Star Tribune

June, 2007

Recruits likely to choose U over Twins

BY RAY RICHARDSON
Pioneer Press

Article Last Updated: 06/14/2007 12:18:18 AM CDT

 

Mounds View pitcher Seth Rosin and Lakeville North catcher Mike Kvasnicka enjoyed the thrill of being selected by the Twins last week in major league baseball's first-year player draft.

The proud moment, however, probably will wear off soon.

Because Rosin and Kvasnicka were chosen late in the 50-round draft - Rosin in the 28th round and Kvasnicka in the 31st - both are expected to follow through on commitments to attend the University of Minnesota in the fall and play for Gophers coach John Anderson.

Rosin and Kvasnicka signed national letters of intent last November to attend Minnesota.

"Either way, I can't go wrong," Kvasnicka said. "The Twins and Gophers are great organizations to play for. I guess if I had been chosen in the 10th round or higher, it would be more of a decision for me."

Rosin, a 6-foot-6 right-hander with a 92-mph fastball, said he wasn't expecting to get drafted. He admitted that his draft status has made him consider his options, but he's not sure he wants to miss out on the college experience.

"The Gophers were kind enough to give me an opportunity," Rosin said. "Right now, I'm leaning toward college."

Rosin went 6-1 with a 1.61 earned-run average and 72 strikeouts; Kvasnicka led Lakeville North with a .443 batting average, seven homers and 28 runs batted in.

Rosin and Kvasnicka have until the Aug. 15 major league deadline to sign with the Twins, but Mark Wilson, who scouted the pair for the Twins, said the club is not planning to make an immediate offer .

"We're in a holding pattern with both of them right now," Wilson said. "The only guarantee they have is that they have a scholarship at the U. What we want to do is watch them play during the summer and re-visit things."

Rosin and Kvasnicka are playing American Legion ball - Rosin for the Tri-City Reds in New Brighton and Kvasnicka for the Lakeville Panthers. Kvasnicka also plays in a town ball league with the Elko Express.

Wilson was uncertain if Rosin and Kvasnicka's performance this summer would have an impact on possible contract talks. Both players likely will have to wait on developments with prospects drafted higher by the Twins, who selected 25 pitchers and six catchers.

Rosin was the 15th pitcher chosen by the Twins and 872nd player overall in the draft; Kvasnicka was the fourth catcher taken by the Twins, 961st overall.

"It would take a certain dollar amount for Mike to not go to the U,'' Lakeville North coach Tony Market said. "If the Twins decide later to offer him a number he's happy with, he still has time to think things over."

Rosin's only loss this season was a 1-0 defeat to Forest Lake, a game in which he struck out 14 of the 18 batters he faced in six innings. Market occasionally used Kvasnicka in left field and at third base to help showcase his versatility, though Market said Anderson plans to develop Kvasnicka as a catcher with the Gophers.

"It'll be easy to keep track of both kids because they're in our back yard at the U," Wilson said.

Ray Richardson can be reached at rrichardson@pioneerpress.com.