Upcoming Event: Baseball at North Dakota State on May 1, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.
/
6:30 p.m.
Baseball
at North Dakota State
South Dakota State University Athletics
Photo by: Inertia Sports Media/Dave Eggen
STEIGER OPTS TO SIGN WITH REDS
6/27/2020 8:05:00 PM | Baseball
CINCINNATI – South Dakota State University baseball player Gus Steiger has opted to pursue a professional career, signing a free agent contract Saturday with the Cincinnati Reds.
A native of Minnetonka, Minnesota, Steiger was a career .319 hitter for the Jackrabbits, batting above .300 in each of his three seasons at SDSU. He was a two-time all-Summit League selection, earning second-team honors as a second baseman after batting .311 with two home runs and 27 runs batted in during his freshman season.
Steiger moved to shortstop in 2019 and recorded team highs with a .324 batting average, 73 hits, 45 runs scored, 13 doubles, 43 runs batted in and 18 stolen bases. He recorded two or more hits in 23 of the team's 50 games en route to first-team all-Summit League honors.
In the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, the right-handed-hitting Steiger posted a team-best .321 batting average in 14 games.
Steiger also was a solid defender for the Jackrabbits, committing only one error as a freshman and was not charged with an error in 53 chances in 2020.
-GoJacks.com-
Â
Â
Â
Â
A native of Minnetonka, Minnesota, Steiger was a career .319 hitter for the Jackrabbits, batting above .300 in each of his three seasons at SDSU. He was a two-time all-Summit League selection, earning second-team honors as a second baseman after batting .311 with two home runs and 27 runs batted in during his freshman season.
Steiger moved to shortstop in 2019 and recorded team highs with a .324 batting average, 73 hits, 45 runs scored, 13 doubles, 43 runs batted in and 18 stolen bases. He recorded two or more hits in 23 of the team's 50 games en route to first-team all-Summit League honors.
In the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, the right-handed-hitting Steiger posted a team-best .321 batting average in 14 games.
Steiger also was a solid defender for the Jackrabbits, committing only one error as a freshman and was not charged with an error in 53 chances in 2020.
After receiving some interest late in the draft, which was limited to five rounds, Steiger had contact with nearly half of the Major League Baseball teams. He said the Reds' approach to player development and their willingness to have him continue to play shortstop swung his decision in their favor.Â
With the decision to cancel the minor league season, Steiger is unsure of what the first step in his professional career will be. He said he likely will have to wait until fall, when instructional leagues may be an option. In the meantime, he will continue to work out with family members and former high school teammates, as well as help coach a youth baseball team.Â
With the decision to cancel the minor league season, Steiger is unsure of what the first step in his professional career will be. He said he likely will have to wait until fall, when instructional leagues may be an option. In the meantime, he will continue to work out with family members and former high school teammates, as well as help coach a youth baseball team.Â
-GoJacks.com-
Â
Â
Â
Players Mentioned
IF
/ BaseballBaseball Highlights vs Minnesota Morris (04.29.2026)
Wednesday, April 29
Baseball Highlights vs Buena Vista (04.28.2026)
Tuesday, April 28
Baseball Weekly Update (04.28.2026)
Tuesday, April 28
Baseball Highlights vs Northern Colorado (04.25.2026)
Saturday, April 25