2 new 2018 JUCO commits from Iowa Western CC - Kobe Hyland and Hagen Holmstead (Update: Hyland signs his LOI; Holmstead decommits and signs with Kentucky)

Cougar Baseball
1

https://twitter.com/KobeHyland/status/921438702152310784
https://twitter.com/ReiverBaseball/status/921450599987712001

2

Kobe Hyland was a relatively unknown shortstop out of Canada out of high school prior to joining Iowa Western CC. Last year, as a freshman, he hit .330 with 31 RBIs and 31 runs with a BB/K ratio of 20:11.

Hagen Holmstead was rated the 8th best player and 3rd best 2B in Utah coming out of high school by Perfect Game and was also awarded an Underclass Honorable Mention. As a freshman, Holmstead hit .409 with 3 HR 47 RBI and 46 runs with a BB/K ratio of 28:23. He led his conference in BAVG, OBP, SLG%, and RBIs.

Pretty nice double play combo coming in next year.

3 Likes
3

Will they be eligible to play this Spring?

4

No, they’ll be coming in next year.

We already have 40 players on the roster right now; at least 5 will have to go before spring starts.

5

Going through the recruitment process now with my son, what’s nuts is how many parents in the travel ball scene still think that Jr is going to get a full ride on baseball. Do the math 11.75 D1 schollys between 40 players. Cool thing is just how many opportunities there are for them to keep on playing and get an education just in Texas alone.

3 Likes
6

Good travel ball teams should lay out the scholarship math early on (e.g., FR year) vs collecting fees. If done right it is a great learning experience for teenagers.

1 Like
7

Yes Sir indeed. I know lot of folks don’t like travel ball but it has been an incredible time , at least from my point of view. Have got to watch him learn the joys and life lessons of success and failure playing the game I love as he does as well now. The journeys and time we’ve spent together I wouldn’t trade for anything. I am also firm believer that if you can play, they will find you. Haven’t traveled all over doing the camps and such but have been fortunate that he’s worked hard and has been blessed with the ability to get some offers

3 Likes
8

https://twitter.com/GoReivers/status/928336764514729985

9
3 Likes
10

Eckhout’s three-run double broke it open at 6-0 in the third, and the Reivers added six more in the fourth, highlighted by consecutive doubles from Eckhout, Tyler Reichenborn and Kobe Hyland.

11

Found out where Holmstead decided to end up:

https://twitter.com/ReiverBaseball/status/1002341816950312960

12

https://twitter.com/GoReivers/status/1003140111855480832

1 Like
13

Nice accomplishment. Hope to see him filling one of those vacant middle infield positions next year

1 Like