Ep 45 | Recruiting, Development & The St. Thomas Way With Coach Neal Kunik

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!