Former USF Slugger Josh Rehwaldt having MVP season for Canaries

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) -The Canaries are off to a terrific start and the local guys have been a big reason why.

Former USF standout Josh Rehwaldt has added a booming bat to the line-up his second time around with the team. And as Zach Borg tells us, they are sure glad to have our Karl’s TV & Appliance Athlete of the Week on the team.

STORY

Sometimes the ball gets hit so hard off of Josh Rehwaldt’s bat that even he doesn’t see it come down. “I’m not sure about that one (the 475 footer hit two weeks ago against Lincoln)! I can’t complain about it!” Josh says.

Then again the Canaries first baseman is pretty used to hitting bombs at the Birdcage. After all he’s been doing it since he was in college at the University of Sioux Falls.

Making it hard to believe that the Coo were the only college program to recruit the 6′6′' slugger out of Apple Valley, Minnesota. “They were the only college that offered me a scholarship so I wasn’t going to turn that down. And, I mean, I’m glad I came there.” Rehwaldt says.

He would go on to bat .366 in his career and set 18 USF program records, including most hits, doubles, triples, homeruns, runs batted in, and stolen bases. “I wasn’t really necessarily the same size. I just kind of grew into it as I got older and started taking it more serious. It’s just a long process.” Rehwaldt says.

His professional process would also begin in Sioux Falls upon graduation in 2019 with the Canaries, but it would be a more difficult one. He hit just .219 in 29 games. “The pitching is definitely a huge step up. And when you’re thrown into it it can be a little challenging and then, if you have a rough start, it definitely drags on you.” Josh says.

“You could see all the raw tools. He just needed to get 800 to 1,000 at-bats under his belt. So we moved him to the Frontier League and I think it was the best move for him to in his growth going and playing with younger guys like he was.” Canaries Manager Mike Meyer says.

After three years in New Jersey )that saw Josh bat over .300 with nearly 70 homeruns and 200 RBI) Rehwaldt returned to the Canaries this season and is an MVP candidate in the American Association, batting .335 with 12 homeruns, 41 RBI, 17 doubles and 3 triples. “When you step up you just know you’re able to perform and there’s not really that question of am I good enough to be here or am I not?” Josh says.

“You know he really turned himself into a quality hitter. His at-bats are really good. He’s one of the top three players in the league right now.” Meyer says.

Whether this leads to a chance at affiliated ball, Josh is enjoying the chance to play again in his second home. “You just can’t comfortable you got to keep showing up every day and trying to get the job done.” Rehwaldt says.

While making it uncomfortable for the rest of the American Association.

Zach Borg, Dakota News Now Sports.

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