MANKATO MN – With rosters starting to take shape across the entirety of the Northwoods League, the Mankato MoonDogs Organization has been hard at work, building the best possible team for the ever-approaching season. Fortunately, the baseball club had an easy time bringing in five players in particular for the 2024 season: Eli Anderson, Jake Duer, Brevin Goetz, Nick Hentges and Tanner Shumski.
All familiar names, this group is familiar with ISG Field. Returning talent from the previous season is always exciting, but especially when it is coupled with the elite performance that these five MoonDogs exemplify.
Eli Anderson spent the 2023 summer on a temp-deal with the MoonDogs, where he impressed in his limited action. The outfielder finished his six-game stint hitting for great contact, (.346 Batting Average) whilst providing plenty of extra bases, including a pair of flashy triples. Anderson has some serious wheels, which were on full display last summer in his 5/6 efforts stealing on the basepath. The North Iowa Area Community College left-handed bat should aid in providing plenty of sparks to a fiery group in the 2024 campaign.
Jake Duer has a long journey to Mankato, but one that was well worth its while a season ago. The Texas native stands at 6’1 and spent 21 games with the MoonDogs in 2023, where he finished hitting at a .304 clip coupled with 18 RBI. The standout sophomore from TCU will yet again make the switch from Horned Frogs-Purple to MoonDogs-Orange this summer and makes for an exciting addition to the team’s lineup.
Brevin Goetz returns to the rubber for the Orange and Grey this summer, after making nine appearances a season ago. The wiry right-handed arm from Gustavus Adolphus College finished with a 4.43 ERA in 14 appearances out of the bullpen with the Gusties in the spring and looks to provide stable service in a similar role close to home, as the Minnesota native returns to Mankato for the summer.
Much like Goetz, Nick Hentges will make the move from Gustavus Adolphus College to Mankato for the summer of 2024. Hentges is a 6’3 sophomore who saw four appearances in a MoonDogs uniform in 2023. The left-handed arm saw 10.1 innings a season ago, where he allowed just 10 hits across 50 batters faced. The Edina Minnesota native brings a familiar face to the bump that fans should look forward to refamiliarizing themselves with this summer.
Tanner Shumski’s a local favorite. Shumski grew up in Mankato, and stayed close to home, pursuing an athletic and academic career at Minnesota State University Mankato. Adding a third Mankato tally to the docket a summer ago, Shumski finished 20.2 innings shoved with a 4.35 ERA. The sophomore is sure to bring more excitement to the turf of ISG Field, and despite being born on April 1, 2004, ensures this signing is no April Fool’s joke.
The Mankato MoonDogs Baseball Club is thrilled to retain such authentic talent from a season ago and knows the veteran leadership will provide great value to a team that does not plan on stopping short of the championship in 2024. Join us this season starting on May 27th as we take on the La Crosse Loggers to open the 2024 season at ISG Filed.
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The Mankato MoonDogs 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. Now in its’ 31sth season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 24 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 325 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (TEX), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2021 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. League games are viewable live at watchnwl.com and on ESPN+. For more information, visit www.mankatomoondogs.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the MoonDogs as your favorite team.
