Graylon Brown was the #4 prospect in the Jayhawk League in 2013

As players have progressed through the Minnesota Blizzard program in the last 10 years, their time typically 'ends' after their high school graduation.  Not anymore.

The Alexandria Blue Anchors, a member of the Northwoods League, one of the top collegiate leagues in the country has new ownership including Adam Barta, one of three owners working on turning the team into a winning franchise with some local talent.

"It makes sense that at least some of the roster is made up from kids in Minnesota," Barta said. "All the rosters are made up from players around the country, typically top tier Division I players.  I am going to make a roster that is capable of winning and I think a lot of Minnesota players give us that chance.

Nehwon Norkeh, a freshman outfielder at Angelo State University, will be joining the Anchors this summer, a team led by former Minnesota Twin, Al Newman.  ASU Assistant Coach, John Anderson, said that playing for the Blizzard his senior year will definitely help Norkeh playing in the Northwoods.

"Nehwon is a freshman but physically and mentally he is ahead of that level because of his experience prior to coming to campus," Anderson said.  "His time with the MN Blizzard definitely helped him with the speed of the game and competing at a higher level.  He came to ASU with the package of a sophomore or junior."

NORKEHS TEAMMATE GRAYLON BROWN MAKING THE JUMP TO ANCHORS IN 2014

Graylon Brown, a RHP from Angelo State, will also be joining the Anchors this summer.

Brown has been tabbed the No. 4 Jayhawk League Top Prospect by Perfect Game after a strong summer of closing for the Hays Larks.

The sophomore right-handed pitcher struck out 33 batters and had a 1.73 ERA in 26 innings pitched this summer and was also selected as an all-Jayhawk league performer.

"The main thing I tried to do this summer was not walk batters and keep the ball low," said Brown, who also limited opponents to a .172 batting average. "My biggest development has been learning how to pitch instead of just throwing as hard as I can. Being smart on the mound and agreeing with the catcher has helped me."

Brown went 2-0 with 26 strikeouts and a save last season for the Rams in his red-shirt freshman season. The Brownwood native, who was also a star high school quarterback, appeared in 19 games for ASU and emerged as one of the Lone Star Conference's top pitchers in the second half of the season. Not drafted out of high school, Brown becomes draft eligible after this season at ASU.

"He has gotten more confident and consistent," ASU head coach Kevin Brooks said. "We are looking forward to him continuing to improve. He's excelled everywhere he's been and he could be a huge part to our team's success this season."

The Alexandria Blue Anchors are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 21st season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 115 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including MLB All-Stars Max Scherzer (DET), Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYY), Allen Craig (STL) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live and free of charge via the Northwoods League YouTube channel.