It’s time to take a look into the future by tracking their performance now
Jordan Anderson
Duluth, Minn. — In 93 short days, Huskies baseball will be back at the Wade. In the meantime, the few dozen players that make up the roster are playing! These young men come from all across the country. From sea to shining sea, these guys are working hard and honing their craft. It’s important to keep fans up to date on how the players are doing, so here’s the first Huskies On Deck of the year!
True freshmen often need a year or so to adjust to the college game. Pitchers throw harder, players are faster, etc… The jump hasn’t seemed to have affected Jared McKenzie. The beginning of his Baylor University career has gone about as well as anyone would hope. In his first seven collegiate games, McKenzie is hitting a whopping .517 with 15 hits and 4 RBI’s. The Round Rock, TX native has started every game in centerfield and hit at the top of the Bears’ lineup. His speed has also been on display with a pair of stolen bases and a perfect fielding percentage in the center. Expect the Baylor product to produce early and often in Duluth.
Another true freshman making some noise early on is one of Duluth’s own! Ben Pedersen made his first career start for the University of Missouri this last Monday. The Duluth Marshall graduate threw four strong innings. He gave up no runs and registered a pair of strikeouts. In an effort to keep him fresh, Mizzou took him out after only 50 pitches. Coach Marcus Pointer has already made it known that he plans to showcase Pedersen when he returns home for the summer.
Finally, someone from out west. Kevin Fitzgerald has started his sophomore year at San Joaquin Delta Community College hitting in the middle of their batting order. Through 48 at-bats, the lefty shortstop has 20 hits, half of which are of the extra-base variety. He already has 4 homers and has swiped 6 bases. Even more impressive has been his eye at the plate. Fitzgerald has walked 16 times with only 8 strikeouts. He’ll be a two-year starter by the time he reaches the Twin Ports area, so he should provide some invaluable veteran leadership to the Duluth Nine.
It’s almost time to get back onto the field. Be on the lookout for more Huskies on Deck in the future. Don’t forget to stay connected with the Huskies on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as well as the official website duluthhuskies.com.
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The Duluth Huskies are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Having completed its 26th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 22 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, over 230 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and MLB All-Stars Jordan Zimmermann (DET) and Curtis Granderson (MIA). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. For more information, visit www.northwoodsleague.com or download the Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play.
