Left to right: Fresno State's Tommy Hopfe, Noah Beal, and Ben Newton are starting professional journeys that they hope culminate with reaching the big leagues. (GV Wire Composite)
- Tommy Hopfe, a two-way player, was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the ninth round after a stellar Bulldog career.
- The Los Angeles Dodgers nabbed hard throwing Will Gagnon out of Reedley College in the 14th round.
- Two other Bulldogs, Noah Beal and Ben Newton, signed free-agent contracts.
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Fresno State’s Tommy Hopfe and Reedley College’s Will Gagnon had their names called in the 2024 Major League Baseball Draft.
The Colorado Rockies selected Hopfe in the 9th round with the 258th pick. The Los Angeles Dodgers nabbed Gagnon in the 14th round.
Two other Bulldogs signed free-agent contracts following the 20-round draft this week. The Tampa Bay Rays inked Noah Beal, and the Oakland A’s signed Ben Newton.
Related Story: 4 Bulldog Football Players Receive Preseason All-Mountain West Honors
Tommy Hopfe: A Standout Two-Way Player
Hopfe spent four years with the Bulldogs, earning All-Mountain West honors in back-to-back seasons. In his tenure with the Diamond ‘Dogs, the two-way player owned a .329 batting average with 41 doubles, six triples, and 23 home runs. In addition, he had 117 RBI, a .536 slugging percentage, and a .408 on-base percentage in 175 games.
He also pitched 92 2/3 innings with a 4.86 ERA in 68 appearances. He struck out 78 batters and held opponents to a .290 average with a 3-4 career record.
Hopfe was the primary first baseman in 2024 and an integral part of Fresno State’s MW Championship season.
Will Gagnon: A Major Decision
The right-handed pitcher will now decide whether to continue his collegiate career at UCLA or sign with the Dodgers.
In 10 starts and 53 2/3 innings, the 6-foot-2, 205-pound Gagnon struck out 98 batters with a 3.69 ERA.
The Reedley High School grad was the only California Community College player selected in the 2024 draft.
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Noah Beal: Made His One Fresno State Season Count
Beal spent one season with the Diamond ‘Dogs, making 16 starts and compiling a 4-4 record.
Beal struck out a team-leading 93 batters in 79 innings with a 5.13 ERA. He was named Mountain West Pitcher of the Week twice (March 11 and April 8). During the conference championship, Beal struck out a career-high 12 batters in the Bulldogs’ elimination game win over regular-season champion Air Force.
Before becoming a Bulldog, the Clovis High School grad played for UNLV for three seasons. As a Rebel, he owned a 6.37 ERA with an overall record of 11-7 in 149 and 2/3 innings. He started 25 games for the Rebels and had 41 appearances overall.
Ben Newton: A Stellar Defender
Newton played for the Bulldogs for four seasons, appearing in 192 games and making 165 starts.
In his Bulldog career, Newton owns a .274 average with 174 career hits including 44 doubles, six triples and six home runs. He drove in 92 RBIs, scored 115 runs and drew 80 walks. He was a stellar defender for the ‘Dogs with 261 career putouts, 356 assists and a .954 fielding percentage.
The All-Mountain West second team selection started all 62 games of the Bulldogs’ MW Championship season in 2024. He held a .277 average with 62 hits, 38 RBIs, 48 runs scored, a .446 slugging percentage and a .394 on-base percentage. He led the conference in doubles with 25, seventh most in the nation.
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