As always, the halfway point of the Cape League season sneaks up quickly, although Friday’s rainouts postponed the midway mark by a day. With Saturday’s slate in the books, we’re officially halfway home. Here’s my take on the top standouts.
Most Valuable Player
Alec Bohm, Falmouth
Last summer, the league’s MVP award went to Ernie Clement, who had a great year but was more speedster and high average hitter than the typical big production MVP.
This year, there is no shortage of the more typical candidates, and Alec Bohm leads the way.
The Wichita State rising junior was the top prospect in the Coastal Plain League last year. His 6-foot-5, 225-pound frame is an imposing presence in the middle of the Falmouth order and he’s been a consistent force. Bohm had two hits on opening night and has had at least one hit in 18 of the 22 games he’s played.
His recent hot streak put over the top for these purposes. In the six games from June 25 to July 2, Bohm went 15-for-27 with two home runs. In a win over Bourne July 2, he was 5-for-6 with three RBI.
At the midway point of the season, Bohm is hitting a league-best .420 with three home runs, seven doubles and 16 RBI. He leads the league in OPS, ranks second in on-base percentage and is third in slugging.
In the Running: Marty Bechina, Jimmy Herron, Griffin Conine, Mickey Gasper
Most Outstanding Pitcher
Justin Montgomery, Wareham
Justin Montgomery hasn’t led the league in ERA throughout the summer, because at a few points, he’s been just below the innings threshold to qualify for it.
If not for that, no one else would have a chance.
The California Baptist righty had a breakout summer in the Alaska League last year and is following the same path this year. In 17 innings across four starts and three relief appearances, Montgomery has yet to allow a run, earned or unearned. He has struck out 19 and walked just four. His WHIP is 0.82 and opponents are hitting a measly .169.
His start against Harwich June 25 was his best – five scoreless innings of one-hit baseball with eight strikeouts. Of course, with a 0.00 ERA, all of the starts have been pretty good.
In the Running: Zane Collins, Tim Brennan, Tyler Baum, Hogan Harris, Kris Bubic
Most Outstanding Reliever
Josh Hiatt, Orleans
Wareham’s Willie MacIver and Harwich’s Andrew Moritz have something in common.
They own the only hits Orleans’ closer Josh Hiatt has given up this year. Both hits were singles and neither one led to a run. Hiatt has saved five games and has a 0.00 ERA over 11.1 innings.
Hiatt and Bourne’s Ryan Feltner have very similar numbers, but the fact that Hiatt has given up just two hits all summer puts him a step ahead. Opponents are hitting .054 against him. In his last four outings, he hasn’t allowed a hit. He has struck out 11.
It’s nothing new for Hiatt, who allowed one earned run in 30.2 innings for North Carolina in his redshirt-freshman season this spring.
In the Running: Mitchell Miller, Ryan Feltner, Riley McCauley, Robert Broom
It used to be that pitchers were the big guys, but it seems that Alec Bohm, like Aaron Judge before him, is part of a new trend in hitters.