Where the Stars of Tomorrow Shine Tonight!

Article By: Ethan Kagno

Brock Wilken, 6’4”/225 lbs, 3B, Sophomore (Wake Forest / Harwich Mariners)

The 2021 Pat Sorenti (MVP) Award winner will be returning to Harwich this season with his former squad. Wilken slashed .302/.430/.519 and led the Cape in walks (25), doubles (10), and was second in hits (39) last summer. He also went 3-for-7, walked, and scored a run in two playoff games against Brewster; the eventual 2021 Cape League champions. Wilken enjoyed his best season yet this spring at Wake Forest, ranking inside the ACC’s top six in home runs (23), RBI (77), and at-bats (254). The 6’4” corner infielder boasts Wake Forest’s all-time freshman home run record with 17 in 2021 and was an ACC All-Tournament Team Selection this season.“Brocketman” begins his MVP award defense on Opening Night against Falmouth.

Kevin Parada, 6’1”/210 lbs, C, Sophomore (Georgia Tech / Chatham Anglers)

Parada might be the most intriguing name we see on the Cape this season. A potential top-five selection in July’s MLB Draft, Parada is scheduled to report to the Chatham A’s. After appearing in just nine games for the Anglers in 2021, Parada is slated to see some additional time behind the dish in the Cape League. At just 20 years old, Parada dominated the ACC enroute to his Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets earning the number two seed in the Knoxville regionals. Parada led the ACC with 79 runs and 88 RBI. He ranked inside the top six in hits (93), SLG% (.709), OPS (1.161), home runs (26), and at-bats (258). Parada has a chance to be the fifth straight Cape Cod Baseball League alum to be drafted with the first overall pick since 2018; joining the likes of Casey Mize (Wareham), Adley Rutschman (Falmouth), Spencer Torkelson (Chatham), and most recently, Henry Davis (Bourne).

Chase Dollander, 6’3”/192 lbs, RHP, Sophomore (Tennessee / Wareham Gatemen)

Dollander transferred to Tennessee after a rough freshman season at Georgia Southern. He bounced back nicely, to say the least, going 9-0 and earning the SEC Pitcher of the Year Award. He led the Southeastern Conference with a 2.38 ERA and was second in strikeouts with 103. Perhaps one of the most interesting stats is that Dollander ranked fourth throughout Division I baseball in Opponents Batting Average (OBA). Batters swatted a mere .172 against the right-handed sophomore. Dollander will toe the rubber at Spillane Field this summer for Wareham and will likely hear his name called in the first round of the 2023 MLB Draft.
 

Enrique Bradfield Jr., 6’1”/160 lbs, OF, Sophomore (Vanderbilt / Cotuit Kettleers)

Enrique Bradfield Jr. most likely just stole another base as you’re reading this article. The speedster from Vandy stole 45 bags this season, but what was most impressive was his 100% success rate. This menace on the basepaths even stole home in the bottom of the ninth inning to tie a game against Indiana State back in May. Bradfield is a solid all-around player, whose 6’1” frame and tremendous speed allow him to play centerfield with ease. He batted a respectable .318 with 10 doubles, eight home runs, and a .917 OPS. Through two seasons with the Vandy Boys, Bradfield has swiped 91 bases and has only been caught six times; good for a 93.4% success rate. Kettleers fans will have another EBJ to root for, following the departure of fan-favorite, Eric Brown Jr. (Coastal Carolina).

Cam Collier, 6’2”/210 lbs, 3B, Freshman (Chipola JC / Cotuit Kettleers)

Although Cam Collier isn’t old enough to buy a scratch ticket, don’t let his youthfulness fool you. The Louisville commit is set to join Cotuit this summer and will be the top priority for many scouts visiting Lowell Park. After reclassifying to the 2022 MLB Draft, Collier is locked into the first round this July and has a chance to be selected inside the top 10 picks. The 17-year-old finished up his freshman season by slashing .333/.419/.537 to go along with eight home runs, 47 RBI, 12 doubles, and five stolen bases. The 6’2” lefty has some raw power accompanied by a plus hit tool that will continue to develop even further as he progresses through the minor leagues.