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Chicago Tribune
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
After Arizona run, Yorkville's Michael Hilker gets taken by Minnesota Twins in 20th round of MLB draft
Yorkville graduate Michael Hilker was taking advantage of his surroundings Monday night, sitting on a bench overlooking a lake in Rhode Island. His host family provided that serene setting for Hilker, who's pitching for the Ocean State Waves of the New England Collegiate Baseball League. Hilker, however, was still busy. He was fixated on his phone, hoping to get a call that would change his life in the MLB draft. 'My advisor called me and asked if I was watching the draft and I was like, 'I've only been watching it for six hours,'' Hilker said. 'I couldn't believe it when I got the call. 'It was everything you dreamed about in a 45-second phone call.' The Minnesota Twins selected the right-handed Hilker in the 20th round at 599th overall. Hilker has decided to forgo his final season of eligibility at Arizona and get started with his professional career. He plans on heading soon to the Twins' spring training facility in Fort Myers, Florida. 'I'm excited to get on the journey,' Hilker said. 'I've been telling my friends, 'I have a job now.'' Three years ago, this ascent would have seemed improbable. Under recruited in high school, Hilker settled on NCAA Division III powerhouse Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he spent his first two seasons establishing himself as an All-American. 'Sixteen months ago, heading into my sophomore season at Whitewater, I didn't even know what my role was going to be,' he said. 'Throughout that season, I learned what kind of pitcher I can be.' That led to an opportunity at Arizona to see what he could do at the Division I level. Hilker was a mainstay in the bullpen for the Wildcats, helping them reach the College World Series. Now, he's set to begin his professional career. 'We thought Whitewater was really good for him, but we thought he could play at a higher level than that,' Yorkville coach Tom Cerven said. 'He went to Arizona and fulfilled that. 'It's hard to measure guys getting drafted. We definitely saw the college success in him, but I don't know if we saw this kind of potential.' Cerven praised Hilker for constantly working to get better and challenging himself to reach this goal. 'Credit to him — he's a hard worker,' Cerven said. 'When he puts his mind to it, he really starts to grind and really starts to find a way to accomplish it. 'All that hard work he put in finally paid off and finally somebody took notice of him.' Hilker allowed eight runs to Louisville in his Arizona debut, but he only allowed eight more runs the rest of the season. He had a perfect 1 2/3 inning outing at top-ranked North Carolina in the Super Regionals, which attracted the eyes of a lot of scouts. 'I knew I could make a little bit of an improvement in my stock there,' Hilker said. 'I credit a lot of it to playing in the postseason because it allowed me to be seen. I think that helped me out a bunch.' The MLB draft is an interesting process, and Hilker saw it firsthand. He said he was in contact with some teams, but then the Twins came in out of nowhere and picked him. 'It was an unreal feeling,' Hilker said. 'I always thought it was a huge process to get drafted, but if you put in the work and you're a good player, you'll be found.' Before heading to Florida, Hilker has allowed himself to reflect on how he got here. He doesn't take it for granted. 'I've definitely been thinking about my 7-year-old self the last few days, playing T-ball when baseball was something to kill time, before it was my life,' Hilker said. 'I'm super excited to get down there and live the dream.'
Chicago Tribune
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
After Arizona run, Yorkville's Michael Hilker gets taken by Minnesota Twins in 20th round of MLB draft.
Yorkville graduate Michael Hilker was taking advantage of his surroundings Monday night, sitting on a bench overlooking a lake in Rhode Island. His host family provided that serene setting for Hilker, who's pitching for the Ocean State Waves of the New England Collegiate Baseball League. Hilker, however, was still busy. He was fixated on his phone, hoping to get a call that would change his life in the MLB draft. 'My advisor called me and asked if I was watching the draft and I was like, 'I've only been watching it for six hours,'' Hilker said. 'I couldn't believe it when I got the call. 'It was everything you dreamed about in a 45-second phone call.' The Minnesota Twins selected the right-handed Hilker in the 20th round at 599th overall. Hilker has decided to forgo his final season of eligibility at Arizona and get started with his professional career. He plans on heading soon to the Twins' spring training facility in Fort Myers, Florida. 'I'm excited to get on the journey,' Hilker said. 'I've been telling my friends, 'I have a job now.'' Three years ago, this ascent would have seemed improbable. Under recruited in high school, Hilker settled on NCAA Division III powerhouse Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he spent his first two seasons establishing himself as an All-American. 'Sixteen months ago, heading into my sophomore season at Whitewater, I didn't even know what my role was going to be,' he said. 'Throughout that season, I learned what kind of pitcher I can be.' That led to an opportunity at Arizona to see what he could do at the Division I level. Hilker was a mainstay in the bullpen for the Wildcats, helping them reach the College World Series. Now, he's set to begin his professional career. 'We thought Whitewater was really good for him, but we thought he could play at a higher level than that,' Yorkville coach Tom Cerven said. 'He went to Arizona and fulfilled that. 'It's hard to measure guys getting drafted. We definitely saw the college success in him, but I don't know if we saw this kind of potential.' Cerven praised Hilker for constantly working to get better and challenging himself to reach this goal. 'Credit to him — he's a hard worker,' Cerven said. 'When he puts his mind to it, he really starts to grind and really starts to find a way to accomplish it. 'All that hard work he put in finally paid off and finally somebody took notice of him.' Hilker allowed eight runs to Louisville in his Arizona debut, but he only allowed eight more runs the rest of the season. He had a perfect 1 2/3 inning outing at top-ranked North Carolina in the Super Regionals, which attracted the eyes of a lot of scouts. 'I knew I could make a little bit of an improvement in my stock there,' Hilker said. 'I credit a lot of it to playing in the postseason because it allowed me to be seen. I think that helped me out a bunch.' The MLB draft is an interesting process, and Hilker saw it firsthand. He said he was in contact with some teams, but then the Twins came in out of nowhere and picked him. 'It was an unreal feeling,' Hilker said. 'I always thought it was a huge process to get drafted, but if you put in the work and you're a good player, you'll be found.' Before heading to Florida, Hilker has allowed himself to reflect on how he got here. He doesn't take it for granted. 'I've definitely been thinking about my 7-year-old self the last few days, playing T-ball when baseball was something to kill time, before it was my life,' Hilker said. 'I'm super excited to get down there and live the dream.'
USA Today
12-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
SEC Network schedule for Texas A&M takeover revealed
The 2024 calendar year for Texas A&M Athletics was both memorable and forgettable, depending on the sport. However, nothing matches the departure of former Aggies head baseball coach Jim Schlossnagle from the program just days after A&M fell to Tennessee in the College World Series Championship matchup, leaving to join the Texas Longhorns in an unpredictable move that only enhanced the rivalry that was renewed on the gridiron a year ago. Still, Texas A&M's championship run was by far one of the most exciting seasons in program history, and will remain in a positive light despite Schlossnagle leaving. Outside of baseball, the softball team nearly made it to the College World Series before losing to Texas in the Super Regionals, while the men's basketball team, during Buzz Williams' final year at the helm, made it back to the NCAA Tournament for a third consecutive season. Texas A&M's 2024 football team entered a new era under head coach Mike Elko, who returned to College Station after two seasons leading the Duke Blue Devils and serving as Jimbo Fisher's defensive coordinator for four seasons. Elko and his new staff were provided a muligan like every new head coach, but after building a 7-1 record despite several key injury issues, the loss of star running back Le'Veon Moss, paired with then-freshman QB Marcel Reed's issues in the pocket, were too much to overcome. Despite A&M's 1-4 finish, there were plenty of incredible moments, including the comeback win over LSU during an electric night inside a packed Kyle Field. On Friday, it was announced that Texas A&M will take over the SEC Network's schedule, an annual event that typically occurs in July. Here is the complete schedule: Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
USA Today
23-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Star catcher Carson Tinney has transferred from Notre Dame to Texas
The biggest development for Notre Dame baseball this offseason is how they will replace its star catcher Carson Tinney, who opted to leave the program shortly after the season concluded. As one of the nation's top backstops, he was going to be a wanted transfer, and on Monday he announced that he has committed to the Texas Longhorns. The SEC program is one of the best in the country, as they won the conference regular season title in its the first year after dominating the Big XII previously. The Longhorns hosted a College World Series sectional as the national No. 2 seed, but didn't make it out to the Super Regionals. Regardless, Texas had a much better season than Notre Dame, and while Tinney had a ton of success in South Bend, it was clear that he wanted to play for a chance at a national championship. We wish Carson the best of luck, and hope to see him get selected high in next year's MLB draft.
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Duke Baseball Into The Super Regional!
ATHENS, GA - JUNE 01: Duke pitcher Henry Zatkowski (12) during the first inning of the NCAA Division I regional baseball game between the Oklahoma St. Cowboys and Duke Blue Devils on June 01, 2025, at Foley Field in Athens, Ga. | Photo by John Adams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Our primary focus here is obviously basketball, but it's always good to see Duke do well in other sports, and Duke Baseball is certainly doing well. The Blue Devils are in their fourth super regional ever after knocking out Oklahoma State over the weekend. Advertisement Scott Pollard has done a tremendous job with his program and it's great to see them pushing deep into the post-season. It won't be easy though. The teams that are left include powerhouses like UCLA, Florida State and Arizona. The Blue Devils will play the winner of Ole Miss and Murray State on Monday. Here's hoping Duke can make a deep(er) run. PHOTOS: UGA vs. Duke University Men's Athens Regional Baseballs Duke rallies late to advance to Super Regionals, Monday will determine their opponent Duke baseball coach Chris Pollard baffled by AJ Gracia ejection as Blue Devils advance to Super Reigonal Duke rallies past Oklahoma State to advance to win baseball super regional Duke Baseball Star Barred From Postseason Game Due To Fun-Hating NCAA Rule In Controversial Ump Show Oklahoma State baseball's season ends with late-inning loss to Duke in Athens Regional 'We've been building for years': Duke baseball punches 4th-ever Super Regional ticket Duke Player Ejected After Bringing Team's Home Run Prop Onto Field During Celebration Blue Healer Auctions | Drop us a line More from
