this year. You have to think you will see some improvement from guys over the summer with more at bats but I also think there is openings for guys like Sweeny, Ireland, and Bork to grab some positions as newcomers.
Schedule wise I believe U.S. Bank Stadium will be back in use and the couple series I've heard about are TCU coming to town and a B1G/ACC Challenge facing Duke, NC State, and UNC. If anyone else has any tidbits go ahead and add them.