The Coastal Plain League has announced that Ryan Cusick of the High Point-Thomasville HiToms has been named the 2020 CPL Pitcher of the Year. This was Cusick’s first season with the HiToms and his first in the CPL.
“Cuse [Cusick] was so much fun to coach,” said HiToms head coach Mickey Williard. “I had heard coming in about the sheer arm talent, but watching him compete to show off the things that would take his game to next level was great to see. He exhibited increased fastball control to the tune of 40K/9BB and showed more consistent flash of a plus breaking ball offering. He propelled himself up draft boards and is solidly in the conversation to come off the board in the 1st round of the 2021 MLB Draft. Couldn’t be happier for such a hard worker who is very deserving of this honor.”
Cusick, a 6-6, 225-pound sophomore from Wake Forest finished the season with a 1.14 ERA across five starts and 23 2/3 innings pitched as the ace of the 2020 CPL Mid-Atlantic Region Champions. As noted by Williard, his control was on display all season as the right-hander managed a league leading 40 strikeouts while walking only nine for a 15.21 strikeout per nine ratio. In total he allowed only 12 hits for a .114 opponent batting average and 0.53 WHIP while allowing only three earned runs all season.
Due to the abbreviated season the CPL did not have an All-Star team this summer, however his performance did earn him a spot on the All-CPL First Team that will be announced tomorrow. All player awards are selected after gathering feedback from coaches as well as team and league officials.
Cusick will return to Wake Forest for the 2021 season hoping to build on his impressive summer and by many reports find himself selected very early in the 2021 MLB Draft next June.
About Coastal Plain League:
The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s premier summer collegiate baseball league. Heading into its 24th season in 2020, the CPL features 15 franchises playing in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. To date, the CPL has had over 1,600 alumni drafted and 135 alums – including 2017 ALCS MVP, 2017 World Series champion, 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young award winner Justin Verlander, as well as 2017 NLCS MVP Chris Taylor – make their Major League debut. 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 Snapchat @CPLBaseball.