The 2023 Cape Cod League season is officially in the books, a season that saw the Bourne Braves win it all. With the Cape Cod League season over and college players set to return to campus, let’s take a look at five players this year that stood out in New England.
Related: When does the 2023 MLB Postseason and World Series start?
Travis Bazzana
We start off with Oregon State infielder Travis Bazzana, who’s a contender to be the first overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft. Bazzana, who was ranked fourth in the 2024 Draft class by ESPN in July, led all Cape Cod League hitters in average (.375). The Oregon State infielder also popped six home runs and stole 14 bases for Falmouth.
Should Bazzana be the first overall pick, he would be the second Oregon State star to go number # in the last six years. Orioles catcher and former OSU sensation Adley Rutschman was selected first overall back in 2019.
Deric Fabian
With Wyatt Langford and Josh Rivera now off to pro ball, the Florida Gators will need to rely on the likes of Jac Caglianone and Luke Heyman to help lead the offense in 2024. Another name to watch in Gainesville next year will be infielder Deric Fabian, the younger brother of O’s prospect Jud Fabian.
A true sophomore in 2023, Fabian hit .289 with two home runs and 10 RBI in 22 games last spring. In the Cape, Fabian followed it up with a strong .352 average, five home runs, and 20 RBI over 28 games.
Cole Mathis
College of Charleston P/INF Cole Mathis put up strong numbers in his sophomore season with the Cougars. The rising junior kept the momentum going in the summer, as he dominated in the Cape Cod League with Cotuit.
Mathis finished second in the Cape in home runs (11) and RBI (42), behind the man who led the leagu in both categories: Mississippi State slugger Hunter Hines (13 HR, 45 RBI).
Jo Oyama
Rising senior Jo Oyama hit .319/.418/.500 with seven home runs and 44 RBI with UC Irvine in 2023. Oyama went to the Cape Code League this summer, and put up impressive numbers with the Orleans Firebirds.
The 22-year-old infielder finished fifth in batting average (.360), second in the league in total hits (54), and posted a strong 28:25 K:BB ratio across 39 games.
Cameron Smith
Florida State 3B/SS Cam Smith posted the third-highest slugging percentage (.517) among Seminole regulars last season, behind Jaime Ferrar (.533) and potential 2024 Day 1 pick in James Tibbs III. However, he did hit just .258 on the season. Both Ferrar and Tibbs III did well in the Cape, as each hit over .300. Smith, however, was the Seminole bat that stole the show in New England.
The 20-year-old hit .347 with six home runs and 26 RBI with Hyannis. The FSU infielder led all Cape batters in hits (58).
