Last summer was a pretty big year for the Grays, they changed their name from Minneapolis to Minnoka showing more love to their home base of Anoka while still representing their past roots. They finally captured a division title for the first time in twelve years and for the second season in a row finished third place in the AAA playoffs with an invite to the State Tournament. They then boarded a plane and headed for sunny Arizona to participate in the 35 plus World Series in Phoenix. They put on an amazing showing after a rocky start and finished in the Top 6 (out of 25 teams) reaching the quarterfinals in the top bracket. Impressive performance for the inaugural trip. Overall they finished 26-9 when everything was finished in 2021.
So, what’s on tap for this season, let’s take a quick look at the Wolves as they prepare for the 2022 season.
DEFENSE
Two former Gold Glovers left the team in the off-season; Patrick Hanlon left to join the defending champions East Metro Mammoth. Devin Kubik just decided not to come back and focus more time on his growing small business. But panic turned into promise as Dan Skog joined the team full-time to take shortstop duties, Skog flashed his impressive glove in Arizona as well as the other newcomer Naha Martinez. Both will trade off at short and improve the overall defense of the club. Catching will be shared with Matt Carter, Joe Nadolney, Martinez and rookie Matt Johnson who has a solid arm, can call a good game and is also versatile enough to happily step out from behind the plate and play some infield and outfield – something the Grays missed in the past. I guess you can say this new defense will be flexible with many guys being able to play multiple positions on multiple nights. The outfield, one of the best in the league, can track down most balls and throw a runner out at home. The defense helped Minnoka win many close games last season and will need that skill again to defend its division title.
PITCHING
Probably one of the deepest staffs in the league with eight starters that could be aces on most other teams. The league got a little taste of Alex Gonzalez last year as he didn’t start until July, but finished strong especially in Arizona where he pitched a lights out .63 ERA in two wins. Fritz Coyro improved in his sophomore season going 4-1 with two complete games including one shutout. Jack Nelson worked for five wins in his first full season as a starter, pitching a no-hitter vs Metro. Nelson's offseason workouts hope to improve his win total. Billy Diaz was a perfect 5-0 with a 2.97 ERA, throwing gems vs St. Michael and pitching a complete game win vs Red West in the opening round of the playoffs. We still haven’t got to Mark Von Ruden, Dan Skog, Mike Dougherty and Jeff Amann. Ruden impressed in limited innings before his injury last season. Skog was lights out in Arizona with a 1.86 ERA. Mike Dougherty is probably the hidden gem of the bunch, getting his mound work with the Hounds last year, winning three games, three complete games and flaunting a 1.82 ERA. With Michael Shanor now in Lakeville, Dougherty will pick up more innings this season for the Grays. Overall, this staff is stacked. If everyone remains healthy and patient this staff could make a deep run to State and maybe Arizona.
HITTING
Crazy to say but some people thought the Grays had a “down” year at the plate in the Federal League last season even though they were second in the league in runs scored with 184. But they did have games were the Wolves offense stalled, especially late in the playoffs and in the State Tournament. The addition of Dan Skog to an already packed lineup should help, along with a more power hitting catcher in Matt Johnson. Jon Widerski won the West batting title batting .565. Joey Olson, Jack Nelson and Steve Cupryna all batted above .480. In a lineup that had nine different guys drive in double digit RBIs, scoring runs shouldn’t be an issue this season. Dustin Rode - a former batting champ in the Metro Minny - will add more punch. We will see how the wheels do, after losing two of its biggest run producers but with a new enthusiasm to swipe more bags this summer across the whole roster, guys should be in scoring position and it wouldn’t be a shock to see the Grays top 200 runs in the Federal.
OVERALL
It will be interesting to see if the offseason moves pay off as Minnoka has finished back to back third place finishes in the AAA. Could these new additions help the Wolves make that jump to a Championship Game? How about making State again and putting on a better show? The confidence this team captured in Arizona after a Top 6 national finish can hopefully carry over into this 2022 season. If everything is working they will be a tough out. With more rest this offseason than in seasons past – hopefully the pack is rested and ready to run for another Federal League title.
