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Los Angeles Dodgers sign second St. Olaf baseball star, Brian Sprout

Le Ann Finger
November 11, 2003

The Los Angeles Dodgers have signed St. Olaf College baseball standout Brian Sprout of Lake City, Minn. Sprout, who plays middle infield, is a 2002 graduate of the college.

Sprout is the second St. Olaf graduate to be signed by the Dodgers this year. In the Major League Baseball First-Year Player draft in June 2003, the Dodgers selected 2003 Ole grad Mike Ludwig in the 37th round, as the 1,111 overall pick. The last St. Olaf graduate to be drafted by a major league team was Colin Brackeen in 1997 by the Toronto Blue Jays.

Sprout earned the MIAC Player of the Year award three times in his career and was an integral part in the Oles winning the MIAC Championship for three consecutive years in 2000, 2001 and 2002. Sprout has played baseball in the Northern League the past two years for the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks and led the team to a championship this past summer. In 2002, Sprout had a rare accomplishment as a baseball player when he hit a "home run cycle" -- with a solo shot, two run homer, three run home run, and a grand slam all in one game.

Sprout was also a football player at St. Olaf, playing wide receiver his senior year and grabbing 43 receptions for 590 yards and six touchdowns.

"Brian is an outstanding baseball player, and we are thrilled that he has a chance to play for a major league club" said St. Olaf Baseball Coach Matt McDonald. "It is unique for a Division III baseball program to have two players with the same organization."

Ludwig, who was drafted by the Dodgers in June, spent the summer playing with the Odgen Raptors, a Dodger rookie league team, and posted a .279 batting average.

Sprout and Ludwig reported to Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Florida last week for a special invitation only training camp led by Tommy Lasorda, Jim Riggleman, Maury Wills and Jerry Royster. They will train for three weeks along with the Osaka Buffaloes team from the Japanese baseball league.

Contact Le Ann Finger at 507-786-3834 or finger@stolaf.edu.