Gophers MLB & MiLB Baseball 2023 Season Recap

[GopherHole Staff]

Gophers MLB & MiLB Baseball 2023 Season Recap​

By Devin Nelson

Gophers MLB & MiLB Baseball 2023 Season Recap - GopherHole.com

With the MLB playoffs heating up and the Twins winning their first playoff series in over 21 years (!!!!), it’s time to take a look at how our former Gophers performed this past baseball season. With George Klassen and Brett Bateman being drafted this spring, the Gophers have had a player...

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With the MLB playoffs heating up and the Twins winning their first playoff series in over 21 years (!!!!), it’s time to take a look at how our former Gophers performed this past baseball season. With George Klassen and Brett Bateman being drafted this spring, the Gophers have had a player drafted for 36 consecutive years! Terrin Vavra was the only Gopher to suit up for an MLB roster this year with Max Meyer and Lucas Gilbreath both out for the season, but the Gophers have some up and coming talent who should get a shot the next couple of years!

MLB Round Up​

Max Meyer, the former 3rd overall pick, missed the entire season recovering from Tommy John surgery after making his MLB debut in 2022. He is currently one of the top ranked prospects in the Marlins organization, and will be ready to go for Spring Training in the 2024 season.

Lucas Gilbreath missed the entire 2023 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in April. He posted 2-0 record with a 4.19 ERA over 47 games in the 2022 season.

Terrin Vavra bounced between Triple-A and the MLB playing in 27 games this season. He hurt his shoulder in AAA and as of September 14, has been added to the 60-day injured list. He finished the season with 12 hits, 9 runs, 5 RBI, and 5 BB while batting .245 AVG, .315 OBP, .245 SLG.

Minor League Round Up​

Brett Bateman, the 8th round draft pick this year of the Chicago Cubs, batted .283/.418/.728 with 32 hits, 27 runs, and 16 RBI’s for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, the Single-A affiliate for the Cubs.

George Klassen, the 6th round draft pick for the Philadelphia Phillies, has not pitched yet this season for the FCL Phillies, the Rookie league affiliate of the Phillies.

Aidan Maldonado went 1-6 with a 6.18 ERA, 43 SO, and 25 BB over 15 games for the Carolina Mudcats, the Single-A affiliate for the Brewers.

J.P. Massey went 5-7 with a 3.81 ERA, 83 SO, and 47 BB over 20 games with the Greensboro Grasshoppers (High-A) and Bradenton Marauders (Single A), for the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.

Zack Raabe, the 8th round draft of the Brewers in 2021, decided to retire after spring training this season.
Eli Wilson, batted .241/.335/.760 with 42 hits, 7 home runs, and 27 RBI between the Greensboro Grasshoppers (High-A) and Altoona Curve (Double-A) within the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.

Jake Stevenson went 2-0 with a 1.85 ERA, 26 SO, and 18 BB through 22 games with the Greensboro Grasshoppers (High-A), for the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.

Brett Schulze went 5-6 with a 4.26 ERA, 80 SO, and 6 saves this past season between the Reading Fighting Phils (Double-A) and the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, for the Philadelphia Phillies organization.

Jackson Rose went 1-0 with a 4.91 ERA and 32 SO over 14 games for the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (Triple-A), within the Marlins organization.

DJ Snelton pitched for Scranton Wilkes-Barre, the AAA affiliate of the NY Yankees. He posted a 7.50 ERA, 48 SO, and 44 BB in 36 innings through 30 games this season.

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