Gophers' Matt Fiedler Thrives At Plate & On Mound

MINNESOTA (WCCO) -- It's not at all uncommon in high school for the team's best pitcher to also be its best hitter.

It's altogether unheard of in the pros.

But college baseball is that magical middle ground, where magical players like Matt Fiedler can still thrive.

If they have the skills.

The Gophers pitcher – and designated hitter – is a big reason why Minnesota just won its first Big Ten championship since 2010. He's as productive at the plate as he is on the mound.

"It's not super common, but you'll see on a handful of teams there will be a guy or two that does both," Fiedler said. "It's something that I've always done. I just think of myself as a baseball player. I don't really think of myself as a hitter or a pitcher."

In reality, he's both – and one of only a few who does that dual role as well as he does. The Eagan native is one of 18 players remaining in the running for the John Olerud Award, given to the top two-way player in the nation.

Fiedler is the No. 3 hitter in the Gophers lineup, leading the team in batting average, hits, runs and even stolen bases.

He's a DH when he's not pitching, and when he is pitching, he's thrown more innings than anyone else on the team, and is tied for the team lead in wins.

"It's definitely a balancing act, and it's one that I didn't really get down until this year," Fiedler said. "It's been a three-year process figuring out a routine every day at practice that can really allow me to do both. Some days are a little bit more pitching heavy, some days are a little more focused in the cage."

And, clearly, it's working.

"He's really found a routine," coach John Anderson said. "He's a throwback guy. He's just a passionate, high baseball IQ guy, just loves playing the game. He's not a tools guy, never gonna be a high draft choice. But I surely love having him on our team."