Throughout the first month+ of the 2024 Cape Cod Baseball League season, the best collegiate players in the nation have starred against one another. As the 40-game regular season rapidly approaches the finish line, it’s time to check in on which players have shined brightest thus far. More than halfway through the regular season, here are our Most Valuable Players, Most Outstanding Pitcher, Most Outstanding Relief Pitchers and Newcomers of the Year for the East and West Division:
Most Valuable Player
East Division: Ryder Helfrick (Arkansas, C)
Despite entering his freshman year at Arkansas as Perfect Game’s No. 33 overall prospect in his class, Ryder Helfrick struggled throughout his first collegiate season. Across just 84 at bats, he hit .179/.320/.321 primarily as the second-string catcher.
Though in Brewster, Helfrick has had the opportunity to play every day and has shined. Playing in 22-of-24 possible Whitecaps games, Helfrick has a .302/.367/.640 slash line and leads the Cape League with nine home runs, 31 RBIs and 23 runs scored. Helfrick has also added seven stolen bases, which is the most among catchers and tied for 13th most on the Cape.
West Division: Triston Gray (Fresno State, 3B)
The 2023 Mountain West Player of the Year Triston ‘Murf’ Gray has made his mark on the Cape League this summer. Over two seasons at Fresno State, he hit .276/.350/.500 while his defense began to evolve.
Since joining the Wareham Gatemen Gray’s game has continued to evolve as he’s one of the batting leaders for the West division. The duo of Gray and Bobby Boser have powered the high-octane Wareham offense leading Gray to be fourth in the League in RBIs with 18. He’s also tied for the most hits across the Cape League and fourth in total bases.
Outstanding Pitcher
East Division: Callan Fang (Harvard, RHP)
After earning Ivy League Rookie of the Year honors in 2023, Callan Fang continued his dominance in 2024. The Harvard right-hander led the Ivy League with 83 strikeouts, ranked fourth with a .236 batting average against and pitched the fifth-most innings (64.0). This led him to become the 2024 Ivy League Pitcher of the Year.
Thus far in the Cape League, Fang has been even better than he was at Harvard. Across 19.1 innings, he has a 2.33 ERA while his 29 strikeouts lead the league, his .149 batting average against ranks second and his 0.88 WHIP ranks fourth. Despite his fastball sitting 89-90 miles per hour, the pitch has incredible ride and keeps hitters off balance, as does his elite changeup.
West Division: Gage Wood (Arkansas, RHP)
Although emerging as the Razorbacks closer as a true freshman, Wood shuffled through roles as a sophomore. In his secondary campaign, Wood recorded a lower ERA, 4.46 across 40.1 frames and drastically decreased his walk rate.
During his time in the Cape League, the Falmouth Commodores have put him into a starting role where he has dominated, culminating in the most recent Pitcher of the Week honors. Wood has the second-lowest ERA (1.42) in 19 innings pitched only allowing three runs to score while leading the League in strikeouts with 29.
Outstanding Relief Pitcher
East Division: Trevor Moore (Stanford, RHP)
After pitching sparingly as a freshman at Stanford in 2023, Trevor Moore led the team with 28 appearances in 2024. Despite averaging 9.0 K/9, the right-hander struggled to a 6.00 ERA before arriving in the Cape League.
While playing for Y-D, Moore has showcased his elite strikeout rate, enhancing it to a new level. Across just 11.1 innings pitched, Moore has 22 strikeouts — tied for the fourth-most in the Cape League. Additionally, he’s been a staple at the backend of the Red Sox’s bullpen, as his six saves lead the Cape League and he has yet to surrender an earned run.
West Division: Michael Ebner (USC, RHP)
After only pitching nine innings as a freshman for USC, Ebner came into his sophomore campaign and emerged as a capable arm for the Trojans. In his second season, he recorded a 5.08 ERA in 39 frames striking out 38 with an opponent batting average of .244.
Another Pitcher of the Week selection, Ebner pitched 11 innings of sparkling scoreless baseball before finally giving up a run against Harwich on Friday. Playing for Cotuit, he has a 2.57 ERA and a 3-0 record with 16 strikeouts. In his five appearances, Ebner has only surrendered runs in the aforementioned Harwich matchup.
Newcomer of the Year
East Division: Daniel Cuvet (Miami, 3B)
Technically, Helfrick would also be the Newcomer of the Year, but to avoid a repeat in winners this honor goes to his Brewster teammate Daniel Cuvet. Cuvet, Perfect Game’s No. 36 overall prospect in his class, instantly made a name for himself as a freshman at Miami. The third baseman blasted 24 home runs, setting a program record.
After dominating his collegiate season, Cuvet has picked up right where he left off in the Cape League, hitting .355/.419/.677. His 1.096 OPS leads all qualified Cape Leaguers while his six home runs and 19 RBIs place third. If not for missing a week of the CCBL season to play with USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team, Cuvet would likely be neck-and-neck with Helfrick for the Cape League lead in homers and RBIs.
West Division: Jarren Advincula (California, 2B)
While a contender for midseason MVP, Newcomer of the Year fits the young middle infielder out of California. His pure hitting ability has translated seamlessly from his 2024 season at Cal where he was one of only five freshmen to make the All-Pac-12 First Team. His pitch recognition led him to record more multi-hit games (18) than strikeouts (16).
Now with the Kettleers, Advincula is having similar success. For the better part of the season, Jarren Advincula led the Cape League in batting average. He is not a power bat but has a knack for getting on base, his .446 OBP, and is second in average across the entire league.
Stats as of games played through July 14
Photograph of Ryder Helfrick taken by Aidan Conrad
