The 2023 Hyannis Harbor Hawks All-Star Selections

Four hitters and two pitchers to represent the Harbor Hawks at the All-Star game

By: Mike Maynard

It’s official: the 2023 Cape Cod Baseball League All-Star rosters have been released, and the Hyannis Harbor Hawks have six players that will represent the team at Whitehouse Field on Saturday, July 22.

With six players selected, Hyannis is tied with Harwich, Orleans, Y-D, Bourne and Wareham for the second-most players picked for the 2023 team. Brewster is the only team with more selections (seven).

One of the six Harbor Hawks will be a starter in the game, and the name won’t surprise any fans of the team. Florida State third baseman Cam Smith has been the most consistent player on the roster for Hyannis after a somewhat slow beginning to the summer.

“[Being an all-star] means everything to me,” Smith said. “Especially in the 100th year of the Cape [League]. It’s pretty special.”

It took Smith 10 games to get his batting average above .200, but ever since then, he hasn’t looked back. At the time of being selected, Smith’s average climbed all the way to .313 putting him at fifth in the CCBL.

Smith has shown more than just average as well, adding on 14 extra-base hits to his stat line. He sits at second in the league with eight doubles and tied in third in both triples and home runs with two and four respectively. His slugging percentage also is fourth among all hitters.

The slugger has had success in the field on top of his stellar offensive performance. In his 30 games played, he sits with a .981 fielding percentage with 22 putouts, 29 assists and only one error at the hot corner.

Nick Mitchell was another player that was made an All-Star for the Harbor Hawks. The newly transferred Indiana outfielder played nine games with the Y-D Red Sox before joining Hyannis for his first game on June 26.

“This is a great league so I’m excited to be an all-star,” Mitchell said. “It’s definitely a great honor to be mixed in with the other guys.”

At the time of his selection, Mitchell played in 15 games for the Harbor Hawks and has a cumulative .290 batting average between both teams, putting him 10th in the CCBL. His three triples slot him at second in the league there too.

Mitchell has been solid in the outfield as well, with a 1.000 fielding percentage for Hyannis to go along with 15 putouts and two assists. He has been the everyday leadoff man for the Harbor Hawks ever since joining the team because of his success in all facets of the game.

Oregon State middle infield transfer Elijah Hainline found a spot on the Western All-Star team as well. He joined Hyannis the same game that Mitchell did on June 26 and has been a consistent member of the lineup since then.

“Not a lot of guys get to [be an all-star],” Hainline said. “It’s a pretty good opportunity to come out and showcase yourself in front of the best and play against the best… Every kid wants to do it growing up.”

Hainline has 15 games played at the time of the selections and stands with a .280 batting average putting him 12th in the CCBL. He has 12 walks compared to 11 strikeouts and added on a home run for good measure.

In the field, Hainline has 22 putouts and 19 assists to go along with a .911 fielding percentage while patrolling both shortstop and second base for the Harbor Hawks.

The fourth and final all-star hitter for Hyannis in 2023 is Ohio State outfielder Trey Lipsey. Lipsey has been with the team since the first game of the summer and has been a solid left-handed bat to use against right-handed pitching.

“It’s a huge honor,” Lipsey said. “I’m super excited and I’m glad that the work I’ve put in was able to pay off. I’m super excited to represent the Hyannis Harbor Hawks.”

In 23 games Lipsey sits with a .241 batting average to go along with two triples and a team-leading four stolen bases. He has been one of the most consistent defenders for the Harbor Hawks boasting a 1.000 fielding percentage with 36 putouts in the outfield.

The first of two pitching all-stars for Hyannis is Florida State lefty Jaime Arnold. Arnold has been with the team since the beginning of the summer and has made nine different appearances.

“I didn’t come in here thinking I would be [an All-Star],” Arnold said. “It’s a really cool opportunity to play [at Whitehouse Field] for the All-Star game.”

Arnold is tied for 12th in the CCBL with 21 strikeouts and has a sub-3.00 ERA. The left-hander has two starts with a 1-1 record. He has surrendered five walks and 13 hits in 16.1 innings pitched.

The other pitcher that will represent the Harbor Hawks for 2023 is transfer portal right-hander Ethan Lanthier. Lanthier pitched in the first game of the summer and has been with the squad ever since.

“It’s just an amazing experience,” Lanthier said. “I can’t even describe how cool it is. To get the honor to play in the All-Star game is just special.”

In his seven appearances (all in relief), Lanthier has a 1-1 record with a 2.38 ERA. He has added 18 strikeouts and a save in his 11.1 innings pitched.

These six players have shown the ability to put together consistent success over the course of the 2023 season for Hyannis. All six guys will look to continue their success on Saturday, July 22 at Whitehouse Field when they take on the East Division in the All-Star Game. Hopefully, the added confidence will help to bring continued success through August.

“It’s great as a college player to just participate in this league,” head coach Eric Beattie said. “To be one of the best in the league is a true honor. I hope these guys don’t take that for granted. I’m happy for all six of them.”

Mike Maynard can be reached at mikemay62@gmail.com and followed on Twitter @mikecmaynard