2012 • FRESHMAN SEASON: All-Big Ten Freshman Team• Played in 49 games, including 45 as a starter • started in 35 straight games until he suffered a shoulder injury • letterwinner • moved from shortstop to second for the remainder of the season • as a starting infielder, held a fielding percentage of .970 with 67 putouts and ranked second on the team with 126 assists • batted .265 in 155 at bats and 12 RBI • produced two home runs, one triple, three doubles and 52 total bases • tied a team-high 18 walks and eight steals • had 11 multiple-hit games • made his collegiate debut and earned his first collegiate hit in the 7-3 win against Louisville (2/17) • hit a home run and went 2-4 with a run scored against Nebraska (3/4) • went 5-11 in the Cal Poly series when he had two multiple-hit games (3/17-19) • went 2-3 in the 3-0 win over The Citadel (3/24) • held a career-high game when he went 4-4 with four stolen bases, a walk and three runs scored against South Dakota State (3/28) • was 4-11 in the Michigan series (3/30-4/1) • went 2-5 in the 4-3 Iowa win (4/29) • hit his second home run of the season in the home series finale win over Penn State (5/6).
2011: Red-shirted the season.
HIGH SCHOOL: Graduated from Sun Prairie High School • was coached by Rob Hamilton and Peter Gumina • named All-State and All-Area in 2009 and 2010, and received First-Team All-Conference honors in the same years and second-team honors in 2008 • four-year letterwinner in baseball and was a three-year letterwinner in basketball • helped lead his team to a conference title in his senior season, as he batted .429 with 27 runs, 17 stolen bases, nine doubles and 25 RBI in his senior season • also played in the 2008 & 2009 World Wood Bat National Tournament in Georgia and Jupiter, Fla.
PERSONAL: Son of Randy and Kathy Handel • his dad was a former college teammate of Minnesota Assistant Head Coach Rob Fornasiere at Wisconsin-La Crosse • major is undecided • lists his biggest sports thrill as playing at Wrigley Field • born on July 24, 1991.
