Ducks On The Pond

Former MLB player Michael Cuddyer shares insights from his baseball journey, discussing his early career, recruitment process, and the differences in youth baseball today compared to when he was a player.  Cuddyer's son, Casey, recently peformed at Prep Baseball's Super 60 and Michael gives his perspective of Prep Baseball's national showcase circuit, Casey's recruitment from a parent's view, and more.  He emphasizes the importance of fostering a love for the game in young athletes, the significance of foundational skills, and the role of parents in guiding their children through the recruitment process. Cuddyer also reflects on his time with the Minnesota Twins and the relationships he built during his career.

In this episode of Ducks On The Pond, we chat with MASH's Steve McGuiggan to delve into the current state of baseball training, recruitment strategies, and the importance of commitment in player development.  We highlight standout MASH players from different classes, emerging talents, and the evolving landscape of youth baseball in Minnesota. Subscribe & listen. 

In this episode Andy Judkins and Parker Hageman welcome Brandon Hunt, the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for NDSU baseball. They discuss the upcoming season, the challenges of recruiting in the Dakotas, and the importance of preparing players for high-level competition. Coach Hunt shares insights from his coaching journey, the evolving landscape of college baseball recruiting, and the unique culture of NDSU baseball. The conversation also touches on the impact of the transfer portal, player development, and the excitement surrounding the new season. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to NDSU Baseball Season 02:57 Super 60 Insights and Player Performance 05:58 Preparing for the Florida Trip 08:53 Brandon Hunt's Coaching Journey 11:59 Recruiting Landscape Changes 14:47 Talent Development in the Dakotas 17:59 Recruiting Philosophy and Challenges 21:01 Attributes of a Bison Player 24:07 Campus Visits and Facilities 26:54 Road Warrior Experience 29:58 Summit League Competition 32:49 Transfer Portal Impact 35:46 Player Spotlights for the Upcoming Season 38:57 Favorite Stadiums and Game Experiences 41:51 Closing Thoughts and Future Outlook

In this episode, Andy Judkins and Parker Hageman welcome Rob Allison as they kick off the new year with a recap of the previous baseball season and a look ahead to 2026. The conversation begins with light-hearted banter about the holidays and transitions into a discussion about the impressive number of commitments from Minnesota baseball players, highlighting the growth of talent in the region. They reflect on various events from the past year, including the successful showcases and the emergence of standout players, particularly from central Minnesota. The trio emphasizes the importance of providing opportunities for young athletes to be seen by college scouts and the excitement surrounding upcoming events like the Preseason All-State and Baseball Day Minnesota. Chapters 00:00 Welcome to 2026: New Beginnings 06:36 Recap of 2025: Commitments and Highlights 14:10 Looking Ahead: Upcoming Events and Opportunities 20:34 Spotlight on Players: Emerging Talent in Minnesota 29:17 The Importance of Showcases and Recruitment 54:55 Closing Thoughts: Excitement for the Season Ahead

Andy Judkins and Parker Hageman are joined by St. John's head coach Scott Lieser. He talks about the current D3 landscape, how he recruits for his program, and replacing a legendary coach.  Subscribe and follow. 

Rosemount's Jacob Michel is coming off a year in which his high school team went to state, he played for Team Minnesota at the Future Games, and made his college commitment to Oregon. Michel talks about his journey from being a Junior Future Games player to how he is focusing on his offseason development to prepare himself for the next level. Put this episode in your ears and pump it up.  Subscribe on all major podcast platforms. 

We're back with another season of Ducks On The Pond. To start Season 4, we're joined by Connor Gandossy, the University of Minnesota's Hitting Coach & Recruiting Coordinator.  In this episode, Coach Gandossy talks about his view on the current recruiting landscape, what he looks for in his talent evaluation process, and how the Gophers are set up for offensive success in 2026.  Listen and subscibe. 

In this episode, Owen Marsolek, Prep Baseball Minnesota's Player of the Year, reflects on his high school baseball journey, discussing his impressive statistics, team dynamics, and the importance of mentorship. He shares insights on preparing for college baseball, the significance of physical development, and his favorite places to play and eat in Duluth. The conversation highlights the challenges and excitement of transitioning from high school to collegiate baseball, emphasizing the importance of teamwork, preparation, and personal growth. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Owen Marsolek 02:36 Reflecting on a Successful Duluth Marshall Season 04:47 Team Dynamics and Leadership 07:04 Preparing for the Next Level 09:23 Future Aspirations and College Decisions 11:44 Favorite Memories and Local Favorites

In this episode, we dive into the world of high school baseball with Kade Wede from Harrisburg High School (SD). Kade shares insights on the upcoming season, team dynamics, and the rigorous training regimen that has helped him grow as an athlete. He discusses his experiences at various showcases, the importance of mental strength in sports, and his nutritional strategies for performance enhancement. As he looks forward to future opportunities, Kade expresses excitement about competing at a higher level and the potential for a state title this season. Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Introduction to Harrisburg High School Baseball 02:55 Team Dynamics and Expectations for the Season 06:05 Training Regimen and Personal Development 08:54 Showcase Experiences and Competitions 11:55 Physical Growth and Nutrition Strategies 14:50 Mental Game and Personal Goals 18:08 Future Aspirations and Team Opportunities

In this episode, we sit down with the St. Thomas pitching coach Neal Kunick to discuss their approach to recruiting, player development, and building a competitive Division I program. Coach Kunick share insights on what they look for in a recruit, the importance of high baseball IQ, and how they develop athletes both on and off the field. We also dive into their Midwest-focused recruiting strategy, the challenges and benefits of playing in Minnesota's climate, and the future of the program's facilities. Plus, hear how St. Thomas is making a name for itself on the national stage while staying true to its four-year development model.

In this episode of Ducks on the Pond, Blaine Barthel, head coach at Dakota County Technical College (DCTC), discusses his coaching journey and the rapid growth of the Blue Knights program.  He shares his path from playing at Itasca CC and UMD to coaching at various levels before taking over at DCTC. Bartle emphasizes developing Minnesota talent, leveraging technology, and overcoming the challenges of northern baseball to build a top-tier JUCO program. He highlights DCTC's growing reputation as a pipeline to higher levels, with recent players moving on to Division I schools. His vision is clear: establish DCTC as a premier Midwest JUCO and help players succeed at the next level.

In this episode, we dive deep into Division III college baseball, focusing on the MIAC conference and its competitive structure. From the challenges of scheduling 40 games in a season to navigating a playoff system with limited spots, we break down what it takes to succeed at this level. The conversation also explores how recruiting has evolved, with technology and platforms like Prep Baseball enabling national talent searches. It highlights the rising skill level in Division III baseball due to changes across the collegiate landscape. We get an inside look at St. Scholastica's recruiting philosophy, emphasizing academics, player development, and competitive culture, as well as how the program targets athletes nationwide. Whether you're an aspiring player, coach, or baseball enthusiast, this episode offers a comprehensive view of DIII baseball and what it takes to build a winning program.

In this episode of Ducks On The Pond, Andy Judkins and Parker Hageman are joined by Augustana University's head coach Tim Huber. Our discussion dives into the challenges and opportunities of collegiate baseball recruiting, with a focus on Augustana University's unique approach to player development. The conversation highlights the importance of patience, as overlooked players often transform into standouts over time.  Topics include the impact of the transfer portal, the growing talent pool in South Dakota, and the dynamics of balancing local recruitment with national competition. Augustana's coaches emphasize loyalty to their program, the value of nurturing high school talent, and the importance of giving committed players a fair shot at success. The episode also touches on how regional and cultural factors shape recruiting strategies and player experiences.

On this episode of Ducks On The Pond, we are joined by the Rocket of Rockford, William Haas.  Haas is currently the no. 1 ranked prospect in Minnesota's class of 2025, a University of Tennessee commit, and has been catching some helium on the way into MLB draft season. The left-hander joins us to talk about his offseason training, his recruitment process, Rockford's state title in 2024, and looking ahead to his senior year.  Listen and subscribe. 

In this episode, we're back with special guest Alec Crawford, assistant coach for the University of Minnesota baseball program. Coach Crawford shares insights into the Gopher baseball team's fall training, the innovative use of technology like TrackMan, and how the team balances legacy traditions with a faster-paced, modern coaching philosophy. We also dive into recruiting strategies, the role of multi-sport athletes, and building a diverse and competitive pitching staff. With plenty of behind-the-scenes stories and thoughtful discussion, this episode offers a fresh perspective on collegiate baseball's evolving landscape. Listen and subscribe.

Andy Judkins and Parker Hageman are joined by 2018 Rocori graduate Dylan Tebrake.  Tebrake shares his story of being recruited by Creighton, his flirtation with the transfer portal, getting drafted by the Mets in 2022, and what the full spring training experience is like.  Listen and subscribe. 

Andy Judkins and Parker Hageman are joined by Zumbrota Mazeppa's hard-throwing siblings, Preston and Hudson Ohm. Preston is a 2024 and a St. Thomas commit. The big lefty was recently at the Prep Baseball Midwest Procase where the no. 5 ranked prospect in Minnesota's class of 2024 was firing 93.5 MPH in front of pro scouts. Hudson is a 2026 right-hander who was up to 88 MPH at our Fall ID-Twin Cities this past October. He's the no. 7 overall prospect in his class.  Listen and review our show. 

Andy Judkins and Parker Hageman are joined by Minnesota State-Mankota's associate head coach, PJ McIntee.  McIntee gives us a glimpse of how the Division II program recruits, what they look for in players, and how the 2024 season is shaping up for the Mavericks.

Rob Allison, Andy Judkins, and Parker Hageman get together to talk about the big happenings surrounding Prep Baseball's premier summer event, the Future Games.  This year's Future Games will include a Team Minnesota -- allowing Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota to have their own roster.  Minnesota players will also get the opportunity to make the newest event -- Senior Future Games -- that will feature 17U uncommitted players on Team Midwest.  More details in the episode -- tune in and listen!

Prep Baseball Minnesota's Andy Judkins and Parker Hageman are joined by the number prospect in Minnesota's class of 2025, Luke Ryerse. Ryerse talks about his experience at the 2023 state tournament, his commitment to Alabama, and the upcoming Baseball Day Minnesota.  

Andy Judkins, Rob Allison, and Parker Hageman are together for the first time in 2024. The trio introduce Baseball Day Minnesota - a celebration of high school baseball in Minnesota that will feature six of the state's top programs. They dissect the matchups and key players for each team.  Follow on Spotify | iTunes | Amazon

Andy Judkins and Parker Hageman are join by Sartell Sabres' two division one commits -- Tyler Hemmesch and Kade Lewis -- to talk about their team returning to the state tournament.  Listen to the two senior discuss their team's success.   

Andy Judkins and Parker Hageman are joined by Coach Haugen of the Esko Eskimos.  With just over 2,000 people in their town, Esko has been a force in the baseball world. The Eskimos finished their regular season 22-1 and have their sights set on making noise in the postseason.  Coach Haugen talks about how the game has grown in the outstate area of Minnesota and what it is like coaching two of his sons. 

Get ready for an incredible episode as we sit down with Coach Chris Swansson, the mastermind behind Rosemount Irish baseball! Join us as we dive into the world of Irish baseball, uncovering the secrets to their success, and exploring Coach Swansson's coaching philosophy. Tune in as we uncover the factors that have propelled the Irish to the top of the South Suburban conference, the challenges they've faced, and the bonds forged within the Irish baseball family.  This is a show you won't want to miss!

Andy Judkins and Parker Hageman are joined by Cretin Derham Hall's pitching coach, Toby Anderson. Coach Anderson discusses the Raiders culture and why the team has people thinking they might be headed back to the state tournament for the first time since 2007.

Rob Allison, Andy Judkins and Parker Hageman share the 2024 players (hitter, pitcher and diamond in the rough) they are looking forward to seeing at this upcoming event and why. 

Rob Allison, Andy Judkins and Parker Hageman look back on the highlights of the 2022 season and talk about which players they are excited to see in the coming season. 

Andy Judkins and Parker Hageman are joined by Rob Allison and Abe Weckle to discuss the Top Prospect Series, the Rising Stars ID events and the heat wave that was centralized over Minnetonka's high school field. 

Rob Allison, Andy Judkins and Parker Hageman breakdown the latest in Minnesota high school baseball prospects. 

Andy Judkins and Parker Hageman are joined by players from Chanhassen and Chaska to talk about their respective programs and the crosstown rivalry between the Storm and Hawks.  Guests include Chaska's Dayne McNaughton, Nolan Kemp, and Henry Bushey and Chanhassen's Blake Eiden and Maddox Johnston. 

Prep Baseball Report Minnesota makes their 8th Club Caravan stop at NorthStar Baseball in Burnsville, Minnesota. Andy Judkins and Parker Hageman are joined by three University of Minnesota commits in Wayzata's Drew Berkland, Cretin-Derham Hall's Jack Taxdahl, and Sartell's Tyler Hemmesch. Owners Alec Crawford and Mike Kvasnicka talk about the mission of NorthStar.

Prep Baseball Report Minnesota's next stop on the Club Caravan tour is at HTP Academy in Apple Valley, Minnesota. Andy Judkins and Parker Hageman are joined by Rosemount's Easton Richter and Cretin-Derham Hall's Jake Quinn as well as owners Chase Hentges and Jake Petricka.   

Prep Baseball Report Minnesota's Club Caravan tour makes at stop in Vadnais Heights to visit the Blizzard Baseball facility. Andy Judkins and Parker Hageman are joined by AJ Rasmussen, Tyler Guerin, Sam Schneider, Cole Spitzer and Bradyn Bezanson.  Joining the players is owner and founder Adam Barta.  ***Powered by DriveSmartMN***

Andy Judkins, Rob Allison and Parker Hageman are joined at the Super 60 with Minnesota Twins' Midwest Area Scout, Joe Bisenius. Bisenius discusses scouting talent in the Upper Midwest and comparing player's development timelines across the country.  

Andy Judkins, Parker Hageman and Rob Allison head down to Chicago for Prep Baseball Report's Super 60 showcase. They are joined by PBR's Vice President of Scouting, Shooter Hunt.  Hunt talks about his experience scouting Minnesota players and his obsession for Quixotic Coffee in St. Paul. 

PBR Minnesota's Club Caravan tour continues to Pitch 2 Pitch in Rogers, Minnesota.  Andy Judkins and Parker Hageman are joined by three players from Maple Grove High School and the Pitch 2 Pitch/Millers club organization: Aiden Hansen, Cole Newell, and Zane Vitense.  Brett Boxwell, Pitch 2 Pitch's Director of Velo Hitting, also joins the show. 

PBR Minnesota's Club Caravan tour continues with Pine Tar Academy in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. Andy and Parker are joined by Hopkins' Paul Safranski, Armstrong's Bryce Campbell, and Eastview's Dahltyn Virnig. Joining the players is co-owner and Director of Operations, Matt Welters. **Powered By DriveSmartMN**

The third stop on the Club Caravan tour brings the show to Minnesota Icemen's facilities in New Brighton, Minnesota.  Andy Judkins and Parker Hageman talk shop with Duluth East's Charlie Sutherland, Chaska's Anthony Steinhoff and a pair of teammates from St. Michael-Albertville, Hunter Palmer and Kaden Amundson.  Joining the players are Icemen owner Justin Gominsky and Director of Player Development, Ryan Sutterer.  **Powered by DriveSmartMN.org**  

The second stop of PBR Minnesota's Club Caravan tour is Great Lakes Baseball Academy in Woodbury, Minnesota, home of the Minnesota Lumberjacks. Andy Judkins and Parker Hageman talk off-season training with Champlin Park's Andrew Rakow, Park's Will Smoot, and Roseville's Ian Culver. Joining the players is Great Lakes owner Brian Bambeneck and Pitching Coordinator Matt Doornink.  **Powered by DriveSmartMN.org**

Andy Judkins and Parker Hageman take the show on the road.  For the first stop on PBR Minnesota's Club Caravan, they visit Starters Sports Training in Burnsville, Minnesota, home of the Minnesota Starters club team.  Juddy and Parker chat with Southwest Christian's Cade Wiegert, Prior Lake's Michael Gabbard, and Farmington's Ethan Coyer. Joining the players is Director of Baseball Operations and Pitching Coordinator Kevin Walsh and Club Coordinator Andrew Betcher. 

Rob Allison, Andy Judkins and Parker Hageman discuss the details that go into PBR's class rankings.  Andy and Parker are then joined by Spring Lake Park's Isaac Morton, who talks about his offseason plans and his recent commitment to Texas A&M.  ***Powered by Suburban Waste Services of Minnesota***

Andy Judkins and Parker Hageman are joined by Eden Prairie graduate and current Dallas Baptist player, Ryan Wrobleski.  Wrobleski talks about his career path which included a stop at NIACC before entering the world of Division 1 baseball. 

Andy Judkins and Parker Hageman are joined by Concordia Academy's Josh Kirchhoff on his decision to run the #JUCOBandit route. 

Andy Judkins and Parker Hageman are joined by four emissaries from the defending 4A state champion Farmington Tigers. Kyle Hrncir, Zach Dohrmann, Matt Hinnenkamp and Connor Weed stop by the Ducks on the Pond studio to talk about the championship run, their prospects for the 2022 season, being multi-sport athletes and more. 

Prep Baseball Report's Andy Judkins and Parker Hageman are joined with three teammates from East Ridge High School: Webber Neels, Trevor Lee and Max Arlich. The three talk about their high school program, their college commitment process, and more. 

It's Commitment Szn! Rob Allison, Parker Hageman and Andy Judkins discuss the remaining top uncommitted seniors plus an interview with Gopher commit -- St. Louis Park's Kristofer Hokenson.

Rob Allison, Parker Hageman and Andy Judkins discuss this past summer's schedule, the Top 5 in the Minnesota 2022 Class rankings, and an interview with White Bear Lake and North Carolina State commit Derrick Smith.

Rob Allison, Parker Hageman and Andy Judkins discuss Gopher baseball with Pitching Coach Ty McDevitt

Rob Allison, Parker Hageman and Andy Judkins catch up with Head Baseball at Hopkins High School Jason Mihalakis and discuss his program, players and Lake Conference Baseball

Rob Allison, Parker Hageman and Andy Judkins discuss March Events and highlighted players. Special Guests: Head Baseball Coach at Woodbury High School Kevin McDermott and Holy Angels standout Joe Long a Michigan University commit. Don't forget to subscribe to the show!