Will Whelan

Photo by: Brad Rempel

Photo by: Bjorn Franke

Photo by: Bjorn Franke

Position:
LHP
Ht./Wt.:
6-2 / 195
Bats/Throws:
L/L
Class:
Sophomore
Hometown:
Lino Lakes, Minn.
High School:
Centennial

PRONUNCIATION

HONORS & AWARDS
Academic All-Big Ten (2024-25)
Big Ten Freshman of the Week (Apr. 29, 2024)

2025 | SOPHOMORE made 20 appearances including 1 start · had a 0-3 record, 6.75 ERA, 40.0 innings pitched and 39 strikeouts · Game Highlights: recorded a season high five strikeouts versus Oklahoma (2/21).

2024 | SUMMER Whelan once again played for the Willmar Stingers of the Northwoods League · he appeared in 11 games throwing 43 innings and collecting 62 strike outs.

2024 | FRESHMAN Appeared in 17 games out of the bullpen for the Gophers in his first season struck out 26 batters in 18.2 innings, holding opponents to a .197 average against him · had a 1-0 record with one save. Game Highlights: Made his collegiate debut against No. 7 Oregon State, pitching 0.1 innings · struck out 3 batters in 1.1 innings against Pacific (Mar. 4) · picked up four strikeouts in 2.0 innings against St. Olaf (Mar. 13) · had a career-high six strikeouts in 3.0 innings pitched against Iowa (Mar. 30) · struck out two of the four batters he faced against North Dakota State (Apr. 9) · pitched 3.1 scoreless innings without allowing a hit against St. Thomas (Apr. 23) · threw 1.2 shutout innings against Penn State without allowing a hit or walk (Apr. 28) · struck out one batter in his 1.0 inning of play against Northwestern (May 18)

2023 | SUMMER Played for the Willmar Stingers of the Northwoods League · made nine appearances on the mound for the Stingers · went 3-0 for the season with 28 strikouts in 19.2 innings pitched. Game Highlights: earned a win after pitching 2.2 innings vs. Minnesota (July 16), allowing zero runs on two hits, two walks and four strikeouts · picked up a save after three innings of one-hit ball with seven strikeouts against Minot (August 8).

BEFORE MINNESOTA Whelan arrived at Minnesota after a three-sport prep career in baseball and one year of football and basketball at Centennial High School · as a senior, he was a finalist for both the Mr. Baseball Minnesota and East Metro Player of the Year awards · in addition to being named All-Section and All-State in his final season, he was also selected for the Play Ball! Minnesota All Star team · he was named Northwest Suburban All-Conference in baseball his junior and senior years as well being selected to the Prep Baseball Report Future Games in the summer of 2021 · named Preseason Underclass All-American by Perfect Game, he has been named to three all-tournament teams, including honors at WWBA Midwest Championship · as a junior, Whelan excelled on the mound and at the plate for Centennial, leading the Cougars in hitting with a .440 average to go along with three home runs, 25 RBI and a .586 OBP · on the mound, the southpaw totaled 23.2 innings pitched with 37 strikeouts · the Centennial native broke out in a big way last summer playing for Complete Game, going 4-0 in five starts with 28 innings pitched, 55 strikeouts and posting a 1.50 ERA and a .964 WHIP · he hit .350 over the summer with a .470 OBP and a .576 SLG qne led the team in home runs (two), doubles (seven), and RBI (21) · he was ranked by Perfect Game as the No. 1 LHP in the state of Minnesota and No. 5 player overall · he also ranked as the No. 61 LHP nationally · Prep Baseball Report ranked Whelean as the No. 1 LHP in Minnesota and No. 5 overall player.

PERSONAL Native of Centennial, Minn. · the son of Dan and Jennifer Whelan, he also has an older brother, Matt · major will be sports management at Minnesota.

WHY MINNESOTA: "Learning how the program was set up for its athletes to succeed academically was particularly impressive. Coach Casey and Coach McDevitt made it clear that this program was detailed toward the success and growth of the individual student athletes ahead of team goals. Also, the amount of time and effort these coaches dedicate toward the improvement of each individual player is off the charts. Combined with the wide range of courses and many majors to choose from, the potential for job placement near home and the opportunity to play ball in front of his family made choosing the UofM an easy decision."