UTICA, Mich. - Playing two seasons for Oakland University from 2021-22 before joining the Eastside Diamond Hoppers of the United Shore Professional Baseball League (USPBL) Powered by UWM, former Golden Grizzly right-handed pitcher Jake Wosinski was able to live out a dream by signing with the Minnesota Twins organization on Tuesday, May 23.
An Ada native, Wosinski played his first two collegiate seasons with the Grand Rapids Community College Raiders and spent the 2020 campaign with the Mid-American Conference's (MAC) Akron Zips.
Working his way back from 2020 Tommy John surgery to pitch in five games, four of which were starts, in his first go-around at Oakland, he led the Golden Grizzlies with 13 starts a year ago and was second on the club in strikeouts with 45 and third in innings pitched at 58.1.
Debuting with the Diamond Hoppers on June 4, 2022, about a week after his collegiate career came to a close, Wosinski pitched in seven games (five starts) in his first season in the independent league, earning a USPBL All-Star nod for striking out 24 hitters in 26 innings and grabbing the attention of fans with a blazing fastball that was clocked as high as 95 MPH.
He started one game here in the 2023 USPBL season, allowing just three hits over four shutout innings with seven strikeouts against the Westside Woolly Mammoths on May 19.
"I couldn't be happier for big #44," Oakland head coach
Jordon Banfield said.
"As a kid I recruited and signed several years ago at a different school, his journey is one that has been intertwined with my own and that makes it even more special. I always knew he had it in him and I'm pumped to see his stuff coming all the way back in his second year off of surgery.
"We'll all be watching and pulling for him as he gets into affiliated ball and progresses through the Twins' system."
The 47th USPBL player to sign with an MLB organization in the league's eight-year history and the first this season, Wosinski will soon report to the Twins Player Development Academy in Fort Myers, Florida.
Previously, two Oakland players have reached the big leagues, including current Milwaukee Brewers infielder Mike Brosseau.
On his end, Wosinski speaks very highly of his time with the Golden Grizzlies and credits the program for helping him reach this exciting point in his life.
"Oakland helped me develop into a better athlete and a better person," he shared.
"I transferred to Oakland right after having Tommy John surgery and while COVID-19 was in full effect, so I was very nervous at the beginning. I cannot thank their training staff enough for all of their help through my rehab process, as well as the continual support of all my coaches and teammates.
"Oakland has amazing athletic and academic facilities that ensured I had all the tools needed to be successful throughout my final college years.
Jordon Banfield has been one of my biggest supporters, even from when I played for him at Akron before transferring to Oakland. I truly believe he has turned Oakland's baseball program around and he has hired some incredible support staff around him.
"I will forever be grateful for all the support I had at Oakland, whether it be the weight lifting trainers that helped me get stronger, or the athletic trainers that helped me stay healthy or the amazing coaches and teammates that I played alongside for two years."
Here is a
link to the USPBL release announcing Wosinski's signing, as well as their tweet:
