Prep Baseball Dakotas Recruitment Overview: Class of 2025
January 9, 2025
This year was the first year players from the Dakotas were separated into their own designated player system rather than labeled under Minnesota's player system. As such, the Class of 2025 is the first time we can look at players' commitments strictly from North Dakota and South Dakota. In 2024, 57 players from the two states made their college commitments.
While many players have already intended to play at the next level, there remain a handful of uncommitted players on the board.
DIVISION | COMMITMENTS |
I | 6 |
II | 12 |
II | 3 |
NJCAA | 18 |
NAIA | 18 |
DAKOTA'S TOP 10
The Top 10 players include five that made their commitments to Division 1 programs. That includes our number one ranked player, Eli Kokenge from Harrisburg, who committed to the University of Minnesota this past August. Other D1 commits include Aiden Zerr (Notre Dame), Kaden Rylance (South Dakota State), Jackson Dial (Washington State), and Trey Husar (South Dakota State).
Program-wise, South Dakota State and Augustana (Darren Safranski and Kason Syverson) each landed two prospects from the Top 10.
NCAA DIVISION I
Six players made their commitments to Division 1 programs, with South Dakota State nabbing three players (Rylance, Husar and Sullivan Schlimgen).
NCAA DIVISION II
There were 12 Division II commits with Minot State landing four.
NCAA DIVISION III
There were just three Division III commits, scattering to Minnesota (St. John’s and Hamline) and Iowa (Buena Vista).
NJCAA
Eighteen players have opted for the JUCO route, led by Bismark State with four commits.
NAIA
Another eighteen players are going to NAIA schools with both Dakota Wesleyan (6) and Dakota State (5) attracting the bulk of the prospects.
HIGH SCHOOLS
Which high schools are sending their players to the next level?
HIGH SCHOOL | COMMITMENTS |
Rapid City Stevens (SD) | 10 |
Harrisburg (SD) | 6 |
West Fargo Sheyenne (ND) | 3 |
Sioux Falls Roosevelt (SD) | 3 |
Sioux Falls Lincoln (SD) | 3 |