Anoka Baseball

The Milwaukee Brewers should be a wake-up call for everyone involved in youth and club baseball. 103 wins. A trip to the World Series. And look at how they built their success. 2026 MLB Rankings: OFFENSE 1st in batting average (.258) 1st in OBP (.341) 2nd in runs scored (832) 2nd in walks (668) 5th in stolen bases (162) 28th in home runs (154) PITCHING 2nd in ERA (3.51) 2nd in strikeouts (1,544) 2nd in saves (55) 2.98 K/BB ratio 28th in home runs. 2nd in runs scored. Milwaukee has embraced modern analytics, technology and advanced player development without abandoning the fundamentals that have always mattered. They control the strike zone, get on base, run the bases, pitch effectively and understand how to win baseball games. Over the years, I’ve noticed a concerning trend developing throughout club baseball. Individual recognition is increasingly taking priority over team success. Tournament organizations continue to emphasize individual MVP awards, all-tournament selections and player rankings. Recruiting platforms constantly promote individual performances, while college programs increasingly use social media, video and measurable data to identify and evaluate prospects. I’m not suggesting those things don’t have value. They absolutely do. But I’ve watched how that emphasis on individual recognition has begun to influence the mentality of players throughout club baseball. Players can tell you their exit velocity, throwing velocity and national ranking, but how many truly understand what it takes to contribute to winning baseball? How many take as much pride in executing a productive at-bat, moving a runner, making a defensive play or taking an extra base as they do posting a new personal best? How many are more concerned about their individual statistics after a game than whether their team won or lost? It raises a question I believe everyone involved in player development should consider: Are we developing complete baseball players, or are we developing individuals who are simply good at getting recruited? I strongly believe in measurable development, technology and exposure. They’re essential components of today’s game. But those tools should complement the development of a complete baseball player, not replace it. College programs ultimately need players who can compete, execute, make adjustments, handle adversity and contribute to winning. That’s why I believe development and competition should never be treated as separate objectives. The best organizations embrace both. The Brewers aren’t proving old-school baseball is better than new-school baseball. They’re demonstrating what happens when an organization combines the two. Technology should help develop better baseball players, not become the definition of one. Individual development should contribute to team success, not come at its expense. At some point, the rankings, accolades and measurables have to translate into winning baseball. Because the game doesn’t care about your ranking.

Extremely proud to announce my commitment to the University of Jamestown to play Division 2 baseball! I want to thank my family, friends, Great Lakes, Anoka Baseball, Coach Iliff, and especially my parents for all the sacrifices and support that got me here. Go Jimmies!

Justin Verlander says goodbye to his teammates And then holds his daughter’s hand as he leaves the mound 🥹

I just got off the phone with the mother of a 2027 player. Zero offers. She told me her son is a D1 player. I told her the truth. Power 4 and Power 5 D1 programs want older, more physically mature players. That is not an opinion. That is how college baseball works in 2026. I told her his path may need to start at a D3 program. She was insulted. So I explained something that most families do not understand. D3 is not little league. Because of roster reductions, NIL, and the transfer portal — genuinely elite players are now choosing D3 programs to develop, get playing time, build a college baseball resume, and transfer to a Power 4 or Power 5 program. Some of them are getting paid to do it. That is not a consolation prize. That is a strategy. And it is the most realistic path for a 2027 player with D1 ability who is not yet physically where Power 4 coaches need him to be. She hung up on me. I have been doing this for 28 years. I will tell you the truth even when you do not want to hear it. The parents who listen are the ones whose sons play college baseball. The parents who hang up find out in March there is nothing left. — Coach Drew | 315-440-9755 phase2recruiting.netlify.app

THIS IS THE QUESTION YOU’RE UP AGAINST IN RECRUITING: “Can we find this guy in the portal?” As you know, I recruited Division I baseball for 10 years, and coaches are asking that question more than ever. That’s what high school and JUCO players are competing against. Over the next 30 days, during the biggest fall evaluation stretch before nearly six months without one, that question is going to come up a lot. BTW, March 1 is the next evaluation window. So what makes a coach say: “No. We need THIS guy.” Pitching comes first. Strike throwing. Velocity. A real secondary that can get swing and miss. If you have a legit third pitch, even better. Programs will always keep looking for arms, especially guys they believe can start. Next are catchers. If a program has a need behind the plate, they’re looking. Then shortstops. Premium athletes still matter, especially left-handed hitting shortstops. After that, it becomes about the bat. Left-handed bats first, then right-handed bats. But here’s the biggest change in recruiting: TOOLS ALONE AREN’T ENOUGH ANYMORE. Coaches want proof. Can you hit good pitching? Did you produce last year? Can you help them win sooner rather than later? What does your coach say about you? What does your track record look like? That’s one reason JUCO players have become such a big part of recruiting. They may already have college production, physical development, experience and a better track record for coaches to evaluate. So if you’re a high school player, I don’t think the answer is to panic about the portal. The answer is to become harder to pass on. For 2028s, this next month is a big opportunity to get added to recruiting boards. That’s a win. For 2027s, some programs are still finishing their classes and looking for specific needs. Be open to all levels. For JUCO players, staffs are looking for guys who can help them RIGHT NOW. My advice to parents and athletes over the next 30 days: Don’t obsess over who is watching. Develop your tools...always. Build your résumé. And perform. If your athlete is thinking about taking it easy this fall when it comes to development… That’s a no-no. Give coaches a reason they CAN’T find someone better. The portal changed recruiting. It didn’t change the answer: GET BETTER AND HELP YOUR TEAM WIN. I just sent this message to the PTLG (play the long game) family.

The Brewers are an MLB-best 81-49 despite hitting the fewest home runs in baseball (120). 😲 So how are they doing it? They lead MLB in OBP (.337) and chase rate (27%), rank second in walk rate (11%) and third in stolen bases (129) and sac bunts (30). They get on base.

Coming to Blaine, MN in 2028 👀 Here’s your first look at the new sports and entertainment district that will be home to our newest expansion team.

RHP Eliot De Leon (Anoka, 2027; @MNIcemen) with a clean inning out of the ‘pen. Uncommitted senior arm that sat 85-87 mph with the FB and spun SL, 76-77 mph. #SpectsInvite @premierpitching | @ScoutConnectBB