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8 former Blizzard players taken in the MLB Draft

06/13/2016, 9:00am CDT
By Adam Barta, Blizzard Baseball

Shore, Boldt, Call, Fiedler, Sawyer, Muckenhirn, Knutson and Wolfe all get drafted

Eight former Blizzard players taken in the MLB draft !


Logan Shore and Matt Fiedler - Minnesota Players of the Year 2013

The Minnesota Blizzard had a very proud weekend after having eight former Blizzard players taken in the Major League Baseball Draft this past weekend !

Since 2008, a total of 40 players have either been drafted or signed as free agents with professional teams.  This year marked the largest number of former Blizzard players signing which included its highest-drafted player - Logan Shore, who was taken 47th overall and Ryan Boldt 53rd overall (both 2nd rd).  The previous second rounders included Brad Hand (2008-Marlins) and Madison Boer (2011-Twins).

RHP - Logan Shore: 2nd Round (47th Pick) - OAKLAND A's
OF - Ryan Boldt: 2nd Round (53rd Pick) - TAMPA BAY RAYS
OF - Alex Call: 3rd Round (86th Pick) - CHICAGO WHITE SOX
LHP - Dalton Sawyer: 9th Round (262nd Pick) - OAKLAND A's
C - Matt Fiedler: 9th Round (286th Pick) - ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
LHP - Zach Muckenhirn: 11th Round (331st Pick) - BALTIMORE ORIOLES
LHP - Max Knutson: 12th Round (361st Pick) - BALTIMORE ORIOLES
SS - Tyler Wolfe: 39th Round (1177th Picks) - HOUSTON ASTROS

Make sure you take a look at our Minnesota Blizzard program information and dates for tryouts - starting June 27th.  You can find all of it on OUR WEBSITE !

Below was last week's Annual Blizzard Alumni Draft Preview

RHP Logan Shore - Florida Gators / Blizzard 06'-13'

Logan Shore video

As one of the top high school players to come out of Minnesota, Shore finished his season this year as the SEC Pitcher of the Year going 10-0 not having lost a game in over a year.  Shore is projected to be picked in the 1st round which would be the highest a Blizzard alum has been taken in the draft in front of former Blizzard Alum 2nd rounders Brad Hand (Marlins), Sam Hentges (Indians) and Madison Boer (Twins).

Shore sits between 90-94mph and has pin point accuracy.  His slider is his most improved pitch and will prove to be a swing and miss pitch at the next level.  But his go to bullet has always been his change up.  It is big league ready and it has been his key to being #1 Florida's Friday night starter for the last three years.

LHP Zach Muckenhirn - North Dakota / Blizzard 06' & 13'

Zach Muckenhirn video

Muckenhirn didn't get a whole lot of press in high school despite being a phenomenal pitcher for the Blizzard.  In fact, 'Muck' was the winning pitcher in 2012 when the Blizzard won their first LVBA tournament championship.

But that 82mph fastball turned into a 92mph fastball by his junior year at UND and has touched 93/94 out of the bullpen.  Throwing complete games against ranked opponents USC and Alabama, Muckenhirn put himself on the map early in the year as one of the top LHP prospects in the upper Midwest.

OF/RHP Matt Fiedler - Minnesota Gophers / Blizzard: 06'-13'

Matt Fiedler video (2012)

Matt Fiedler has been the only player in Blizzard history to sweep the Post-Season awards winning the Top Pitcher, Top Hitter, MVP and Leadership Award his junior year in high school.  Things haven't changed much in Fiedler's junior year in college after recently being named the Big Ten Player of the Year and is also a finalist for the John Olerud Award - an award that is given out to the nation's top hitter and pitcher.

The jury is out on what scouts see Fiedler as.  He is 90-93 with a good change and slider but also led the Big 10 in hitting and showed some pop with eight homeruns in 2016.  Two-way player in the minors?  Time will tell but Fiedler has put himself in a good position on draft day this week.

OF Alex Call - Ball State / Blizzard: 06'-11'

Alex Call video

You know about the former stud pitchers Matt Fiedler, Logan Shore, Jake Matthys, Kasey Ralston and Tyler Hanson - all stud Division I athletes who played on the same team.  But what you may not know is that the top pitcher on the 15u and 16u team was a R/R kid from River Falls, WI - Alex Call.  Call, who was a mainstay with the Blizzard, was a top two-way player for the Blizzard program before committing to Ball State his senior year.  Call just earned MAC Player of the Year as well as being named a Louisville All-American after a season in which he was in the top five of virtually every offensive category in the country.

Call is an above-average outfielder with a plus arm.  His last workout in a Blizzard uniform, he threw 100mph.  Yikes.  Despite being very good off the mound, his offense has what has made him a top prospect projected to go in the first 10 rounds of this year's MLB draft.

LHP Dalton Sawyer - Minnesota Gophers / Blizzard: 10'-12'

Dalton Sawyer video

Sawyer was a project when he joined the Blizzard not having logged a lot of innings before he entered the program but he left it as a top-tier Division I prospect committing to the University of Minnesota.

He has was the Gophers closer early in his career before moving to a weekend starting role.  After a severe car accident after his freshman year in college, Sawyer has bounced back.

A 6'4" left-handed pitcher, Sawyer has a long, wirey frame and sits between 88-92 with a good slider and a change up that has developed along the way.  Sawyer was drafted after his junior year in the 27th round (Twins) but decided to head back for his senior year and should be a lock to be a very good senior sign.

OF Ryan Boldt - Nebraska Huskers / Blizzard: 09'-10'

Ryan Boldt video

After a knee injury in high school prevented Boldt from being a high draft pick, he went to Nebraska, following in Blizzard Alum and cousin Pat Kelly's footsteps.  Boldt, who was an underdeveloped player while with the Blizzard, was also one of their most projectable, young prospects as he was one of the top hitters in his class that included players Jon Hander (Kansas), Dylan Dresel (Mankato), Anthony Mrosla (Ohio U.), Justin Smith (ICCC), Matt Fiedler and Kasey Ralston (Indiana/St. Thomas).

Boldt was an Academic All-American this year and earned Big 10 Post-Season honors as a second-team selection.  Boldt, who is plus runner and above-average defender in the outfield, has made his mark at the plate as one of the top left-handed pure hitters in the draft.  As a standout for Team USA in high school, Boldt has continued his accolades as one of the top pro prospects who should see his name come off the MLB draft board early.

Other Notable prospects


INF Michael Busch - Simley High School (North Carolina commit)
Blizzard: 2012-2015 VIDEO

LHP Jackson Douglas - K-State/Iowa Western CC
Blizzard: 2012-2013 VIDEO

LHP Max Knutson - Nebraska Huskers
Blizzard: 2010-2011

SS Tyler Wolfe - Kansas State
Blizzard: 2008-2012

RHP Ryan Froom - South Dakota State Jack Rabbits
Blizzard: 2007, 2012-2013

Blizzard Elite and Fall Tryouts 2016-2017 season

June 27th 17u/18u
June 28th 17u/18u Call Back Games
June 29th 17u/18u Call Back Games
June 30th 9u, 10u, 11u
June 30th 12u
June 30th 13u
July 1st Make-Up Day
July 5th 16u
July 6th 16u Call Back Games
July 7th 12u & 13u Call Back Games (TBA)
July 8th Make-Up Day
July 11th 14u
July 12th 14u Call Back Games
July 13th 15u
July 14th 15u Call Back Games
July 15th Make-Up Day

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