Hayden Dunhurst continues Rebels career after winning ABCA Gold Glove
Editor’s note: The Kansas City Royals selected Hayden Dunhurst with the No. 125 pick in the sixth round of the 2022 MLB Draft July 18.
OXFORD, Miss. (BVM) — A lot of baseball players dream of playing at the college or professional levels. One of those players living out that dream is Mississippi native Hayden Dunhurst. And back in June, it was announced that the Ole Miss catcher was named the top defensive catcher in his second season thanks to the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) and Rawlings.
Look what showed up in the office today: the best catcher in the country! Oh, and the trophy is pretty cool too! pic.twitter.com/jCksR2yKQU
— Coach Mike Bianco (@CoachMikeBianco) September 1, 2021
Before joining Ole Miss, Perfect Game ranked Dunhurst as the No. 44 overall high school prospect in the nation. Dunhurst was also selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 37th round of the 2019 MLB Draft but decided to remain faithful to his commitment to Ole Miss.
“Their experience as catchers and history developing catchers really drew me to go there and improve my skills and mindset,” Dunhurst said in an interview with Baseball Prospect Journal.
Dunhurst got his college career started in 2020, but the season would ultimately be cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dunhurst started 15 of 17 games for the Rebels in 2020 and he helped his squad get off to a 16-1 overall start.
“Since I’m a ‘COVID freshman,’ it feels like I haven’t played baseball since my senior year of high school,” Dunhurst said during baseball media day before the start of the 2021 season. “I’m as ready as ever to play.”
Now, at 5-foot-11, 220 pounds, Dunhurst fits perfectly into the catcher’s role. The 2021-22 season marked Dunhurst’s first full year as an Ole Miss Rebel and he didn’t disappoint. He finished with a .280 batting average, seven home runs, 43 RBIs and led the team with two triples. He also finished with a .996 fielding percentage. Along with Dunhurts’ successful year, the Rebels also had a great season finishing with an overall record of 45-22 (18-12 SEC).
The Rebels’ 2021 season came to end after losing two games to the Arizona Wildcats in the Super Regional round of the NCAA Tournament. But the awards kept coming for the Rebels catcher.
On June 23, it was announced that Dunhurst was named ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove winner. He beat out Louisville Catcher Henry Davis and Arkansas catcher Casey Opitz to win the award. He became the second Ole Miss Rebel to win the Gold Glove award. Stuart Turner was the first Rebel catcher to win the award in 2013.
Good as gold. 🥇 pic.twitter.com/7pu3HknMnZ
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) July 30, 2021
And Finally! Your NCAA Division I @ABCA1945 / Rawlings Gold Glove Award Winners! pic.twitter.com/0OAbLJcnhD
— Rawlings Baseball (@RawlingsSports) June 23, 2021
Along with a Gold Glove award, Dunhurst also became the first Rebel catcher to be named to the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team.
Not only was this season a success for Dunhurst, but it was another great year for head coach Mike Bianco. Bianco has been the head baseball coach since 2000. And since being hired, he has become the all-time winningest coach in Ole Miss baseball history. In 21 seasons, Bianco holds an overall record of 812-462-1 (.637). Along with being the winningest coach in Ole Miss history, Bianco also ranks third all-time in the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
Heading into his third year, Dunhurst finds himself in the midst of some of the top prospects for the 2022 MLB Draft. According to prospectslive.com, Dunhurst sits as the No. 17 overall prospect. He’ll aim to move up that list as he continues to develop in college.
Dunhurst has shown he has the potential to be one of baseball’s greatest catchers. And now with awards and acclamations to back up his play, Dunhurst now has his eyes set on a national championship and a potential career in the big leagues.