Trojans Battling It Out in Cape Cod League

Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

Many of the USC Trojans are preparing for the upcoming season by playing competitive baseball all across the country. With MLB scouts following their every move, players of the highest caliber compete for a chance to develop their skills. Here is a look at how five of the Trojans are faring in one of the most prestigious leagues in the nation, the Cape Cod Summer League.

Cape Code League: Updated Stats Through 7/1

Dante Flores: (Chatham Anglers) 12 GP .333 BA 13 H 1 HR 8 RBI

Flores is posting quite the impressive numbers for the Anglers, leading the team in average and on-base percentage (.395), ranking him fourth overall in the CCBL. The power stroke is also returning, matching his home run total this year, blasting a two-run shot against Harwich on June 29th. The Anglers leadoff hitter is setting the table rather nicely returning to top form.

Nigel Nootbaar: (Bourne Braves) 4 G 7.2 IP 0 ER 6 K 3 H

After finishing the season on an epic tear, including the Trojans only CG shutout of the year, the rising Junior has been on fire in Cape Cod League action. Nootbaar has been pumping a steady mix of fastballs and nasty breaking pitches striking out six batters compared to only walk. The Braves are allowing Nootbaar to pitch in more of a long-relief role, one in which he excelled last year at Troy. Expect the Trojans to rally around his gaining confidence come fall ball.

Jake Hernandez: (Hyannis Harbor Hawks) 9 G .294 BA 10 H 4 2B 5 EBI

The Trojans back-up catcher who started 26 games this season, garners serious playing time in the Cape Cod league, by making the most of his opportunities. Hernandez has always showcased a strong arm behind the plate, gunning down eight of 11 would be base runners last season. In Cape Cod, Hernandez is pestering the ball with some authority, showcasing the gap-to-gap power that made him so coveted out of high school.

Kyle Twomey: (Orleans Firebirds) 4 G 1 GS 0-1 Recored 8.1 IP 9 K 6 BB 9 H

The highest-drafted Trojan from the 2012 Draft Class is showcasing flashes of brilliance and moments of struggles that symbolized his entire first season at Troy. Twomey has allowed runs in three of his four outings this season, but has shown an ability to get batters out via the strikeout. Head Coach Dan Hubbs has mentioned that control of the change up along with other secondary pitches will be vital for his development into an ace for the Trojans moving forward.

GLORY DAY AT FENWAY:

The Cape Cod league is taking a day off from action on Monday afternoon, giving some of the top prospects a chance to take batting practice, play catch and work on their skills at Fenway Park. Here is a photo from Dante Flores, capturing the excitement surrounding Monday’s festivities for these college athletes.

http://instagram.com/p/bOqY7JvDLC/ 

Keep an eye out for updates on all things USC Baseball this summer as they prepare to mark revenge on the Bruins for winning their first baseball national championship in school history.