Minot native Kellan Burke joined the Hot Tots for his first season in the Northwoods League this year following a decorated career with the Minot High Magicians and the Minot Vistas. Burke was the 2025 Gatorade North Dakota Baseball Player of the Year and currently plays college baseball at Cloud County Community College. Mike Kraft/MDN

It’s been an exciting few days for Minot native Kellan Burke.

On Thursday, June 25, Burke announced his commitment to play Division I baseball at the University of Nebraska after a stellar season at JUCO level Cloud County Community College. A few days later, he was named a Northwoods League All-Star and will participate in the All-Star Game on Wednesday, July 8, at the Field of Dreams movie site in Dyersville, Iowa.

Burke is the lone selection from the Hot Tots and will serve as an outfielder for the Great Plains division.

“Kellan is a rare mix of speed and power,” Hot Tots coach Brian Lewis said in a press release. “His transition from catcher to outfield has been seamless due to his athleticism. He goes and gets the ball in the gaps with the best of them and possesses a strong accurate arm. He plays with a toughness that a lot of young players have not yet developed.”

In 27 games with the Hot Tots, Burke is hitting .235 with four doubles, a triple, two home runs, seven RBIs and 17 runs scored. Burke came out of the gates hot in his first two weeks with the team, batting .272 and homering on Opening Day.

Defensively, Burke sports a .970 fielding percentage with two outfield assists.

The all-star selection process was done differently this year than in previous seasons, where players were chosen by coaches and front office members by each team in the league. This season, the Northwoods League used a statistics-driven model along with a panel of MLB scouts.

“Kellan didn’t earn his spot on the roster simply because he’s a hometown kid, ” Hot Tots general manager Monica Blake said in a press release. “This selection is another testament to the hard work he’s put in and the impact he’s made on our team.”

There were 29 players representing the Great Plains division and 28 for the Great Lakes division. St. Cloud had four players selected, while Bismarck, Badlands and Willmar each had two. Mankato joined Minot with one selection.

The all-star festivities begin on Tuesday, July 7, with the Home Run Challenge. First pitch for the All-Star Game is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. the following day.