Summer Circuit Recap: Division II Standouts Who Shined This Offseason

With the dog days of August fading and fall ball right around the corner, the collegiate summer circuit has officially put a bow on another electric campaign. Across the country, Division II players didn’t just hold their own against high-level competition, they flat-out shoved, raked, and took over some of the most prestigious wood-bat leagues in amateur baseball.

All told, 53 D2 stars earned postseason accolades across seven top summer destinations: the Prospect League, Northwoods League, Alaska Baseball League (ABL), Coastal Plains League (CPL), West Coast League (WCL), MLB Draft League, and Valley Baseball League (VBL). Headlining that star-studded group are two frontline arms who walked away with hardware as their circuit’s Pitcher of the Year: Illinois Springfield’s Graham Kasey (Prospect League) and Rollins College standout David Austen (Coastal Plains League), both of whom put together masterclass summers on the bump. Furthermore, the sheer depth of the D2 ranks was on full display, with nine different programs boasting multiple award winners.

(NOTE: Some other summer leagues have released player awards involving D2 players, this article was written prior to those releases)

Instead of slicing up the list by league borders, we’re evaluating these summer performers through a roster-building lens, breaking down the 53 honorees across four distinct buckets: Returners geared up for monster collegiate campaigns, high-impact Incoming Transfers, recently Drafted/Signed pros turning the page to the next level, and Graduated seniors who went out with a bang.

Here is the comprehensive breakdown of Division II’s summer sensations.

David Austen (Graphic Credit: Coastal Plains League)

David Austen, LHP, Rollins (Coastal Plains League Pitcher of the Year)

With just 16.2 innings of work this past spring over 14 appearances (all in relief) with the Tars, Austen was given some innings over the summer circuit and capitalized on those innings with some hardware. Austen isn’t just bringing hardware back to Winter Park, he’s returning to the Tars with the look of a legitimate frontline ace. The 5-foot-9 southpaw was an absolute buzzsaw for the Macon Bacon this summer, posting a spotless 5-0 record and a 2.66 ERA over nine appearances (eight starts). He consistently carved up CPL lineups to the tune of a microscopic .186 opponent batting average and a 1.05 WHIP, striking out 45 batters across 44.0 innings of work. Finishing in the top five circuit-wide in wins, innings pitched, and strikeouts, Austen proved he can take the ball every week and dominate, giving Rollins a massive shot of momentum on the mound heading into 2027.

Graham Kasey (Graphic Credit: Prospect League)

Graham Kasey, LHP, Illinois-Springfield (Prospect League Pitcher of the Year)

A mainstay in the regional host Prairie Stars’ rotation who went 5-1 with a 3.75 ERA over 10 starts (14 total appearances) continued his success in the Prospect League. In his 4th summer playing for the Normal Cornbelters, Kasey in seven appearances (six starts) was a perfect 5-0 with a 2.76 ERA over 32.2 innings. He also punched out 50 batters and walked just 10 over the summer, totaling an impressive 13.8 strikeouts-per-nine (K/9) earning him Pitcher of the Year. The 6-foot-2 lefty from Windsor, IL will be a key cog to continuing the momentum for the UIS Baseball team in 2027.

MORE RETURNERS

Brady McGuire, DH/UTL, Seton Hill (CPL First Team DH/UTL): After slashing .443/.532/.631 in 149 at bats for Seton Hill in the spring, McGuire continued his success slashing .327/.467/.531 in 162 at bats for the Asheboro Zookeepers, earning him a first-team selection in the circuit. The rising junior will look to bring excellent place discipline (71 BB to 37 K across both spring and summer) and speed (59 SB) in 2027.

Jakob Haynes, C/1B, Seton Hill (CPL Second Team Catcher): Haynes, like his teammate McGuire, put up gaudy numbers with the Griffins in 2026, smashing 24 extra base hits (15 HR) in 170 at-bats. He followed that with 19 extra base hits (9 HR) in 137 at-bats to garner and second-team selection at catcher for the Morehead City Marlins.The rising senior will be a huge part of the offense and the pitching staff in 2027.

Sylas Boris, OF, Lenoir-Rhyne (CPL Second Team OF): What Boris did in the power department for Lenoir-Rhyne was a sight to see. Boris slugged .625 with 16 doubles and 14 HR last spring. What was lacking was the on base, with only a .352 clip. However, in the summer circuit with Asheboro, he slashed .305/.465/.591 in 66 at-bats, earning him second-team honors and a knack for improving the on-base skills. If the rising senior can blend both on base and slug, he’s certainly on All-American watch.

Ben Shepherd, RHP, USC Aiken (CPL Second Team SP): Ben Shepherd put in a lot of innings for his freshman campaign including the summer circuit, playing for the Asheboro Zookeepers. In all, he threw 87.1 innings across 20 total appearances. His 2-1 record with a 3.38 ERA earned him second-team honors at starting pitcher, as the rising sophomore will compete for the Game 1 starter role with USC Aiken in the spring.

Mason Huffstickler, RHP, Francis Marion (CPL Second Team RP): Huffstickler shined for the Forest City Owls this summer to earn second-team RP honors, striking out 20 over 15.1 innings with 4 saves to go with a 2.78 ERA. If the command repeats this summer in 2027, he’ll be a weapon out of that Francis Marion bullpen, looking to lower his 4.78 ERA over 37.2 innings over a season ago.

Hank Smith, 1B/RHP, Point Loma (ABL First Team 1B): Smith, despite being a crucial two-way piece for West Region Champion Point Loma, Smith was limited to just hitting this summer with the Anchorage Bucs. That didn’t stop him from earning a first-team selection, where he put up an impressive .417 on-base percentage, similar to his .438 on-base percentage in the spring. The senior leader will look to anchor both the offense and the bullpen as the Sea Lions look to repeat as champions.

Phoenix West, INF, Harding (ABL First Team UTL): The rising senior from Fort Collins, CO replicated what he did for Harding in the spring to what he did for the Chugiak-Eagle River Chinooks in the summer. West got on base (OBP around .400 in both places), didn’t strike out, and stole bases (10+ in both places). That earned him a first-team utility selection in the ABL. West will look to find his way towards the top of the lineup come 2027.

Mason Trotter, LHP, Rogers State (ABL First Team SP): While Trotter threw exclusively out of the bullpen (5-0 with 3 saves over 34.1 innings) for Rogers State, he started seven games  for the Chugiak-Eagle River Chinooks in the summer. He performed well to earn a first-team SP selection in the league, going 3-0 with a 2.63 ERA over 37.1 innings. The rising senior will have an opportunity to compete for a rotation spot for the Hillcats this spring.

Oliver Adams, RHP, North Greenville (ABL First Team SP): Also pitching for Chugiak-Eagle River, Adams earned himself a first-team selection with a 3.06 ERA over 35.1 innings. He also struck out nearly three times as many batters as he walked (33 K to 12 BB). The rising junior will enter year two of being a rotation piece for North Greenville (5.72 ERA over 50.1 innings), where this time around he can become one of the Conference Carolina’s top pitchers.

Jackson Babcock, UTL, Colorado School of Mines (ABL Second Team OF): How’s this for a summer with the Mat-Su Miners of the Alaskan Baseball League? Of all qualified hitters in that league, Babcock was 2nd in on-base percentage at .464 and 2nd with the fewest strikeouts at 9 over 142 plate appearances. That placed him on the second-team outfield list. If that kind of game translates to the thin Colorado air where power numbers can be up, Babcock should be one of the RMAC’s top hitters.

Connor O’Sullivan, INF, Rollins (VBL First Team UT): Like Babcock, O’Sullivan prioritized getting on-base and limiting strikeouts. With the Waynesboro Generals, O’Sullivan logged a .484 on base percentage and struck out just 15 times over 155 plate appearances. He also hit 12 doubles, which matched his spring total with the Tars in 65 less at-bats, which placed him as a South Division first-team utility selection. The incoming senior will aim to be one of the Sunshine State’s top hitters next season.

Sean Costello, RHP, Pace (VBL First Team Pitcher): Costello, who will be in his redshirt junior season in 2027, earned a South Division first-team pitcher selection after going 3-1 with a 3.88 ERA over 46.1 innings with Waynesboro. He started in every game he appeared in and will likely transition into a full-time starting role with Pace after splitting time between starting and relieving last season over 49.1 innings (14 appearances, 8 starts).

Elijah Guilliams, 1B, Flagler (VBL First Team 1B): Guilliams in 111 at-bats for the Harrisonburg Turks hit .342 with 10 doubles. That earned him a South Division first-team selection. He’ll look to be a key piece of the Flagler lineup next season after redshirting in the spring

Adler Holtz, RHP, Florida Southern (VBL Second Team Pitcher): Holtz his freshman season threw a tick under 5 innings for the Mocs and was sent out this summer to get more innings and experience. He responded by throwing 34.1 innings with a 4.19 ERA and 34 strikeouts-to-12 walks for the New Market Rebels. Holtz garnered a North Division second-team selection in the league and will likely play a bigger role for the Florida Southern pitching staff.

Tyler McLeod, RHP, Felcian (VBL Second Team Pitcher): Like Holtz, McLeod threw just five innings in the spring. He pitched this summer for the Winchester Royals and earned a North Division second-team honor. Over 20 innings in relief with Winchester, McLeod went 3-0 with a 3.15 ERA and 24 strikeouts. He’ll look to have an increased role in his third year campaign with the team.

Joey Rogers, INF, Wingate (VBL Second Team 2B): Rogers did not play for Wingate this spring, but made the most of his opportunities playing for the Culpeper Cavaliers to earn a South Division second-team honoree. Rogers hit .275 with a .398 on-base percentage in 109 at-bats. He’ll seem to play a bigger role for the Bulldogs in 2027.

Lucas Franz, C, Christian Brothers (VBL Second Team UT): Franz primarily caught for the Bucs in the spring, posting a .372 on-base percentage in 95 plate appearances. With the Culpeper Cavaliers, Franz hit .328 with a .418 on-base percentage en route to a South Division second team selection.

Michael Klein, LHP, Rogers State (WCL First Team RP): In both the spring with Rogers State and the summer with the Springfield Drifters of the West Coast League, Klein was a bullpen stalwart. Klein posted a 3.82 ERA over 35.1 innings with 4 saves with the Hillcats. He then took it up a notch in the summer, striking out 43 over 31 innings with 6 saves and an impressive 1.74 ERA. That put him on the league’s first team reliever list.

Rafael Espinoza, RHP, Colorado Mesa (WCL Second Team SP): After 10 starts with a 4.44 ERA over 48.2 innings in the spring for the Mavericks, Espinoza spent his summer with the Portland Pickles of the West Coast League. He did nothing but shove there, going 3-1 with a 1.20 ERA over 30 innings to earn him a second team selection in the league. He’ll return for his senior season as a big piece of the Colorado Mesa rotation.

Hudson Allen, INF, Montevallo (Prospect League First Team 2B): A spring season where Allen hit .303 with 12 doubles for Montevallo went up a notch in the summer with the DuBois County Bombers of the Prospect League, hitting .343 with 10 doubles to earn Eastern Conference first-team 2B honors. The major difference? He cut his strikeouts in half with more at-bats (24 in 145 ABs in the spring, 12 in 178 ABs in the summer). Allen with improved bat-to-ball skills may see himself at the top of the lineup for the Falcons in 2027.

David Kessler, INF, Indiana (PA) (Prospect League First Team SS): As someone who hit .313 for Indiana (PA) in the spring, Kessler showcased his hitting ability and then some to earn a Western Conference First Team SS selection. With the Cape Catfish, he hit .344 with a .963 OPS, as he will look to build upon his first team All-PSAC selection in the spring.

John Connors, INF, Northwest Missouri State (Prospect League First Team 1B): Connors raked for Northwest Missouri State in the spring, hitting .325 with 16 doubles. With the O’Fallon Hoots, smacked 10 doubles, hitting .365. Most impressively, he walked 62 times in 230 plate appearances to have a remarkable .551 on base percentage. He’ll be a force in the MIAA and Central Region next season.

Nolan McCrossin, 1B/C, Southwestern Oklahoma State (Prospect League Second Team Catcher): Across both spring and summer, all McCrossin did was hit. He hit .317 with SWOSU this spring and .318 with the Normal Cornbelters in the summer. Both times he also had a .400+ on-base percentage. He’ll be one of the top offensive players in the league and will likely shift from first base to catcher full time in 2027.

Harrison Miller, RHP, Saint Leo (Prospect League Second Team Pitcher): Miller for the first time in his entire collegiate career got an opportunity to start for the Lafayette Aviators and he did not disappoint. In 46 innings, he went 4-1 with a 4.30 ERA. Most impressively, the command was there all summer, walking just 14 batters (a 2.7 walks per nine). His great summer may have played himself into Saint Leo’s rotation.

Will Burke, OF; Ethan Burkhardt, 3B; Brock Budacki, C; Florida Southern: The Florida Southern trio all performed well in the Prospect League.Will Burke (Eastern Conference 1st Team OF for the Danville Dans) hit .287 in 101 at-bats for the Mocs before slashing .360/.443/.565 in the summer in 186 at-bats. Ethan Burkhardt (Eastern Conference 2nd Team 3B for the Springfield Luck Horseshoes) had less than 50 at-bats in the spring, but slashed .338/.447/.550 in 151 at-bats with 20 extra base hits. Brock Budacki (Eastern Conference 2nd Team C for the Johnstown Mill Rats) hit .380 in just over 100 at-bats for the Mocs.With Johnstown, he slashed .328/.458/.534 with 10 doubles in 131 at-bats. All three are expected to have increased roles with Florida Southern in 2027.

TRANSFERS

Mackenzie Wainwright, OF, Tampa Transfer (CPL First Team OF): The 2025 D2 Baseball Player of the Year made shockwaves by transferring to the back-to-back-to-back World Series Champion Tampa Spartans. After hitting .406 for Lenoir-Rhyne in the spring, Mac continued to smack baseballs and steal bases. In all, Wainwright hit .389 with 20 extra base hits and 18 stolen bases for the Wilmington Sharks. Now, he’ll be a part of a team that could very well be the best of the last four Tampa rosters (including 2027).

Ryan Jackson, RHP, Grand Valley State Transfer (CPL Second Team Relief Pitcher): Jackson, a rising senior coming from NAIA Benedictine, spent the summer getting outs for the Morehead City Marlins of the Coastal Plains League. Over 20 innings, he struck out 26 batters. Jackson will now be a key piece for the Grand Valley State bullpen, who looks to continue upon their impressive last few seasons.

Cody Thomas, INF, Seton Hill Transfer (CPL Second Team DH/Utility): What a great year it was for Thomas at Salem in 2026. The incoming Seton Hill transfer hit .375 with 20 doubles and struck out just 12 times in 195 plate appearances last season. For the Wilmington Sharks in the summer, he hit .283 with a .376 on base percentage and had double digit stolen bases. That talent will be crucial for Seton Hill’s potential deep postseason run.

Richie Preston, RHP, Seton Hill Transfer (VBL Second Team Relief Pitcher): After 21 appearances with 7 saves with a 3.29 ERA for Salem (WV) in the spring, Preston essentially had the same rate of performance with the Culpepper Cavaliers in the Valley Baseball League. Over 9 appearances, Preston pitched to a 3.00 ERA with 3 saves. After a coaching change at Salem, like his teammate Thomas mentioned above, Preston will be a part of Seton Hill’s roster in 2027.

Asher Sabom, RHP, Augusta Transfer (VBL Second Team Relief Pitcher): With stops at D1 Georgia and JUCO Chipola the previous two springs, Sabom pitched in the Valley Baseball League this past summer. With the Charlottesville TomSox, he earned second-team relief pitcher honors after pitching to a glistening 1.73 ERA with 3 saves over 26 innings. Augusta is sure glad to have him as a key piece in the bullpen for 2027.

Davis Lee, RHP, Hawaii Hilo Transfer (WCL Second Team Relief Pitcher): Davis Lee, for the Victoria Harbourcats of the West Coast League, showcased swing-and-miss stuff, striking out 35 over 21.1 innings with a 2.95 ERA. That showing gave him second-team honors, and an opportunity to pitch for the Hawaii Hilo Vulcans under first year head coach Elliott Cribby.

Jaxon Valdez, RHP, Tusculum Transfer (Prospect League First Team Pitcher): Valdez pitched for Upper Iowa in 2026, appearing in 7 games and totaling 12.2 innings. The rising sophomore entered the portal when summer began and certainly boosted his stock with the Jackson Rockabilliys, as he pitched to a 2.70 ERA over 30 innings of primarily relief. The team that will hope to replicate that is the Tusculum Pioneers under first-year head coach Scott Eul.

Ean Czech, 3B, Quincy Transfer (Prospect League 2nd Team 3B): Czech after two seasons at Wabash Valley College (JUCO) in Illinois went to Charleston Southern in 2026 and had limited action. This summer he played for, funnily enough, the Quincy DoggyPaddlers and raked, hitting .407 in 113 at-bats. He’ll stay there and take his talents back to Illinois to be a key contributor for the Quincy Hawks in 2027.

DRAFTED/SIGNEDThere were two players who played in a summer league and either got drafted or signed.

Player	School	Summer League	Award	Team
Owen Henne	Seton Hill	MLB Draft League	All-League INF	Sixth round pick, St. Louis Cardinals
Kory Williams	Goldey-Beacom	Coastal Plains League	CPL First Team SP	UDFA, San Francisco Giants

Three players have received other awards worth a mention:

Player	School	Summer League	Award
Hollon Brock	Montevallo	Northwoods League	Eau Claire Express Team MVP
Tate Greene	Angelo State	Alaska Baseball League	Gold Glove
Trevor Tse	Colorado Mesa	West Coast League	Honorable Mention All-WCL

Eleven players who have graduated from a Division II school have also received honors in various summer leagues:

Player	School	Summer League	Award
Evan Rossi	Seton Hill	Alaska Baseball League	2nd Team Pitcher
Aidan Newton	Mount Olive	Coastal Plains League	CPL Second Team SP
Caleb Burr	Belmont Abbey	Coastal Plains League	CPL First Team OF
Cooper Sain	Georgia Southwestern	Coastal Plains League	CPL First Team SP
Drew Stegura	Belmont Abbey	Coastal Plains League	CPL First Team SP
Eli Edds	Lincoln Memorial	Coastal Plains League	CPL Second Team SP
Jack Whalen	Seton Hill	Coastal Plains League	CPL Second Team OF
Jovan Gill	Grand Valley State	Coastal Plains League	CPL First Team 1B
Matthew Heard	North Georgia	Coastal Plains League	CPL First Team RP
Tyler Bribiescas	Arkansas-Monticello	Northwoods League	Great Plains Division 1st Team Pitcher
Tyler Thompson	Illinois Springfield	Prospect League	Western Conference 1st Team OF