While Kentucky prepares for a win or go home game against Alabama today in the SEC Tournament, four signees from the Wildcats 2016 recruiting class were named as the Gatorade Player of the Year in their respective state.
Indiana: Catcher/first baseman T.J. Collett was named as Indiana’s Player of the Year after batting .426 as a senior. Collett, who hails from the same hometown (Terre Haute) as former UK great A.J. Reed, was a Perfect Game All American in 2015. He’s expected to be selected in the early rounds of the MLB Draft on June 9.
Kentucky: Lexington’s very own Jaren Shelby took home the Player of the Year award. Shelby, the younger brother of current WIldcat JaVon Shelby, batted .405 and hit 12 home runs as a senior. He also drove in 34 runs and stole 30 bases while also starring defensively in the outfield for Tates Creek.
Minnesota: Right-handed pitcher Nick Hanson was named as Minnesota’s Gatorade Player of the Year after an outstanding senior season. Hanson, whose fastball reportedly has touched 95 miles per hour this spring, was 5-0 with a 0.68 ERA in the regular season. He’s 6-foot-6, 210-pounds, so his frame should only allow him to add more strength after high school.
Ohio: Kentucky had a bit of good fortune in landing Ohio’s Gatorade Player of the Year. Chris Machamer, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound pitcher/infielder, originally committed to Vanderbilt but backed off of his commitment and signed with Kentucky in the spring signing period. Machamer attends Washington High School in Massillon, Ohio, and was 5-1 with a 0.19 record during his senior season.
Machamer, along with Hanson, is likely to push for a spot in Kentucky’s weekend rotation next season.