Hello, brilliant readers! It’s time to start what is an ATVL tradition- the lists of the top players in the just-completed Valley League season.

I began the lists back in 2007, when Jason Kipnis (Covington) was, in my opinion, the best hitter in the league. So this is the 10th year of doing these crazy things!

We’ll begin with the top hitters in the league. This year, I’ve identified the top 15 hitters from the 2016 season, and will count them down one by one. I choose them by looking at rate stats (batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and OPS (on-base+ slugging)), and walk/strikeout ratio, and then counting stats (like doubles, triples, home runs, RBIs, etc).

I would like to stress that this list is just one person’s opinion. The lists have literally nothing to do with who might make the best pro, or who might play in the major leagues (although a few from my lists have made the majors)- it’s just a snapshot of how these guys performed in one summer.

Everyone understand?

So, we’ll start the top hitters list by looking at the “last 5”- the 5 guys who are not on the top 15 list, but who were strongly considered. In no particular order:

  • Jacob Tisevich, from Woodstock, Strasburg, and Southern Arkansas- Jacob hit 278/339/483 in 151 at-bats, along with 24 runs, 27 RBIs, 10 doubles, 3 triples, 5 home runs, 15 stolen bases, and 11/39 BB/K.
  • Tyler Halas, Strasburg and Palm Beach State- 319/426/389 in 113 at-bats, along with 19 runs, 21 RBIs, 5 doubles, 1 home run, 21/23 BB/K, and 4 stolen bases.
  • Ray Hernandez, Purcellville and Alabama State- Ray hit 313/366/448 in 134 at-bats, with 23 runs, 21 RBIs, 6 doubles, 4 home runs, 13/27 BB/K, and 5 stolen bases.
  • Jack Morris, Charlottesville and Liberty- 309/420/390 in 136 at-bats, with 23 runs, 8 RBIs, 6 doubles, 1 triple, 1 home run, 24/37 BB/K, and 13 stolen bases.
  • Michael Curry, Strasburg and Georgia- 302/364/440 in 116 at-bats, with 25 runs, 12 RBIs, 10 doubles, 2 home runs, and 10/27 BB/K.

We’ll cue up #15 soon!