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Meet the All-Metro baseball first team

By Star Tribune, 06/13/13, 8:00AM CDT

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All-Metro first team


Logan Shore, Coon Rapids baseball

All-Metro first team

Logan Shore

Coon Rapids, sr., pitcher/first base

From the mound, the 2012 Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year dominated every team he faced in the regular season and section playoffs. He gave up only three earned runs for an ERA of 0.44 and struck out 60 to lead the Cardinals to the Class 3A tournament and claim the No. 1 seed. Impressive with a bat, Shore hit .420 with seven extra-base hits. He is committed to play college baseball at the University of Florida.

Max Knutson

Mounds View, sr., pitcher/outfield

The lefthanded pitcher and hitter carried the Mustangs to the state tournament and his teammates didn’t expect anything less. He twice pitched more than 14 innings in a single week, throwing some 250 pitches during one of the stretches. Knutson’s endurance produced a 0.86 ERA and 42 strikeouts. He also provided a strong presence in right field and hit .312 with 10 RBI. He is committed to the University of Nebraska.

John Pryor

Minnehaha Academy, sr., pitcher/first base

A strong candidate for Player of the Year after he dominated Class 2A. The lefty didn’t give up an earned run all season, struck out 72 batters and threw a no-hitter. His single-game strikeout high was 18 in seven innings. He also won two section playoff games with a combined 22 strikeouts and a 1.00 ERA to lead the Redhawks to the state tournament. He is committed to Lipscomb University in Tennessee.

MATT SMITH

Champlin Park, sr., catcher

Smith’s defense and strong arm were praised by opposing coaches. His hitting was just as impressive. Smith hit. 446, collected 24 RBI, and consistently hit with power to all fields. He and his Champlin Park teammates were responsible for scoring the only runs conference rival and Player of the Year Logan Shore would surrender this year. Smith is committed to Missouri Southern State.

Tyler Hanson

Burnsville, sr., infield/pitcher

Hanson is arguably the state’s best combo player, and it’s hard to determine which position is his best. Opposing coaches said he has the ability to change the game on his own and can beat you from anywhere on the field. At the plate he hit .424 with 22 runs, 20 RBI and two home runs. On the mound he was 4-1-1 with a 1.20 ERA, 45 strikeouts and four walks. He is committed to the Gophers.

Matt Fiedler

St. Paul Academy, sr., infield/pitcher

Fielder finished off an impressive four-year career as a starter with a batting average of .439 with eight doubles, one triple and seven intentional walks. At shortstop he was just as sharp with a .952 fielding percentage. Despite a 1-3 record on the mound, he had an ERA of 0.52 with 39 strikeouts, one no-hitter and two one-hitters. He is committed to the Gophers.

Matt Hopfner

Edina, sr., first base/outfield/pitcher

Versatility is what makes Hopfner so special, Edina coach Carter Freeman said. The senior played all three positions at a high level and filled in wherever he was needed. He hit .483 (.607 in the Lake Conference) with eight doubles and only five strikeouts. On the mound he was 4-1 with a 1.27 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 33 innings. He is committed to Northwestern.

Dylan Dresel

Forest Lake, sr., shortstop/pitcher

Dresel’s hitting and fielding performance would have warranted an All-Metro mention. But the senior, despite not having pitched since his freshman year, tallied a win and helped the pitching staff survive a condensed season. At shortstop he had a .919 fielding percentage and turned nine doubles plays. He hit .479 with 14 doubles, two triples, one home run, 23 runs, 14 RBI and four stolen bases.

Rob Mouton

Cretin-Derham Hall, sr., pitcher/infield

The lefthander has three quality pitches with good velocity and good control. He was 5-2 with two shutouts in the section playoffs. He struck out 56, walked only seven, and had an ERA of 0.86. He also compiled a .400 average with two home runs. He is committed to Bradley.

Sheldon Miks

Shakopee, jr., pitcher/first base

The lefty just missed leading the Sabers to the state tournament. Heading into the Class 3A, Section 2 championship game, Miks was 6-1 with a 0.15 ERA, 52 strikeouts, six complete games and five shutouts. He lost to Minnetonka 2-0 in the section final. At the plate, Miks hit .315 with six doubles and 14 RBI. He is attracting Division I interest, including from the Gophers.

 

Note: Statistics were provided by coaches and might be incomplete if teams are still competing.

JASON GONZALEZ

Video: Big arms claim Metro Player of the Year

Coon Rapids' Logan Shore and Mounds View's Max Knutson recap their special seasons.

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