Former McKendree Bearcat Brian Dinkelman Gets Non-Roster Invitation

From Baseball in Illinois News Sources

Former McKendree University baseball star Brian Dinkelman was one of 14 players to receive a non-roster invitation to attend spring training with the Minnesota Twins.

Dinkelman, who was the 2006 NAIA Player of the Year, earned the invitation after hitting .296 with eight home runs and 65 runs batted in playing for the New Britain Rock Cats, a Double-A affiliate for the Twins. Dinkelman was tied for seventh in the Eastern League in batting average, and was second in doubles with 38. He also ranked among league leaders in on-base percentage (.383), hits (136), total bases (202) and slugging percentage (.440).

An eighth-round pick of the Twins in the 2006 Major League Baseball draft, Dinkelman has been an All-Star in each of his three full seasons in the minor leagues. Last season, he was a mid-season and post-season All-Star selection for the Rock Cats. Dinkelman played at second base and in the outfield for New Britain.

At McKendree, Dinkelman set five NAIA career records, including hits (373), doubles (96), runs scored (303), total bases (670) and assists (679). Dinkelman was a three-time NAIA All-America selection, earning first-team honors in 2004 and 2006 and second-team accolades in 2005. He was a four-team All-Conference honoree as was named the American Midwest Conference Player of the Year in each of his final three seasons with the Bearcats. Dinkelman still holds or shares 24 McKendree team records.