School: Burnsville | Year: Senior | Position: P/OF/1B | College: Florida
Metro Player of the Year is counted on to carry the Blaze, both with his arm and bat. Carlson is 5-1 with one save, 0.67 ERA, 76 strikeouts in 52 innings. Allowed only 31 hits. At the plate, Carlson has hit seven home runs and is batting .493. “He is truly a leader,” Blaze coach Mick Scholl said.
School: Heritage Christian | Year: Junior | Position: SS/P | College: Missouri
A terrifying hitter who also can be overpowering on the mound. “A true five-tool player,” Eagles coach Jon Ledeboer said. “Seth loves to face the highest competition.” Batted .488 with a slugging percentage of .963. On the mound, struck out 112 batters in 54⅔ innings.
School: St. Michael-Albertville | Year: Senior | Position: C | College: Northwestern
One of the state’s best signal callers and power hitters. Batted .407 with 24 of his 35 hits going for extra bases. Had seven doubles, 12 triples and five home runs while driving in 41 runs. “When we needed a big hit from him, he came through,” Knights coach Paul Schumm said.
School: Blaine | Year: Senior | Position: P/SS | College: Bethel
The Bengals’ success went hand-in-hand with Riola’s development. Went 8-1 with one save and a 0.99 ERA. Also led the team in runs scored. “On the mound, in the field, Sam is a big reason we were able to get to 19 wins,” Bengals coach Eric Feigum said.
School: Minnetonka | Year: Senior | Position: OF/P | College: Oregon
Bounced back from a sub-par junior year to have a spectacular senior season. The 6-7 Ramsey batted .500 with seven home runs and 27 RBI. As a pitcher, went 3-2 with one save and a 1.37 ERA. “He had a great season at the plate because of his discipline,” Skippers coach Paul Twenge said.
School: Anoka | Year: Senior | Position: P/SS | College: Jacksonville
“Trent does things on the mound that are mind-boggling, and his numbers back it,” Tornadoes coach Shannon Blansette said. Went 5-2 with one save, ERA of 1.12. Struck out a school record 84 batters, including at least a dozen in a game three times, in 50⅓ innings.
School: Woodbury | Year: Senior | Position: P/SS | College: Minnesota
“Max can an impact the game in all facets, with his defense at shortstop, his pitching on the mound, and his bat at the plate,” Royals coach Kevin McDermott said. “He is flat-out a winner.” Meyer is 9-1 with one save and a 0.77 ERA with 102 strikeouts in 72 innings, also hitting .433.
School: Forest Lake | Year: Senior | Position: P/OF | College: MSU, Mankato
Like his team, Kline has flown under the radar. Not only an outstanding pitcher, but also a solid outfielder and hitter. Posted an 8-1 record, 0.84 ERA. “He has the ability to rise to the occasion and pitch well in big games,” Rangers coach Tal Gravelle said. “He understands how to compete.”
School: Wayzata | Year: Senior | Position: P/1B | College: Undecided
Oberg is 7-1 on the mound with a 1.07 ERA and has hit five home runs at the plate. “He’s been an anchor to our lineup and has come through in the clutch on a routine basis,” Wayzata coach Bobby DeWitt said. “His pitching this year has been phenomenal.”
School: Champlin Park | Grade: Sr. | Position: SS/P | College: South Carolina-Upstate.
Smooth in the field, prides himself on defense.
School: Stillwater | Grade: Soph. | Position: P/3B | College: Undecided
Burst onto the scene with hard fastball for Class 4A, No. 1 Ponies.
School: East Ridge | Grade: Sr. | Position: SS | College: Nebraska-Omaha
A contact hitter with a very strong arm.
School: Lakeville North | Grade: Jr. | Position: C | College: TCU
Switch-hitter is solid defensively with an outstanding arm.
School: Eastview | Grade: Sr. | Position: P/1B | College: Minnesota
Posted 6-1 record with one save, 1.45 ERA.
School: Rosemount | Grade: Sr. | Position: P/SS | College: Xavier
Had a winning record on the mound despite lack of run support.
School: Waconia | Grade: Sr. | Position: C | College: Wayne State
Hit .410 with zero strikeouts, caught 57 percent of base stealers.
School: Woodbury | Grade: Sr. | Position: 1B | College: Iowa Western
Power hitter (six home runs) to go with a .380 average.
School: Minnetonka | Grade: Sr. | Position: P | College: Minnesota
Skippers’ staff ace went 5-1 with a 1.64 ERA
The MN Baseball Hub poll is based on opinion and for entertainment purposes only.
The all-metro teams and player of the year were chosen based on nominations from metro area coaches, conversations with coaches and staff observations.
Tag(s): Featured Star Tribune MSHSL Conferences Lake Minnetonka Wayzata Heritage Christian Mississippi 8 Mississippi 8 - Blue St. Michael-Albertville Anoka Blaine Champlin Park South Suburban Burnsville Eastview Lakeville North Rosemount East Ridge Forest Lake Stillwater Woodbury Waconia Section 5AAAA Section 7AAAA Section 8AAAA Section 4A Class AAAA Class AAA