MINOT, ND – The new field manager of the Minot Hot Tots, Brian Lewis, is already showing off his connections in the baseball world. Well before the 2025 Northwoods League season gets underway, Coach Lewis has made progress in forming a dominant pitching staff for the upcoming season. The latest additions come from the Division II level, including one of Lewis’ former players from St. Cloud.

Kahler Key, Right-Handed Pitcher, St. Cloud State

A Northwoods League veteran, Kahler Key will make his return to the ‘Woods with the Minot Hot Tots. Key pitched in two games for the St. Cloud Rox in 2023 when Lewis was the bench boss. With the Rox, Key logged five strikeouts over six innings.

Since the 2023 summer, the 6-foot-7 righty has gone from Rock Valley College to St. Cloud State University, continuing his collegiate baseball career. With Rock Valley, Key split his sophomore season between starting and relief roles, going 4-1 over 12 appearances. Key finished second on the team with 53 strikeouts that year.

His work at the junior college level earned him an opportunity at Division II St. Cloud State University. So far in his first season with the Huskies, Kahler has pitched just once, a solid 2.2 innings with five punchouts and two runs allowed.

Key and Coach Lewis will reunite in Minot this summer as rivals to the Rox.

Kaden Heatherly, Right-Handed Pitcher, Montevallo

After a big freshman year at the University of Montevallo, Kaden Heatherly looks to continue his pitching progress with the Falcons and the Minot Hot Tots as well come summer time.

In his first year at the collegiate level, Heatherly appeared in 12 games on the mound, pitching a total of 11.1 innings. Strictly pitching out of the bullpen, the right-handed pitcher from Alabama, struck out twelve and allowed a .256 batting average against. Heatherly spent the summer of 2024 with the Madisonville Miners of the Ohio Valley League.

Before appearing in a game for Montevallo this spring, Kaden Heatherly has decided to spend the summer in North Dakota, pitching for the Hot Tots.

There are plenty more players to get to know before Opening Day. Stay up to date with the Hot Tots preseason announcements on our website and socials.