Three Standouts from the College Summer Baseball Season
For many college baseball players, the time to hang up their cleats does not come in June when their team fails to make it through the road to Omaha and the Men’s College World Series. June also marks the beginning of Summer League season. Athletes from different colleges across the country get the chance to join forces playing side-by-side as teammates. Summer baseball gives many young athletes the chance to sharpen their skills and show scouts who are digging through the transfer portal what they can do. Let’s take a look at three athletes who stood out during their summer ball season.
Larry Edwards, the outfielder from McNeese State, has had impressive on-base consistency this summer. The six-foot-one senior racked up 15 doubles, three home runs, and a massive 63 stolen bases in just 65 games played. McNeese State has not been one of those teams turning heads during the regular NCAA season, which may be why Edwards flew under the radar until his time in the Northwoods League this summer. His performance is a perfect example of how summer ball can be a time for athletes from schools that are not thriving in the postseason to develop their skills and come back stronger.
Brock Ketelsen is an incoming freshman at Stanford. The young lefty got to show off his talent at home plate and on the pitcher’s mound with the Corvallis Knights. Offensively, Ketelsen, who towers over the plate at six-foot-four, delivered two home runs, five doubles, and three triples in his at-bats this summer. ACC baseball requires strong plate discipline, and his summer stats show that he’s got what it takes to keep up with strong ACC pitchers at schools like Virginia, NC State, and UNC. In addition to his offensive talent, Ketelsen is also exciting to watch on the pitchers mound. As a reliever, he posted an ERA of 1.04 for the summer.
Ben Dean, a right-handed pitcher who will be headed to Duke for his second year of NCAA eligibility this coming season, showed strong improvements through his summer with the Keene Swamp Bats. The six-foot-three righty recorded fastballs in the mid-90s, and his curveball has reached close to 85 MPH. Dean will join a new era of Duke baseball this coming season under new head coach Corey Muscara. Based on his summer performances and the massive changes made to the Blue Devils’ roster this offseason, he could be a face to watch in the Duke bullpen in 2026.
