The Citizen Times is inviting fans to vote for the WNC high school baseball player of the year, as the regular season ends and the playoffs begin. Polling is open until noon on Friday, with stats provided from coaches or sourced from MaxPreps and GameChanger, covering the season until May 3. Key contenders include standout players like Jay Secretarski of Asheville High, who broke the school's home run record, and Micah Simpson of Roberson, a reigning Player of the Year with an impressive pitching record. Other notable players include Gunnar Alm, who set multiple records and had a .561 batting average, and Jackson Sellers, excelling both as a pitcher and a batter.

By the Numbers
  • Jay Secretarski hit 14 home runs, batted .524, and had 42 RBIs.
  • Micah Simpson holds an 8-1 record with a 1.34 ERA and struck out 55 batters.
Yes, But

Despite individual achievements, the poll data may not accurately reflect fan followings or regional biases, potentially skewing recognition towards specific players over others who may have impressive stats yet less visibility.

State of Play
  • The voting process for the player of the year is currently active, with a deadline set for Friday at noon.
  • The NCHSAA baseball playoffs are in their initial phase, intensifying competition among participating schools.
What's Next

As fans cast their votes, the anticipation for playoff outcomes will build, and the winner of the player of the year poll will bring further attention to high school baseball talent in the region.

Bottom Line

Engagement in the voting poll underscores the community's support for local athletes, while recognizing exceptional performances sets the stage for future accolades and college recruitment for standout players.