Eight Names to Know Across the CRSCBL This Summer

By Jackson Lynch

The first three weeks of the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League season have featured plenty of offense, dominant pitching performances and breakout players across the DMV. As the league approaches Week 4, some of the summer's biggest standouts so far have emerged.

Bud Coombs | Southern Maryland Senators

OF | Vanderbilt | Mechanicsville, Md. | Sophomore

Few players in the league have been hotter than Bud Coombs. The Vanderbilt commit contributes a driving force behind the Southern Maryland Senators' 11-6 start, slashing .552/.683/.966 with four home runs, 16 RBI and a league-leading 1.649 OPS through eight games. He also leads the CRSCBL in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, runs scored and home runs. The Mechanicsville, Maryland native arrived at the University of Maryland as a two-sport football and baseball athlete before fully committing to baseball. Now headed to the SEC, Coombs has carried the momentum from a breakout spring directly into the summer and has quickly become one of the league's biggest stars.

Kyzer Smith | Bethesda Big Train

RHP | Florida Atlantic | Stonewall, La. | Senior

When Bethesda needs outs, Kyzer Smith continues to deliver. The Florida Atlantic right-hander has been one of the most dominant pitchers in the league, posting a 0.64 ERA with 22 strikeouts and a 1.00 WHIP across 14 innings. In five appearances, Smith has allowed just one run while striking out hitters at an eye-popping 14.14 K/9 rate. The Stonewall, Louisiana native has also limited walks, issuing just five while holding opposing hitters in check all summer. His ability to miss bats and avoid free passes has made him one of the toughest pitchers to face in the CRSCBL.

Daniel McGinnis | Alexandria Aces

OF | Undecided | Alexandria, Va. | Senior

No player has meant more to his hometown team than Daniel McGinnis. The Alexandria native keeps turning in stellar performances as one of the league's most consistent hitters, batting .450 with 27 hits, 17 RBI, two home runs and a 1.107 OPS through 16 games. He also has scored 10 runs while helping pace the Aces offense. McGinnis leads the CRSCBL in hits and total bases. The senior earned Week 2 Hitter of the Week honors and has continued to boost his stock this summer after entering the transfer portal from Eastern Mennonite.

Landon Springmeyer | Olney Cropdusters

C | Undecided | Gilbert, Ariz. | Senior

Few hitters have done more damage with runners on base than Landon Springmeyer. The Arizona native has been a major reason for the Olney Cropdusters' league-best 12-6 start, leading the CRSCBL with 20 RBI while tying for the league lead with four home runs. His .629 slugging percentage and 1.020 OPS rank among the best marks in the league. Springmeyer entered the transfer portal following a coaching change at Northern Kentucky and has carried a productive spring into the summer. The senior catcher has quickly established himself as one of the league's top power threats.

Robert Kelly | Metro South County Braves

INF | Monmouth | Lawrence, N.J. | Junior

Robert Kelly qualifies as one of the most complete hitters in the league through the first three weeks of the season. The Monmouth infielder is batting .417 with 25 hits, 18 RBI, 14 runs scored and a 1.006 OPS through 15 games. Kelly is tied for the league lead in hits and RBIs has been a key contributor for the Metro South County Braves all summer. The Lawrence, New Jersey native has consistently produced at the plate, combining a high batting average with run production to establish himself as one of the league's top offensive performers.

Ayden Phillips | Gaithersburg Giants

INF | Northwest Florida State | Lake City, Fla. | Sophomore

Ayden Phillips continues to serve up some of the best hitting in the league through the first three weeks of the season. The Gaithersburg infielder is batting .370 with a .507 on-base percentage, 20 hits, 17 RBI and six doubles through 15 games. He has also scored 19 runs, stolen five bases and drawn 15 walks. Phillips significantly contributes to the Giants remaining one of the league's most dangerous offensive clubs this summer. After transferring from Jacksonville and committing to Northwest Florida State, the sophomore is capitalizing on his summer opportunity.

Brody Juntunen | Southern Maryland Senators

RHP | Florida Atlantic | Orlando, Fla. | Sophomore

Southern Maryland's success comes from more than just its offense. Florida Atlantic right-hander Brody Juntunen has performed as one of the league's most reliable starters, posting a 0.75 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 12 strikeouts while going 2-0 through his first three appearances. The sophomore has allowed just one earned run and seven hits across 12 innings while helping stabilize a Senators pitching staff that sits atop the standings. Juntunen has quickly emerged as a top young arm through the first three weeks of the season.

Will Vieira | Alexandria Aces

RHP | Fordham | Yardley, Pa. | Sophomore

Alexandria's pitching staff has received a major boost from Will Vieira. The Fordham right-hander owns a 2.02 ERA with 14 strikeouts and a 1.20 WHIP in 13.1 innings. Across four appearances, Vieira has allowed only three runs while walking just three batters. The Yardley, Pennsylvania native provides one of Alexandria's most solid arms this summer and has played an important role in keeping the Aces in the race for the South Division.