MANKATO, MINN. – The Mankato MoonDogs are continuing to round out their 2026 roster with three more additions in infielder Tanner Kern, pitcher John Henry Kohorst, and outfielder Noah Libed. The group brings pitching depth and athletic versatility heading into the summer.
Kern joins the MoonDogs after spending time at Sacramento State before continuing his career at the University of San Diego. The redshirt freshman from San Jose showed his potential in high school at Archbishop Mitty High School, where he hit .338 and helped lead his team to a section title. He’s a disciplined hitter who gets on base often and also has some power.
Kohorst, a freshman lefty at the University of Iowa, will fit right in with the MoonDogs as the Apple Valley native starred at Cretin-Derham Hall High School, helping lead his team to a state championship while putting together a dominant senior year on the mound. He also showed he can handle the bat, hitting over .400 as a senior, but it’s his competitiveness on the mound that stands out most.
Libed comes to Mankato after a productive start to his college career at Grossmont College. The Chula Vista outfielder has been a steady presence in the lineup, hitting over .320, producing runs, and has speed on the bases. A left-handed hitter, he’s the kind of player who can spark an offense in a lot of different ways and doesn’t need much space to make an impact.
Kern, Kohorst, and Libed, and the rest of the MoonDogs are set to take the field for the 2026 season on Monday, May 25, when they host the Willmar Stingers at 6:35 p.m. at ISG Field in Mankato. Season tickets, group outings, flex plans, and Opening Day ticket packages are on sale now with ticket information available at www.mankatomoondogs.com or by calling the MoonDogs ticket office at (507) 625-7047. The MoonDogs office is also open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., 1221 Caledonia St., Mankato, MN.
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The Northwoods League is the proven leader in developing elite college baseball players. Having completed its’ 32nd season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in history with 26 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 410 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 two-time World Series Champion Max Scherzer (TOR), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford and World Series Champion Chris Sale (ATL). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2023 World Series Champion, MLB All-Star, MLB Gold Glove and Silver Slugger winner and two-time All-MLB first team shortstop Marcus Semien (NYM).