Our #3 hitter in the 2014 season, Cole Gruber, from Nebraska-Omaha, is the third Waynesboro General on the top hitters list, and, arguably, the one with the best statistics.
Cole’s regular season numbers look like this: 385/516/443 in 122 at-bats, along with 31 runs, 47 hits, 5 doubles, a triple, 16 RBIs, a sterling 28/27 BB/K ratio, and 23 stolen bases in 30 attempts. He finished 2nd in the league in batting average, 2nd in on-base percentage, 3rd in OPS (on-base plus slugging), and 3rd in stolen bases.
He was also a critical contributor to the Generals’ title push. In the playoffs, Cole hit 320/528/440 (9-25), scored 9 runs, and had 3 doubles, a 9/8 BB/K ratio, and 6 stolen bases. And then he helped hoist a trophy.
In college, Cole has been a solid performer for two years at Nebraska-Omaha. As a freshman in 2013, he hit 299/367/366 in 134 at-bats, along with 7 doubles, a triple, a 14/27 BB/K ratio, and 6 stolen bases. He got more playing time as a sophomore in 2014, and also improved his stats significantly, as he hit 319/429/394 in 188 at-bats, along with 47 runs, 7 doubles, 2 triples, a home run, 27/36 BB/K ratio, and 34 stolen bases in 38 attempts. He led the Summit League in stolen bases, and finished 5th in all of Division I!
He also received some awards in 2014. He was named to the 2nd team All-Summit League, which is cool, sure, but the next three are more important, in my opinion. They are: Winter/Spring Academic Honor Roll (actually, he was named to the Honor Roll in both 2013 and 2014), Distinguished Scholars List, and the Commissioner’s List of Academic Excellence. ATVL loooves players who also perform in the classroom!
Well, congratulations to Cole for his super summer, and good luck in his all-important junior year!
All Things Valley League 