Wiese enters ace conversation
Owatonna pitcher Connor Wiese high-fives catcher Ethan Armstrong on his way to the dugout between innings. Wiese got the call-up to pitch for Post 77 after throwing a no-hitter for Owatonna’s VFW 10 team two weeks ago.
Owatonna VFW and Legion athlete Connor Wiese has been on a hot streak after pitching a no-hitter against Winona two weeks ago and earning the call-up to pitch for Owatonna’s Legion Post 77 squad this past weekend.
The soon-to-be junior has quickly caught the attention of both his coaches and local fans as he continues to get better and better each time he takes the mound.
“We’ve been wanting to see him on the mound, and fortunately, he was able to be with us out there tonight. He was the bright spot of our night. He’s picked up some velocity and his curveball really gives batters problems. It’s excellent to see his progress,” said Post 77 head coach Tate Cummins.
Wiese has been in the Owatonna baseball program since his youth and was most recently a member of Owatonna High School’s junior varsity team last season.
However, with the 2024 season looming on the horizon as the next school year approaches, Wiese has his eyes on a new goal.
“It’s great getting some innings in at this level. I always look forward to taking the mound, and it’s nice to gain more experience. I’m hoping that I can be a serious member of this rotation for our high school team next season,” said Wiese.
Though Wiese keeps a stockpile of pitches in his arsenal with a four-seam fastball, curveball, slider, changeup, and two-seam fastball, his two best pitches are undeniably his four-seam and curveball.
“My fastball and curve are my go-tos. They’ve worked well all summer, and if it’s not broke, there’s no need to fix it,” said Wiese with a laugh.
In fact, the two pitches worked so well that Winona’s VFW team stood no chance against them after Wiese tossed a no-hitter with 10 strikeouts two weeks ago.
According to him, the nerves were there understanding that a no-hitter was on the line, but the goal of the game never changed for him.
“There’s a lot of stuff going through your head when you know you’re in a spot like that with a no-hitter on the line. Nobody is saying anything because they don’t want to jinx it, but you know everyone is thinking it. I just like striking guys out, and that’s what I went out there to do,” said Wiese.
After his no-hitter, Wiese got the call up to compete for Post 77, where he shut down Stewartville for just one earned run over five innings while striking out four batters.
Local fans will have to keep their eye out for Wiese, as the junior’s progression has him on pace to be a potential ace in the Owatonna rotation in the near future.