Aug. 28, 2009
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky sophomore two-way standout Braden Kapteyn has been selected as the top prospect in the New York Collegiate Baseball League by Baseball America, it was announced Thursday.
Kapteyn, a 6-foot-4, 215-pounder, dominated the wooden-bat NYCBL throughout the summer, both as the top starting pitcher in the league and as a middle-of-the-order hitter.
“Kapteyn overpowered the NYCBL this summer, going 4-1, 2.47 with 72 strikeouts and 25 walks in 42 innings, almost exclusively in a starting role after working mostly in relief for Kentucky this spring,” Baseball America reported. “The 6-foot-4, 215-pound Kapteyn has good sink on his 90-94 mph fastball and has made great strides with his slider, which projects as an average or slightly better pitch. Kapteyn was drafted as a position player in the 39th round in 2008, and he does have legitimate raw power. He hit .319/.387/.458 with four homers this summer, but his pro future is likely on the mound.”
The Lansing, Ill., native was thrown into major roles immediately after arriving on campus in 2009. The slugger finished his freshman season with UK as a run-producer in the lineup and as UK’s primary closer on the mound. Kapteyn played in 37 games positionally, hitting .319 (45-for-141), with a team-high 11 doubles, four homers and 27 RBI. On the bump, Kapteyn pitched in 23 games out of the bullpen, leading the staff with four saves and a 5-0 record. Kapteyn worked in 32.2 innings, striking out 42. Five times Kapteyn allowed three or more runs in relief and without those five appearances, Kapteyn has a 2.88 ERA and a 4-0 record with four saves in 18 appearances, striking out 33 in 25 frames.
During the summer, Kapteyn led the NYCBL with 72 strikeouts in 42 innings, winning league and playoff MVP honors, while the Mohawks claimed the league title. Kapteyn hit .319 (46-for-144) with eight doubles, four homers and 24 RBI at the plate during the summer. Kapteyn started seven games and appeared in eight on the mound, posting a 4-1 record and a 2.47 ERA, allowing only 23 hits in his 47.1 innings, with opponents hitting .145.
Also on the Mohawks during the summer were UK outfielder Cory Farris and right-handed pitchers Sean Bouthilette and Chase Greene. Bouthilette, a native of Elizabethtown, Ky., functioned as the second starter in the Amsterdam rotation, starting nine games and posting a 4-3 record and a 2.02 ERA. Bouthilette tossed 49 innings – including two complete games – allowing 37 hits and 14 walks while striking out 42. Greene, a Nicholasville, Ky., native was primarily a reliever during the summer appearing in 16 games with one start. A position player in high school, Greene spent the spring of 2009 learning the intricacies of pitching and excelled during the summer, posting a 3-0 record and a 0.71 ERA. In 25.1 innings. Greene allowed only 11 hits and two earned runs, striking out 25, with opponents hitting just .128. Farris, a dynamic outfielder, finished with a .280 average (33-for-118) in 34 games, adding six doubles, two triples, two homers and 15 RBI.
