A strong performance in the Alaska Baseball League this summer has landed Ragin' Cajuns rising junior Chase Compton lofty honors.
On Monday, it was revealed that Compton was named the 2012 Alaska Baseball League Player of the Year. The Slidell native, a member of the Anchorage Bucs, was also the recipient of the Silver Slugger award.
Compton, who hit better than .400 for most of the summer session, is presently leading the ABL with a .396 average in league contests. He had two different nine-game streaks in which his season average remained above .400.
The left-handed slugger ranks Top 10 in the ABL in runs scored (26), base hits (38), doubles (9) and home runs (6).
Through 35 total games played (league play and exhibition), Compton is hitting .408, scored 31 runs, posted 21 RBI and belted six home runs, three triples and 11 doubles.
Compton was named to the ABL All-League first team at the utility position. He's seen time at first and third base for the Bucs over the summer.
Current Cajuns teammate Ryan Leonards also received all-league recognition from the ABL, collecting second team honors at third base.
Leonards, a summer teammate of Compton with the Anchorage Bucs, is hitting .313 and slugging .504 with five doubles, five home runs and 18 RBI in all contests. In league play, the Crowley native is hitting .295 and has generated nine multiple-hit games and posted at least one hit in all but nine of 27 games played.
The all-league honors marked additional recognition for Compton and Leonards for their time spent with the Bucs this summer. The duo was selected to the ABL South All-Star team this past Saturday
Eight days remain in the ABL season. Teams took a break from league action Sunday for the annual home run derby and all-star game at Mulcahy Stadium in Anchorage. The Bucs' season finale is set for Sunday, July 29.
2012 ALASKA BASEBALL LEAGUE ALL-LEAGUE
FIRST TEAM
First base -- Kristopher Kwak, Chinooks (University of North Dakota)
Second base -- Josh Miller, Oilers (University of San Francisco)
Shortstop -- Blake Miller, Goldpanners (Sacramento State)
Third base -- Kevin Swick, Glacier Pilots (USC)
Catcher -- Jeff Kremer, Glacier Pilots (Duke)
Outfield -- Bill Cullen, Miners (Virginia Commonwealth)
Outfield -- Tyler Spoon, Glacier Pilots (Arkansas)
Outfield -- Danny Susdorf, Bucs (Cal-San Diego)
Utility player -- Chase Compton, Bucs (University of Louisiana)
Starting pitcher -- Jay Calhoun, Miners (Dallas Baptist)
Starting pitcher -- Kyle Freeland, Glacier Pilots (University of Evansville)
Starting pitcher --Scott Grist, Bucs (Texas State)
Starting pitcher -- Jordan Mills, Oilers (St. Mary's College)
Starting pitcher -- Jon Maciel, Oilers (Cal State-Long Beach)
Relief pitcher -- Braden Shipley, Bucs (University of Nevada)
Relief pitcher -- John Straka, Oilers (North Dakota State)
Relief pitcher -- Travis Pitcher, Glacier Pilots (San Diego State).
Player of the Year -- Chase Compton, Bucs
Top Prospect -- Braden Shipley, Bucs
Gold Glove -- Alex Staehely, Oilers
Silver Slugger -- Chase Compton, Bucs
Coaching Staff -- Pilots, Bucs
SECOND TEAM
First base -- Trey Richardson, Oilers (South Carolina Upstate). Second base -- Kevin Casey, Goldpanners (Lafayette College). Shortstop -- Alex Staehely, Oilers (Creighton). Third Base -- Ryan Leonards, Bucs (University of Louisana). Catcher -- Adam Humes, Chinooks (Northwood University). Outfield -- Adam Humes, Chinooks (Northwood University); Brenden Kalfus, Bucs (St. Mary's University); JJ Turbin, Chinooks (Westmont College). Utility -- Clinton Freeman, Miners (East Tennessee State University); Nigel Nootbaar, Oilers (USC). Starting pitchers -- Trey Teakell, Pilots (Texas Christian); Mike Theodore, Bucs (Michigan State); Ben Doucette, Bucs (Cal-Riverside). Relief pitchers-- Jake Long, Miners (East Tennessee State); Carl Robinson, Goldpanners (Cypress College).