Recruiting – Page 45 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Don’t Bet on Oturu Return to Gophers

Posted on March 4, 2020March 4, 2020 by David Shama

Enjoy a Wednesday notes column focused on the Gophers and Twins:

University of Minnesota sophomore center Daniel Oturu is likely closing out his college career this month. A college and pro authority told Sports Headliners multiple sources believe the former Cretin-Derham Hall star will declare for the NBA Draft in the spring.

The authority, a former college coach now with NBA connections, has seen Oturu play both collegiately and as a prep. “I’ve heard he is gone for sure,” the source said about the Gophers’ leading scorer and rebounder, who was named a mid-season All-American by Sporting News in January.

The 6-foot-10, 240-pound Oturu has experienced a breakout season after averaging 10 points and seven rebounds as a freshman. His averages this year of 20.2 points per game and 11.4 rebounds rank with the best stats for centers in the country. With exceptional athleticism, he has multiple skills including shot blocking, attacking off the dribble, and scoring inside and outside. NBAdraft.net projects him as the No. 7 first round selection in the 2020 NBA Draft.

The source (he asked that his name not be used) places a “high ceiling” label on the 20-year-old regarding his potential. At No. 7 in the draft, Oturu would be a coveted pick and receive millions of dollars in a multi-year guaranteed deal. The source believes it will benefit Oturu to leave college because he can concentrate 24-7 on basketball, with all the coaching, training, dietary and practice expertise offered by professional teams.

The Gophers, 7-11 in the Big Ten and 13-15 overall, will play at Indiana tonight and then finish the regular season Sunday with a home game against Nebraska. With a possible opening elimination loss in next week’s Big Ten Tournament—and with prospects for a national postseason tournament invitation iffy because of Minnesota’s record—Oturu could be down to his last three games playing for the hometown team.

Minnesota will face a Hoosier roster that includes 6-8 redshirt sophomore forward Race Thompson, the former Armstrong star and son of U all-time football great Darrell Thompson. Race, a reserve who averages 3.6 points and 3.8 rebounds, had season highs of 25 minutes and 10 rebounds in the IU win over Minnesota last month.

Although the Gophers haven’t sold out a single home game this season, there is still plenty of interest in the program. The Big Ten Network reports last Sunday’s game between No. 24 Wisconsin and Minnesota averaged 693,272 viewers on BTN, making it the most-watched regular season game in network history as well as cable TV’s highest-rated college basketball game of the day.

The basketball evaluator mentioned above is also familiar with gifted Minnehaha Academy senior guard Jalen Suggs, who has committed to Gonzaga. He said if prep players could declare for the draft out of high school, Suggs would be selected in the first or second round.

Twins president Dave St. Peter told Sports Headliners yesterday that center fielder Byron Buxton continues to progress from the shoulder injury he sustained last season and is expected to soon play in a spring training game. The aggressive and spectacular fielding Buxton was on the Injured List four times last season. It’s anticipated he will now make changes in the field to enhance the likelihood of not hurting himself.

“It’s going to be up to him,” St. Peter said. “No one with the Twins has mandated anything with Byron relative to that (change). I think Byron has come to the realization on his own that perhaps there is another way of playing and still help the team win as an elite defensive player.”

Kenta Maeda, who figures to be the Twins’ No. 3 starting pitcher, has pitched in 24 division, championship and World Series postseason games. Contrast that with top starters Jose Berrios and Jake Odorizzi who have each pitched in one division postseason game. Berrios also has a game of wildcard experience.

St. Peter acknowledged part of the “intrigue” in wanting to acquire the 31-year-old Maeda was his experience pitching in big games including the postseason. Beyond that the Twins believe he can pitch a lot of innings, while relieving the workload on a bullpen that at times last season had to bail out the club early in games.

Fernando Romero, the Dominican Republic relief pitcher who appeared in 15 games with the Twins last season, has a visa issue and is not in Florida for spring training. “Not sure when he is going to be in camp,” St. Peter said.

The Twins like Romero’s potential. “He’s a guy that still could be in the mix,” St. Peter said. “Obviously at this point I think it’s a long shot he could make our club on opening day but he’s certainly a guy that we continue to believe can impact us at the big league level, and will impact us at some point here in 2020.”

The Twins home opener April 2 against the Athletics is close to a sellout. “If you don’t have your opening day tickets, you might be out of luck,” St. Peter said.

Keoni Cavaco, the Twins 2019 number one draft choice, hit only .172 last year for the GCL Twins but the 18-year-old infielder has one of the best arms in the minor leagues, according to Baseball America.

The Twins made outfielder Alex Kirilloff, shortstop Royce Lewis and outfielder Trevor Larnach as their first round draft choices in 2016, 2017 and 2018 respectively. Per Mlb.com’s Jonathan Mayo, Minnesota’s four top prospects are Lewis (No. 9 among all minor league players), Kirlihoff (No. 32), Larnach (No. 81) and pitcher Jordan Balazovic (No. 86).

None of the prospects is expected to make the opening day roster.

Hockey authority Kevin Gorg told Sports Headliners “it’s hard not to like” Warroad to win the Class A boys’ hockey state tournament title. He believes Warroad would even be a force in the larger schools Class AA where “parity is immense.”

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Twins Expect Leadership from Donaldson

Posted on February 6, 2020February 6, 2020 by David Shama

The Minnesota Twins start spring training in Fort Myers later this month with considerable attention focused on third baseman Josh Donaldson, the $92 million free agent the club recently signed. Expectations are in place, and not just on the field.

“For Josh, it starts with his play on the diamond but…what he brings off the field is going to be equally important. Much like Nelson Cruz did a year ago,” Twins president Dave St. Peter told Sports Headliners.

Veteran DH Cruz was a clubhouse leader on last season’s team that won 101 games on its way to the AL Central title. Now Donaldson adds more leadership and offensive power to a lineup that hit a MLB record 307 home runs in 2019.

Donaldson, 34, struggled with injuries in 2018, but played 155 games last season with the Braves. He was named National League Comeback Player of the Year after hitting 37 home runs, with 94 RBI, 96 runs scored, 100 walks, and a .379 on-base percentage and a .900 OPS, per statistics provided by the Twins.

He finished fourth in league walks and was one of only two players in the majors with at least 30 doubles, 35 home runs, 90 RBI, 90 runs scored and 100 walks. He was second among all MLB third basemen with 15 defensive runs saved (per FanGraphs), trailing only the Athletics’ Matt Chapman (18).

Since 2013, Donaldson ranks second in the majors in Wins Above Replacement, trailing only Mike Trout of the Angels, according to both FanGraphs (40.6 to 62.6) and Baseball Reference (43.6 to 61.5). During that seven season period he ranks seventh in the majors in walks (541), 10th in home runs (209) and runs scored (617), 11th in RBI (608), extra-base hits (430) and slugging percentage (.520), and 13th in OPS (.895).

“He’s been one of the elite third basemen in the game,” St. Peter said. “He plays a great defense (and) he had a really strong offensive year in Atlanta bouncing back from a year of injuries. I think we’re confident we’re getting a great player.

“We (also) like the intangibles that Josh brings. He brings, I think, an intensity. He brings an urgency to his game that we think can be a very positive thing for our club—particularly young players in…modeling some of those things that may be difference makers for our team.”

St. Peter expects the presence of Donaldson will give manager Rocco Baldelli even more flexibility in making out his batting order. Depending on the game, Donaldson could hit anywhere from two through five. “I think for the most part that’s where Rocco sees it,” St. Peter said.

Miguel Sano (photo courtesy of Minnesota Twins).

The arrival of Donaldson is all but a no-brainer in strengthening the club’s infield defense because erratic third baseman Miguel Sano will now be the regular first baseman. Sano has previous experience playing first and will work with various instructors in spring training including coach Tony Diaz. Twins Hall of Famer and former first baseman Justin Morneau is likely to be an instructor, too. “I wouldn’t be surprised to see Justin spend a fair amount of time with Miguel early in spring training,” St. Peter said.

Sano, 26, has struggled with his weight in the past and with injuries. “He’s in great baseball shape,” St. Peter said. “He’s ready to roll. He’s healthy, and I know he’s very excited to be in Fort Myers.”

Sano, who the Twins signed this winter to a new three-year contract worth $30 million, hit all 34 of his home runs last season after May 1. That was the sixth most in the American League following that date.

Worth Noting

The Twins have a pending trade to acquire starting pitcher Kenta Maeda, according to multiple reports. The 31-year-old native of Japan pitched for the Dodgers last season, compiling a 10-8 record and 4.04 ERA.

St. Peter said earlier in the week three of the team’s five starting pitching spots appear committed to Jose Berrios, Jake Odorizzi and Homer Bailey. Presumably Maeda could now fill a fourth spot, with several other candidates competing for the fifth during the season including Michael Pineda and Rich Hill who won’t be available early in the year.

It wouldn’t be that much of a surprise if with more frequent off days early in the season, manager Rocco Baldelli and pitching coach Wes Johnson decide to use a four-man starting rotation for awhile.

Today’s composite 247Sports 2020 college football recruiting rankings have Minnesota’s class No. 36 in the nation. Big Ten West Division rivals ahead of the Gophers are No. 20 Nebraska, No. 25 Wisconsin, No. 33 Purdue and No. 34 Iowa.

Gophers point guard Marcus Carr had 10 assists last night, more than the entire Badgers team in Minnesota’s impressive 70-52 win over Wisconsin. The Big Ten victory improved Minnesota’s chances of earning an NCAA Tournament invitation in March.

Last Sunday’s Super Bowl prompted dedicated Gophers basketball fan Steve Hunegs to email Sports Headliners regarding Minnesota’s January 28, 1990 upset win over coach Bobby Knight and the Indiana Hoosiers at Williams Arena. That game 30 years ago was played on Super Bowl Sunday with No. 21 ranked Minnesota defeating No. 12 Indiana, 108-89. The surprise Gophers, coached by Clem Haskins, went on to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.

Millions of American workers ditched work this Monday following the Sunday Super Bowl between the Chiefs and 49ers. Last Friday “The Rundown” by Jeff Crilley (using information from a survey by Kronos Inc.) projected over 17.5 million workers to miss work Monday. About 11 million would use pre-approved time, with millions more calling in sick or just not showing up for their jobs.

Minnesota Wild president Matt Majka is the latest guest on “Behind the Game,” the Twin Cities cable TV program co-hosted by Patrick Klinger and Bill Robertson. “Behind the Game” episodes can also be viewed on YouTube.

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U Takes Recruits from the ‘Big Boys’

Posted on December 17, 2019December 17, 2019 by David Shama

University of Minnesota head football coach P.J. Fleck announces on Wednesday names of players accepting scholarships for his 2020 recruiting class. Perhaps most meaningful to fans of the program is Minnesota persuaded expected signees to pass on offers from high profile teams like LSU and Texas, and verbally commit to become Gophers.

Linebacker Jaqwondis Burns, a Texas native from IMG Academy in Florida, switched his commitment from Mississippi to Minnesota this month. Beating out an SEC school like Ole Miss is impressive, but there’s more good news. Gopher recruiting authority Ryan Burns told Sports Headliners that last week the Texas Longhorns sent head coach Tom Herman and four assistants in pursuit of Jaqwondis.

“Anytime you are able to beat Texas for a Texas kid… it’s good. I mean it’s really good,” said Burns, publisher of GopherIllustrated.com.

Another recent commit is Florida wide receiver Douglas Emilien. Joe Brady, the passing game coordinator for No. 1 ranked LSU, said in the fall the Tigers wanted Emilien, according to Burns. Emilien, though, is expected to join the Gophers, a program that surprised college football this fall by going 10-2, and tying Wisconsin for first in the Big Ten West with 7-2 records.

“You don’t get him without 10 wins,” Burns said. “You don’t get him without (Gophers) Rashod Bateman and Tyler Johnson finishing No. 1 and No. 2 in the Big Ten in receiving (yards).”

Johnson, a senior, will be a big loss to the receiving corps next season but Bateman and Chris Autman-Bell will return as quality juniors. Filling a third spot might be Emilien, or another 2020 verbal commit, Daniel Jackson from Kansas who had offers from Wisconsin and Iowa State.

Linebacker Itayvion Brown from Missouri could have chosen a number of “helmet schools,” as Ryan Burns refers to the better programs in college football. He said Brown turned down LSU, Iowa, Missouri, TCU, and Texas A&M to commit to the Gophers.

Jaqwondis Burns is among a half dozen or so expected signees who Burns believes will enroll at Minnesota in January and have the benefit of winter football preparation and spring practice. Others may include New York City wide receiver Justin Bellido, Ohio defensive end Gage Keys, German native and defensive end Melle Kreuder, Anoka linebacker Cody Lindenberg, and Kansas running back Ky Thomas.

Thomas is last in the alphabetical listing above but he was the first name Burns mentioned when asked who among the 20-plus verbal Gopher recruits was most coveted. He refers to Thomas as “the real deal,” and he mentions the impressive stats of the Topeka, Kansas prospect, who is about 5-11, 200 pounds.

As a senior Thomas rushed for 3,027 yards, with 35 rushing touchdowns. Career totals included over 7,000 rushing yards and more than 90 touchdowns. The Gatorade Kansas Player of the Year is the only running back Fleck is taking in the 2020 recruiting class.

“What makes Ky really special is he is incredibly tough to bring down,” Burns said. “He doesn’t allow you to get good hits on him. He is really good at staying on his feet and going through contact. He is really good at making sure that he can make you miss in the open field, (and) he can make you miss at the line of scrimmage. He can get north and south, very, very quickly.”

Burns has a lot of praise for the playmaking ability of the other Gopher recruit from Kansas, Daniel Jackson who Burns said had 74 receptions for 1,500 yards and 27 touchdowns as a senior. The Kansas City area prospect isn’t a big target at about 5-11 but he has quality hands and other skills. “He can make you really think about what route he is going to run next, and he is incredibly elusive in the open field, just like Kai is,” Burns said.

Thomas, like Jackson, could receive considerable playing time next season. The Gophers lose seniors Rodney Smith and Shannon Brooks in their three-man running back rotation that does return Mohamed Ibrahim, who will be a junior next fall.

Minnesota’s lead recruiter on Thomas and Jackson was assistant coach Joe Harasymiak, who is assigned to the Kansas region. Harasymiak joined the Gophers in December of 2018 after leaving Maine where he had been head coach.

Other recruits in addition to Emilien, Jackson and Thomas who Burns mentioned might earn playing time next season include linebackers Brown, Jaqwondis Burns and Lindenberg, defensive linemen Keys and Danny Striggow (Orono). Lindenberg will be transitioning from safety and receiver at Anoka. He also might be the steal of the recruiting class, per Ryan Burns.

The most coveted prep linebacker in the state is Minnehaha Academy’s Kaden Johnson, who likely will sign with Nebraska. “I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he (Lindenberg) ends up better than Kaden Johnson…every time I have seen Cody he’s been incredibly impressive to me,” Burns said.

Burns expects the Gophers to sign in the range of 23 to 25 players for their 2020 class. As of earlier this week, he ranked Minnesota’s class No. 26 nationally, sixth in the Big Ten and third in the West Division behind Iowa and Wisconsin, two teams that have historically been the division’s leader.

“You have to be recruiting like Iowa and Wisconsin are, and I think Minnesota is finally at that tier,” Burns said.

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