Gophers pitcher Sam Thoresen reacts to reaching agreement with Cubs

Gophers pitcher Sam Thoresen (Minnetonka HS) has agreed to a undrafted free agent contract with the Cubs. In the process, he is bypassing a chance to play a fourth year of college baseball.

KSTP Sports caught up with Thoresen on Monday, and talked with him about the tough decision he made, why Chicago is so appealing, and more.

***Click the video box on this page to watch our chat with Thoresen***

Thoresen, 21, posted a 5.74 ERA in two-plus seasons with Minnesota, amassing 118 strikeouts against 85 walks in 91 innings. That equates to a rate of 11.7 strikeouts per nine innings for the righty in 34 outings (19 starts). Before the 2020 season was shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Thoresen had 19 strikeouts and 18 walks in 9 1/3 innings across five appearances (two starts).

Thoresen is known for having an electric fastball that can touch 97 miles per hour. He noted that working on his control will be a point of emphasis now that he’s in the Cubs’ system.

Thoresen had a chance to get noticed by scouts both with the Gophers, then in the Cape Cod and Northwoods summer leagues the last two years.

The maximum amount of $$ that any undrafted free agent could sign for is $20K.