It was another successful summer for members of the Arizona State Baseball team as they competed in collegiate summer baseball Leagues across the country. Seven members of the team played in the Cape Cod Baseball League, widely regarded as the most competitive collegiate summer baseball league in the country. Leagues also featuring representatives from ASU included the Alaskan Baseball League, an amateur league operating since 1906, and the New England Collegiate Baseball League, which boasts MLB All-Star alumni such former Sun Devil Andre Either and current major leaguers Stephen Strasburg and A.J. Pollock. Sun Devils collected plenty of hardware this summer, including a League championship, a Home Run Derby Title, and All-Star selections. Continue reading to learn more about how each individual player fared this summer and the playoff results of their teams:
Cape Cod Baseball League (6)
1B/OF Spencer Torkelson (Chatham Anglers)
Regular Season Update:
Spencer Torkelson carried over the momentum built from a tremendous freshman campaign into the Cape Cod League, in which he was one of the League's most feared hitters. Despite taking a break to compete as a member of the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team, he had little trouble staying locked in. Torkelson hit went 27-for-81 (.333) in 25 games, slugging seven home runs, tied for the second most in the league. He finished second on the team with 25 runs batted. Showing a sharp eye at the plate, Torkelson walked 20 times helping him post a .472 OBP. He made it all the way to the Cape Cod League Home Run Derby finals where he faced off with fellow Sun Devil
Carter Aldrete. The Chatham Anglers qualified as the East Division No. 2 seed in the upcoming Cape Cod League Playoffs.
2018 Cape Cod League Playoffs:
The Chatham Anglers took on the Harwich Mariners in the East Division First Round. The Anglers swept the two-game series, setting up a showdown with the Brewster Whitecaps in the East Division Finals. The Anglers would take down the Brewster Whitecaps with another two-game sweep, advancing to the Cape Cod League Finals where they would take on the Wareham Gatemen. The Anglers playoff run would end in the Finals, as the Gatemen captured the crown with Chatham finishing runner-up.
Spencer Torkelson proved to be one of the most feared hitters in the entire Cape Cod League during the regular season, and that continued into the Angler's playoff run. Torkelson finished the playoffs 9-for-24 (.375) with three home runs and seven runs batted in. The seven home runs represent the most in the league, while the batting average and RBIs rank him second in the league during the playoffs. His mature approach at the plate was on display all throughout the playoffs, drawing five walks while boasting a .483 OBP.
Awards/Honors: For his productive efforts throughout the Cape Cod League,
Spencer Torkelson was named to the 2018 Year-End CCBL All-League Team and received a Silver Slugger Award, recognizing the top hitters at each position. Additionally, Torkelson was also a CCBL Mid-Season All-Star, despite missing time due to his participation with Team USA.
OF Hunter Bishop (Brewster Whitecaps)
Regular Season Update:
Bishop played in 39 of the Whitecaps 44 over the summer. His maturing approach at the plate was on display, as he has walked 24 times giving him a .369 OBP. The 24 walks are the fifth most entire Cape. In his second straight Cape Cod League appearance, Bishop has showed off the power swing, launching four home runs after hitting just one in the Cape's regular season last year. Continuing to develop his all-around game, Bishop in the Top 10 in league with nine stolen bases. He was one of two players in the Cape Cod League with at least nine stolen bases and four home runs. The Brewster Whitecaps qualified as the East Division No. 4 seed in the upcoming Cape Cod League Playoffs.
2018 Cape Cod League Playoffs:
The Brewster Whitecaps took on the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox in the East Division Playoffs First Round. The Whitecaps swept a two-game series, capturing the clinching Game Two victory in dominating fashion. Brewster would advance to the East Division Final, where they would take on the Chatham Anglers. The Whitecaps would drop two competitive games against Chatham, with the Anglers advancing to the Cape Cod League Finals.
Hunter Bishop recorded a hit in all three playoff games he competed in. He did a little bit of everything during the Whitecaps playoff run, drawing three walks, stealing a base and driving in a run.
INF Gage Workman (Brewster Whitecaps)
Regular Season Update:
Workman is getting his first taste of the Cape Cod League, playing in 39 of 44 games on the Whitecaps with Sun Devil teammate
Hunter Bishop. Earning valuable experience against high-level competition, Workman has displayed several tools that make him an intriguing prospect as he continues to develop. Hitting three home runs and adding six stolen bases, Workman showed a unique blend of speed and power. A patient approach at the plate paid off, as he has drawn nine walks. The Brewster Whitecaps qualified as the East Division No. 4 seed in the upcoming Cape Cod League Playoffs.
2018 Cape Cod League Playoffs:
The Brewster Whitecaps took on the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox in the East Division Playoffs First Round. The Whitecaps swept a two-game series, capturing the clinching Game Two victory in dominating fashion. Brewster would advance to the East Division Final, where they would take on the Chatham Anglers. The Whitecaps would drop two competitive games against Chatham, with the Anglers advancing to the Cape Cod League Finals.
Gage Workman saved his best at-bats for last, recording a hit in each of the two games in the East Division Finals. Facing elimination, Workman provided the only offense for the Whitecaps, launching a two-run home run to give his team life.
INF Carter Aldrete (Orleans Firebird)
Regular Season Update:
Carter Aldrete played in 35 of 44 games for the Orleans Firebirds. Showing off a power stroke, Aldrete finished with five home runs. Aldrete produced at the plate, driving in 17 runs. He was able to do a little bit of everything for the Firebirds, scoring nine runs, knocking out eight doubles, and walking 10 times. Aldrete also made a run to the Cape Cod League Home Run Derby finals, where he defeated Sun Devil teammate
Spencer Torkelson to take home the crown.
Awards/Honors: 2018 Cape Cod League All-Star Weekend Home Run Derby Champion
OF Trevor Hauver (Hyannis Harbor Hawks)
Regular Season Update:
Trevor Hauver played in 29 games for the Hyannis Harbor Hawks over the summer. He proved he belonged amongst some of collegiate baseball's finest competition. He went 20-for-75 (.267) with one home run and 11 runs batted in. He also walked 10 times, finishing with a .353 OBP. Hauver added eight runs scored. The Hyannis Harbor Hawks qualified as the West Division No. 2 seed in the upcoming Cape Cod League Playoffs.
2018 Cape Cod League Playoffs:
The Hyannis Harbor Hawks took on the Falmouth Commodores in the West Division First Round. The Harbor Hawks were defeated in the best of three series, ending their playoff run.
Trevor Hauver played in the second game of the first-round playoff series, drawing a pair of walks continue to display a keen eye at the plate as he finished with 10 walks during the regular season.
C Lyle Lin (Bourne Braves)
Regular Season Update:
Lyle Lin played in 25 games over the summer for the Bourne Braves, joining them midway through the summer. Finishing with 23 hits and 17 RBIs, Lin was a consistent threat at the dish. Lin finished with a .317 OBP and scored seven runs scored.
Alaska Baseball League (2)
P Brady Corrigan (Matsu Miners)
Regular Season Update:
Brady Corrigan started eight games for the Matsu Miners, pitching effectively throughout the summer. Corrigan finished with a 2-1 record and a 3.55 ERA in 38.0 innings pitched. His best outing of the season came on July 23
rd against the Anchorage Bucs, as he pitched 5.2 scoreless innings while striking out four. The Matsu Miners swept the Chugiak Chinooks 2-0 in a best of three series to advance to the Alaska Baseball League Championship Series.
2018 Alaskan Baseball League Playoffs:
After a first-place finish in the ABL Regular Season, the Matsu Miners earned the top-seed in the ABL playoffs. On their way to the ABL crown, the Miners cruised, going 4-0 in the two best-of-three series. In the ABL semi-finals, the Miners made quick work of the Chugiak Chinooks. The results would be similar in the ABL Championship Series when the Miners went head-to-head with the Anchorage Bucs, who finished in second place during the regular season. The Miners picked up wins in the first two games of the series, winning the Alaskan Baseball League title with an unblemished postseason run.
INF Drew Swift (Matsu Miners)
Regular Season Update:
Drew Swift played in 44 games for the Matsu Miners during the regular season and started in each of their two semifinal playoff matchups against the Chugiak Chinooks. Swift finished the regular season with 31 hits and 17 runs batted in. He showed an ability to do damage on the base path, stealing 14 bases and scoring 21 runs. Swift also drew 12 walks. So far in the ABL Playoffs, Swift is 2-for-7 (.286) with and a run batted in and a run scored. The Matsu Miners swept the Chugiak Chinooks 2-0 in a best of three series to advance to the Alaska Baseball League Championship Series.
2018 Alaskan Baseball League Playoffs:
After a first-place finish in the ABL Regular Season, the Matsu Miners earned the top-seed in the ABL playoffs. On their way to the ABL crown, the Miners cruised, going 4-0 in the two best-of-three series. In the ABL semi-finals, the Miners made quick work of the Chugiak Chinooks. The results would be similar in the ABL Championship Series when the Miners went head-to-head with the Anchorage Bucs, who finished in second place during the regular season. The Miners picked up wins in the first two games of the series, winning the Alaskan Baseball League title with an unblemished postseason run.
Drew Swift started at shortstop in all four games for the Miners, recording a hit in three of the four playoff games. Swift drove in a run and drew a walk in the Miners victory over the Chinooks in the ABL semi-finals.
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New England Collegiate Baseball League (1)
INF Cole Austin (Newport Gulls)
Regular Season Update:
Cole Austin enjoyed a successful summer playing in 19 games for the Newport Gulls. Austin finished the regular season 24-for-80 (.300), slugging six home runs and driving in 21 runs. He drew eight walks accumulating a .375 OBP. A combination of excellent plate discipline and a powerful swing allowed his OPS to hover around 1.000 all summer, finishing at .991.
