Posted:

January 31, 2017

The Century College baseball team has signed eight student athletes so far in the 2017 recruiting class.

The players in the 2017 recruiting class consist of 6 players from Minnesota, 1 from Iowa, and 1 from Wisconsin. 5 of the incoming recruits are ranked among the top players in Minnesota and Iowa according to Prep Baseball Report.  Prep Baseball Report is one of the most respected authority figures compiling high school rankings.

Signing with the Wood Ducks are Alex Evenson (LHP/OF, Minnehaha Academy HS, Minneapolis, MN), Reid Young (SS, Chaska HS, Chaska, MN), Noah Gyldenvand (2B/P, Dowling Catholic HS, Des Moines, IA), Jevan Richert (C, Springfield HS, Springfield, MN), Justin Hoffmann (CF, New Ulm HS, New Ulm, MN), Connor Jasurda (RHP, Marshfield HS, Marshfield, WI), Austin Strantz (RHP, Park Cottage Grove HS, Cottage Grove, MN), and Brenden Knoll (OF/P, Kasson-Mantorville HS, Kasson, MN).

“This group of players is not only very talented, but they are coming from some of the most successful high school programs in their respective states,” stated Head Coach Dwight Kotila. “Our coaching staff has done an excellent job finding these players and recruiting them to our program.”

The following is the list of Century recruits with some information and coaches comments on each player:

Alex Evenson (LHP/OF Minnehaha Academy)

Alex is the #48 rated player in the state of Minnesota according to Prep Baseball Report and helped lead Minnehaha Academy to the 2017 Class 2A State Championship.  “Alex was our top pitching target during this recruiting period.  He is a talented left handed arm who we expect to come in and be a top of the rotation type player for us as a freshman.”

Reid Young (SS Chaska HS)

Reid is a talented SS who is ranked #148 in the state of Minnesota according to Prep Baseball Report, and has started at Chaska high school since his sophomore year.  “Reid is a very skilled player who combines good defense with being a top of the order type hitter.  We are very excited to see how he develops over the next couple years.”

Noah Gyldenvand (2B/RHP Dowling Catholic HS, IA)

Noah is the number one rated 2B and the 59th rated overall player in Iowa according to Prep Baseball Report.  “Noah was one of our main targets from the beginning.  He is very athletic, and is also a very good pitcher with a live arm and will be a 2-way player for us.”

Jevan Richert (C Springfield HS)

Jevan Richert is a catcher from Springfield HS, one of the top high school programs in the state of Minnesota.  “Jevan is one of the top catching prospects in the state and is a middle of the order type hitter.  We expect Jevan to make an immediate impact as a freshman.”

Justin Hoffmann (CF New Ulm HS)

Justin is rated the 75th best player in Minnesota by Prep Baseball Report.   “Justin has great speed and has been timed at 6.6 or better in the 60 yard run at various showcases.  He is very athletic and covers ground in the outfield.  We expect him to be a table setter for us at the top of the lineup.”

Austin Strantz (RHP/SS Park Cottage Grove HS)

Austin is rated the 168th best player in Minnesota according to Prep Baseball Report. “Austin is a 2 way player in high school, but we are really excited to see him develop as a pitcher.  He has a live fastball in the mid 80’s and is just starting to learn to pitch.”

Connor Jasurda (RHP Marshfield HS, WI)

Connor is from Marshfield HS in Wisconsin, and plays for the Wisconsin Baseball Academy in Wausau.  “Connor is a raw pitcher with a fastball already in the 85-86 range and will only get better and stronger.  We expect him to develop into a top power arm.”

Brenden Knoll (OF Kasson Mantorville HS)

Brenden is a pitcher/outfielder from Kasson-Mantorville HS.  “Brenden is 6’3 and athletic who can pitch as well play the outfield.  He has a lot of potential and we are looking forward to seeing how he develops.” 

View the baseball webpages for more information on Century College’s baseball team. 

Century College is a two-year community and technical college located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, serving over 21,000 students per year. First accredited in 1974 as Lakewood Community College, Century College is the only Minnesota two-year college participating in the national “Achieving the Dream” initiative as well as awarded “Leader College” status based on student success initiatives and a reduction of the achievement gap. Century College collaborates with the community to turn out graduates who are prepared with the necessary knowledge and skills to be successful in the jobs of the future, providing an annual economic impact to the region of over $300 million. For more information, visit century.edu.