Baseball | 9/10/2025 3:18:00 PM

Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Former University of Minnesota Crookston baseball player and NCBWA National Player of the Year Jake Hjelle is going to continue his professional baseball career with the Mid East Falcons of Baseball United, the first-ever professional baseball league in the Middle East and South Asia.

Hjelle has played two seasons of professional baseball after graduating from Minnesota Crookston in the spring of 2024. He split the 2024 season with the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks of the American Association, and the Ottawa Titans of the Frontier League. In 2025, Hjelle had a breakout season with the Boise Hawks of the Pioneer League. He hit .338, with 26 home runs, 102 RBI, 91 runs scored, and a .635 slugging percentage. 

Hjelle was a two-time All-NSIC First Team team, a Regional Player of the Year, All-Region selection, All-America selection, and National Player of the Year in his time for the Golden Eagles. He is one of the top hitters to ever come through the Minnesota Crookston baseball program. 

Hjelle will play alongside former Major League Baseball players Alejandro De Aza, who played with the Marlins, White Sox, Orioles, Giants, Red Sox, Mets, and Nationals, and Munenori Kawasaki, who played with the Mariners, Blue Jays, and Cubs. 

Baseball United's inaugural regular season is set to run from November 14 to December 14, featuring four teams: the Mid East Falcons, the Arabia Wolves, the Mumbai Cobras, and the Karachi Monarchs.