Steamers Add Two More Dynamic Players
April 21, 2014 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Edenton Steamers News Release
EDENTON, N.C - The Edenton Steamers of the Coastal Plain League announce today the signing of outfielder Isaac Smith and infielder Stefan Kancylarz (photos courtesy of each respective school's SID offices). The two are the newest publicized members of the Clams this summer.
Smith hails from Richmond, K.Y. and comes to the Steamers as a junior from Bradley University (IL) in the NCAA Division I Missouri Valley Conference. The 5- 11, 180-pound, right-handed outfielder is the centerfielder and leadoff hitter for the Braves this spring. He patrolled the outfield for the Lorain County Ironmen in the Prospect League last summer and hit.264. He added a .395 on-base average, .388 slugging mark, .783 OPS, six doubles, two triples, four home runs, 33 walks and 13 stolen bases. At summer's end he finished tied for the league lead in runs, scoring 37 times.
Smith is a premium athlete who can play center or provide plus range in left field. He is a legitimate 6.6 runner in the 60-yard dash and offers Coach Hill another elite base-stealer to apply pressure with on opposing defenses. He showed great patience last summer in the Prospect League when he walked at an 18.5% rate while also developing his power, adding 12 extra-base hits. Smith possesses all the tools and traits to be a quality leadoff guy and has started to show this profile in 2014. Through 113 at-bats, Smith is slashing .363/.431/.478/.909 with 13 walks and 16 strikeouts and has gone 13 of 17 in stolen base attempts.
Kancylarz (pronounced Stef-ON KAN-sil-arz) is a junior infielder from Saint Jospeh's University (PA) in the NCAA Division I Atlantic Ten Conference. For the Hawks this spring, the 6-0, 195-pounder is the everyday third baseman and a mid- order hitter, who bats left and throws right. The Mount Laurel, N.J. native spent last summer playing for the Auburn Wildcats in the Golden State Collegiate Baseball League and hit .329. In 43 games for the 'Cats he stroked 10 doubles, four triples, four homeruns, knocked in 42 and added a .424 on-base figure, .519 slugging average and .943 OPS. Kancylarz also showed his signature plate discipline by pairing 28 bases on balls to only 11 strikeouts. He wrapped up his summer as the league leader in RBIs, tied for second in triples and walks, tied for third in runs (34), fifth in doubles and tied for fifth in home runs. He was rewarded for his production when he was named as the First Team post-season shortstop.
Kancylarz put together a splendid summer out in California, while playing one of the better shortstops in the league, a credit to his athleticism. He plays third base exclusively at St. Joseph's and projects there for the Teal and Black this summer as well. His plate discipline allows him to get the most productivity out of his offensive talent. He has missed some time this spring with an ankle issue and has been less than 100% in other games, but he continues to be a steady force in the Hawks' lineup. Currently he is posting a .299 batting average, .395 on-base average, .402 slugging average and .797 OPS with 16 walks to 14 strikeouts in 97 at-bats. He has also performed solidly with the glove, turning in a .924 fielding average and a 2.93 range factor at the hot corner. Kancylarz should be a key left-handed bat in the Steamers' lineup this summer.
The Coastal Plain League is the nation's hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 18th season in 2014, the CPL features 14 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The CPL gives college players the chance to refine their skills with the use of wooden bats. Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. The CPL has had over 1,100 alumni drafted and 65 of those - including 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander - make their Major League debut; while another notable alum - Russell Wilson - won Super Bowl XLVIII. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at CoastalPlain.com, and be sure to friend us on Facebook (at www.facebook.com/coastalplainleague) and follow us via Twitter (as CPLBaseball).
Coastal Plain League Stories from April 21, 2014
- Steamers Add Two More Dynamic Players - Edenton Steamers
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