By Will Kraus, Bates College

Photos by Josh Muir, Endicott College

July 14, 2019

The Kettleers have an abundance of Cape League All-Stars who will travel to Eldredge Park in Orleans on July 21 for the All-Star Game. Eight Kettleers have been named All-Stars, the most of any team in the West Division. 

Here’s what Cotuit’s All-Stars have been up to this season:

Nick Gonzales (New Mexico State): It’s no surprise that Gonzales was named a starting All-Star. The Cotuit second baseman has the fourth highest average (.326) in the league for batters with a minimum of 2.7 plate appearances per game. Gonzales also has the most RBI (20) for Cotuit and is tied for the most home runs for the Kettleers (4). It was only a matter of time for Gonzales to receive the Cape League honor as he reached base in the Kettleers’ first 24 games, part of an incredible 79 game on-base streak that dated back to his entire college season in 2019.

Gonzales in a plate appearance at Lowell Park this year

Allbry Major (Xavier): Major was named the starting left fielder for the West Division on Saturday. Major has a stellar .418 batting average, the best on the team, as well as an eight game hit-streak he’s currently riding. The switch-hitter has shown tremendous plate discipline with multiple ten plus pitch at bats and just four strikeouts in fifty-five at bats.

Major at Lowell Park this summer

Reid Johnston (North Carolina State): Johnston has been nothing short of phenomenal for the Kettleers with just a 0.52 ERA and a 2-0 record in four starts for Cotuit. The right-hander’s tactful approach has simply shut down opponents as Johnston hasn’t allowed a run in his last eighteen innings pitched, accumulating just a 0.88 WHIP along the way. The Kettleers have gone on to win every game started by Johnston this season.

Johnston winds up at Lowell Park

Matt Moore (Purdue): Moore also has a sub-1.00 ERA (0.90) following his seven relief appearances. The 6-3 southpaw has surrendered just one run in ten innings pitched. Moore has stifled opponents for just a .206 batting average this summer. Moore has yet to allow a single run in the month of July.

Moore on the mound

Cody Pasic (Maine): Pasic, the Cotuit native, was one of just three West Division catchers named to the Cape League All-Star Game. Pasic singled in his first ever Cape-League at bat all the way back on June 12 at Hyannis. He hasn’t looked back with .279 batting average to accompany an excellent strikeout to walks ratio as Pasic has walked twelve times with just twelve punchouts. Pasic has looked great behind the plate as well, throwing three men out attempting to steal second.

Pasic behind the plate

Casey Schmitt (San Diego State): The extremely versatile Schmitt earned an infield reserve spot. Schmitt has shown off his defense throughout the season at third base with more than a handful of terrific defensive plays over the course of the 24 games he’s played in. Schmitt has a .273 average that is skyrocketing in his very own eight game hit-streak and is also tied for Cotuit’s lead in homers with 4. The Aztec has shown his stuff on the mound as well, recording three saves in seven relief appearances for a 3.29 ERA. 

Schmitt swings at Hyannis

Parker Chavers (Coastal Carolina): Chavers has been all over the outfield for the Kettleers, spending time in left, right, and center. He’s also tied in long balls for the Kettleers with four bombs in his own right. Chavers has eleven extra base hits to go along with three steals in his very productive performance for the Kettleers. 

Chavers bats against Brewster

Matthew Mervis (Duke): Mervis has been All-Star worthy in the batter’s box and on the mound as well. Mervis is batting .286 with an impressive 10 RBI in just twenty-eight at-bats. The Blue Devil has spent time in the DH spot in addition to first and third. Mervis has been great on the hill too posting just a 2.25 ERA in five appearances, striking out the last six batters he has faced.

Mervis pitches at Lowell Park