2014 Gophers Roster Announcement (Pre-Tournament Article #1)
6/4/2014
by Trent Steffes
Tonight, I am pleased to announce the official roster of the 2014 MNWA Gophers, set to debut in Dublin, OH in the 3rd Annual NWLA National Tournament. It is my honor to manage the very first edition of this squad, and hope we have many more years ahead of us. So without further ado, the 2014 MNWA Gophers:
RHP Devin Nelson, Dragons WC
Our #1 starter is slated to be Devin Nelson, of the Dragons Wiffleball Club. Devin is a two-time MNWA MVP (2011 and 2013), a 3-time All-Star, 2013 Pitcher of the Year, and 2013 MNWA Champion. Devin has been playing Wiffleball for 8-years total. Because of all of his recent accolades, Devin wil; also be our All-Star game representative. After five games so far this season, Devin currently boasts a 2.62 ERA, 1.900 WHIP, and 11 K through 12.2 innings pitched. At the plate, he bats .292, with 3 HR and a .577 OBP. Along with his pop at the plate, and sick stuff on the mound, Devin is also bringing along his nasty "flow" hair. He hasn't cut it since the end of his Cross Country season, and doesn't plan on cutting it until the start of the new one. God help the guys who sit next to that on the road trip.
LHP Trent Steffes, Elites WC
Trent Steffes is the co-founder of the MNWA, along with Devin Nelson. It was decided that he was to manage the Gophers squad at the time of the announcement of the 2014 Tournament details. Trent is also an 8-year Wiffleball veteran, and has been a manager in the MNWA from the inception of the league until this year, where is merely a player for the Elites. He is a 3-time All-Star and 2011 Fielder of the Year. Trent is batting .375 so far this year, with 2 HR, 7 RBI, and a .636 OBP. ON the mound, he will be the Gophers' only pitcher throwing southpaw. Trent puts up a 5.00 ERA so far this year, but don't let that fool you, as he is second in the league with 15 K, 1.75 WHIP, and the lowest amount of Walks among all MNWA pitchers. Steffes put a lot of work into his game during the offseason, and so far it has paid off. One knock on him though is that he works as a mosquito inspector for the government, and as our in-state comrades HRL will confirm: the mosquito population in Minnesota is too damn high! So expect Trent to be managing and pitching for the Gophers, unless a vigilant group of outraged, mosquito-bite ridden citizens takes him down.
RHP Garrett Grage, Dragons WC
Garrett made and immediate impact when he tore up the MNWA in his rookie season in 2011, and hasn't stopped being impactful since. He is arguably the hardest-thrower in the league, and combines his speed with good movement. He is a two-time All Star, 2011 Rookie of the Year, and 2011 MNWA Champion. Garrett is currently batting .237 with 3 RBI and .536 OBP. On the mound, he has a 5.250 ERA with 13K. He will provide manager Trent Steffes with a solid option to start, and a #1 choice for relief of a starter. Once Garrett starts swinging a hot bat, he will being to rocket his batting stats up the leader boards. Personally, Garrett is a big time texter who comes off as very aggressive, but is sweeter than apple pie and just as shy in real
life.
LF Kevin Knutson, Snappers WC
Kevin is affectionately referred to as "Knooty (ka-new-tee) Booty." The most prominent part of the Snappers manager's game is his speed. On the
base-paths and in the outfield, Kevin gets around like no one else in the MNWA. He immediately opened eyes among the MNWA elite when he made an amazing catch in centerfield during a 2012 Winter Meet, and he hasn't stopped wow-ing since. He made his debut in 2012, and managed in 2013 and this year in 2014. He is a runner-up Rookie of the Year 2012, an All-Star in 2012 and 2013. Whether it's making incredible, diving catches or
robbing home runs, you always want to keep your eye on Kevin. Kevin's batting has never been his strong suit, but he is increasingly getting better each year. This year, he's batting a solid .250 with 3 RBI, a HR, and a .556 OBP. Kevin has also begun to add pitching to his collection of wiffle-based talents. Although not outstanding, he has a 5.33 ERA, with potential to lower that with more innings pitched. Kevin will be bringing his speed and fielding ability to Dublin, and will provide a chance for an emergency relief, if needed.
RF Andrew Lindor, Dragons WC
Lindor is in his rookie season this year, and still has yet to debut. And although he is considered a rookie this year, he has had MNWA action before. He was a pick-up of Devin Nelson's the day of the Final Tournament, and ended up winning an MNWA title. He also won the 2013 Home Run Derby, Obviously, Lindor is bringing power to the plate, and a solid set of skills in the field. His role for the Gophers will be more clear as the season goes on and as he gets more games in, but now he looks to be a EH or man RF. And believe me when I say this: he is growing his hair out as well, and it in much more lovely than Devin Nelson's.
by Trent Steffes
Tonight, I am pleased to announce the official roster of the 2014 MNWA Gophers, set to debut in Dublin, OH in the 3rd Annual NWLA National Tournament. It is my honor to manage the very first edition of this squad, and hope we have many more years ahead of us. So without further ado, the 2014 MNWA Gophers:
RHP Devin Nelson, Dragons WC
Our #1 starter is slated to be Devin Nelson, of the Dragons Wiffleball Club. Devin is a two-time MNWA MVP (2011 and 2013), a 3-time All-Star, 2013 Pitcher of the Year, and 2013 MNWA Champion. Devin has been playing Wiffleball for 8-years total. Because of all of his recent accolades, Devin wil; also be our All-Star game representative. After five games so far this season, Devin currently boasts a 2.62 ERA, 1.900 WHIP, and 11 K through 12.2 innings pitched. At the plate, he bats .292, with 3 HR and a .577 OBP. Along with his pop at the plate, and sick stuff on the mound, Devin is also bringing along his nasty "flow" hair. He hasn't cut it since the end of his Cross Country season, and doesn't plan on cutting it until the start of the new one. God help the guys who sit next to that on the road trip.
LHP Trent Steffes, Elites WC
Trent Steffes is the co-founder of the MNWA, along with Devin Nelson. It was decided that he was to manage the Gophers squad at the time of the announcement of the 2014 Tournament details. Trent is also an 8-year Wiffleball veteran, and has been a manager in the MNWA from the inception of the league until this year, where is merely a player for the Elites. He is a 3-time All-Star and 2011 Fielder of the Year. Trent is batting .375 so far this year, with 2 HR, 7 RBI, and a .636 OBP. ON the mound, he will be the Gophers' only pitcher throwing southpaw. Trent puts up a 5.00 ERA so far this year, but don't let that fool you, as he is second in the league with 15 K, 1.75 WHIP, and the lowest amount of Walks among all MNWA pitchers. Steffes put a lot of work into his game during the offseason, and so far it has paid off. One knock on him though is that he works as a mosquito inspector for the government, and as our in-state comrades HRL will confirm: the mosquito population in Minnesota is too damn high! So expect Trent to be managing and pitching for the Gophers, unless a vigilant group of outraged, mosquito-bite ridden citizens takes him down.
RHP Garrett Grage, Dragons WC
Garrett made and immediate impact when he tore up the MNWA in his rookie season in 2011, and hasn't stopped being impactful since. He is arguably the hardest-thrower in the league, and combines his speed with good movement. He is a two-time All Star, 2011 Rookie of the Year, and 2011 MNWA Champion. Garrett is currently batting .237 with 3 RBI and .536 OBP. On the mound, he has a 5.250 ERA with 13K. He will provide manager Trent Steffes with a solid option to start, and a #1 choice for relief of a starter. Once Garrett starts swinging a hot bat, he will being to rocket his batting stats up the leader boards. Personally, Garrett is a big time texter who comes off as very aggressive, but is sweeter than apple pie and just as shy in real
life.
LF Kevin Knutson, Snappers WC
Kevin is affectionately referred to as "Knooty (ka-new-tee) Booty." The most prominent part of the Snappers manager's game is his speed. On the
base-paths and in the outfield, Kevin gets around like no one else in the MNWA. He immediately opened eyes among the MNWA elite when he made an amazing catch in centerfield during a 2012 Winter Meet, and he hasn't stopped wow-ing since. He made his debut in 2012, and managed in 2013 and this year in 2014. He is a runner-up Rookie of the Year 2012, an All-Star in 2012 and 2013. Whether it's making incredible, diving catches or
robbing home runs, you always want to keep your eye on Kevin. Kevin's batting has never been his strong suit, but he is increasingly getting better each year. This year, he's batting a solid .250 with 3 RBI, a HR, and a .556 OBP. Kevin has also begun to add pitching to his collection of wiffle-based talents. Although not outstanding, he has a 5.33 ERA, with potential to lower that with more innings pitched. Kevin will be bringing his speed and fielding ability to Dublin, and will provide a chance for an emergency relief, if needed.
RF Andrew Lindor, Dragons WC
Lindor is in his rookie season this year, and still has yet to debut. And although he is considered a rookie this year, he has had MNWA action before. He was a pick-up of Devin Nelson's the day of the Final Tournament, and ended up winning an MNWA title. He also won the 2013 Home Run Derby, Obviously, Lindor is bringing power to the plate, and a solid set of skills in the field. His role for the Gophers will be more clear as the season goes on and as he gets more games in, but now he looks to be a EH or man RF. And believe me when I say this: he is growing his hair out as well, and it in much more lovely than Devin Nelson's.