Stars are shining at Cape Cod League

Many say the stars of tomorrow are born at the Cape Cod League.

That certainly is the case in some instances. But there also are plenty of players following up fantastic college seasons with productive summers in the Northeast.

Cal State Fullerton’s Gary Brown, Virginia Tech’s Austin Wates, Jacksonville State’s Todd Cunningham, East Carolina’s Kyle Roller, West Virginia’s Jedd Gyorko, San Diego’s Kyle Blair and Florida Gulf Coast’s Chris Sale are continuing where they left off this past spring.

UCLA’s Rob Rasmussen, Sam Houston State’s Dallas Gallant and N.C. State’s Jake Buchanan have elevated their levels of play this summer.

Buchanan is the only player on this list not to be named to one of the two Cape Cod All-Star teams.

It’s time to take an inside look at some of the Cape Cod League’s shining stars.

Summer team: Falmouth Commodores

The skinny: After hitting .339 with 10 homers and 47 RBIs for the Gamecocks this past spring, Cunningham is taking his game to another level at the Cape Cod League. He has had an amazing summer with the Commodores. Cunningham is hitting .385 with five doubles, one triple, two homers and 13 RBIs. He also is slugging .510 and has a .462 on-base percentage. Cunningham leads the Cape in batting average.

Summer team: Orleans Cardinals

The skinny: Brown was one of Cal State Fullerton’s most highly touted recruits a couple seasons ago for a reason. Brown is incredibly athletic and made major strides with the bat this past spring. He is showing even more improvement this summer. Brown hit .340 with the Titans and is hitting .365 with three doubles, a triple, two homers and 12 RBIs for the Cardinals this summer. He also is slugging .494 and has a .426 on-base percentage. Additionally, he has recorded nine stolen bases.

Summer team: Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox

The skinny: Wates finished the spring with a .397 batting average and hasn’t skipped a beat this summer. Wates is one of the Cape Cod League’s leading hitters. He is batting .354 with six doubles, two triples and 11 RBIs. He also is slugging .458 and has a .436 on-base percentage. Also worth noting, he has collected eight stolen bases and has scored 16 runs. Wates is continuing where he left off at Tech.

Summer team: Brewster Whitecaps

The skinny: Gyorko has been one of the nation’s best players the past couple seasons, and scouts are seeing why at the Cape this summer. Gyorko is having a fabulous summer with the Whitecaps. He’s hitting .324 with five doubles, four homers and 13 RBIs. He also is slugging .554 and has a .412 on-base percentage. Also worth noting, Gyorko leads his team with 41 total bases and 14 runs. He’s a special player to watch.

Summer team: Bourne Braves

The skinny: After helping the Pirates reach an NCAA super regional this past season, Roller is continuing where he left off at the end of the spring. Roller is having a great summer with the Braves. He’s hitting .324 with nine doubles, a triple, four homers and 14 RBIs. He also is slugging .549 and has a .415 on-base percentage. Roller also leads the team with 56 total bases, 33 hits and 17 runs scored. His bat will be crucial for the Pirates next season.

Summer team: Brewster Whitecaps

The skinny: Blair had some setbacks with the Toreros this past spring, but still managed to finish the season with a 3.13 earned run average in 54 2/3 innings. He also is having a fabulous summer with the Whitecaps. Blair is 3-0 with a 1.02 ERA in 35 1/3 innings. He also has struck out 42 and walked 19. Blair also has thrown a complete game and allowed just four earned runs. He is a big reason why the Toreros have high hopes for next season.

Summer team: Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox

The skinny: Sale had a wonderful spring for the Eagles and is arguably the most dominant pitcher at the Cape Cod League. The left-hander is having a summer to remember. He has started seven games and has a 4-2 record and a 1.34 ERA in 47 innings. He also has struck out 47 and walked seven and tossed one complete game. Sale has allowed just seven earned runs. Sale is yet another reason to believe the Eagles will be a postseason force when they’re able to compete in NCAA regionals.

Summer team: Orleans Cardinals

The skinny: Even with his struggles at times this spring, Rasmussen is a good pitcher and the Bruins are expected to have one of the nation’s best weekend rotations next spring. Rasmussen is having a great summer with the Cardinals. He has started four games and has a 3-0 record and a 1.48 ERA in 24 1/3 innings. The left-hander also has struck out 32 and walked six and allowed just four earned runs. Rasmussen is primed to have a strong junior campaign with UCLA.

Summer team: Hyannis Mets

The skinny: Gallant was highly touted entering this past season, but finished the year with a 6.52 ERA in 69 innings. Well, this summer has been about redemption for the Sam Houston State right-hander. Gallant is having a summer to remember. He has made 10 relief appearances and has a 0.92 ERA and a 1-1 record in 19 2/3 innings. He also has struck out 32 and walked nine and allowed just two earned runs. The Bearkats will be in business next spring if Gallant keeps this up.

Summer team: Cotuit Kettleers

The skinny: Buchanan is yet another pitcher making strong progressions this summer. He finished this past season with a 6.54 ERA in 74 1/3 innings for the Wolfpack. But this summer, Buchanan is taking his game to another level. The right-hander has started five games and appeared in six games and has a 0.50 ERA and a 2-1 record in 36 innings. He also has struck out 32 and walked six and has thrown a pair of complete games. N.C. State desperately needs him to rise to the occasion next spring.