MM 5.20: 5 Maryland baseball players earn Big Ten honors

· Yahoo Sports

While Maryland baseball missed the conference tournament for the third consecutive season under head coach Matt Swope, the future of the program is bright. That belief was furthered on Tuesday.

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The Terps had five players receive All-Big Ten honors, headlined by Brayden Martin’s third-team selection. Bud Coombs, Ryan Costello and Ty Kaunas were selected to the All-Freshman team. Aden Hill was the team’s Sportsmanship Award recipient. 

Martin, the program’s new career walk leader, was a mainstay at the top of Maryland’s batting order and excelled at getting on base. The junior drew the fourth-most walks nationally with 56 this season and had the conference’s 12th-highest batting average at .352. He also finished second in the Big Ten with 21 stolen bags.

While Martin lacks power — he has just five career home runs — his plate discipline fueled him to reach base in 52 of his 56 appearances this season. The Bowie, Maryland native still has one more year of eligibility, but could opt to declare for the MLB Draft.

Coombs was part of the Terps’ standout freshman class. The dual-sport athlete produced 39 RBIs and totaled 18 extra-base hits, nine of which were home runs. Coombs’ .360 batting average was the team’s second-best clip in its typical starting lineup.

Maryland led the conference with 94 home runs this season, and Costello was a big reason why. The 6-foot-2 redshirt freshman mashed a team-high 15 long balls and drove in 59 runs. Costello also had the third-most walks on the team with 41.

Kaunas was a streaky hitter during his freshman campaign, but when he found an offensive rhythm, the 5-foot-11 infielder typically strung together quality at-bats. Kaunas produced 16 multi-hit performances and knocked a team-high 16 doubles. His patience at the plate led to 46 walks, the second-highest total in the Big Ten.

While Hill struggled at the plate — he was hitless across his final eight games played — he still logged 26 starts and drew 21 walks. 

Hill is one of just two graduating players, leaving Maryland in a good situation ahead of a critical season. But the Terps will need continuity to maintain their talent and get over the hump.

In other news

Maryland baseball catchers Devin Russell and Franklin Pichardo Jr., alongside pitcher James Gladden are entering the transfer portal.

Former Maryland wrestler Jaxon Smith transferred to Ohio State.

Maryland basketball extended an offer to three-star class of 2028 combo guard Micah Gunter.

Three-star class of 2028 cornerback Jordan Hicks received an offer from Maryland football.

Maryland basketball’s nonconference game against Virginia has been finalized.

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