#10 Hitting Season in the Valley: Corey O'Neill

I enjoy lists.  Compiling them, while time-consuming, is a fun way to look at the season, or at least a part of the season. During this off-season, I will list the top 10 hitting seasons, top 10 starting pitchers, and top 10 relievers.  I will not necessarily post every day on a list, but I hope to finish all three before the college baseball season starts, for sure.

A couple notes before we start. I compiled this list, using my judgment and my judgment only.  Obviously, this is not an exact science.  If you have issues with my selections, click the "comment" link below the post, or send me an email, to let me know where I've gone wrong.  I'll listen and try to explain.

Playoff stats are included in the final stats on the league website, so Luray and Waynesboro players, for example, will have a few more at-bats than players from teams that failed to make the postseason.

Things that I value more than other stats: on-base percentage, home runs, and good pitch selection (it's easier to select a player with a 1/1 BB/K ratio than someone who strikes out 3 times to every walk. That makes for a good season, and, ultimately, a better hitter). Things that I value less: RBIs and runs (stats more of opportunity than skill, more or less).  Keep in mind that I'm not saying that runs and RBIs are worthless, just less of a consideration than OBP, for example.

THIS IS NOT A LIST OF THE BEST HITTERS, NECESSARILY, BUT A LIST OF THE BEST SEASONS.

All clear?  Ok, then!  On to the first installment of the best hitting seasons in the Valley list!

#10: Corey O'Neill, Haymarket, from Le Moyne

O'Neill was a mainstay in the Senator lineup in 2007, hitting 321/434/405 in 131 at-bats as the regular #3 hitter. He had 7 doubles, 2 triples, 0 home runs, 25 walks, and 21 strikeouts. He scored 13 runs and drove in 26, and stole 4 bases without being caught.  For bonus points, O'Neill was one of the few Haymarket players to stick it out the entire season.

Corey, a junior at Le Moyne, burst on the scene in college after two seasons of little playing time. As a freshman, O'Neill hit 154/290/288 in 52 at-bats. In his sophomore year, he ended at 194/256/278 in 36 at-bats.  With consistent playing time in his junior year, O'Neill dramatically improved his rates, ending at 312/384/519 in 154 at-bats. He added 14 doubles, 3 triples, 4 home runs, and a solid 19/24 BB/K ratio.

Perhaps with another solid season in college, Corey will get a chance to play professional baseball.

 

As might be imagined, it was very difficult to trim my list down to only 10 hitters. Here are hitters 11-15, in alphabetical order:

11. Ryan Adams, Waynesboro, from Elon
12. Bennett Davis, Front Royal, from Manatee Community College (transferring to Elon)
13. David Dennis, Harrisonburg, from Oklahoma City
14. Shayne Moody, Woodstock, from Charlotte
15. Ryan Semeniuk, Winchester, from Wake Forest

Comments

[Blacksheep]

"I enjoy lists". In my humble opinion this may be understating the fact!

[JohnLL]

Ok, listen here; I'm not sure that letting someone post a comment who has known me since I was 12 years old is a good thing. AND is my brother-in-law, to boot! (Or blacksheep-in-law, maybe)

[GeneralSignGuyMike]

This is very cool with the list u are doing and can't wait to see what the final 10 are in each category, good seeing Ryan Adams at number 11, he did save our season in the playoffs vs Woodstock and have a good season after struggling a little at beginning.