Kentucky Baseball Shines on Summer League Circuit
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky Baseball team had an impressive showing on the summer league circuit with six Wildcats playing for a league championship club, six being named all-stars and four earning all-league honors.
Three Cats suited up for championship teams in each of the famed Cape Cod League and Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League, while two others played for a regular season champion. Oraj Anu, Cam Hill and Coltyn Kessler helped Cotuit to the Cape Cod title, while Cole Daniels, Will Gambino and Trip Lockhart were part of Amsterdam’s Perfect Game League championship.
Senior first baseman T.J. Collett, redshirt sophomore pitcher Ben Jordan, sophomore right-hander Alex Degen and incoming freshman catcher Jared Payne each were named to their all-league teams, with Collett being named All-Cape Cod League, Jordan earning First-Team All-Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League and Degen First-Team All-Coastal Plain League honors. Payne was selected Second-Team All-Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League. Jordan, a right-hander from Olive Hill, Kentucky, also was a CRCBL all-star and participated for the league in the Southeast Prospect Showcase.
Five other Cats were named all-stars in their respective leagues, highlighted by incoming freshman John Rhodes, an outfielder from Soddy Daisy, Tennessee, earning Most Valuable Player in the PGCBL All-Star Game. T.J. Collett (Cape Cod League), Tanner Holen (Western Canadian League), Hunter Rigsby (Alaska Baseball League) and Austin Schultz (Coastal Plain League) also were all-stars. Sophomore designated hitter/first baseman Trae Harmon won the PGCBL Home Run Derby at the league’s all-star festivities.
A closer look at each player’s summer:
T.J. Collett (Senior 1B/DH, Brewster Whitecaps) – Led the Cape Cod League in home runs with nine, tied for the most in the famed summer league since 2012, ranked third in RBI (32) and fourth in slugging percentage (.539). Also competed in the CCL’s Home Run Derby. He was honored as the first baseman on the All-CCBL Team.
Alex Degen (Sophomore RHP, Savannah Bananas) – Earned First-Team All-Coastal Plain League honors after going 3-1 with a 1.80 ERA and four saves, which ranked ninth in the league. He allowed just 12 hits and struck out 23 in 20.0 innings, and yielded just one run over his final 16 appearances.
Tanner Holen (Senior C, Swift Current 57s) – Was a force in the Western Canadian League, batting .321 with 17 doubles and 47 RBI. He ranked sixth in the league in RBI, 11th in doubles and posted a .922 OPS.
Ben Jordan (R-Sophomore RHP, Gaithersburg Giants) – In seven appearances (six starts), Jordan posted a 2.70 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 26.2 innings. The strikeouts were the sixth-most in the league and his ERA was the second-lowest at the time when he completed his summer in July. Jordan also was named the top prospect in the Cal Ripken League by Perfect Game.
Jared Payne (Freshman C, Oneonta Outlaws) – Despite joining the Outlaws after the season started, Payne batted .390 with 23 RBI and a .896 OPS in 105 at-bats in his first go-around against collegiate competition.
John Rhodes (Freshman OF, Oneonta Outlaws) – Also facing collegiate pitching for the first time, Rhodes was named an all-star while hitting .316 with 15 extra-base hits and 24 RBI in 133 at-bats. He was voted MVP of the all-star game after going 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI.
Hunter Rigsby (Sophomore RHP, Anchorage Glacier Pilots) – Led the ABL with a 0.64 ERA in 28.1 innings after allowing just two earned runs. Finished third with five saves and 10th with 34 strikeouts. Rigsby also was named the No. 7 prospect in the Alaska Baseball League by Perfect Game.
Austin Schultz (Sophomore IF, Savannah Bananas) – Batted .307 with 10 extra-base hits, 14 stolen bases and a .883 OPS in 101 at-bats. He also was a member of the Colonial Plain League Select Team.
