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MLB Blizzard Draft Preview 2018

06/04/2018, 1:45pm CDT
By Adam Barta, Minnesota Blizzard

Look for these Blizzard Alum and a few dark horses to get drafted tomorrow

Blizzard MLB Draft Preview 2018

As the draft approaches, the Minnesota Blizzard has some interesting prospects both in college and high school who might hear their name called tomorrow in the Major League Baseball 2018 draft. 

Since 2008, the Blizzard Baseball Academy has had 43 players who have been drafted or signed to play with a professional organization. 

Mostly recently in 2017, RHP Sam Carlson (Burnsville) was taken in the 2nd Round by the Seattle Mariners while Mike Baumann (Mahtomedi) was taken in the 3rd Round by the Baltimore Orioles.  In addition, the Blizzard had two former Blizzard RHPs - Jordan Risse (St. Scholastica) and Dominic Reed (St. Thomas) who signed free-agent contracts with Sioux City and Traverse City, respectively.

Here is a list of BLIZZARD ALUM who have either been drafted or signed professionally since 2008.

Below are some former Blizzard players who you should be aware of before this week's MLB Draft.

In addition, don't forget about Blizzard Tryouts coming up beginning at the end of June for ages 9u-18u!  Play with the best in the state against the best in the country.  Blizzard Baseball.

C Nick Juaire (Lakeville North HS)

C Nick Juaire (TCU Commit) is among the top catchers in Blizzard program history.  Similar to Blizzard Alum and current pro, Aaron Gretz (Sioux Falls Canaries), Juaire is a plus defender with a big league arm (1.8 pop).  Juaire, who is a switch-hitter, has significantly more pop from the left side, but is good enough from the right side to hit from both sides for a long time to come.  Solid make up, tireless worker and hard-nosed player are all attributes that may contribute to him being picked in the top 10 rounds tomorrow.

RHP Aidan Maldonado (Rosemount HS)

DRAFTED / 38th Round - Milwaukee Brewers

RHP Aidan Maldonado (Illinois commit) is one of the top handful of pitching prospects in MN. His athleticism on the mound allows for a smooth, effortless delivery and gives him the ability to command multiple pitches in the zone.  He works 92-94mph with his fastball, topping at 95.  Pairing that with his sharp breaking slider and good change-up may see this RHP taken in the top 10 rounds this week.

RHP/SS Seth Halvorsen (Hertiage Christian Academy)

DRAFTED / 30th Round - Minnesota Twins

RHP/SS Seth Halvorsen (Missouri commit) - the Blizzard's 6th player named as the Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year - is a tooled-up athlete that has a chance to be a two-way player in college (SS/RHP).  While he is a smooth infielder with bat speed and pop, his pro prospects lean more towards the mound.  It's there that his athleticism shows with a simple, repeatable delivery and quick arm.  His fastball sits 92-95mph and he is able to run it up to 96/97.  That velocity along with a good slider and developing change-up make for a potential early round selection.

LHP Kellen Rholl (Angelo State University)

DRAFTED / 25th Round - Cleveland Indians

LHP Kellen Rholl (Angelo State University) became the closer this year for Angelo State, a perennial top-30 D-II school in Texas.  The LHP notched 10 saves for the Rams while racking up 40 strikeouts in 29 innings pitched.  His low-90's fastball and above-average breaking ball making him an intriguing senior-sign.

OF Jacob Rhinesmith (Western Kentucky U.)

DRAFTED / 18th Round - Washington Nationals
OF Jacob Rhinesmith (Western Kentucky U.)
has one of the sweetest left-handed swings to come through the Blizzard program.  Rhinesmith played CF and hit 3-hole for Western Kentucky, tying for third in home runs (14) and finishing in the top-15 in RBI (43) in Conference USA.  Combining the swing with solid defense in the outfield gives this junior an opportunity to be a mid-round or better pick in the coming days.

OF Alex Boxwell (U of Minnesota)

OF Alex Boxwell (U of Minnesota) had a major impact on getting the University of Minnesota to their first-ever Super Regional this past weekend earning all-tournament honors.  Despite playing one season with the Blizzard, Boxwell contributed in a large way in his short time hitting in the middle of the order and patrolling center field.  Look for him to be a great senior sign in the next couple of days.

The best of the rest ...

RHP Tommy Springer (Eastview HS), Missouri commit

The big righty is likely headed to Missouri, but a projectable frame, FB at 88-91 and good curve ball give him an outside shot at being a late round pick. 

DH-1B Toby Hanson, Minnesota (Blizzard: 2005-2007)

Hanson, another All-Tournament team Regional selection, is one of the more interesting left-handed sticks in Minnesota.  While he has not hit with as much power this year, he can really hit from the left side and has been at his best under pressure in the Regional.

LHP Aaron Rozek, Minnesota State, Mankato (Blizzard: 2008-2013)
Free Agent Signee / Southern Illinois Miners

Rozek has been 89-91 in short stints with a much-improved slider and an very serviceable change.  This senior could be a steal on Day 2 or 3 of the draft..

INF Drew Fearing, North Dakota State University (Blizzard: 2011-2014)

Fearing's senior campaign saw him as one of the top middle infield combos in the country and one of the better offensive players on the squad.  A Matt Fiedler Part II (Blizzard Alum, St. Louis Cardinals), Fearing has the ability to win and with his work ethic, don't underestimate the punch in one of the Summit League's top players.

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