SIOUX FALLS – The Sioux Falls Canaries are happy to announce that outfielder Wyatt Ulrich will return for the 2022 season. Ulrich captured the 2021 American Association Rookie Position Player of the Year in his first season of pro ball.
“The R.O.Y is back, baby,” said Canaries manager Mike Meyer. “Another great day for the Birds knowing Wyatt Ulrich will be back for the 2022 season. Wyatt was one of the best leadoff hitters in the league last season, and I look for him to be even better this season.”
A native of Indus, Minnesota, Ulrich enjoyed an outstanding debut in the American Association. The true rookie out of St. John’s University (MN) and the University of Richmond set modern Canaries records with a 51-game on-base streak and a 29-game hit streak.
“We will look for Wyatt to play an even bigger role as a table setter in 2022 after an outstanding true rookie campaign,” said Canaries Vice President of Baseball and Stadium Operations Duell Higbe. “He is a grinder that does a little bit of everything to help his team win. He has the ability to affect a game in so many ways, and will fit in perfectly at the top of our lineup.”
Ulrich finished 2021 with an eye-popping 119 hits in just 88 games. He joined the Canaries for the team’s first road series in Lincoln May 28th and proceeded to hit .327 with one home run and 37 RBI. He scored 69 runs while notching 16 doubles and six triples. He drew 42 walks and finished the season with a .402 OBP while notching exactly 150 total bases.
“As the season went along Wyatt’s improved in all facets of the game,” said Meyer. “He was more refined in his approach at the plate, his routes in the outfield were better and he became an elite base stealer.”
He joined teammate Mike Hart as the second Canary to win the Rookie of the Year award in the last three years. Hart was named the American Association Rookie Position Player of the Year in 2019.
Ulrich’s .327 average ranked 8th in the American Association last year. He was one of just three players in the Association who hit at least .325 while stealing at least 20 bases, joining teammate Cade Gotta and Cleburne’s Zach Nehrir.
“Wyatt is a big piece for us moving forward and I’m excited to watch him again this season,” Meyer said.
Ulrich starred at St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota. He was named the 2017 MIAC Most Valuable Player and was also named an ABCA/Rawlings All-American. He hit .464 in 2020, his last year with the program. He finished his collegiate baseball career at the University of Richmond, where he hit .344 in the spring before joining the Canaries.
He is an alum of International Falls High School and has also played high-level hockey. He starred as a goaltender for the Steele County Blades of the MnJHL (2014-15) and USPHL (2015-16).
The Sioux Falls Canaries will open their 2022 home schedule May 20th vs. the Milwaukee Milkmen at The Birdcage. The team’s full 100-game schedule is now available.
Download A 2022 Printable Schedule
The Birds will play 50 games at The Birdcage this year, including seven games in the month of May. Upgrades at the stadium, an enhanced fan experience and plenty of fun, family-friendly promos will be implemented in the 2022 season.
Get your Canaries tickets today!
#CANARIES#
