FARMINGTON, Minn. -- The Tigers may have graduated a couple of pitchers who are now throwing at college, but Farmington baseball still has a pair of future college hurlers to lead a very experienced team that is looking to continue its stranglehold on the section crown.

Senior pitcher and captain Ethan Hagman, a New Mexico State commit, "I feel like we have a decently deep pitching staff. We have a lot of arms. We just need a couple of guys to step up and take over that starting position."

He went 3-0 on the mound last season according to the Star Tribune's Baseball Hub. Farmington (20-6) qualified for the state tournament for the fourth time in five years in 2025, finishing third. FHS won the state title in 2021 and was runner-up in 2022.

"It definitely gets us going. We have a few guys returning from last year's team. Lot of players know what it's like to be in that position. We got guys that can step up in the big moment…It's a bunch of kids we grew up with playing. It's gonna be a lot of fun this year."

When he's not pitching, Hagman slots in at shortstop, part of a new middle infield.

FHS must replace their three-year catcher Marshall Gordon who is now at Minnesota State University-Mankato. The top candidate is junior Matthew Hennen, an Illinois State commit. Tigers coach Jon Graff says he's a standout, "He's got a shutdown arm. He's a tremendous athlete. He can hit. He can do it all."

Overall, Farmington brings back quite a bit, "A couple of our pitchers who pitched at state last year, big part of our rotation last season…We got a loaded pitching staff behind them…In the field we return a good number of starters…And we return a lot of guys who had success hitting last year.

"We've got four outfielders, plus more, competing for three spots. Our middle infield is gonna be new. So, we'll take a look there and see what we have. Tremendous athletes, good arms, high baseball IQ guys," states Graff.

"We do return a first baseman (Ben Keppler)…We return our All-Conference third baseman (Brody Rasmussen)…It's a pretty veteran team. It's a pretty experienced team. We definitely think we can repeat again, for hopefully a conference and section championship."

Grady Renwick, a Southwest Minnesota State commit, can play first or third or DH. He is in his third year on varsity. "We got All-Conference guys, All-Section guys coming from all over the place," Graff points out.

The Tigers need to fill spots atop the rotation of Joe Baldus (7-1 in 2025) and Brandon Lund (6-2) who are both playing college baseball.

Senior pitcher/outfielder and captain Brodie Gibart, an Augustana commit, is up to the challenge, "It definitely hurts with losing Baldus and Lund, those are two big guys. But with me and Hagman coming back, it should be good. Got some younger guys, juniors, a couple of other seniors looking to get some relief. Someone's got to step up. A lot of guys want it."

He was 3-0 with a 1.98 ERA as a junior after a 3-0 record as a sophomore and pitched in both games at state last June, "Trust in our skill. We know we're a good team. Won sections the last two years. We know we're the team to beat. People want to beat us.

"I've been throwing into a net for about four months now. It's a little boring but it gets you ready for the season," Gibart says.

Centerfield veteran

Centerfielder and captain Ty Beck, a junior, is in his third year on the varsity. He had the support of his older teammates from the first day, "They taught me it's ok to fail…Our team's mentality is, 'So, what. Next pitch.' We're always focused on that…They made me feel welcome. That's what I'm trying to do with the young guys."

To succeed the team can't take anything for granted, "We have to not get complacent. We've been to state the last two years. We won state in '21, obviously. Just know that we're not a winner until we go do it again."

Beck hit toward the top of the order with a .328 batting average and nine stolen bases (Hub numbers), "I like to steal a lot of bases. I think that's part of my game…When I'm in the dugout and there's someone else on base, I'm watching (the pitcher) and seeing if I can pick up any tells on him."

The Tigers have quite a few left-handed hitters. Hagman says that can get a little tricky for opposing right-handed pitchers, "If you're mostly facing righties, you only know how to carve up a righty hitter. You can go outside to them, inside. But now with a lefty you have to work with your pitches to get them where you want them."

Senior Brody Rassmussen earned All-Conference honor in his junior year at third base in his first year on varsity, "I like the corner because you don't get to think much. When the ball gets hit at you, you're just moving toward the ball." He hit .407 and drove in 16 runs.

A trip back to state would be ideal, "It was awesome. It really sets the bar high for the team here this year, but it also paints a target on our back. Other teams are looking to take us down. We got to stay diligent and ready to attack."

He embraces the role of captain, "To lead. Not only on the field but off the field too. Make sure people got their grades good. Lead by example, that starts with me."

Schedule

A rule change by the Minnesota State High School League allows teams to play up to 24 games on 20 dates. The Tigers have added an appearance at Jack Ruhr Field in Miesville on Saturday, May 2 against East Ridge and Woodbury.

Rassmussen hasn't played there before, "That'll be enjoyable. Good teams and a fun place to play at…I've heard good things about it."

The Tigers open the season with three straight home games: Shakopee, who finished one game ahead of Farmington in the South Suburban Conference standings in 2025, on Monday, April 6; Wednesday, April 8 vs Burnsville; and Thursday, April 9 against Eagan.

All home games are scheduled at 4:30 pm and played at Levi P. Dodge Middle School. Some home games, and many road games, can be watched for free through FHSTigers.Live.

The first road game is Monday, April 13 at Eastview in Apple Valley. Prior Lake pays a visit to Farmington on Wednesday, April 15. Then comes back-to-back games against Section 1AAAA teams. FHS goes to Lakeville South on Thursday, April 16 and hosts Lakeville North on Monday, April 20.

Section 1AAAA includes Rochester Mayo (at Farmington on Friday, May 1), Rochester Century, Rochester JM, New Prague and Owatonna.

College baseball

FHS has had a strong run of players advancing to play college baseball in recent years. Several players on the current roster are heading in that direction as well.

Hagman is looking forward to the atmosphere of playing at Division I New Mexico State, "It's just going to be completely different for me. It's warm all the time. It'll definitely be nicer for the body and arm, being able to throw year-round. Definitely higher competition, living up to that, being ready to go right after high school season."

Gibart committed to Division II Augustana in Sioux Falls during his junior year, "Sounded like a good spot. Smaller school which is good for me. And they're a good program too."

The Tigers got a taste of warmer weather over spring break with a trip to Florida, "It's way warmer down there. You get to see some out-of-state teams which you usually don't see. It's great. Instead of just sitting in a dome or in a gym. It's game experience before we even start our season," Gibart commented.

Prepbaseballreport.com indicates additional college commitments as outfielder Benny Fenske to UW-La Cross and pitcher/outfielder Ben Freier with St. Mary's (Winona). The website has the Tigers rated No. 3 entering the season.