Presenting the 2022 Legion All-Stars: 60 players that will be formed into four teams for the Prospect Series Tournament on Aug. 6 in Bloomington. To become an All-Star, coaches from around the entire state nominated players from their team (and sometimes other teams) that they felt represented some of the top talent in Minnesota this year. The selection committee sought to represent communities across the entire state. Players were also selected according to their positions which can be its own challenge.

Dylan Alexander (catcher) and PJ Johnson (pitcher) were among the 60 players chosen, representing Glenwood, Lowry and Starbuck. Other players chosen are Jaxon Schoenrock and Matthew Hornstein, Alexandria; Patrick (Paddy) Kelly and Luke Dehnicke, Andover; Dayton Franke, Armstrong; Cam Nieto, Breckenridge; Jack Spanier, Cold Spring; Jayden Kopp and Mason Myhre, Coon Rapids; Alex Longoria, Crookston; Grady Kirchner, Detroit Lakes; Charlie Sutherland and Dylan Cole, Duluth Lakeview; Danny Lachemayer, Eagan; Jack Koechevar and Braden Storts, Excelsior/Minnetonka; Karsen Behnken, Eyota; Bryce Gapinski and Josiah Pederson, Foley; Jake Johnson and Nolan Domonceaux, Forest Lake; Easton Sjostrand, Grand Rapids; Bryce Sneller, Granite Falls; Olin Lysne, Hopkins; Cody Joslyn, International Falls; Brendon Koester and Max Kreb, Inver Grove Heights; Eli McCool, La Crescent; Stephan Schultz, Lanesboro; Beau Thoma and Matt Filippi, Little Falls; Logan Swalve, Mankato American; Sam Kliber, Maple Grove; Riley Jensen, Minneapolis Washburn; Brady Snell, Montevideo; Nolan Eischens and Jake Hemann, New Prague; Davis Wick and Spencer Pederson, Osseo; Grayson Fuchs and Eli Nelson, Paynesville; Ben Shumansky and Gamble Bye, Perham; Jaxson Barrett, Prior Lake; Jerry Fletcher, Rochester A’s; Ian Regal, Rochester Redhawks; Dylan Hedley, Rockridge Virginia Post 329; Evan Fischer, Rosetown; Cody Wichmann, RTR Russell-Tyler-Ruthton; Gavan Schulte and Kade Lewis, Sartell; Jaden Case, Shakopee; Drew Luster, St. Michael Albertville; Jaren Vogt, Watertown; Kyle Gibson and Kaden Johnson, White Bear Lake; and Drew Rothenberger, Windom.

There are many other players that were nominated that are deserving of being called All-Stars. Experience tells us that our roster can change right up until tournament weekend if a player or players are unable to attend the events, so stay tuned!

All Star Weekend

The Legion Prospect Series was created as an All-Star event to recognize next-level talent from all across the state of Minnesota. Any rostered American Legion player is of a graduating class 2023-2025 is eligible. Players are nominated by their coaches and those nominations are reviewed by a selection committee. The goal is to have a fun weekend, good baseball, top coaches and provide recognition to some of the state’s top baseball prospects. Teams will be comprised of 15 players selected by position. Four teams will play a mini winners bracket tournament with each team playing two games. The games will be live-streamed by Youth Sports Plus (https://www.youthsportsplus.com ) for a fee.

On Friday, Aug. 5, the college selection and recruitment process starts earlier than ever, as soon as ninth grade. Prep Baseball Report (PBR) is perhaps the most widely used online tool for college baseball coaches. They can see all sorts of statistics, videos and, most importantly, the progression of a ballplayer’s stats from year to year. The key is to get into the system early in your high school career. We are helping to facilitate that process with our PBR/American Legion collaboration. Legion players are given a discount price by PBR. Space will be limited. The  PBR/Legion Showcase is open for all American Legion Baseball players of a graduation class of 2023-2025. The Showcase is fully managed and run by PBR Minnesota. Look for signups and more information at https://www.prepbaseballreport.com/event/MN/mn-legion-baseball-prospects-showcase-8-5-22.

Saturday morning, Aug. 6, will begin with a College Recruitment Breakfast with a panel of college coaches to share information about college recruitment, financial aid and selecting a school. The informative breakfast is open to all American Legion players and parents. The All Star Tournament will begin at 10:30 a.m. at Red Haddox Field in Bloomington.

For more information, visit https://mnlegionprospects.com.