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Ultra-athletic Mississippi State outfielder Hunter Renfroe almost guided the Bethesda Big Train to yet another Cal Ripken League title. That quest, though, fell just short this season against the Baltimore Redbirds.
Renfroe certainly did his part this summer. He earned strong recognition for Perfect Game Summer Player of the Year, though, that honor ultimately wound up in the hands of Indiana State lefthanded pitcher Sean Manaea.
Still, the summer Renfroe put together was absolutely incredible, with him raising his stock from a player and prospect standpoint. In addition to flashing a strong arm from the outfield, excellent speed in every aspect of his game and a huge increase in power production, he also was very consistent and good with his batting average.
Though Renfroe only batted in the 200s for the Bulldogs this past spring, he finished the summer hitting .366 with 11 doubles, four triples, 16 homers and 53 RBIs. He also displayed excellent plate discipline.
The Mississippi State outfielder might headline this year's crop of Cal Ripken League stars, but he's certainly not alone.
We take an in-depth look at some of the league's top performers.
TOP PERFORMERS
OF Hunter Renfroe, Mississippi State -- The versatile Renfroe only finished the spring hitting .252 for the Bulldogs. However, he finished the campaign on a high note and carried that into the summer. He batted .366 with 11 doubles, four triples, 16 homers and 53 RBIs. He also struck out on 28 occasions and walked 26 times.
1B James Vasquez, Central Florida -- The hard-hitting first baseman only hit .276 in a limited number of at bats for the Knights this past spring, but had a tremendous summer. He batted .418 with 11 doubles, 12 homers and 42 RBIs. He also walked 30 times and struck out on just 26 occasions.
1B Bret Williams, Richmond -- What a turnaround Williams put together this summer. During the spring, he batted just .176 in a very limited number of at bats. However, this summer, he batted .433 with 12 doubles, six homers and 38 RBIs. He also had a 27:8 SO:BB ratio.
OF John Beaubien, Seton Hall -- After recording just 10 at bats this past spring for the Pirates, he had a tremendous summer at the Cal Ripken League. He batted .366 with 11 doubles, a triple, four homers and 43 RBIs. He also had a 28:26 SO:BB ratio.
INF Brendan Hendriks, San Francisco -- After putting together a respectable spring with a .311 batting average, Hendriks continued his impressive ways this spring for the Dons. He batted .400 with 17 doubles, two triples, six homers and 40 RBIs. He also had a 26:17 SO:BB ratio.
INF K.J. Hockaday, Maryland -- A very athletic infielder and rising prospect for the Terrapins, Hockaday put together quite the summer at the Ripken League. He batted .346 with 11 doubles, a triple, a home run and 36 RBIs. He also recorded six stolen bases.
OF Alex Buccilli, Coastal Carolina -- Known for his unorthodox batting stance, Buccilli followed up a productive spring with a very good summer. He batted .344 with 10 doubles, a triple, seven homers and 30 RBIs. He also had an outstanding 39 walks as opposed to only 16 strikeouts. Additionally, he finished the summer with 14 stolen bases.
OF Sean Keselica, Virginia Tech -- After having an OK spring season with a .277 batting average, he stepped up in a big way this summer. He batted .342 with 12 doubles, four triples, two homers and 26 RBIs. He also swiped 10 bases throughout the summer.
1B/3B Brendan Butler, Towson -- After hitting .308 during the spring, he put together an impressive summer. He batted .338 with two doubles, two homers and 25 RBIs. He also recorded 17 walks as opposed to 13 strikeouts.
UT Shaun Wood, West Virginia -- An incoming freshman for the Mountaineers, he could be a huge help right off the bat. He had a very solid summer, hitting .325 with 13 doubles, three homers and 34 RBIs.
LHP Corey Taylor, UNC Greensboro -- Taylor will be a heavily relied on arm for new head coach Link Jarrett's club in 2013. Taylor had a solid '12 campaign, and also a fantastic summer. He appeared in nine games, tallying a 2.76 ERA in 49 innings of work. He also struck out 51 and walked 15.
RHP Ryan Doran, San Diego State -- the talented righthander had an ERA of 4.50 during the spring for the Aztecs, but showed more consistency this summer. He appeared in eight games and had a 2.79 ERA in 42 innings. He also struck out 44 and walked eight.
LHP Bo Logan, Florida Atlantic -- The lefthanded pitcher had an ERA of 4.87 for the Owls this past spring, but was much better this summer. He appeared in seven games and had a 3.13 ERA in 37 1/3 innings of work. He also struck out 32 and walked 13.
LHP Joseph Vanderplas, Tennessee -- After working just 5 1/3 innings for coach Dave Serrano's club this past season, Vanderplas could be primed for a big-time surge. This summer, he appeared in nine games, tallying a 3.23 ERA in 39 innings. He also struck out 35 and walked 13.
RHP DJ Park, Wofford -- Park should really help the Terriers in 2013. He had a sensational summer at the Cal Ripken League. He appeared in 11 games (making four starts) and had a 3.79 ERA in 40 1/3 innings of work. He also struck out 36 and walked 11.
RHP Michael Bowie, George Mason -- Bowie should be primed for a big-time 2013 campaign for the Patriots. He had just a few innings of work this past spring, but rose to the occasion this summer. He made nine appearances (eight starts) and had a 3.92 ERA in 43 2/3 innings of work. He also struck out 51 and walked 24.
LHP Colin Milon, George Washington -- Milon had just an OK spring season for the Colonials, but had a very strong summer. He made eight appearances (seven starts) this summer, and tallied a 4.01 ERA in 42 2/3 innings of work. He also struck out 49 and walked 15.
LHP Connor Bach, Virginia Military -- Bach only had an ERA of 6.75 this past spring for the Keydets, but he certainly showed much improvement this summer. He made nine appearances (six starts) and had a 4.81 ERA in 33 2/3 innings of work. He also struck out 56 and walked 21.
RHP Chris Ellis, Ole Miss -- Ellis tallied an impressive 2.84 ERA for the Rebels this past spring, but he looks to have an even bigger role in 2013. This summer, he made eight appearances (seven starts) and had a 4.93 ERA in 38 1/3 innings of work. He also struck out 44 and walked 21.
RHP Joe Donino, Columbia -- Donino put together a very solid summer at the Cal Ripken League. He made eight appearances (seven starts) and had a 4.15 ERA in 47 2/3 innings of work. He also struck out 50 and walked 34.