Thursday, the West Coast League released the final 2024 WCL Spotlight, an expanded list of the League’s most exciting players during the recently concluded season.

Topping the Spotlight: Corvallis Knights super-utility player Kevin Takeuchi, selected by WCL coaches as the League’s top prospect. Also on the list? A number of players who were drafted by MLB teams last month, or signed as free agents, most of them now beginning their professional careers.

“It’s actually quite stunning,” said Commissioner Rob Neyer, “when you think about the talent we see in our league each summer. For various reasons some of these tremendously talented young players are with us for only a few weeks, so it’s great to take a breath after the season and realize just how fortunate we are.”

Takeuchi, who played all around the diamond with the Knights this summer, finished the season with a .323 batting average, topped the WCL with 45 RBI, and ranked second in the league with 16 doubles and sixth with 43 runs scored. All this came after a standout freshman season at USC last spring, and Kevin rejoins the Trojans as they begin their membership in the Big 10.

Below is the WCL’s expanded, end-of-season Spotlight:

1. Kevin Takeuchi (OF/3B/2B), Corvallis Knights
Plays everywhere and hits everything, and it’s just a matter of time until he’s punishing pro pitchers.

2. Freddy Rodriguez (RH Pitcher), Portland Pickles
Threw ridiculously well all season long, garnering Pitcher of the Year honors after going 6-0 with a 1.02 ERA in 8 regular-season starts, then stuck around for the playoffs to help the Pickles win their first-ever WCL championship.

3. Lucas Ramirez (Outfield), Victoria HarbourCats
In Ramirez’s stint with the HarbourCats this summer, he impressed scouts, teamed with his brother Manny Jr., and played many games under the watchful eyes of his dad Manny Sr., whose infectious enthusiasm lit up the community. In July, Ramirez was drafted and signed by the Los Angeles Angels. But we hope to see Junior again next summer!

4. Jackson Flora (RH Pitcher), Corvallis Knights
Did Flora really throw a pitch 101 miles an hour this summer? That’s what the TrackMan data says! But even if that was just a one-off, he also threw plenty of pitches in the high 90s and should make some waves as a freshman next spring with the UCSB Gauchos.

5. Carter Frederick (Outfield), Portland Pickles
Frederick joined the Pickles in early July, but lasted just a week before the Kansas City Royals plucked him from Portland in the MLB draft. During his WCL stint, Carter showed all five tools to those lucky enough to see him play.

6. Gavin Smith (Shortstop), Edmonton Riverhawks
Smith didn’t last long this summer in Edmonton: just 8 games, at which point the Toronto Blue Jays grabbed him in the MLB draft before he could help out during the Riverhawks’ playoff run, let alone report to Harvard for fall workouts. 

7. Jace Hampson (Pitcher/Shortstop), Wenatchee AppleSox
Hampson has played everywhere on the field and profiles as a potential major leaguer both on the mound and at shortstop. Drafted by the Mets in the 18th round this summer, has plenty of time to figure things out.

8. Shay Timmer (RH Pitcher), Portland Pickles
Shay’s a Very Large Man who throws Serious Heat, topping out (so far) just a hair short of triple digits. Timmer didn’t pitch in this summer’s All-Star Game on MLB Network, but he had a good excuse: Shay signed a pro contract with the Detroit Tigers.

9. Roman Martin (Shortstop), Bellingham Bells
Still just 19, Martin’s already posted impressive numbers with UCLA in the Pac 12 and with the Bells in the West Coast League. Will he continue following in the footsteps of former UCLA/Bellingham standout and first-round draft pick Matt McLain? We wouldn’t bet against him.

10. Vicarte Domingo (RHP), Edmonton Riverhawks
Aside from maybe Jackson Flora and Shay Timmer, nobody threw harder this summer than Domingo, who nearly reached 99mph more than once. Vic was dominant with the Riverhawks, winning all 5 of his starts, with 32 strikeouts and only 4 walks in 29 innings.

11. Wylie Waters (First Base), Nanaimo NightOwls
In his second summer with NightOwls, the versatile Waters added big-time power to his already impressive game, finishing second in the WCL in both homers (8) and RBI (44). 

12. Tyner Horn (RH Pitcher), Corvallis Knights
Routinely touching 95-96 with his fastball, Horn racked up 39 strikeouts in just 33 innings this summer. This fall the Kansas native returns to the University of Nebraska, and Big 10 hitters had better be ready next spring.

13. Hunter Katschke (Outfield), Ridgefield Raptors
Despite not reporting to Ridgefield until late in June, the Utah Tech slugger wound up among WCL leaders in various categories, most notably with his chart-topping 9 home runs, which propelled the Raptors to their big second-half surge and a playoff spot.

14. Mason Edwards (LH Pitcher), Bend Elks
A year ago, Edwards was ranked as the No. 6 lefty pitcher in California, even more impressive when you find that he’s cited Charles Dickens’ GREAT EXPECTATIONS as his favorite book. After an inconsistent spring with USC, dominated WCL hitters over 22 innings this summer.

15. Aiden Dougherty (Outfield), Wenatchee AppleSox
Wenatchee’s line-drive machine captured the WCL batting title with his .380 average, and struck out only 16 times in 44 games.

16. Jagger Beck (RH Pitcher), Victoria HarbourCats
Committed to the University of Hawaii, flashed his impressive stuff in just 3 outings with the HarbourCats before signing with the Houston Astros as a free agent. Already 6-6 and 210 pounds (at last report) while not yet 18 years old, Beck is the definition of “projectable”.

17. Dylan Schlaegel (Outfield), Cowlitz Black Bears
Drafted by the Red Sox in 2023, Dylan chose Dallas Baptist University over signing a pro contract. This summer with Cowlitz, he showed off his broad range of skills and his future in the game seems as bright as ever.

18. Donovann Jackson (LH Pitcher), Yakima Valley Pippins
In 9 appearances, Jackson was nearly unhittable and finished with 4 wins, 2 saves, and 25 strikeouts in only 20 innings. Following his impressive summer performance, he’s committed to Santa Barbara and a potential team-up with Jackson Flora.

19. Jeremy Giesegh (Outfield), Port Angeles Lefties
Since arriving at Cal State San Bernardino in 2022, Jeremy hasn’t done anything but hit, and this summer he brought his talents to the WCL, finishing among the league leaders with his .348 batting average and playing almost every game.

20. Rex Solle (RH Pitcher), Walla Walla Sweets
Among the UCLA righty’s many feats this summer? In two starts against the defending champion Corvallis Knights, Rex gave up only 7 hits and 1 run. And if you can do that, you can do just about anything.

21. Joey Rico (OF/RHP) Kamloops NorthPaws
The No. 1 two-way player in the League, the Pride of Westmont College paced the NorthPaws in both batting average (.298) and saves (3). 

22. Kaden Alberghini (RH Pitcher), Springfield Drifters
In his 15 relief outings this summer, Alberghini dominated WCL hitters, striking out 33 and powering his way onto the All-League team.

23. Gavyn Jones (LHP/OF), Kelowna Falcons
This young man can hit, and this young man can pitch. Last summer the Mets drafted him, but didn’t sign him. This summer he struck out 20 batters in 16 innings, posted a .438 OBP, and knocked home Joey Rico with the winning run in the All-Star Game.

24. Justin Stransky (Catcher), Ridgefield Raptors
Another line-drive machine, Justin’s batted .300+ in two seasons with Lower Columbia College, one season with Fresno State, and now two straight as a Raptor, topping out (so far!) at .364 this summer. Throw in his stalwart work behind the plate and you’ve got yourself a winner.

25. Tommy Takayoshi (Catcher), Edmonton Riverhawks
How impressive has Tommy been behind the plate? At the plate last spring, he batted .224 with Niagara U., then .254 this summer as a Riverhawk … none of which kept the Oakland A’s from signing him this summer. If you can catch, you can play. And he can really catch.

About the West Coast League: The West Coast League is western North America’s premier summer collegiate baseball league. Encompassing Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Alberta, the WCL showcases pro prospects from major collegiate conferences around the nation. Every summer, the League features unparalleled fan and player experiences, with tremendous baseball weather and a mix of classic and modern ballparks, all backdropped by the sport’s most stunning scenery. MLB’s 2024 amateur draft opened with former Corvallis Knight Travis Bazzana selected as the overall No. 1 pick by the Cleveland Guardians, and this summer’s WCL All-Star Game aired live on MLB Network.