Player of the Year

Player of the Year: boys

The window on the Gatorade State Baseball Player of the Year race is closing, and the search for elite student-athletes is in full swing. The award recognizes not only athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field. Here are two top candidates who meet the basic award criteria as determined by our ESPNHS team that administers the program’s selection process.

Charles Ameer
Junior Pitcher/Infielder, Weston High (Weston, CT)

2012 Team record: 13-8
2012 Team standing: Begins Class M state tournament, May 29

2012 Batting average: .327
2012 RBI: 18
2012 Runs: 14

2012 W-L record: 7-2
2012 ERA: 1.53
2012 Strikeouts: 84

Academics: B-plus average
Collegiate destination: St. John's

How he’s played himself into the State POY conversation: All-State; All-Conference; The Hour All-Area team.

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The window on the Gatorade State Baseball Player of the Year race is closing, and the search for elite student-athletes is in full swing. The award recognizes not only athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field. Here are two top candidates who meet the basic award criteria as determined by our ESPNHS team that administers the program’s selection process.

Kyle Funkhouser

Senior Right-handed Pitcher, Oak Forest High (Oak Forest, IL)

2012 Team record: 24-6

2012 Team standing: Plays Olympia Fields in Regional Final, May 26

2012 W-L record: 9-1

2012 ERA: 0.71

2012 Strikeouts: 90

Academics: B-plus average

Collegiate destination: Louisville

How he’s played himself into the State POY conversation: First Team All-State; Conference Player of the Year; Rawlings/Perfect Game First Team All-Region.

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Eye on POY: Rhode Island baseball

May, 24, 2012
May 24
1:42
PM ET
The window on the Gatorade State Baseball Player of the Year race is closing, and the search for elite student-athletes is in full swing. The award recognizes not only athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field. Here are two top candidates who meet the basic award criteria as determined by our ESPNHS team that administers the program’s selection process.

David Hopkins
Junior shortstop/right-handed pitcher, East Greenwich (R.I.)

2012 Team record: 9-10
2012 Team standing: Division I regional tournament begins May 29

2012 Batting average: .380
2012 RBI: 17
2012 Runs: 18

2012 W-L record: 4-3
2012 ERA: 3.36
2012 Strikeouts: 46

Academics: B-plus average
Collegiate destination: University of Rhode Island (verbal)

How he’s played himself into the State POY conversation: Opponents walked him 20 times in 76 plate appearances. Nine steals in nine attempts. 2011 First Team All-State selection. 2010 and 2011 First Team All-Division selection. 2011 Area Code Games invitee.

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Eye on POY: Tennessee baseball

May, 21, 2012
May 21
6:27
PM ET
The window on the Gatorade State Baseball Player of the Year race is closing, and the search for elite student-athletes is in full swing. The award recognizes not only athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field. Here are two top candidates who meet the basic award criteria as determined by our ESPNHS team that administers the program’s selection process.

Jonathan King
Senior left-handed pitcher/outfielder, Riverdale (Murfreesboro, Tenn.)

2012 Team record: 30-10 (Class AAA)
2012 Team standing: Class AAA first round vs. Arlington (Tenn.) on Tuesday

2012 W-L-S record:: 8-1-1
2012 ERA: 0.76
2012 Strikeouts: 68

2012 Batting average: .405
2012 RBI: 33
2012 Runs: 30
NOTE: Statistics updated through 37 games.

Academics: A average
Collegiate destination: Georgia Tech

How he’s played himself into the State POY conversation: Struck out 1.48 batters, allowed 0.11 earned runs and issued 0.74 baserunners per inning. Belted an extra-base hit once every 4.8 at-bats. Top-500 ranked prospect in Class of 2012 as rated by Perfect Game USA (No. 5 in Tenn.). 2012 Daily News Journal All Sports Awards Pitcher of the Year. 2012 District Player of the Year. 2012 Preseason Honorable Mention All-Region selection as named by Perfect Game USA. 2011 East Coast Showcase participant.

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Eye on POY: Alabama baseball

May, 21, 2012
May 21
6:03
PM ET
The window on the Gatorade State Baseball Player of the Year race is closing, and the search for elite student-athletes is in full swing. The award recognizes not only athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field. Here are two top candidates who meet the basic award criteria as determined by our ESPNHS team that administers the program’s selection process.

Toby Thomas
Senior right-handed pitcher/shortstop, Fairhope (Ala.)

2012 Team record: 38-7 (Class 6A)
2012 Team standing: Lost Class 6A state final to Oxford, 0-2, 5-3 and 7-12; Ranked No. 30 on ESPNHS FAB 50

2012 W-L record: 11-1
2012 ERA: 0.46
2012 Strikeouts: 128

2012 Batting average: .347
2012 RBI: 42
2012 Runs: 40

Academics: B-plus average
Collegiate destination: Pensacola State College

How he’s played himself into the State POY conversation: Finished 4-1 with a 0.88 ERA and 51 strikeouts against six walks in 32 innings pitched over five playoff starts on the mound. Averaged 1.7 strikeouts per inning. 2012 Louisville Slugger Preseason First Team All-American as named by Collegiate Baseball. 2012 Preseason Honorable Mention All-Region selection as named by Perfect Game USA. 2011 Perfect Game USA Preseason Underclassmen Honorable Mention All-American selection.

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Eye on POY: Delaware Baseball

May, 20, 2012
May 20
10:29
PM ET
The window on the Gatorade State Baseball Player of the Year race is closing, and the search for elite student-athletes is in full swing. The award recognizes not only athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field. Here are two top candidates who meet the basic award criteria as determined by our ESPNHS team that administers the program’s selection process.

Mike Annone
Senior shortstop, Concord (Wilmington)

2012 Team record: 17-1
2012 Team standing: Will begin state tournament on May 22

2012 Batting average: .500
2012 RBI: 15
2012 Runs: 18
2012 OPS: 1.561

Academics: B average
Collegiate destination: Undecided

How he’s played himself into the State POY conversation: 2011 Second Team All-Conference

Mitchell Moore
Senior third baseman, Dover (DE)

2012 Team record: 12-6
2012 Team standing: Will begin state tournament on May 22

2012 Batting average: .510
2012 RBI: 16
2012 Runs: 16
2012 OPS: 1.351

Academics: A average
Collegiate destination: Delaware State

How he’s played himself into the State POY conversation: 2011 First Team All-State selection;

Make no mistake, the Gatorade State Baseball Player of the Year race isn’t over yet. Time remains for one standout student-athlete among thousands to rise to the top of our list. Here are some more of many who’ve been in the conversation throughout the 2011-12 campaign.

Kyle Menacha: Senior RHP/INF, Concord (Concord)
Jake Fraley: Junior outfielder/1B, Red Lion (Bear)
Jamie Jarmon: Senior outfielder, Indian River (Dagsboro, DE)

Think we're missing a deserving Gatorade State Player of the Year candidate in your state? Let us know via e-mail at ESPNHS_GPOY@ESPN.com.

Eye on POY: Virginia baseball

May, 20, 2012
May 20
8:54
PM ET
The window on the Gatorade State Baseball Player of the Year race is closing, and the search for elite student-athletes is in full swing. The award recognizes not only athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field. Here are two top candidates who meet the basic award criteria as determined by our ESPNHS team that administers the program’s selection process.

Nathan Kirby
Senior left-handed pitcher, James River (Midlothian, Va.)

2012 Team record: 15-5 (Group AAA)
2012 Team standing: Group AAA state tournament begins on June 5

2012 W-L record: 7-1
2012 ERA: 1.31
2012 Strikeouts: 63

2012 Batting average: .444
2012 RBI: 11
2012 Runs: 9

Academics: A-minus average
Collegiate destination: University of Virginia

How he’s played himself into the State POY conversation: Owns a 3-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio while striking out 1.5 batters per inning. No. 33 ranked prospect in Class of 2012 as rated by ESPNHS. 2012 Dominion District Co-Player of the Year. 2012 Preseason Second Team All-American as named by Perfect Game USA. 2012 Preseason First Team All-State selection as named by ESPNHS. 2011 East Coast Professional Showcase participant. 2011 Perfect Game USA National Showcase participant. 2011 Preseason Underclassmen Third Team All-American as named by Perfect Game USA. 2010 Preseason Underclassmen Honorable Mention All-American as named by Perfect Game USA. 2010 Junior National Showcase participant.

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The window on the Gatorade State Baseball Player of the Year race is closing, and the search for elite student-athletes is in full swing. The award recognizes not only athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field. Here are two top candidates who meet the basic award criteria as determined by our ESPNHS team that administers the program’s selection process.

Mitch Brown
Senior Pitcher, Rochester Century High (Rochester, MN)

2012 Team record: 13-4
2012 Team standing: Sectional tournament begins May 25

2012 W-L record: 7-1
2012 ERA: 0.56
2012 Strikeouts: 103

Academics: B-plus average
Collegiate destination: San Diego

How he’s played himself into the State POY conversation: First Team All-State; All-State Tournament Team in 2011; Ranked No. 44 draft prospect by Baseball America.

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The window on the Gatorade State Baseball Player of the Year race is closing, and the search for elite student-athletes is in full swing. The award recognizes not only athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field. Here are two top candidates who meet the basic award criteria as determined by our ESPNHS team that administers the program’s selection process.

Luke Fernandes

Senior Pitcher/Shortstop, Marshwood High (South Berwick, ME)

2012 Team record: 10-2

2012 Team standing: First in Class A West

2012 Batting average: .421

2012 RBI: 10

2012 Runs: 12

2012 W-L record: 3-1

2012 ERA: 1.57

2012 Strikeouts: 41

Academics: B average

Collegiate destination: Boston College

How he’s played himself into the State POY conversation: First Team All-State; Rawlings/Perfect Game First Team All-Northeast.

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The window on the Gatorade State Baseball Player of the Year race is closing, and the search for elite student-athletes is in full swing. The award recognizes not only athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field. Here are two top candidates who meet the basic award criteria as determined by our ESPNHS team that administers the program’s selection process.

Alex Robinson
Senior Pitcher, Holy Trinity High (Hicksville, NY)

2012 Team record: 13-7
2012 Team standing: Second in CHSAA

2012 W-L record: 5-0
2012 ERA: 0.57
2012 Strikeouts: 86

Academics: B-plus average
Collegiate destination: Maryland

How he’s played himself into the State POY conversation: CHSAA Pitcher of the Year; All-Long Island; Threw 19-strikeout no-hitter.

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The window on the Gatorade State Baseball Player of the Year race is closing, and the search for elite student-athletes is in full swing. The award recognizes not only athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field. Here are two top candidates who meet the basic award criteria as determined by our ESPNHS team that administers the program’s selection process.

Jordan Bean
Senior Pitcher/Shortstop, St. Thomas Aquinas High (Dover, NH)

2012 Team record: 12-0
2012 Team standing: First place in Div. 2

2012 Batting average: .469
2012 RBI: 12
2012 Runs: 13

2012 W-L record: 4-0
2012 ERA: 1.68
2012 Strikeouts: 45

Academics: A average
Collegiate destination: Tufts

How he’s played himself into the State POY conversation: Helped end Portsmouth's national-record 89-game winning streak; Three-time All-State selection.

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Eye on POY: West Virginia baseball

May, 18, 2012
May 18
7:11
PM ET
The window on the Gatorade State Baseball Player of the Year race is closing, and the search for elite student-athletes is in full swing. The award recognizes not only athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field. Here are two top candidates who meet the basic award criteria as determined by our ESPNHS team that administers the program’s selection process.

Korey Dunbar
Senior catcher/right-handed pitcher, Nitro (Nitro, W.Va.)

2012 Team record: 22-9 (Class AAA)
2012 Team standing: Class AAA regional semifinals begin May 22

2012 Batting average: .440
2012 RBI: 31
2012 Runs: 33

2012 W-L-S record: 2-2-8
2012 ERA: 0.53
2012 Strikeouts: 70

Academics: A average
Collegiate destination: University of North Carolina

How he’s played himself into the State POY conversation: Produced a 5.4-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio, recorded 1.7 strikeouts per inning and held opponents to a .188 batting average. No. 1 ranked prospect in Class of 2012 as rated by Perfect Game USA. 2012 Mountain State Athletic Conference Player of the Year. 2012 Preseason Second Team All-Region selection as named by Perfect Game USA. 2012 Preseason First Team All-State selection as named by ESPNHS. 2011 Continental Amateur Baseball Association 18U Wooden Bat World Series national champion. 2011 Class AAA First Team All-State selection. 2010 and 2011 Perfect Game USA Preseason Underclassmen Honorable Mention All-American.

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The window on the Gatorade State Baseball Player of the Year race is closing, and the search for elite student-athletes is in full swing. The award recognizes not only athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field. Here are two top candidates who meet the basic award criteria as determined by our ESPNHS team that administers the program’s selection process.

David Graybill
Senior first baseman/outfielder/right-handed pitcher, Brophy College Prep (Phoenix, Ariz.)

2012 Team record: 23-10 (Division I)
2012 Team standing: Lost Division I state final to Chaparral (Scottsdale, Ariz.), 5-3

2012 Batting average: .443
2012 RBI: 28
2012 Runs: 37

2012 W-L record: 4-1
2012 ERA: 2.95
2012 Strikeouts: 33

Academics: B average
Collegiate destination: Arizona State University

How he’s played himself into the State POY conversation: Finished 8-for-20 with one home run and seven RBI in six Division I state tournament games. Owned a .925 slugging percentage and .538 on-base percentage. No. 247 ranked prospect in Class of 2012 as rated by Perfect Game USA. 2011 Area Code Games participant. 2011 Power Showcase Home Run Derby participant. 2011 Junior Sunbelt Classic All-Tournament selection. 2011 First Team All-Fiesta Region selection.

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The window on the Gatorade State Baseball Player of the Year race is closing, and the search for elite student-athletes is in full swing. The award recognizes not only athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field. Here are two top candidates who meet the basic award criteria as determined by our ESPNHS team that administers the program’s selection process.

Drew Nick
Senior Shortstop/Pitcher, Champlain Valley Union High (Hinesburg, VT)

2012 Team record: 9-1
2012 Team standing: Plays Missisquoi, May 18

2012 Batting average: .467
2012 RBI: 5
2012 Runs: 9

2012 W-L record: 4-0
2012 ERA: 0.00
2012 Strikeouts: 32

Academics: A-minus average
Collegiate destination: Bentley University

How he’s played himself into the State POY conversation: Two-time First Team All-Metro; 1.174 OPS at the plate; 12 hits allowed in 24 IP.

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The window on the Gatorade State Baseball Player of the Year race is closing, and the search for elite student-athletes is in full swing. The award recognizes not only athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field. Here are two top candidates who meet the basic award criteria as determined by our ESPNHS team that administers the program’s selection process.

Chris Shaw
Senior Pitcher/First Baseman, Lexington High (Lexington, MA)

2012 Team record: 10-6
2012 Team standing: Plays Winchester, May 18

2012 Batting average: .500
2012 RBI: 20
2012 Home runs: 7

2012 W-L record: 4-0
2012 ERA: 1.20
2012 Strikeouts: 76

Academics: B average
Collegiate destination: Boston College

How he’s played himself into the State POY conversation: Boston Globe and Boston Herald All-Scholastic; Selected to Area Code Games; Three-time All-League.

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