The 13th best hitter in the 2021 Valley League season is Strasburg’s second baseman, Tripp McKinlay!

McKinlay hit an excellent .331/.406/.492 in 118 regular season at-bats, along with 29 runs scored, 21 RBIs, seven doubles and four home runs. He also had a very good 11/16 BB/K ratio, and stole 17 bases without getting caught. He finished tied for tenth in the league in batting average, tied for eighth in runs scored, and finished eighth in hits and tenth in RBIs. He was named to the All-Star team, and second team All-Valley at second base at the end of the season. His best games were on June 29, against Woodstock, when he went 4-5 with three runs, a double, two home runs, and five RBIs, and a second time against Woodstock on July 9, when he again went 4-5 with a run and two RBIs.

In the playoffs, McKinlay hit .267/.313/.400 in 30 at-bats, with four runs, a double, home run, five RBIs, and four stolen bases as the Express swept to another title.

McKinlay has completed one year in college, at St. Johns River State College. He had a fantastic intro to college baseball, hitting .322/.372/.475 in 177 at-bats, with 33 runs scored, 37 RBIs, nine doubles, six home runs, a 13/27 BB/K ratio, and eight stolen bases. Named Mid-Florida Conference second team, he is returning to St. Johns for a second season.

Congratulations on your excellent year!

Photos taken by Michael Terndrup at photographyninja.smugmug.com