CCBL Late Season Awards: The Cape Cod Times' Allen Gunn weighs in on award leaders

With the Cape Cod Baseball League regular season nearing its climax ahead of the playoffs, I (Allen Gunn) made my selections for Most Valuable Player, Most Outstanding Pitcher, Most Outstanding Relief Pitcher and Newcomer of the Year for the East and West Divisions if the season was to end today.

There have been several outstanding individual performances with many players having left their mark on the most prestigious collegiate summer baseball league in the country, which made it difficult to narrow down to just one player for each category. But there can only be one winner for each.

Here are the front runners based on stats through July 25.

Most Valuable Player

East Division: Ryder Helfrick (Brewster, C)

Brewster Whitecaps manager Jamie Shevchik referred to Ryder Helfrick as one of, if not the best, hitter in the league. Helfrick has backed up his coach's emphatic statement with 28 hits, and while that might not be near the top of the league, he’s consistently provided quality at bats. The Arkansas product has a league best 34 RBIs and 10 home runs, and ranks second in runs scored (24) in 28 games. Helfrick has also been a rock behind home plate.

West Division: Kane Kepley (Hyannis, CF)

When leadoff man Kane Kepley (Liberty) gets on base, it usually results in a run scored for the Harbor Hawks, and he gets on base a lot. Kepley leads the league in runs scored (25) and walks drawn (33), while his on base percentage (.437) ranks sixth and he’s tied for third in stolen bases (15). He has 25 hits and chipped in 17 RBIs. He’s a large part of why the Harbor Hawks own the best offense on the Cape.

Outstanding Pitcher

East Division: Braden Osbolt (Y-D, RHP)

During his time on the Cape, Braden Osbolt was part of what could be considered the best pitching staff. The Red Sox boast a league best 3.66 ERA and rank tied second in hits allowed (232). Osbolt was a huge reason why the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox sprinted to a lead in the East Division. He had a 2.28 ERA in five starts and 23 2/3 innings pitched, gave up 17 hits, six runs, eight walks and struck out 15 with a WHIP of 1.06. Hitters had a .198 average when facing the Kennesaw State product. He had a 2-0 record while on the Cape before his release.

West Division: Michael Ebner (Cotuit, RHP)

Michael Ebner had a fairly average sophomore year at Southern California—a 5.08 ERA in 23 appearances and 39 innings—but he’s fooled some of the best hitters in the country while on the Cape. He boasts a 1.83 ERA (ranked third) in 19 2/3 innings across seven appearances with a 4-0 record. He’s allowed just four hits, four runs, six walks and struck out 21. He has a WHIP of 0.51 and hitters average just .066 against him. Both are first in the league.

Outstanding Relief Pitcher

East Division: Itsuki Takemoto (Orleans RHP)

Hailing from Japan, Itsuki Takemoto had a strong freshman year as a two-way player at Hawaii. He had a team-high five saves, went 31 with 37 strikeouts over 37 1/3 inning and hit .313 at the plate. He’s brought his arm to the Firebirds. In eight appearances across 19 1/3 innings, including one start, Takemoto ranks first with a 0.93 ERA and second in WHIP (0.72) and batting average against (.123). He has allowed eight hits, five runs (two earned) walked six and struck out 21.

West Division:  Michael Ebner (Cotuit, RHP)

All seven appearances forEbner have come in relief with the Kettleers. He also has one save.

Newcomer of the Year

East Division: Wehiwa Aloy (Y-D, SS)

Wehiwa Aloy only played 21 games this season for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox before heading back home, but he certainly left a mark that won’t be forgotten. The Arkansas product hit three home runs in one game against the Hyannis Harbor Hawks, which came during a stretch where he had five homers in three games. When Wehiwa left the Cape, he ranked first in home runs with eight. He racked up 25 hits, 24 RBIs, 16 runs, a .309 batting average and .724 slugging percentage.

West Division: Triston Gray (Wareham, 3B)

Triston Gray followed up a Mountain West Freshman of the Year campaign at Fresno State in 2023 by bumping up his statistics in every major category this past season. He’s brought that talent to the Cape, where he’s tied for first in hits (40), second in doubles (8), second outright in RBIs (26) and sixth in batting average (.364). Gray has showcased his ability on the bases for the Gatemen with 19 runs scored and five stolen bases.

Allen Gunn covers high school sports for the Cape Cod Times . You can contact him at agunn@gannett.com and follow him on X at @allentgunn.

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: CCBL Late Season Awards: The Cape Cod Times' Allen Gunn weighs in on award leaders