VA/DC 2017 Player of the Year Finalists: Part 3
June 19, 2017
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By John Nolan
Virginia Assistant Director and Content Manager
And Jerry Shank
MD/VA Director
This spring, Prep Baseball Report will be announcing State and a National High School Player of the Year. State Players of the Year will be announced at 5 pm Eastern on Monday, June 19. The Prep Baseball Report National Player of the Year will be announced on Thursday, June 22 at the same time. Numerous players in Virginia and DC have put together outstanding seasons that warrant consideration as our Player of the Year, over the rest of this week, we will shine a spotlight on the players that we considered as finalists for that honor.
Player of the Year Finalists Part 1
Player of the Year Finalists Part 2
VA/DC PLAYER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
Derek Domecq LHP/OF Western Albemarle 2018
Domecq had a strong two-way performance in 2018. On the mound, he was 8-2 with a 1.16 ERA and 99 strikeouts in 66.1 innings pitched this year. At the plate, he also hit .358 while adding eight extra base hits and 13 RBIs.
Cam Ford SS/RHP Warren County 2017
Ford had a good senior season at the plate, hitting .446 with 12 doubles and 18 RBIs. He also contributed on the mound, going 6-4 with a 1.71 ERA while striking out 74 batters in 65.2 innings pitched.
Hunter Gregory RHP/OF Hickory HS 2017 (Old Dominion)
Gregory was a big reason that Hickory HS spent the majority of the regular season as one of the top ranked teams in 5A. On the mound, Gregory was 7-2 in 55 IP with 79 strikeouts and a 0.51 ERA. At the plate he hit at a .338 clip with 6 homeruns and 33 RBI.
Ryan Kennedy LHP/1B Millbrook 2017 (Kennesaw State)
Kennedy offered both a strong bat and ace-like performance this year for the Pioneers. On the mound he went 6-2 with a 1.49 ERA and 74 strikeouts in 47 innings pitched. He threw two no-hitters this spring and allowed just 18 hits all season. At the plate, he had a .457 OBP while hitting .290 and driving in 19 runs.
Michael Ludowig OF/LHP Briar Woods 2017 (Wake Forest)
Ludowig helped lead the Falcons to the 5A State Championship this spring. At the plate, he hit .457 with two home runs and 22 RBIs and 25 stolen bases. On the mound, Ludowig threw 37.1 innings and struck out 53 batters while pitching to a 1.88 ERA.
Will Merriken LHP/OF Kettle Run 2017 (Roanoke)
Merriken was named the VHSL 4A State Player of the Year and hit .493 with four home runs and 31 RBIs for the Cougars this spring. On the mound, he went 7-0 with a 1.14 ERA in 36.2 innings pitched while striking out 32 batters.
Ethan Murray RHP Miller School 2018 (Duke)
Murray was the VISAA Division II Player of the Year and hit .464 for the season with 13 doubles and five home runs. He scored 44 runs and drove in 42 more. On the mound, Murray went 9-1 with a 0.47 ERA while throwing 59 innings for the Mavericks. He struck it 76 batters and allowed just 22 hits all spring.
Jake Nielsen RHP James Madison 2018 (Brigham Young)
Nielsen earned First Team All 6A North Region honors and went 9-0 on the mound this spring with a 0.67 ERA. He picked up 54 strikeouts in 62.2 innings pitched. He also chipped in at the plate for the Warhawks, hitting .278 with a .447 OBP.