See who are this year’s best hitter, pitcher and defensive player
By Michael Adams
madams@austinsportsjournal.com
Here are the individual award winners for the 2024 Austin Sports Journal’s All-Austin Metro baseball team. You can find the all-metro teams here.
Mr. Austin Baseball (player of the year)
Oscar Salazar, Rouse, senior pitcher/first baseman
The Austin Sports Journal’s readers voted Salazar the top player in the Greater Austin Area, and we wholeheartedly agree. Salazar was a glue that held the Raiders together, lifting the team to its second state tournament appearance this decade. When he wasn’t terrorizing opposing pitchers at the plate, he would bully opposing batters on the mound.
A three-time Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association all-state selection, the Weatherford College signee was a catalyst in Rouse’s historic playoff run.
At the plate, he had a .404 batting average with 22 extra base hits, including 16 doubles and 4 triples. He also drove in 50 runs. Salazar was just as dominating on the mound, posting an. 11-1 record with 106 strikeouts and a 1.19 earned run average. He earned several postseason accolades, including a first team nod on the All-District 25-5A team and being named to the THSBCA Elite 5A all-state team. He can now add being the first ever Mr. Austin Baseball on the ASJ’s All-Austin Metro baseball team.
Rising Star (top newcomer)
Jorian Guinn Jr., Weiss, sophomore outfielder
Whether it be on the football field or baseball diamond, future Weiss opponents are going to have nightmares about Jorian Guinn Jr. for the next two years. The multi-sport start was awarded the Austin Sports Journal’s Defensive Rising Star Award for football in the fall.
Now, he can add his second Rising Star Award to his resume after helping the Wolves baseball team reach the postseason. Guinn had a batting average of .395 with 14 stolen bases and 26 runs scored.
Pitcher of the Year
Gunner Ferguson, Thorndale, junior
A big part of Thorndale’s run to the Class 2A regional semifinals, the District 27-2A most valuable player was a force to be reckoned with at the plate and on the mound. The multi-sport standout excelled on the baseball field this year, earning a second team nod to the THSCBA Class 2A team.
On the mound, Ferguson posted a 12-0 record on the mound with a 0.56 earned run average and 88 strikeouts. At the plate, he drove in 31 runs and had 11 hits for extra bases with a .386 batting average.
Hitter of the Year
Chris Alsobrooks, Round Rock, junior catcher
One of the best offensive and defensive players in the Greater Austin Metro Area, Alsobrooks helped the Dragons reach the second round of the playoffs. As the Dragons’ top offensive player, the THSBCA first team all-state selection had a .412 batting average and scored 27 runs. Defensively, he committed few errors and finished the season with a .991 fielding percentage.
Gold Glove Award (top defensive player)
Taylor Tracey, Dripping Springs, junior outfielder/pitcher
The District 26-6A most valuable player helped the Tigers reach the second round of the playoffs and to a second-place finish in a competitive district. The THSBCA first team all-state selection had a .402 batting average and a .729 slugging percentage. He had 20 hits for extra bases, including 6 home runs and 11 doubles, while stealing 26 bases. He was near perfect defensively in the outfield and commanded the mound where he struck out 43 batters in 22.1 innings pitched with a 3-0 record and one save.
Coach of the Year
Chad Krempin, Rouse
Rouse baseball comes alive in the postseason as evident by its run to the Class 5A state tournament. No baseball team reaches that pinnacle without a good coach. Krempin led the Raiders to a 34-10-1 record and their second state tournament and third regional final appearance in the last four years. Rouse was near perfect throughout the playoffs sweeping four of their first five opponents, including District 25-5A co-champion Cedar Park.