The Coastal Plain League announced today that Lucas Carmichael of the Martinsville Mustangs has been selected as the 2024 CPL Hitter of the Year presented by Tucci.
“It is an honor to be acknowledged as Hitter of the Year in the Coastal Plain League, which has really talented hitters throughout,” said Carmichael. “This could not have been accomplished without the complete efforts of a special team and coaching staff all season long. Further, it is a testament to the quality of the Martinsville Mustangs organization and their dedication to providing inspired baseball for their players every season.”
Playing collegiately at William & Mary, Carmichael first joined the Mustangs in 2023 and was a consistent contributor, finishing the season slashing .272/.459/.400. He returned for his second straight summer in 2024, but quickly established himself as the leader. Overall, he not only led his team offensively, but Carmichael finished the season with a league-best .410 average, as well as sporting league-highs in hits (59), RBIs (42) and on-base percentage (.528). He was also in the Top 5 in OPS at 1.028 and reaching via hit-by-pitch with 12. The 6-3, 185-pound outfielder also scored 34 runs, walked 24 times, stole six bags and slugged .500 on the season. He was second on Martinsville’s roster in doubles with eight, while adding a triple and a home run.
“Lucas was an absolute pleasure to have in Martinsville these past two seasons,” commented Martinsville head coach Brandon Nania. “He is the ultimate competitor with everything he does, especially in the batter’s box. He was a player that played with passion every time he crossed those white lines. Lucas wanted to be out there playing with Martinsville across his chest every single game. He is the most deserving to win Hitter of the Year in a very prestigious league like the Coastal Plain League!”
Carmichael’s play this summer saw him named as a starting right fielder for the CPL Select Team in its 2-1 8-inning loss to USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team Summer Tour Roster. Shortly thereafter, he was selected as the leading vote-getter in the outfield for the West CPL All-Star Team. Further, Carmichael earned Second Team All-CPL honors as a DH/UTL player in 2023, and while the league has yet to announce its All-CPL Teams for the 2024 season, it’s safe to say he will up that accolade as a member of the First Team All-CPL outfield.
All player awards are selected after gathering feedback from head coaches and league officials, as well as seasonal statistical analysis.
About Coastal Plain League:
The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s premier summer collegiate baseball league. The CPL is currently comprised of 15 franchises playing in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. To date, the CPL has had over 1,800 alumni drafted, and 194 alums make their Major League debut. Most notable alumni include Justin Verlander, Ryan Zimmerman, Mark Reynolds, Kevin Youkilis, Chris Taylor, Alec Bohm, Jake Cave, Chas McCormick and NFL Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok @CPLBaseball.
About Capitol Broadcasting Company:
Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. is a diversified communications company which owns and/or operates WRAL-TV, WRAZ-TV, WRAL-FM, WRAL-HD2, WNGT-CD, WCMC-FM, WCMC-HD1, WDNC-AM, WCMC-HD2, WCMC-HD3, WCLY-AM, WCMC-HD4, Microspace, WRAL Digital and Wolfpack Sports Properties (a joint venture with Learfield) in Raleigh, NC; WILM-TV, WILT-LD and Sunrise Broadcasting in Wilmington, NC; The Durham Bulls Baseball Club, Bull City Hospitality and Coastal Plain League in Durham, NC; The Holly Springs Salamanders in Holly Springs, NC; Greenville Yard Gnomes in Greenville, NC, the American Underground startup hub in Durham, NC; and real estate interests including the American Tobacco Historic District in Durham, NC, and Rocky Mount Mills in Rocky Mount, NC.